Business Communication
BUCOf020
MODULE OUTLINE 2018
(First Edition: 2016)
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Table of Contents
Introduction ............................................................................................................................................ 3
Using this Module Outline ....................................................................................................................... 4
This Module on Learn .............................................................................................................................. 5
Icons Used in this Document and on Learn ............................................................................................. 6
Module Purpose ...................................................................................................................................... 8
Module Outcomes................................................................................................................................... 8
Assessment Information.......................................................................................................................... 9
Module Pacer ........................................................................................................................................ 11
Glossary of Key Terms for this Module.................................................................................................. 25
Introduction
The aim of this module is to provide you with a range of communication and writing skills that
you will be able to draw on throughout your studies, and in doing so, prepare you more
effectively with practical strategies you can apply in both your search for a job and once you
have started down your chosen career path.
It is useful to remember that, as with your other modules, you will only get as much out of this
module as you put in. It is up to you to make the effort of reading your textbook, completing
the required activities and revision exercises, and collaborating with your classmates and
lecturer/ tutor to build a solid and usable knowledge base of the above subject areas.
With this in mind, you will notice that each Learning Unit (1–7) has been designed to be
interactive – each features a range of material and activities with which you need to engage,
both inside and outside of the classroom. Your lecturer/ tutor may prompt you to do some of
these; for the rest, it is up to you how and when you fit them into your work schedule for the
module.
For revision purposes, please take note that all Learning Unit Objectives listed in the Module
Pacer for each Learning Unit are examinable – use these to guide your studies effectively for
your ICE Tasks, assignment, and exam. Remember that there is no test for this module, so you
will need to put in great effort with your assignment and examination to be able to complete this
module successfully.
This document does not reflect all the content on Learn, the links to different resources,
nor the specific instructions for the group and individual activities.
Your lecturer will decide when activities are available/open for submission and when these
submissions or contributions are due. Ensure that you take note of announcements made
during lectures and/or posted within Learn in this regard.
Learn is an online space, designed to support and maximise your learning in an active manner.
Its main purpose is to guide and pace you through the module. In addition to the information
provided in this document, you will find the following when you access Learn:
Kindly note:
Unless you are completing this as a distance module, Learn does not replace your
contact time with your lecturers and/or tutors.
BUCOf020 is a Learn module, and as such, you are required to engage extensively with
the content on the Learn platform. Effective use of this tool will provide you with
opportunities to discuss, debate, and consolidate your understanding of the content
presented in this module.
You are expected to work through the learning units on Learn in your own time –
especially before class. Any contact sessions will therefore be used to raise and address
any questions or interesting points with your lecturer, and not to cover every aspect of
this module.
Your lecturer will communicate submission dates for specific activities in class and/or on
Learn.
Icon Description
Module Resources
Prescribed Material for Fielding, M. & du Plooy-Cilliers, F. 2014. Effective Business
this Module Communication in Organisations: Preparing messages that
communicate. 4th ed. Cape Town: Juta.
Recommended Readings, Please note that a number of additional resources and links to
Digital, and Web resources are provided throughout this module on the Learn
Resources platform. You are encouraged to engage with these as they will
assist you in mastering the various objectives of this module.
They may also be useful resources for completing any
assignments. You will not, however, be assessed under
examination conditions on any additional or recommended
reading material.
Module Purpose
This module will equip you with foundational communication skills necessary for a career in
the corporate environment. You will be familiarised with and will practise writing various
business-related documents, and prepare your own résumé, in addition to developing your
interview techniques. The module covers the practice of written communication and
emphasises writing skills, the relationship between clear writing and clear thinking, and the
process of effective writing itself.
Module Outcomes
Apply knowledge of various communication theories in given organisational and
MO1 academic contexts.
Apply knowledge of different types of communication in given academic and
MO2 organisational contexts.
Assessment Information
Assignment
This assignment will test your ability NB – You will need Internet access to complete this
to understand, integrate and apply assignment effectively. If you do not have regular
the practical communication and Internet access at home, please make sure you
writing skills you learnt in LU1–4. book/arrange time in your campus computer lab or
resource centre to do your assignment.
