Fleming College Toronto

Global Business Management

Fall-2023

Teaching and Learning Plan

Course Information

Course Title Professional Course Code COMM198

Communications
Pre-Requisites/ None Course 45
Co-Requisites Hours
Delivery Mode Online
Program Manager Kanika Khera Program kanika.khera@flemingcollegetoronto.ca
Manager
Contact
Developed by Chadia Mansour Approved
by

Instructor/Section Information

Instructor Name Deepika Bhatia, Ph.D. Section/Group FCT

GBT1.6
Course Date and Tuesday (8:30-11:30AM) Campus Toronto
Time
Instructor Email Deepika.bhatia@flemingcollegetoronto.ca Room Online
Instructor Office Monday (9:30-11:30AM)
Hours
COURSE DESCRIPTION
This course teaches foundational skills in writing and speaking to support students in their
postgraduate Business programs while also preparing them for the communication demands of
the contemporary Business workplace. Working both individually and collaboratively, students
learn a variety of Business workplace writing formats, including e-mails, memos, and reports.
The course also covers research, APA citation and documentation, professional presentations,
working in teams, and communicating across cultures.
LEARNING OUTCOMES
Upon successful completion of this course, the student has reliably demonstrated the ability to:
Number Learning Outcome
1 Analyze the needs of authentic audiences to communicate clearly, correctly, and to
the standards of business workplaces.
2 Analyze the communication styles and writing conventions of specific workplace
communities to communicate effectively in a variety of writing forms and for real-
world organizational structures.
3 Use appropriate technology to create effective and professional business
documents.
4 Locate, analyze, incorporate, and cite (in APA style) research appropriate to
specific writing tasks.
5 Develop strategies for engaging in professional business writing as an iterative and
complex process.
6 Collaborate professionally and equitably on oral and written communication
activities that reflect the social and technological connectivity of contemporary
business workplaces.
7 Demonstrate awareness of issues in intercultural communication as they apply to
business negotiations and transactions.

LEARNING RESOURCES
Type Author Title Publisher ISBN Edition URL,
Other
Required texts, resources
and materials
Supplemental/
Recommended
Resources
 EVALUATION DETAILS

Percentage of
Type of Evaluation/Assessment Week
Final Grade
In-class Activities:
3, 4, 5, 10 20%
(4) Learning activities-20% and (4) online discussions
Assignments:
Memo (20%) and Formal Report 1 (15%) + Formal Report 2 (20%)
6, 9, 14 55%
Presentations 7, 15 25%
Total N/A 100%

STANDARD COURSE PLAN

Week Topic /Theme/Chapter Assessments and Learning
Activities Outcomes

Week 1 A-Course welcome and introductions. Academic Integrity 1,2,3,5

Module and quiz
B- Introduction to academic integrity
Canvas Tutorial: watch
C- Effective communication styles in the workplace. the video on how to
navigate Canvas
 E-mails.
Online Discussion: Self-
Required Reading & Learning Activity: Introduction,
Communication Styles in the Workplace communication tips
For this week’s course material please do the using first & last names,
following: and guessing game!
(ungraded)
Read the assigned reading about workplace
communication styles and how to approach
them https://hypercontext.com/blog/communication/w
orkplace-communication-styles (Links to an external
site.)
Week Topic /Theme/Chapter Assessments and Learning
Activities Outcomes

Mark two to three takeaways that resonated with you.

Identify your communication style based on the

reading. Reflect on your own communication style.

