COURSE TITLE:  Managerial Reports, 3 Hours

PREREQUISITES:  ENG 101 and ENG 102

INSTRUCTOR:  Dr. Lana W. Carnes

OFFICE HOURS:  Combs 104--Hours posted and by appointment
859-622-8005; fincarne@acs.eku.edu

REQUIRED TEXT:  Lesikar and Pettit, Report Writing for Business, Irwin, 1998.
                                                Managerial Reports ACS 300 Workbook, 2000-2001.

SUPPLIES:   2 transparencies, water-based pen

COURSE DESCRIPTION: Applications of communication theory, research methods, and information technology to communication within organizations.  Includes common communication tasks faced by managers; communication task and audience analysis; collecting, organizing, analyzing, and interpreting data.  Emphasizes written and oral reporting.

COURSE OBJECTIVES: After completing this course, students should:

1.  Have a broad basic knowledge of business reports.

2.  Be able to write specific types of reports such as 
     memorandum reports, short reports, and long formal reports.

3.  Be able to decide which type of report would be best for 
    different situations.

4.  Be able to write more effectively and efficiently using correct grammar and punctuation.

5.  Understand the impact of corporate and organizational climate on communication effectiveness.

6.  Be able to gather, tabulate, edit, and organize information.

7.  Be able to analyze data and to write realistic conclusions and recommendations.

8.  Understand the ethical issues involved in collecting and reporting data.

9.  Be able to plan and deliver oral presentations needed to defend decisions and recommendations.

10.  Understand the dynamics of working as a member of a team to successfully accomplish an objective.

11.  Be able to select and use the appropriate technology for both oral and written presentations.

COURSE REQUIREMENTS:  The following items comprise the grade in ACS 300:

Comprehensive Project (35 percent)

A formal report that includes primary data that students collect from interviews with business executives.  Students are divided into teams of three and collect data from two executives each. In teams, students select a topic to research, write a problem statement, decide on the factors to research, design a questionnaire, and share their data with team members.  From the individual interviews, the students compile their data as a team.  From the team’s compiled data, individual team members each write a formal report.

The team orally presents the proposal for their project, which includes the problem statement, secondary data, and the questionnaire, to the class.   After each team member has written his/her report, the team gives an oral presentation to the class and a visiting business executive(s).

Interim Reports (40 percent)

A memorandum report, based on a case adapted to the course.  Students identify the problem, analyze the data, and draw conclusions and offer recommendations as appropriate.  A short report that analyzes actual data, based on a case adapted to the course.  Students identify the problem, analyze the data, draw conclusions, and offer recommendations.  Students will also use the computer to create the appropriate graphics.

An executive summary that highlights the findings of a report in a clear and meaningful way for an executive.

A business letter that requires knowledge and application of effective communication principles and theory.

Objective midterm over textbook, handouts and class activities.      (10 percent)

Final Exam--Comprehensive exam over textbook, handouts, and class activities.  (15 percent)

COURSE EVALUATION PROCESS:

Reports will be evaluated based on the following seven criteria:

1.  Accuracy--Free of format, spelling, grammar, and content errors

2.  Completeness--Adequate coverage of data, appropriate organization (headings and transition)

3.  Clarity--Logic of writing and ease of understanding

4.  Candor--Appropriate in tone

5.  Relevance--Realistic, logical, and meaningful to reader

6.  Timing--Submitted at the scheduled time

7.  Acceptance--Overall useful and satisfactory to a superior

The following percentage scale will be used to determine the overall grade:

A  90-100 Percent
B 80-89
C 70-79
D 60-69

All reports must be typed or computer generated.  Students are encouraged to use computers to store and edit their work.  As in a business organization, students should keep either stored or hard copies of all assigned work.  All graphics must be constructed on a computer or word processor.

STANDARD PRACTICES COMPETENCY:  Students who complete ACS 300 must demonstrate that they have a minimum or higher competency in standard writing practices.  These practices include grammar, punctuation, word usage, spelling, and formulating rules that employers expect college graduates to know and apply.  In order to demonstrate competencies in these areas, students must pass a “Standard Practices Exam.”  The test will be graded on a pass or fail basis with the minimum passing grade of 80%.  Students will have two opportunities to pass the test.  If after two attempts a student does not pass the exam, the highest grade he or she can receive in ACS 300 is a “B” grade. 

To prepare for the test, students should study the following:
 Textbook, Chapter 15
ACS 300 Workbook
The Gregg Reference Manual, 8th ed. By William Sabin.

INCENTIVE POLICY: Students who have perfect attendance (defined by Toyota as being present and on-time every day) will receive five extra points on the final exam.  Each student can use one emergency day.

LATE WORK:  Work is “on time” if it is submitted before or at the time the other students’ work is collected or if it is submitted at the established deadline.  Otherwise, the work is late and will receive the following deduction:
 -5 percent if submitted late, same day
-10 percent if submitted next calendar day
-20 percent if submitted more than one day late

TESTS:   A daily schedule is provided so that students know in advance when tests are given.  Either the instructor’s approval prior to the test or an official university excuse is necessary for “making up” exams.

WORK NOT COMPLETED:  Because some degree of learning takes place in completing each exercise regardless of the outcome of the work or experience, any exercise not completed will receive a penalty equal to twice the assignment’s point value.

ATTENDANCE POLICY: Attendance is a requirement of business. When an employee     misses work, she/he has the responsibility to meet with the supervisor to receive instructions.  In this class, each student has this same responsibility.  A student must attend at least 80 percent of the total number of class periods to pass the course; therefore, 7 absences result in an automatic F.

REPEAT POLICY:  Students have two opportunities to satisfactorily complete a class.  If failed, a course may be repeated once.

COB POLICY:  The professor reserves the right to retain for pedagogical reasons either the original or a copy of any student work.  Student’s names will be deleted from assignments unless permission is granted for his/her name to appear on the work.

SERVICES FOR STUDENTS WITH DISABILITIES:  If there is any student in this class who is in need of academic accommodations and who is registered with the Office of Services for Students with Disabilities, please make an individual appointment with the course instructor to discuss accommodations.  Upon individual request, this syllabus can be made available in alternative forms.  If any student who is not registered with the Office of Services for Students with Disabilities has need of academic accommodations, please contact the Office directly either in person on the first floor of the Turley House or by  telephone at 859-622-1500 V/TT.