Examination
The exam will focus on all LUs (1–7), To prepare effectively for the exam:
and will feature a combination of Ensure that you work through all the Active
theory and practical, case study Learning questions, activities, and revision
questions, scenarios, and writing questions on Learn;
tasks. Make sure that you can answer questions on all
of the learning objectives in each LU;
Please make sure you pay close Apply the brainstorming, summarising and mind
attention to the instruction words mapping skills you learnt by undertaking these
(List, Explain, Discuss, Write, etc.), activities for each LU:
as well as the mark allocations of o E.g. create a mind map of each LU,
each question to ensure you are focusing on each of the learning
providing correct and sufficient objectives as your key points;
detail in your answers. o Brainstorm with your classmates what
questions may come up in the exam,
based on the learning objectives;
You will need a very basic pocket calculator in
your examination – this is to calculate
percentages etc. for a question on graphic
devices. Please note that you may NOT use your
cellphone for this purpose.
Module Pacer
Code Programme Contact Sessions Credits
BUCOf020 CCD1; DAFC1; DBM1; DBME1; DCBM1; 36 10
DCGD1; DCMM1;DINM1; DISD1; DITM1;
DPR1; DSDM1; HBP1; HCAD1; HCD1;
HCEM1; HED1; HHR1; HIS1; HLS1; HOA1;
HPP1; HRM1; HSS1
BUCOf020p CCD1p; DBM1p; DPR1p; HED1p; HBK1p; 23
HHR1p; HIS1p; HLS1p; HOA1p; HRM1p;
HSS1p
BUCOf020d DCM1d; DIM1d; HBK1d; HHR1d; 30
HRM1d; HSS1d; HIS1d
BUCOf020w HBP1w; HPP1w 12
Overview:
In this learning unit, we will look at the basic elements of the communication process and
how using these can help us to develop good communication skills, which, in turn, will make
us successful social beings.
In order to develop these skills, we first need to acknowledge the fact that communication
skills need to be improved from time to time. Thus, the purpose of this learning unit is to
introduce you to four communication models developed over time, to illustrate the dynamic
nature of communication and its integral role in our lives.
If you are a full-time student, you will likely spend 4 sessions on this learning unit.
If you are a part-time student, you will likely spend 2 sessions on this learning unit.
If you are a distance student, you will likely complete this learning unit during the course of
Academic Week 1.
If you are a student on an IIE digital campus, you should complete this learning unit during
the course of Academic Week 1 and will likely spend 3 sessions on this learning unit.
Please work through Themes 1 and 2 on Learn, together with the relevant sections of your
prescribed source/s. To ensure that you are working towards mastering the objectives for
this learning unit, please also ensure that you complete all LU1 Activities on Learn. Also,
make sure you work throughout Week 1 on the following activity, which you can find at the
end of all LUs on Learn:
Activity: Make sense of the terminology used in this module
Overview:
In this learning unit we will focus on the some of the academic skills essential to both the
tertiary education and business environments. We will examine reading as a skill, emphasise
the importance of writing in a suitable style and tone, learn how to do online research, and
to reference, quote and paraphrase written work correctly.
If you are a full-time student, you will likely spend 6 sessions on this learning unit.
If you are a part-time student, you will likely spend 4 sessions on this learning unit.
If you are a distance student, you will likely complete this learning unit during the course of
Academic Weeks 2 and 3.
If you are a student on an IIE digital campus, you should complete this learning unit during
the course of Academic Weeks 2 and 3 and will likely spend 5 sessions on this learning unit.
Please work through Themes 1, 2, 3, 4 and 5 on Learn, together with the relevant sections of
your prescribed source/s. To ensure that you are working towards mastering the objectives
for this learning unit, please also ensure that you complete all LU2 Activities on Learn.
Also, make sure you work throughout Weeks 2 and 3 on the following activity, which you can
find at the end of all LUs on Learn:
Activity: Make sense of the terminology used in this module
Overview:
This learning unit introduces you to the three types of communication that influence the
success of our efforts to communicate, and examines the role they play in facilitating
communication within an organisational context. We also explore the various barriers that
need to be overcome in order to communicate successfully within the complex and changing
organisational space of today.
If you are a full-time student, you will likely spend 6 sessions on this learning unit.
If you are a part-time student, you will likely spend 4 sessions on this learning unit.
If you are a distance student, you will likely complete this learning unit during the course of
Academic Weeks 4 and 5.
If you are a student on an IIE digital campus, you should complete this learning unit during
the course of Academic Weeks 4 and 5 and will likely spend 5 sessions on this learning unit.
Please work through Themes 1, 2, and 3 on Learn, together with the relevant sections of
your prescribed source/s. To ensure that you are working towards mastering the objectives
for this learning unit, please also ensure that you complete all LU3 Activities on Learn.