Happy reading!
Note:
Course preview: next week (week2), you will engage
in a discussion in the course discussion forum, about
your default communications style and your ability to

shift styles based on the situation- so be ready! 😀

Week 2 A- What are professional communications? Online Discussion-1 1,2,3,5

B- Tips for successful business writing (effective
C- Academic Integrity communication styles in
the workplace)
Required Reading & Learning Activity:
Professional Communications & Rhetorical Refer to Online
analysis (business writing): Discussion Rubric
A- Professional Communications:
1- Watch effective communication: why is it
important for management and read
professional communication: definition and
issues
2- Based on the video and definition of
professional communication in the reading,
reflect on the way you communicate
professionally in various modalities and
contexts. Then, identify 1 aspect that you thrive
to consider more / improve in your professional
communication.
3- In a digital, social and mobile world we live in
nowadays, the way we communicate on social
media shapes the way we brand ourselves as
professionals.
a. Review the social media* (e.g.,
Facebook, LinkedIn, twitter,
Instagram…) posts you’ve made in the
last week.
Week Topic /Theme/Chapter Assessments and Learning
Activities Outcomes

b. Consider the following:

i. Think of yourself as a brand.
What qualities are you
projecting through your social
media posts?
ii. If an employer knew nothing
else about you, what might they
assume?
*(If you don’t have an existing profile, consider
writing about what you might put in a public
professional profile).
In 1 slide, create a mini presentation that considers
the above and show case an example of how you
effectively brand yourself professionally for a
potential job. Support your content with visuals and
limit your presentation to 60 to 90 seconds (1 to 1 and
half min)

B-Review the recorded PPT about writing a rhetorical

analysis _ tips for business writing.

Week 3 Recorded Session: 1,2,3,5

A- Types of Communication PPT (recorded In-class activity-1:
lecture) Self-branding Slide
Due (5%)
B- Grammar Workshop #1(noise in writing
activity) (recorded lecture & asynchronous
course)
Assignment (Get
C- Introduction to Memo Writing (PART II) Started) (Individual)-
(recorded lecture) Memo Draft 1

Coursework: Required Reading & Learning

Activity: APA & Documentation (Citing books:
APA (7th ed.) citation guide | SFU Library)

A- Practice noise in writing & check answer key

B- Read Introduction to APA citation and
documentation PPT
C- APA practice: Documentation of 5 references
PPT -
Week Topic /Theme/Chapter Assessments and Learning
Activities Outcomes

D- Communication Skills in a Challenging Digital

Age marketplace PPT
E- Wordiness: danger signals and ways to react

Week 4 Types of Communications Cont’d: 1,2,3,5

Individual Assignment
A- Practicing Active Listening & Communicating Memo Draft 1 Due
Non-verbally Cengage PPT (complete/incomplete)

B- Grammar/writing Workshop #2:

In-class activity-2:
- Cengage: Building Well-organized Peer review due 24
paragraph ppt hrs. after class
- Writing development worksheet: Refer to Peer Review
paragraph writing (structure, topic Rubric (5%)
sentence, grammar and punctuation
practice)
- Answer key doc

C- APA Citation

Week 5 Introduction to communicating across cultures. In-class Activity-3: 1,2,3,5,7

(pair work) (5%)
Communication Plan
Synchronous coursework: Development Video
DUE
A- Understanding Communication and Culture: (pair work)
Cengage slides#35-46 (synchronous/live) _ Communication plan
development Video: for
B- Grammar/writing Workshop #3: -- Cengage this activity you are
chapt 3 ppt organizing and drafting business required to work in pairs
messages (synchronous/live) (groups of 2) and into 2
parts to develop a
C- Get started with in-class activity#2
communication plan for
communication plan video:
Check on assigned pairs (Q&As) in a hypothetical project:
synchronous class and continue ---Part 1: is to create a
asynchronously. plan and include details
Asynchronous coursework: such as the stakeholders
involved, the types of
Required Readings & Learning Activity: communications that
Week Topic /Theme/Chapter Assessments and Learning
Activities Outcomes

will be used, and a

schedule for regular
A- Communication Plan Development Video check-ins and updates.
Submit your plan in
B- English sentence level writing - CENGAGE 3- writing (3 paragraphs
3 Writing a First Draft with Powerful (350-450 words).
Sentences PPT
Part 2 is to use that plan
C- Writing development worksheet (run-on and create a video to
sentences & punctuation) present it. Refer to Com.
Plan Video Rubric

Week 6 Communicating across cultures cont’d 1,2,3,5,7

Assignments-1:
Required Readings & Learning Activity: Memo Final Due
(20%)
A- Ensuring Intercultural Effectiveness PPT:
slides# 47 -54
B- Grammar Workshop #4:
Cengage chapt 3 (3-4) Mastering Four Helpful
Writing Techniques PPT

C-Presentation skills: watch How to Give a Great

Presentation: 7 presentation skills video. Introduction
to PechaKucha
After watching the video, reflect on your presentation
skills, identify areas of weaknesses and create a plan to
work on them.

