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Communication in Business

Also see the Certificate in Management. Communication in business courses that count toward the Certificate in Management require proof of English proficiency.

Courselist

COMM E-100 Effective Written Communication (22328)
(Syllabus) (Print View)
David R. Lampe, MS, Executive Director of Marketing and Communications, Harvard Business School.
4 units. Graduate credit $1,350. Limited enrollment.
Tuesday, Jan. 31, 5:30-7:30 pm, Sever Hall, Room 203. Spring term

This course helps students develop marketable skills for brief, clear, and vigorous written communication in the business world. During the first of the 2 hours each week, students and instructors meet and discuss communication problems as presented in case studies. During the second hour, students meet in a small group with an instructor for exercises in writing and editing based on their weekly written assignments. Prerequisite: students must complete successfully a writing assignment at the first class meeting.
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COMM E-110 Oral Communication: Business and Organizational
4 units. Graduate credit $1,350. Limited enrollment.

Fall term (12519) (Syllabus) (Print View): J. E. Hollingworth, MA, Associate Professor of Organizational and Political Communication, Emerson College. Wednesday, Sept. 21, 7:35-9:35 pm, Sever Hall, Room 203.

Spring term (22317) (Syllabus) (Print View): J. E. Hollingworth, MA, Associate Professor of Organizational and Political Communication, Emerson College. Wednesday, Feb. 1, 7:35-9:35 pm, Sever Hall, Room 203.

This course emphasizes the personal skills of speaking and listening in the organizational setting primarily through presentations, but topics also include interviews, meetings, team building, audiovisual support systems, leadership styles, communication audits, organizational environments, dealing with change, and crisis communication. The first hour of each class session presents a focused lecture on the above topics. The second hour is made up of small group workshops that place a major emphasis on students giving and critiquing oral presentations.
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COMM E-120 Development Communications (22341)
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Frank White, MPhil, Editorial Director, Alumni Affairs and Development, Harvard University.
4 units. Graduate credit $1,350. Limited enrollment.
Wednesday, Feb. 1, 5:30-7:30 pm, Sever Hall, Room 107. Spring term

This course explores the rapidly evolving world of fundraising communications, including case statements, annual fund appeal letters, proposals, and research reports. In addition to print communications, the course considers audio, video, and other media used to deliver development messages. The course also places special emphasis on the emerging field of e-philanthropy.
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COMM E-130 Grant Proposal Writing
4 units. Graduate credit $1,350. Limited enrollment.

Fall term (12567) (Website) (Print View): Linda Ann DeLauri, EdM, Director of Sponsored Projects, Harvard Graduate School of Education. Tuesday, Sept. 20, 5:30-7:30 pm, Sever Hall, Room 111.

Spring term (22372) (Syllabus) (Print View): Linda Ann DeLauri, EdM, Director of Sponsored Projects, Harvard Graduate School of Education. Wednesday, Feb. 1, 5:30-7:30 pm, Sever Hall, Room 111.

This project-based course covers the complete process of grant proposal development: identification of an achievable and fundable project, research and assessment of viable funding sources, funder relations, proposal writing, budget development, preparation of a full proposal package for submission, and post-award or rejection follow-up with funders. Students gain an understanding of the nonprofit philanthropic environment and become familiar with tools and resources available to assist them as they seek funds for their projects, institutions, or causes. Students participate in an onsite training session at the Associated Grantmakers of Massachusetts Resource Center for Philanthropy and are granted access to the center's online subscription database. Prerequisites: students must have a specific project or a fairly well-developed idea to build upon as the basis for their coursework and final grant proposal. Solid writing skills, familiarity with Microsoft Office Suite and web-based searching and interactive tools required. Experience or coursework in nonprofit sector/management highly recommended.
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COMM E-140 Communicating in a Global Context
4 units. Graduate credit $1,350. Limited enrollment.

Fall term (12523) (Syllabus) (Print View): Marya Dantzer, MA, Communication Consultant. Tuesday, Sept. 20, 7:35-9:35 pm, Sever Hall, Room 107.

