COMMUNICATION SKILLS PROGRAMME COURSE DESCRIPTION

Code	Name of the Course Unit	Semester	In-Class Hours (T+P)	Credit	ECTS Credit
BUS116	COMMUNICATION SKILLS	2	3	3	4

GENERAL INFORMATION
Language of Instruction :	English
Level of the Course Unit :	BACHELOR'S DEGREE, TYY: + 6.Level, EQF-LLL: 6.Level, QF-EHEA: First Cycle
Type of the Course :	Compulsory
Mode of Delivery of the Course Unit	-
Coordinator of the Course Unit	Assoc.Prof. ÇAĞLA TUĞBERK ARIKER
Instructor(s) of the Course Unit	Assist.Prof. ASLIHAN ÜNAL
Course Prerequisite	No

OBJECTIVES AND CONTENTS
Objectives of the Course Unit:	The aim of this course is to develop students’ effective communication skills for academic and professional contexts. The course focuses on improving students’ ability to plan, organize, write, and revise clear and purposeful messages, particularly in business and workplace settings. By the end of the course, students will be able to communicate professionally using appropriate tone, structure, and digital tools, and will be prepared for workplace communication, job applications, and interviews in the digital age.
Contents of the Course Unit:	This course introduces the fundamental principles of communication skills with a strong emphasis on business and workplace communication. Students will explore communication in the digital-age workplace and learn how to plan, organize, draft, and revise business messages. The course covers short workplace messages, digital media communication, and different types of messages, including positive, negative, and persuasive messages. In addition, students will learn how to prepare informal reports, proposals, and formal reports, and develop an understanding of professionalism at work. The final part of the course focuses on job search strategies, resume writing in the digital age, interviewing techniques, and effective follow-up communication. Throughout the course, practical examples and applied activities are used to enhance students’ written and oral communication skills.

KEY LEARNING OUTCOMES OF THE COURSE UNIT (On successful completion of this course unit, students/learners will or will be able to)
Explain the fundamental principles of effective communication in academic and professional contexts.
Plan business messages by analyzing purpose, audience, and context.
Revise and edit written messages to improve clarity, tone, and correctness.
Produce short business messages using appropriate digital media and communication tools.
Write positive, neutral, and negative messages using suitable tone and structure.
Develop persuasive messages by applying basic persuasion strategies.
Prepare informal reports, proposals, and formal reports following standard formats.
Demonstrate professionalism in workplace communication and behavior.
Design and deliver effective business presentations using appropriate visual and verbal techniques.
Create professional resumes and cover messages tailored to the digital job market.
Apply effective interviewing techniques and produce appropriate follow-up messages.

WEEKLY COURSE CONTENTS AND STUDY MATERIALS FOR PRELIMINARY & FURTHER STUDY
Week	Preparatory	Topics(Subjects)	Method
1	Read introductory chapter on communication skills	Introduction to Communication Skills	Lecture, class discussion, short diagnostic activity
2	Read article on digital workplace communication	Planning Business Messages	Lecture, guided examples, in-class exercises
3	Review message planning models	Organizing and Drafting Business Messages	Lecture, writing practice, peer discussion
4	Review revision checklist	Revising Business Messages	Workshop, peer review, instructor feedback
5	Read examples of emails and instant messages	Short Business Messages and Digital Media	Case examples, role play, group discussion
6	Read chapter on positive messages	Positive and Neutral Messages	Lecture, message analysis, short writing tasks
7	Read chapter on negative messages	Negative Messages	Lecture, case analysis, class discussion
8	Read persuasion strategies	Persuasive Massages	Lecture, group work, persuasive message writing
9	Review informal report format	Informal Reports	Lecture, sample analysis, in-class writing
10	-	MID-TERM EXAM	-
11	Read proposal and report examples	Proposals and Formal Reports	Lecture, group work, document analysis
12	Read article on workplace professionalism	Professionalism at work	Lecture, discussion, scenario analysis
13	Review effective presentation techniques	Business Presentations	Lecture, presentation practice, feedback
14	Prepare a draft resume	Job search, Resumes, and Cover Messages	Workshop, peer feedback, instructor guidance
15	Review interview questions	Interviewing ans Following-up	Role play, mock interviews, feedback session
16	-	FINAL EXAM	-
17	-	FINAL EXAM	-

