The University of Lahore

Lahore Business School

Business Communication
Master of Business Administration

Semester: Fall 2022

Instructor: Nazia Akram Email: [email protected]

Course Code: MBA2Y02223 Course Cr Hrs.: 3 Hrs

I. Course Description:

This course aims to help learners develop oral and written communication skills. Having good oral communication
and writing skills is necessary in today's workplace. In the past, business people write business letters probably one
in a month but now they receive and send numerous e-mail messages on daily and weekly basis. Their writing skills
are enough to demonstrate what they write in every message they send. Especially, with the arrival of
videoconferencing and large-scale meetings are possible with increased frequency. Through this course, learners
will improve their interpersonal communication skills, writing business letters, emails, reports, presentation skills,
participation in and Chairing of Meetings, and cover letter strategies.

II. Program Learning Objectives:

In MBA program courses are designed to achieve the following objectives and to accomplish the given learning
outcomes upon the successful completion of these objectives.
Program Objectives Program Learning Outcomes
Goal 1. Core Business Knowledge: 1. Demonstrate mastery in understanding,
Developing an in-depth understanding of major identifying and applying the major concepts,
business subjects such as accounting, finance, theories and tools of major business disciplines
information system, management, marketing,
operations management and entrepreneurship 2. Handle complex business situations and support
which are essential for effective decision making at business decisions by applying a core body of
workplace settings discipline-specific knowledge and integrating
theoretical knowledge of management sciences

Goal 2. Critical and Analytical Skills: 3. Use critical and analytical thinking skills to
Developing and fostering critical thinking skills identify and analyze key variables involved in
along with operational analytical problem-solving complex business problems
skills among future leaders for better business 4. Use critical and analytical skills in exploring
solutions and decision making viable and multiple options that can generate
short-term and long-term benefits for
organizations and their stakeholders
Goal 3. Communication Skills: Developing 5. Demonstrate proficiency in vocabulary,
and improving knowledge, skills and attributes of grammar and syntax for effectively presenting
students required for effective oral and written ideas in writing business documents.

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business communication at workplace settings 6. Present material orally with clarity and in an
organized manner

7. Demonstrate competency in understanding core

Goal 4. Leadership and Team Work: concepts, theories and significance of leadership
Developing skills, attributes and attitudes and team-based work.
necessary to work effectively as leaders and team
members. 8. Understand and apply leadership skills at
different levels within team and organization

9. Lead and participate in teams to attain desired

organizational outcomes.

Goal 5. IT Skills: Polishing students’ knowledge 10. Demonstrate technological expertise while
and skills related to relevant IT software for generating and presenting business information.
improving their decision-making abilities
11. Use a range of computer applications required to
address the business needs
Goal 6. Innovation and Entrepreneurial 12. Have an understanding of roles and tasks for
mindset: Developing and fostering innovative becoming an entrepreneurial business
entrepreneurial mindset among graduates enabling professional
them to identify a suitable business opportunity 13. Understand concepts, tools, processes and
while taking into account environmental factors practices for exploring and implementing
emerging entrepreneurial opportunities and
generating business plans
14. Understand and identify legal, social and ethical
Goal 7. Social, Legal and Ethical dilemmas that impact everyday working
Responsibilities: Building students’ behavior practices from moral perspectives
and knowledge towards social, legal and ethical 15. Demonstrate competency in identifying and
concerns in organizations resolving ethical issue important for
organizations and its key stakeholders
16. Understand global issues related to the business
Goal 8. Global Perspective: Building students’ and their influence on local and international
knowledge and skills required to work with diverse business communities
workforce in global working environment 17. Demonstrate awareness of the economic, social,
cultural, technological and political
environments within international business
function

III. Mapping of Course Learning Outcomes with Program Learning Outcomes (CLOs-
PLOs Matrix):
The courses are designed to fulfill these objectives such that at the end of the course, the students shall have
developed the following abilities:

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No Course Learning Outcome Learning Outcomes from the Program
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17
1 Write e-mails, business letters with √
different tones and for different
purposes

2 Value how much it is important to be √

an Effective Business Communicator
in today’s challenging and dynamic
changing workplace

3 Communicate with the public and √

colleagues on phone, in person, and
in meetings

4 Deliver a professional and oral √

presentations

5 Write an up-to-date résumé and √

cover letter and effectively prepare
for interviews

IV. Assessment Methods for Measuring Course Learning Outcomes

SR# Course Learning Outcome Assessment Method Item

1 Applying the fundamental concepts learned in the classroom Assignment, Quiz

2 Ability to demonstrate the clarity of concepts learned in the Midterm Exam

classroom
3 Ability to practically execute the given task and later deliver it in a Final Project
Group
4 Ability to prove one’s proficiency in the respective module Final Exam

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V. Course Material:

The below relevant material is developed from the following readings and provided by the Instructor.
●Business Communication Today 14th Edition by Courtland L. Bovée and Thill, John V.
●Business English. Department of English. University of Delhi
●Effective Business Communication 7th Edition by Herta A. Murphy, Herbert W Hildebrandt and Jane P Thomas

Note: In addition to above, instructor will facilitate students by providing hand-outs and other reading
material by him/herself