Also, make sure you work throughout Weeks 4 and 5 on the following activity, which you can
find at the end of all LUs on Learn:
Activity: Make sense of the terminology used in this module
Overview:
If you are a full-time student, you will likely spend 6 sessions on this learning unit.
If you are a part-time student, you will likely spend 4 sessions on this learning unit.
If you are a distance student, you will likely complete this learning unit during the course of
Academic Weeks 6 and 7.
If you are a student on an IIE digital campus, you should complete this learning unit during
the course of Academic Weeks 6 and 7 and will likely spend 4 sessions on this learning unit.
Please work through Themes 1, 2, 3, and 4 on Learn, together with the relevant sections of
your prescribed source/s. To ensure that you are working towards mastering the objectives
for this learning unit, please also ensure that you complete all LU4 Activities on Learn.
Also, make sure you work throughout Weeks 6 and 7 on the following activity, which you can
find at the end of all LUs on Learn:
Activity: Make sense of the terminology used in this module
Overview:
In this learning unit, you will apply the communication and writing skills you have learnt to
the context of the job-seeking process. You will focus on the correct structure and format of
a CV, how to prepare for job interviews, and on the best communication practices to use
during interviews.
If you are a full-time student, you will likely spend 4 sessions on this learning unit.
If you are a part-time student, you will likely spend 2 sessions on this learning unit.
If you are a distance student, you will likely complete this learning unit during the course of
Academic Week 8.
If you are a student on an IIE digital campus, you should complete this learning unit during
the course of Academic Week 8 and will likely spend 3 sessions on this learning unit.
Please work through Themes 1 and 2 on Learn, together with the relevant sections of your
prescribed source/s. To ensure that you are working towards mastering the objectives for
this learning unit, please also ensure that you complete all LU5 Activities on Learn.
Also, make sure you work throughout Week 8 on the following activity, which you can find at
the end of all LUs on Learn:
Activity: Make sense of the terminology used in this module
Overview:
In any organisation, you will be expected to write and interpret formal business reports. In
this learning unit, you will examine what types of reports are used for which purpose, how
these reports are structured, and the ways in which relevant instructional graphics can be
designed and incorporated into them.
If you are a full-time student, you will likely spend 6 sessions on this learning unit.
If you are a part-time student, you will likely spend 4 sessions on this learning unit.
If you are a distance student, you will likely complete this learning unit during the course of
Academic Weeks 9 and 10.
If you are a student on an IIE digital campus, you should complete this learning unit during
the course of Academic Weeks 9 and 10 and will likely spend 6 sessions on this learning unit.
Please work through Themes 1, 2, and 3 on Learn, together with the relevant sections of
your prescribed source/s. To ensure that you are working towards mastering the objectives
for this learning unit, please also ensure that you complete all LU6 Activities on Learn.
Also, make sure you work throughout Weeks 9 and 10 on the following activity, which you
can find at the end of all LUs on Learn:
Activity: Make sense of the terminology used in this module
Overview:
If you are a full-time student, you will likely spend 4 sessions on this learning unit.
If you are a part-time student, you will likely spend 3 sessions on this learning unit.
If you are a distance student, you will likely complete this learning unit during the course of
Academic Weeks 11 and 12.
If you are a student on an IIE digital campus, you should complete this learning unit during
the course of Academic Weeks 11 and 12 and will likely spend 4 sessions on this learning unit.
Please work through Themes 1 and 2 on Learn, together with the relevant sections of your
prescribed source/s. To ensure that you are working towards mastering the objectives for
this learning unit, please also ensure that you complete all LU7 Activities on Learn.
Also, make sure you work throughout Weeks 11 and 12 on the following activity, which you
can find at the end of all LUs on Learn:
Activity: Make sense of the terminology used in this module
Term Definition
Signpost To give direction to someone by specifically stating what information is to
follow and in what order.
Stakeholder A person or group with a vested interest in a business – i.e. they are
directly affected by (and also affect) a businesses’ activities. E.g.
employees, customers, investors, shareholders, etc.
Strategy A planned, purposeful action undertaken to achieve a goal.
Subjective Relating to a specific person and their emotions, and way of seeing to
world. Provides a large potential for personal bias.
Transaction An interaction between people in which one party gives something to the
other (e.g. money), and expects something in return (e.g. a product).
Trend An idea that takes root (in cultures, societies, individuals) and builds over
time, changing, developing or influencing people’s beliefs and practices.
Wiki An information-based website developed collaboratively by a group of
people, and which allows anyone to add and edit the site content. It is
great for sharing ideas, but because of its open access style content, wikis
are not often considered credible academic sources.