Communication in Business
Also see the Graduate Program in Management.
Courselist
- COMM E-100 Strategic Business Communication (Fall, Spring)
- COMM E-110 Oral Communication: Business and Organizational (Fall, Spring)
- COMM E-120 Development Communications (Spring)
- COMM E-130 Project Development and Grant Proposal Writing (Fall, Spring)
- COMM E-140 Communicating and Negotiating in a Global Context (Fall, Spring)
- COMM E-145 Intercultural Communication in the Global Workplace (Spring)
- COMM E-150 Writing for Public Relations and Marketing (Fall, Spring)
- COMM E-160 Principles of Legal Writing (Fall)
- COMM E-170 Business Writing (Fall, Spring)
- COMM E-180 Technical Writing (Spring)
COMM E-100 Strategic Business Communication
Fall term (13109)
Rita J. Stulin, MA, Principal, Rita Stulin Associates.
Class times: Wednesdays beginning Sept. 2, 5:30-7:30 pm.
Course tuition: graduate credit $1,800.
Limited enrollment.
Spring term (22328)
Rita J. Stulin, MA, Principal, Rita Stulin Associates.
Class times: Wednesdays beginning Jan. 27, 5:30-7:30 pm.
Course tuition: graduate credit $1,800.
Limited enrollment.
This course teaches students how to communicate strategically and address management communication issues arising from business situations. In-class exercises and weekly homework assignments give students practice in addressing the issues arising in case studies 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
Fall term (12519)
J. E. Hollingworth, MA, Associate Professor of Communication Studies, Emerson College.
Class times: Wednesdays beginning Sept. 2, 7:35-9:35 pm.
Course tuition: graduate credit $1,800.
Limited enrollment.
Spring term (22317)
J. E. Hollingworth, MA, Associate Professor of Communication Studies, Emerson College.
Class times: Wednesdays beginning Jan. 27, 7:35-9:35 pm.
Course tuition: graduate credit $1,800.
Limited enrollment.
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)
Spring term
Henry L. Berman, EdD, President and Co-Trustee, Edith Glick Shoolman Children's Foundation.
Class times: Mondays beginning Jan. 25, 5:30-7:30 pm.
Course tuition: graduate credit $1,850.
Limited enrollment.
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
Fall term (13431)
George T. Kosar, PhD, Associate, Davis Center for Russian and Eurasian Studies, Harvard University.
Class times: Mondays beginning Aug. 31, 7:35-9:35 pm.
Course tuition: graduate credit $1,800.
Limited enrollment.
Spring term (23069)
Linda DeLauri, EdM.
Class times: Thursdays beginning Jan. 28, 5:30-7:30 pm.
Course tuition: graduate credit $1,800.
Limited enrollment.
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. The course emphasizes grants to private, community, and corporate foundations. 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. 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
Fall term (12523)
Marya Dantzer, MA, Communication Consultant.
Class times: Thursdays beginning Sept. 3, 5:30-7:30 pm.
Course tuition: graduate credit $1,800.
Limited enrollment.
Spring term (22321)
Marya Dantzer, MA, Communication Consultant.
Class times: Tuesdays beginning Jan. 26, 7:35-9:35 pm.
Course tuition: graduate credit $1,800.
Limited enrollment.
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-145 Intercultural Communication in the Global Workplace (23370)
Spring term
Bhaskar Pant, MS, Executive Director of Professional Education, Massachusetts Institute of Technology.
Class times: Tuesdays beginning Jan. 26, 5:30-7:30 pm.
Course tuition: graduate credit $1,800.
Limited enrollment.
To operate successfully in today's increasingly globalized business environment, one must be culturally sensitive. This course helps students understand cultural differences, and thus develop skills for more productive personal and professional interaction with people from cultures other than their own. (4 credits)
COMM E-150 Writing for Public Relations and Marketing
Fall term (12516)
Robert E. Brown, PhD, Professor of Communication, Salem State College.
Class times: Thursdays beginning Sept. 3, 7:35-9:35 pm.
Course tuition: graduate credit $1,800.
Limited enrollment.
Spring term (22313)
Robert E. Brown, PhD, Professor of Communication, Salem State College.
Class times: Thursdays beginning Jan. 28, 7:35-9:35 pm.
Course tuition: graduate credit $1,800.
Limited enrollment.
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 (13110)
Fall term
Rosemary Daly, JD, Adjunct Professor and Director of Advocacy Programs, Boston College Law School.
Class times: Mondays beginning Aug. 31, 5:30-7:30 pm.
Course tuition: undergraduate credit $1,100, graduate credit $1,800.
Limited enrollment.
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
Fall term (13035)
Kalo Clarke, MA, Lecturer on English, Northeastern University.
Class times: Tuesdays beginning Sept. 1, 7:35-9:35 pm.
Course tuition: undergraduate credit $1,100, graduate credit $1,800.
Course taught via live web conference.
Limited enrollment.
Spring term (23283)
Julie Anne McNary, EdM, Director of Development for Leadership Gifts, Harvard Graduate School of Education.
Class times: Mondays beginning Jan. 25, 7:35-9:35 pm.
Course tuition: undergraduate credit $1,100, graduate credit $1,800.
Course taught via live web conference.
Limited enrollment.
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)
Spring term
Kalo Clarke, MA, Lecturer on English, Northeastern University.
Class times: Wednesdays beginning Jan. 27, 7:35-9:35 pm.
Course tuition: undergraduate credit $1,150, graduate credit $1,850.
Limited enrollment.
This workshop focuses on developing and improving marketable technical writing skills and producing 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. (4 credits)