VI. Training Methods:

In addition to lecturettes, the instructor will also use following training methods during 16 weeks
semester, 32 sessions (for details – please refer lesson plan)

 Class Activities
 Articles / may be Case Studies
 AV Aids

VII. Assessment Method & Evaluation Criteria:

The assessment of the students is done through a combination of quizzes, assignments, midterm, class participation,
presentation and final exam, keeping in mind a 360-degree approach where a student is assessed multiple times. The
tentative division of total marks are as follows:
Quizzes 04
Assignments 04
Class Participation 15
Midterm Exam 25
Project 12
Final Exam 40

Total 100%
VIII. Week-wise Content Break-up:

Weekly Topics
1  Course Overview & Ice-breaker
 Introduction to Communication
Principles of Communication 7Cs and Practical
Application

2  Non-Verbal Skills Case Study: Everest

Meta Communication, Kinesic, Face facts, Positive Textile Mills
Gestures, Negative gestures, Lateral Gestures,
Responding to Power Posturing, Communication
Breakdown
3  Structured Applications Quiz One
Communication for effective marketing, Communication
for affective negotiation, Communication for conflict
management, Communication for Employment
Topic of Assignment One
4  Written Communication Written Analysis of cases
Professional phone, letter and, email etiquettes, Memos,
5 ● Participants will Present their Assignment Sales pitch Quiz Two
One Assignment One
Assigning Project One
6 Classroom practice

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7  Business Reports Project One
The Purpose of a Report, Kinds of Reports, The
Objectives of a Report, Outline as A Structuring Device
Topic of Assignment Two
8  Acting in a Professional Manner Assignment Two
Job Interview Etiquette, Business Dress and Grooming,
Office Politics, Compliments and Flattery, Negotiation
skills, Conflict management
9
MIDTERM
10  Presentations Quiz Three
Eye Contact, Posture, and Gestures Presentation Attire
Vocal Characteristics, Presentation Organization, Humor
Visual Aids, Presenter Etiquette

11  Meeting Etiquettes
Meeting Planning and Preparation, Introductions And
Seating Arrangements, Chairing Responsibilities,
Participant Responsibilities, Refreshments
Assigning Project Two
12  Adapt: Stay ahead or stay behind Quiz Four
Identify the right word for today, sometimes you need to
unlearn things, i-generation: the impact on writing, using
right word to motivate, jargon, burying good news

13  Oral Communication
The art of speaking, speaking styles, guidelines for
developing speaking skills, three aspects of Oral
Communication-Conversing, Listening and Body
Language
14  Effective Conversation & Listening Skills
15  Participants will Present their Project Project Two
16 FINAL EXAM

** Note: The last lecture will primarily be for revision of the course. Also, all classes will essentially start
with lectures before activities are initiated as mentioned in the plan.
.

VIII. Class Participation Rules

 To assess physical presence attendance is mandatory.

 You CANNOT Use your SMARTPHONES, iPADS (Tablets) and other GADGETS during class.
 Classes start on time. If you walk in LATE by more than 15 minutes you will count as ABSENT.
 If you have documentable circumstances such as illness or grave personal difficulties, contact your MBA
Program Office for any further processing.
 Be present mentally. Your, this act allows the rest of the class to benefit from your engagement and
thoughtful insights. Speak up and become part of the conversation.

 Class Participation (CP) is essential for all the students. Your CP will be evaluated on:
1. Level of Preparedness – Do the comments reflect evidence of deep case analysis/topic taught rather
than repeating facts.
2. Relevancy to the discussion –Do your comments move the discussion forward or hinder class
progress?
3. Communication ought to be meaningful– Your thoughts should be concise and communicated in a
convincing manner.
4. Quality will be evaluated and not the quantity.
 Respect for everyone’s opinion will be valued to ensure a free learning environment.
 ‘Out of the Box’ ideas will be encouraged and developed in class, in the spirit of promoting alternative
thought patterns.
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IX. Consultation Protocol:

All relevant inquiries will be encouraged and it is highly advisable to ask them during lecture or consultation time.
However, if any query is missed during those times, please ask via email. Consultation hours are as follows:
Friday: 2 p.m. to 4 p.m.
Saturday: 2 p.m. to 4 p.m.

X. Final Project Presentation:

There will be a 10 - 12 minutes Presentation

XI. Plagiarism Policy:

Academic offenses like cheating, plagiarism (in any form, type or kind) weaken the distinctive ethical character of
the university and for the very reason, LBS takes them very seriously and holds punishable under the university
disciplinary system. All such cases are referred to Exam Cell for initial investigation. Exam Cell, if deems
appropriate, forwards the case LBS Disciplinary Action Committee for inquiry as per university policy.

In case a student is found involved in cheating/plagiarism (of any form, type or kind), the offender may be:
 Expelled/Rusticated from the Business School and/or from joining any institution of Higher Education in
Pakistan.
 Relegated to a lower class.
 Given a failure grade in the subject.
 Fined an amount as deemed appropriate.
 Carry out social responsibility activity.
 Any other penalty as recommended by Disciplinary Action Committee.

Important Note: This course outline works under general policy guidelines and rules & regulations of the university.

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