Spring term (22321) (Syllabus) (Print View): Marya Dantzer, MA, Communication Consultant. Tuesday, Jan. 31, 7:35-9:35 pm, Sever Hall, Room 107.

To communicate effectively in global or multicultural business settings, managers or negotiators must interpret not only words but also worldviews. Students in this course learn to recognize the important, yet often implicit, assumptions that govern business dealings in a variety of countries and cultures. A dividend of such awareness is deeper understanding of one's own culturally determined perceptions. The results are marketable cross-cultural skills applicable in a broad range of business or professional contexts.
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COMM E-150 Writing for Public Relations and Marketing
4 units. Graduate credit $1,350. Limited enrollment.

Fall term (12516) (Syllabus) (Print View): Robert E. Brown, PhD, Professor of Communication, Salem State College. Wednesday, Sept. 21, 7:35-9:35 pm, Sever Hall, Room 208.

Spring term (22313) (Syllabus) (Print View): Robert E. Brown, PhD, Professor of Communication, Salem State College. Tuesday, Jan. 31, 7:35-9:35 pm, Sever Hall, Room 306.

Organizations rely on both the public relations and marketing functions to conceive and develop persuasive and promotional written communications targeted to a broad range of audiences. This course gives students the opportunity to draft a collection of strategic, image-oriented organizational documents, including high-impact promotional speeches; by-lined feature articles suitable for newspaper and magazine placement; and positioning brochures and newsletters.
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COMM E-160 Principles of Legal Writing
Workshop. 4 units. Undergraduate credit $825, graduate credit $1,450. Limited enrollment.

Fall term (12565) (Syllabus) (Print View): Gilbert Whittemore, PhD, JD, Of Counsel, Rath, Young and Pignatelli. Monday, Sept. 19, 7:35-9:35 pm, Sever Hall, Room 302.

Spring term (22368) (Syllabus) (Print View): Gilbert Whittemore, PhD, JD, Of Counsel, Rath, Young and Pignatelli. Monday, Jan. 30, 7:35-9:35 pm, Sever Hall, Room 105.

Legal writing comes in many forms, from classic judicial opinions that rank among fine literature to almost incomprehensible regulations. This course is designed for those who wish to acquire a better understanding of the broad range of legal writing from the viewpoint of the lawyer/author, as well as those who wish to develop their own skills. It is based on the assumption that good writing communicates well-considered ideas clearly, concisely, and accurately. Students use the elements of good writing to present facts effectively, to argue from precedent set by earlier court opinions, and to draft contracts and statutes. As preparation, in class we analyze judicial opinions, statutes, and briefs. Students then write a variety of basic legal documents, such as an analysis of case law, a complaint to initiate a lawsuit, and a legal memorandum presenting an argument to a court. The course does not assume any prior knowledge of law.
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COMM E-170 Business Writing (12566)
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Kalo Clarke, MA, Lecturer on English, Northeastern University.
Workshop. 4 units. Undergraduate credit $825, graduate credit $1,450. Limited enrollment.
Tuesday, Sept. 20, 7:35-9:35 pm, Sever Hall, Room 204. Fall term

This workshop focuses on how to achieve objectives critical in business communication. Our process includes planning, researching, drafting, peer coaching, oral presentations, and editing. Through sharing reactions to issues of content and style, we examine strategies used by US companies to make letters, memos, proposals, and reports more efficient and effective.
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COMM E-180 Technical Writing (22411)
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Kalo Clarke, MA, Lecturer on English, Northeastern University.
Workshop. 4 units. Undergraduate credit $825, graduate credit $1,450. Limited enrollment.
Tuesday, Jan. 31, 7:35-9:35 pm, 53 Church Street, Room L01. Spring term
Online and on-campus options. See the Distance Education website. Lecture 1 video. See course website for all other lectures.

This workshop focuses on the development of marketable technical writing skills and the production of writing that illustrates these skills. Emphasis is on the selection and organization of technical data for presentation to a variety of audiences. We practice gathering, evaluating, and documenting information; organizing and drafting documents; revising document text; designing documents; and using illustrations. Assignments center on creating an instructional manual.
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