This site is an archive. See the current website at www.extension.harvard.edu.

Courses

Related Subject

This page contains content from the 2008–09 academic year. For current information, visit the Harvard Extension School website at www.extension.harvard.edu.

Communication in Business

Also see the Master of Liberal Arts and Certificate in Management.

Courselist

COMM E-100 Strategic Business Communication
Course tuition: graduate credit $1,725. Limited enrollment.

Fall term (13109) (Syllabus) (Printable version): Rita J. Stulin, MA, Principal, Rita Stulin Associates. Mimi Goss, PhD, Instructor, Mason Fellows Program, Harvard Kennedy School.
Wednesdays beginning Sept. 17, 5:30-7:30 pm, Sever Hall, Room 109.

Spring term (22328) (Syllabus) (Printable version): Rita J. Stulin, MA, Principal, Rita Stulin Associates. Mimi Goss, PhD, Instructor, Mason Fellows Program, Harvard Kennedy School.
Wednesdays beginning Jan. 28, 5:30-7:30 pm, Sever Hall, Room 109.

This course teaches students how to communicate strategically. Classes include presentation of the process for communicating strategically, discussion of management communication issues arising from business situations presented in case studies, in-class writing and presentation exercises, and critique of weekly written homework assignments. The in-class exercises and weekly homework give students practice in addressing the issues arising in the cases and in applying the principles of strategic communication to letters, memos, e-mails, cover letters, and oral presentations. Prerequisites: strong English skills; students complete a diagnostic writing assignment at the first class meeting. (4 credits)

COMM E-110 Oral Communication: Business and Organizational
Course tuition: graduate credit $1,725. Limited enrollment.

Fall term (12519) (Syllabus) (Printable version): J. E. Hollingworth, MA, Associate Professor of Organizational and Political Communication, Emerson College.
Wednesdays beginning Sept. 17, 7:35-9:35 pm, Emerson Hall, Room 101.

Spring term (22317) (Syllabus) (Printable version): J. E. Hollingworth, MA, Associate Professor of Organizational and Political Communication, Emerson College.
Wednesdays beginning Jan. 28, 7:35-9:35 pm, Emerson Hall, Room 101.

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, the organization as a system, 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. (4 credits)

COMM E-120 Development Communications (22341) (Website) (Printable version)
Frank White, MPhil, Editorial Director, Alumni Affairs and Development, Harvard University.
Course tuition: graduate credit $1,725. Limited enrollment.
Spring term: Mondays beginning Jan. 26, 5:30-7:30 pm, 53 Church Street, Room L01.
Online and on-campus options. See Distance Education. Lecture 1 video.

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. (4 credits)

COMM E-130 Project Development and Grant Proposal Writing
Course tuition: graduate credit $1,725. Limited enrollment.

Fall term (13123) (Website) (Printable version): Linda DeLauri, EdM.
Tuesdays beginning Sept. 16, 5:30-7:30 pm, Sever Hall, Room 111.

Spring term, section 1 (23071) (Website) (Printable version): George T. Kosar, PhD, Associate, Davis Center for Russian and Eurasian Studies, Harvard University.
Mondays beginning Jan. 26, 7:35-9:35 pm, Sever Hall, Room 204.

Spring term, section 2 (23069) (Website) (Printable version): Linda DeLauri, EdM. Johanna Wald, MEd, Director of Strategic Planning and Development, Charles Hamilton Houston Institute on Race and Justice, Harvard Law School.
Thursdays beginning Jan. 29, 5:30-7:30 pm, Sever Hall, Room 212.

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 visit the Associated Grantmakers of Massachusetts Resource Center for Philanthropy and learn how to use the Foundation Center website and online subscription databases. Prerequisites: students must have a specific project or a fairly well-developed idea that they build upon as the basis for their coursework and final grant proposal. Solid writing skills and experience or coursework in nonprofit sector/management highly recommended. (4 credits)

COMM E-140 Communicating and Negotiating in a Global Context
Course tuition: graduate credit $1,725. Limited enrollment.

Fall term (12523) (Syllabus) (Printable version): Marya Dantzer, MA, Communication Consultant.
Wednesdays beginning Sept. 17, 5:30-7:30 pm, Sever Hall, Room 207.

Spring term (22321) (Syllabus) (Printable version): Marya Dantzer, MA, Communication Consultant.
Wednesdays beginning Jan. 28, 7:35-9:35 pm, Boylston Hall, Room 105.

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. Prerequisite: oral and written fluency in English. (4 credits)

COMM E-150 Writing for Public Relations and Marketing
Course tuition: graduate credit $1,725. Limited enrollment.

Fall term (12516) (Website) (Printable version): Robert E. Brown, PhD, Professor of Communication, Salem State College.
Thursdays beginning Sept. 18, 7:35-9:35 pm, Northwest Science Building, Room B108.

Spring term (22313) (Website) (Printable version): Robert E. Brown, PhD, Professor of Communication, Salem State College.
Thursdays beginning Jan. 29, 7:35-9:35 pm, Sever Hall, Room 106.

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; bylined feature articles suitable for newspaper and magazine placement; and positioning brochures and newsletters. (4 credits)

COMM E-160 Principles of Legal Writing
Course tuition: undergraduate credit $950, graduate credit $1,725. Limited enrollment.

Fall term (13110) (Syllabus) (Printable version): Rosemary Daly, JD, Adjunct Professor and Director of Advocacy Programs, Boston College Law School.
Mondays beginning Sept. 15, 5:30-7:30 pm, Sever Hall, Room 205.

Spring term (22368) (Syllabus) (Printable version): Gilbert Whittemore, PhD, JD, Of Counsel, Rath, Young and Pignatelli.
Mondays beginning Jan. 26, 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. (4 credits)

COMM E-170 Business Writing (13035) (Website) (Printable version)
Kalo Clarke, MA, Lecturer on English, Northeastern University.
Course tuition: undergraduate credit $950, graduate credit $1,725. Limited enrollment.
Fall term: Tuesdays beginning Sept. 16, 7:35-9:35 pm, Sever Hall, Room 111.

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. (4 credits)

COMM E-180 Technical Writing (22896) (Website) (Printable version)
Kalo Clarke, MA, Lecturer on English, Northeastern University.
Course tuition: undergraduate credit $950, graduate credit $1,725. Limited enrollment.
Spring term: Tuesdays beginning Jan. 27, 7:35-9:35 pm, 53 Church Street, Room L01.
Online and on-campus options. See Distance Education. Lecture 1 video.

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. (4 credits)