Week 7 Introduction to Group Presentation Assignment 1,2,3, 5 ,7

In-Class Activity (group
Synchronous Report/Business Case of 3 work) Innovative
Session#1 Change
Synchronous Coursework: Innovative Change
Proposal Presentation: Assignment Description Presentation-1:
(10%) Outline
Create an outline for
Teams/groups and topics selection your proposed
https://whatfix.com/blog/10-change-management- innovative oral
Week Topic /Theme/Chapter Assessments and Learning
Activities Outcomes

models/ proposal:
- decide on a change
Topics: Innovative Change Management Proposal idea, read about change
Presentation (choose from list of models), management models,
General description: select one model and
1- In groups of three, choose from the change state how it aligns with
models and argue for an innovative change in your proposed change
your organization (relevant to your field of idea. submit your idea,
expertise/or any of your choice) following one selected model and
of the models. In arguing for your proposed preliminary steps)
change, you should follow the steps as
described by the model you will adopt.
Your innovative change management proposal Refer to Innovative
presentation will be to the top management, and you Change Management
have 6 min per group (2m per group member) to Proposal Oral
present your change idea and how to implement it Presentation Rubric
using your selected change management model.
Steps:
1- Propose an innovative change that you would
like to implement in your (hypothetical)
organization.
2- Carefully read about the 10 change
management models
3- Choose one of the models that best align with
your change idea.
4- Follow the model to prepare a presentation
during which you will argue for your proposed
change.
In your presentation you are required to:
1- Pitch your idea for change
2- Present your model (a summary of the
theory/model, steps, etc..)
3- Follow the model and present your proposed
execution of the change/how you will reach
your desired outcome.
Housekeeping: Q&As, meet your group members,
collaboration (assignment brainstorming)
Asynchronous Coursework: Required Reading &
Learning Activity:

A- Read “10 Change Management Models”

B- Innovative Change Presentation Outline
Week Topic /Theme/Chapter Assessments and Learning
Activities Outcomes

C- Presentation skills Top Tips for Effective

Presentations (website also includes reading
skills, writing skills and other skills related to
this course.

Week 8 Independent study week. No classes

Week 9 PechaKucha presentations 1,2,3,5,6

Miscommunication in Project Management

Formal Report Writing Assignment-2: (15%)
(Individual)
Required Reading & Learning Activity: Formal Report
Worksheet Outline
A- Read Miscommunication in Project Innovative Change
Management shorts articles. Presentation Outline
B- Review: Cengage chpt 10--Preparing Formal
Business Reports PPT 10-2
C- Formal Report Worksheet Outline
D -Reading/Writing workshop:
- How to read critically: Review “How to read
graphic texts pdf” & “How to read information
texts pdf”
- Tools for improving technical writing skills
Worksheet (dictionary exercise)

External resources: FCT Library Fleming College

Toronto Library: Pages
Week 10 Business Writing and Research + Evaluating Sources In-Class Activity-4: 1,2,3,4,5,6
Collaboration vs Cooperation Annotated
Synchronous Synchronous Coursework: Bibliography (5%)
Session# 2 (library data base
A-Debrief about Formal Report Assignment search:
B-Introduction to Research:3-1 Drafting Workplace 1) find 4-6 articles
Messages Begins with Research to use in your
C-Library research: guest librarian report
assignment
Required Reading and Learning Activity: (started in
(Asynchronous): synchronous
Week Topic /Theme/Chapter Assessments and Learning
Activities Outcomes

class after
A- Essay writing PPT librarian tutorial)
B-Writing a thesis pdf 2) crate an
C-Writing Development worksheet: writing a thesis annotated
statement. bibliography
Due/end of
week.

