Instructor: Dr. Richard 0. Dalbey

E-mail: dalbey@mailhost2.csusm.edu

Dalbey's WWW SDSU Home Page: http://www-rohan.sdsu.edu/faculty/dalbey/index.html

Campus Office: SS2428 (shared office - second floor, southeast location - near Accounting & IDS offices).

Campus phone: 594-4200 (share faculty phone number -- no voice mail) IDS department office SS-2411 (594-5316, phone & message number); fax 594-3675 Office Hours: preferably before class, Monday-Thursday (and by special appointment and e-mail access)

PREREQUISITES:
Rhetoric and Writing Studies 100 and SDSU Writing Competency requirement.

COURSE DESCRIPTION:
Principles of effective communication applied to business letters, memos, and reports. Includes the organization, writing, and presentation of business documents. Incorporates basic principles of speaking effectively for business.

COURSE OBJECTIVE:
The objective of the course is to help students make the progress they desire and need in bettering their own ability to communicate effectively in business writing. Each student successfully completing the course will show planning, organizational, and writing abilities by preparation of mail-able letters, reports, and other business media.

REQUIRED TEXTS (used copies available):
Ramond V. Lesikar, John D. Pettit, Jr., and Marie E. Flatley, Lesikar's Basic Business Communication (Eight Edition, Irwin/McGraw-Hill, 1999); William A. Sabin, The Gregg Reference Manual (Eight Edition, Glencoe, Esterville, OH, 1995); and Richard 0. Dalbey, editor, Report Writing and Communicating for Employment packets (SDSU Bookstore).

Highly Recommended: an up-to-date dictionary (good recently released college editions are Meriam Webster and American Heritage, and a good Thesaurus.

Bring all required texts and handouts to each class meeting.

GRADING AND APPLIED STANDARDS:
"A" denotes superior work, "B" above average, "C" satisfactory (the most common undergraduate grade), "D" below average, and "F" failing (the instructor uses the 4-0 numerical system -- see the SDSU General Catalog). Papers are graded on content, structure, grammar, spelling, format, accuracy, originality, and interpretation of the problem. There are no make-ups on in-class or outside written assignments. I do not give incomplete grades or extra credit work.

Final grades will represent performance in two components of the course: writing assignments and the final exam (oral presentations are also included on a volunteer basis which will be explained). Please refer to the following values:

• Final Exam (200 questions true/false & multiple choice) 30%
• Report Writing 30%
• Resume and Prospecting (Persuasive) Letter 20%
• Letter of Request 10%
• Bad News Letter 10%
• TOTAL 100%

Graded papers will be discussed only during office hours, not before or after class. Please adhere to this request.

ATTENDANCE:
Enrollment in the College of Business Administration assumes maturity, seriousness of purpose, and self-discipline. Every student is expected to attend each meeting of all classes for which registered. You have to be in class to know what the assignment is.

Attendance will be taken daily (your name is either on the list or it isn't - no excuses). You are allowed one absence at no penalty (remember, missing just one class period is equal to missing one week of class on the semester system). After that the penalty system applies: 2nd absence, your final semester grade point will be lowered (e.g., from 3.0 to 2.7); 3rd absence, another grade point reduction (e.g., from 2.7 to 2.3), etc. It is not worth it to jeopardize your final semester grade average with repeated absences. You are getting a full semester course in three weeks and this alone makes attendance mandatory.

Punctuality is as important in the classroom as in business, and interruptions of class by latecomers will not be tolerated (if you are more than 10 minutes late to class on two or more occasions, you will be counted absent and the penalty system applies). Class begins on time and all announcements made at that time so please be punctual.

CHEATING AND DISRUPTION:
Please click here and also refer to the SDSU General Catalog to view the official policy.

LATENESS POLICY:
You are responsible for the timely submission of all out-of-class writing assignments. Assignments are due at the BEGINNING of the class Period designated on your course schedule. Written assignments turned in late receive either receive a late penalty (full grade reduction) or no credit at all after consultation with the instructor (all decisions made by the instructor are final). Do not under any circumstances shove papers under my office door, place on my office desk, or turn in to the departmental secretary (unless you have my permission). Simply said, get your papers in on time at the beginning of class to receive full credit and DO YOUR OWN WORK!

Keeping all your papers is a good idea.

EMERGENCIES:
Although Bona Fide emergencies will be handled on an individual basis, only documented severe illness or other grave circumstances will be considered valid reasons for an assignment turned in late or absence. Pre-arrangements can be made for situations that the student knows in advance may affect the turning in of an assignment on time or attendance.

OTHER:
No food or beverages in the classroom. Cellular phones, watch alarms, and beepers must be turned OFF. Proper classroom decorum is in order.

COURSE SCHEDULE:
While the course schedule attempts to give you an idea of the material to be covered, you are responsible for any changes as announced in class or posted on the instructor's office door.

OFFICE HOURS (read carefully):
Office interaction provides the unique opportunity of getting to know an instructor and to enhance the learning experience. Students are expected to prepare for meetings with instructors. Take into account the following: (1) come to my office with specific questions (write them down beforehand), (2) bring all necessary material with you (texts, handouts), (3) if you are coming to discuss graded work, be prepared to discuss ideas, not points, and (4) if you want a communication critiqued, it should be typed and in final form. Write down specific questions to discuss rather than take the stance, "What do you think of it" (in which case I will ask you what you think of it and your immediate concerns). My job is to review and throw out ideas, not correct or rewrite your paper unless you want a grade at that time. You must be adequately prepared to help me accomplish objectives and meet me half way. I will always announce extended office hours in class when I feel there is a need.

Whenever you have questions, concerns, gripes, etc., always go to your instructor first.

Have a good summer session -- IDS 290 is a great course!

 

Information and Decision systems 290
A Vital Link to Success in the World of the Business Professional
by
Debra Kay Dailey

International Photo Gallery

"Writing is an act of faith -- it must be kept alive"

E.B. White (1899-1985)

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ids290/dalbey/summer2OOO