BB101 - Business Communications

Credit Points: 15 credit points

Workload: 36 hours

Prerequisite: N/A

Co-requisite: N/A

Aims & Objectives

This is a first-year core unit offered in the Bachelor of Business program. The unit provides a pathway for students to continue on with a Bachelor of Business, majoring in Management, Marketing and Accounting. For further information refer to: http://www.mit.edu.au/study-with- us/programs/bachelor-business.
This unit provides a theoretical and practical introduction to key elements of effective communication within a contemporary business environment. The unit emphasises the principles of effective communication processes including written, spoken, formal and informal. The unit explores the relationship between the structure of communication within organisations, online communication, intercultural communication, negotiation and conflict management. Students will develop applied communication skills through oral and written assessments in tutorials and lectures.

Unit topics include:

  • Understanding business communication
  • Interpersonal communication skills
  • Self-esteem, self-confidence and self-efficacy
  • Oral communication
  • Communicating in teams
  • Negotiation and conflict management
  • Business writing
  • Writing business reports
  • Online business writing
  • Employment communication
  • Contemporary ethical issues

Learning Outcomes

The Course learning outcomes applicable to this unit are listed on the Melbourne Institute of Technology’s website: www.mit.edu.au
At the completion of this unit students should be able to:
a. Develop a basic capacity to reflect on current theory and practice.
b. Demonstrate the ability to convey both spoken and written communications and understanding of the key concepts of the communication process.
c. Apply research skills and resources to collect, analyse and present task-relevant information in a logical and professional manner.
d. Demonstrate the ability to work independently or as part of a team as an effective communicator.
e. Develop an understanding of negotiation and conflict resolution management principles.

Assessment

Assessment Task Due Date A B Unit Learning Outcomes
1. Formative Assessment Week 3 5% - a
2. Contribution and Participation Weeks 1-12 - 15% a-e
3. Presentation [Group] Week 6 - 20% a-d
4. Self-Reflection Report [Individual] Week 9 25% - a-e
5. Job Application Portfolio [Individual] Week 12 35% - a-d
TOTALS   65% 35%  

Task Type: Type A: unsupervised, Type B: supervised.

Contribution and Participation (5%)

This unit has class participation as an assessment. The assessment task and marking rubric will follow the Guidelines on Assessing Class Participation (https://www.mit.edu.au/about-us/governance/institute-rules-policies-and-plans/policies-procedures-and-guidelines/Guidelines_on_Assessing_Class_Participation). Further details will be provided in the assessment specification on the type of assessment tasks and the marking rubrics.

Teaching Methods

NOTE: All School of Business units 3-hour workshops Flipped Classroom Mode. 

Textbook and Reference Materials

Note: Access to the textbook is provided by the MIT Library online. Students do not have to purchase the book.

Prescribed Text Book

  • Lawson, C., Gill, R., Feekery, A., Witsel, M., Lewis, M., Cenere, P. (2019), Communication Skills for Business Professionals [2nd Edition]. Cambridge University Press, UK.

Other recommended references

  • Newman, A. (2016). Business Communication: In Person, In Print, Online [10th Edition]. Cengage Learning, Australia.
  • Sullivan, J. (2017). Simply said: Communicating better at work and beyond. Wiley, New Jersey, USA.

Journal articles

  • International Journal of Business Communication.
  • Journal of Communication Management.
  • Journal of Business Communication.

The Referencing style for this unit is IEEE: See the MIT Library Referencing webpage: https://library.mit.edu.au/referencing/IEEE and the Unit Moodle page for additional referencing support material and weblinks.

Graduate Attributes

MIT is committed to ensure the course is current, practical and relevant so that graduates are “work ready” and equipped for life-long learning. In order to accomplish this, the MIT Graduate Attributes identify the required knowledge, skills and attributes that prepare students for the industry.
The level to which Graduate Attributes covered in this unit are as follows:

Ability to communicate Independent and Lifelong Learning Ethics Analytical and Problem Solving Cultural and Global Awareness Team work Specialist knowledge of a field of study

Legend

Levels of attainment Extent covered
The attribute is covered by theory and practice, and addressed by assessed activities in which the students always play an active role, e.g. workshops, lab submissions, assignments, demonstrations, tests, examinations.
The attribute is covered by theory or practice, and addressed by assessed activities in which the students mostly play an active role, e.g. discussions, reading, intepreting documents, tests, examinations.
The attribute is discussed in theory or practice; it is addressed by assessed activities in which the students may play an active role, e.g. lectures and discussions, reading, interpretation, workshops, presentations.
The attribute is presented as a side issue in theory or practice; it is not specifically assessed, but it is addressed by activities such as lectures or tutorials.
The attribute is not considered, there is no theory or practice or activities associated with this attribute.