Week 11 Research & Writing Cont’d 1,2,3,4,5,6

Using sources: Quotation, Paraphrase and
Synchronous Summary Review Online Discussion-2
Session#3 Synchronous Coursework: DUE (effective
communication styles in
Innovative Change Management Presentation the workplace)
UPDATES FROM TEAM LEADERS
Asynchronous Coursework: Required Reading and
Learning Activity:
A- Grammar Workshop #5 using research
material: Source use strategies worksheet
(summary & paraphrase)

B- Watch Top Five Team Management Skills.

(video)

Week 12 Revising and Polishing Writing 1,2,3,4,5,6

Using research materials. APA. Online discussion-3
(Non-verbal
Required Reading and Learning Activity: Communications)
A- Peer review of Report Draft 1
B- Grammar Workshop# 6 Cengage chapt #4
Revising: Applying Phase 3 of the Writing
Process PPT
C- Writing Development Worksheet:
(paraphrasing and quotation)

Week 13 Revising and Polishing Writing Cont’d Online Discussion-4 1,2,3,4,5,

Required Reading and Learning Activity: (Team management and 6
Miscommunication in
A- Team management reflection on Guiding PM)
Week Topic /Theme/Chapter Assessments and Learning
Activities Outcomes

Questions and Online Discussion Contribution

B- Keep collaborating on your Group Presentation

(Innovative Change Management)
Week 14 Group presentations Assignment-3: Final 1,2,3,4,5,
Final Reports self-assessment and final submission: Report Due (20%) 6
A- Keep improving (editing and revising) your Refer to Formal Written
report: follow Formal Report Writing Revision Report Rubric
Worksheet then submit your final report.

Week 15 Group presentations Group Presentation 1,2,3,4,5,

Assignment Due (15%) 6
Synchronous A- Revisit presentation skills video and rehearse (during synchronous
Session#5 as a group! session)
B- Be ready to present on [date] in our last
synchronous session [Time] Refer to Innovative
Change Proposal
Presentation Rubric

POLICIES AND REGULATIONS

E-MAIL COMMUNICATION
As per College regulations, all students are required to check their student e-mail account
regularly. E-mail is the official route of communication between the College and its students.

PLAGIARISM AND ACADEMIC INTEGRITY

Refers to honoring an ethical and moral code regarding the honest creation of an individual’s
own work and the acknowledgement of contributions from others to that work.
Examples of Academic Integrity violations include (but are not limited to):

 Plagiarism — Taking someone else's work or ideas and passing them off as one's own.
Examples include (but are not limited to) using some else’s work or ideas from the
internet, textbooks, another student’s work, and/or library resources.

 Copyright Infringement – Using work protected by copyright/Canadian

Copyright law without permission. Examples include photocopying or taking
pictures of copyright-protected textbook pages or selling a copy of a copyright-
protected resource to another student.

 Cheating — An unethical or dishonest act carried through by a student to gain

assessment marks. Examples include (but are not limited to) using unauthorized
electronic devices or other aids during academic assessments, and/or looking at
another student’s work during an academic assessment.

 Facilitating Academic Dishonesty — Allowing a classmate or another student to

copy assessment work, buy/sell assignments for the purpose of plagiarism, and/or
providing a student with their private student login information for the purpose of
having someone else complete their academic assessment work.

 False Identity — A student who logs into another student’s account for the purpose of
completing academic assessment work on their behalf or assuming another student’s
identity for the purpose of writing a quiz, test, or exam.

 Forgery — Creating and/or submitting false documents such as employer

co-op/placement/applied project feedback, medical notes, reports, and/or signing
another person’s name.

 Multiple Submission — Submitting substantially the same academic assessment work

in two or more courses without faculty permission. This may include work from a
previous education institution.

 Unauthorized Collaboration — Working with one or more individuals to complete

academic assessments that are intended to be completed on one’s own. Examples
include (but are not limited to) collaborating as a group during an online, D2L or
take-home assessment, and/or splitting up assignment work without faculty
permission.