SOURCE MATERIALS & RECOMMENDED READING
"Essentials of Business Communication", Mary Ellen Guffey, Dana Loewy
"Effective Communication Skills", MTD Training
"On Dialogue". David Bohm

ASSESSMENT
Assessment & Grading of In-Term Activities	Number of Activities	Degree of Contribution (%)	Description	Examination Method
Mid-Term Exam	1	50		Classical Exam
Final Exam	1	50		Classical Exam
TOTAL	2	100

Level of Contribution
0	1	2	3	4	5

KNOWLEDGE
Theoretical
	Programme Learning Outcomes	Level of Contribution
		0	1	2	3	4	5
1	Define the theories, concepts and principles of the basic and sub-fields of business.				3
2	Explain business functions and processes based on current scientific sources.			2

KNOWLEDGE
Factual
	Programme Learning Outcomes	Level of Contribution
		0	1	2	3	4	5
1	Relate internationally valid business cases with the theories and concepts of other social sciences.			2

SKILLS
Cognitive
	Programme Learning Outcomes	Level of Contribution
		0	1	2	3	4	5
1	Explain the current events and facts in his / her field analytically and systematically based on advanced knowledge and skills he / she has.					4

SKILLS
Practical
	Programme Learning Outcomes	Level of Contribution
		0	1	2	3	4	5
1	Use the theoretical and factual knowledge in business for occupational practices.					4
2	Solve individual and organizational problems in business life.						5
3	Use computer programs (SPSS, R, Excel, Stata) efficiently against the complex business problems.		1

OCCUPATIONAL
Autonomy & Responsibility
	Programme Learning Outcomes	Level of Contribution
		0	1	2	3	4	5
1	Plan research and work using knowledge and skills gained in the field of business.					4
2	Organize the activities for organizational goals and purposes independently.					4

OCCUPATIONAL
Learning to Learn
	Programme Learning Outcomes	Level of Contribution
		0	1	2	3	4	5
1	Criticize advanced knowledge and skills in the field with a critical approach.						5
2	Develop the existing knowledge and skills with a critical point of view under the impact of scientific, technological and current developments.						5

OCCUPATIONAL
Communication & Social
	Programme Learning Outcomes	Level of Contribution
		0	1	2	3	4	5
1	Express his/her knowledge, thoughts and solutions on business to related stakeholders in written and verbal ways.						5
2	Use the information and communication technology software and equipment required for business.		1

OCCUPATIONAL
Occupational and/or Vocational
	Programme Learning Outcomes	Level of Contribution
		0	1	2	3	4	5
1	Apply the social, scientific, cultural and ethical values at the stages of collection of data, their implementation, interpretation and announcement of results in the field of business.						5
2	Relate the concepts of social rights, occupational safety, employee health, quality management and sustainability with the cases in business life.						5

WORKLOAD & ECTS CREDITS OF THE COURSE UNIT
Workload for Learning & Teaching Activities
Type of the Learning Activites	Learning Activities (# of week)	Duration (hours, h)	Workload (h)
Lecture & In-Class Activities	14	3	42
Preliminary & Further Study	14	1	14
Land Surveying	0	0	0
Group Work	6	1	6
Laboratory	0	0	0
Reading	6	1	6
Assignment (Homework)	0	0	0
Project Work	0	0	0
Seminar	0	0	0
Internship	0	0	0
Technical Visit	0	0	0
Web Based Learning	0	0	0
Implementation/Application/Practice	3	1	3
Practice at a workplace	0	0	0
Occupational Activity	0	0	0
Social Activity	3	1	3
Thesis Work	0	0	0
Field Study	0	0	0
Report Writing	0	0	0
Final Exam	1	14	14
Preparation for the Final Exam	1	1	1
Mid-Term Exam	1	1	1
Preparation for the Mid-Term Exam	1	7	7
Short Exam	0	0	0
Preparation for the Short Exam	0	0	0
TOTAL	50	0	97