 Sabotage — Taking intentional action to prevent another student from

successfully completing an academic assessment. Examples include (but are
not limited to) destroying someone’s work, removing/destroying reserved
content, and/or deleting another student’s computer files.

 Use of Turnitin Software

 Students agree that by taking this course all required papers may be subject to submission
for textual similarity review to Turnitin.com in support of academic integrity. All
submitted papers will be included as source documents in the Turnitin.com reference
database solely for the purpose of detecting plagiarism of such papers. Use of the
Turnitin.com service is subject to the Usage Policy posted on the Turnitin.com site.

ACADEMIC INTEGRITY
Students are subject to the College’s Practice on Student Academic Misconduct and should
therefore be aware of what constitutes academic misconduct and its consequences. Student
academic misconduct is a serious offence and will not be tolerated. It may take many forms and
not limited to, plagiarism, copying another student’s work or allowing others to copy one’s own
work, the use of unauthorized aids in assignments or examinations, falsifying identity and
logging into another student’s account, submitting substantially the same academic assessment
work in two or more courses without faculty permission, unauthorized group work for an
individually assigned assignment, the willful distortion or fabrication of experimental results or
data, and the use of generative artificial intelligence (AI), such as ChatGPT or other, to help
complete any of your work in this course.
If you are unsure of what constitutes academic integrity infringements such as plagiarism or
others, or you do not know whether an online resource or tool can be used in this course, you can
seek assistance from your instructor, program Manager, academic advisors, or the library staff.
You can also refer to the beFCT Study Ready resources link 1. Academic Integrity Introduction:
beFCT Study Ready (flemingcollegetoronto.ca)

Students agree that by taking this course all submitted assignments/papers may be reviewed by
Turnitin for textual similarity in support of academic integrity. All submitted assignments/papers
will be included as source documents in the Turnitin reference database solely for the purpose of
detecting plagiarism of such papers. Use of the Turnitin service is subject to the Usage Policy
posted on the Turnitin.com website. Students also agree that all the submitted assignment/papers
may be checked for any AI-produced material using AI detection tools and software.

ATTENDANCE
Students are responsible for understanding the College Practice on Attendance and Lateness
and are advised that unless they participate in course activities, it is unlikely that they will be
able to progress satisfactorily.

MISSED OR LATE ASSIGNMENTS (LATE SUBMISSION PENALTY)

 Late submissions will be accepted based on the following rule: 10% of the mark off for
every day late up to 7 days, after that, it will be marked with 0.
  Appeal of any academic assessment or instructor decision will be made in accordance
with the Academic Appeal policy and the Student Rights and Responsibilities document.

ACADEMIC STANDING AND PROGRESSION

To progress to the next level of program study, a student must achieve all the following:

 A semester Grade Point Average (GPA) of 1.0 or greater

 A passing grade in 66.2/3 percent of registered course load
 Successful completion of prerequisite and/or co-requisite course(s) if applicable
 Successful completion of mandatory course and/or semester requirements (such as
non-academic requirements among others) as determined by the program.

STUDENT SUCCESS
Mutually, faculty and learners will support and adhere to college Academic Regulations, and
Student Rights and Responsibilities. The following policies and guidelines have been developed
to support the learning process.
Please click on the link for information about:
 Academic Integrity (FCT – 2-201A)
 Accessibility for Persons with Disabilities (FCT – 3-341)
 Students Rights and Responsibilities (FCT – 5-506)

USEFUL LINKS AND RESOURCES

The contacts below may provide useful resources and information that support your academic
and overall progress as a student, don’t hesitate to reach out if you require any help or support:

IT Issues: support@myflemingcollegetoronto.ca

Accessibility: accessibility@flemingcollegetoronto.ca

Academic Advising: academicadvising@flemingcollegetoronto.ca

Career Services: careerservices@flemingcollegetoronto.ca

Library: library@flemingcollegetoronto.ca

Student Orientation: Studentservices@flemingcollegetoronto.ca