Bachelor
2025/2026
Business Communications
Type:
Compulsory course (International Business)
When:
1 year, 1 module
Open to:
students of one campus
Instructors:
Marina Jedda
Language:
English
Contact hours:
30
Course Syllabus
Abstract
In today’s changing and uncertain world, effective communication is one of the most critical skills to develop. How you communicate ideas, feelings, instructions and thoughts is crucial to your success, especially in business. Communication is an activity, skill and art that incorporates lessons learnt across a wide spectrum of human knowledge. Business Communication course is designed to introduce skills and practices that will help you communicate and develop communication strategy for your business and/or for business of your clients/stakeholders. As part of the program, we will explore how to communicate in written and oral form. We will practice some of the fundamentals of business writing, including memoranda, email, business letters, and discuss how to be persuasive and engaging in these writings. Additionally, we will explore oral presentations and interviews. Theoretical part of the course includes key concepts, frameworks and theories which being applied in combination with practical tasks will contribute to the development of your communication skills and competencies. This course is designed to give students a comprehensive view of communication, its scope and importance in business as well as the role of communication in influencing the decision-making process
Learning Objectives
- To familiarize students with a wide range of modern approaches and tools necessary for effective interaction in a business environment. To give an understanding of various types, forms, and channels of business communication, to transfer practical skills for solving complex and conflict situations that may arise during negotiations, teamwork, and cross-cultural communication. To familiarize with recommendations for forming and developing one's own style of presentations and negotiations.
Expected Learning Outcomes
- • Understands the scope of business communications process and its essential elements. Is aware of various communication models and understands how the communication process works. Distinguishes various communication barriers and is able to overcome them.
- Understands influencing attitudes through behaviour, Pratkanis stratgems. Demonstrates knpwledge of verbal and non-verbal communication aspects. Clearly defines the roles of non-verbal communication in business.Establishes effective contact and understands the effect of first impression in the process of communication. Effectively uses active listening techniques. Understands the importance of reputation in Business. Knows methods how to create an open communication culture in the organization.
- Is aware of types and variety of communication channels in business environment. Uses practical skills of both written and oral communication, such as business and academic writing, manages business phone calls and meetings.
- Understands the importance of public speaking in professional and personal life. Knows Public Speaking Basics & Psychology of performance. Performs preparation for the presentation. Uses effective material feeding techniques. Effectively uses visual aids (slides, graphs, videos). Interacts with the audience using presentation tools and techniques.
- Knows and uses various strategies for team communication. Understands the importance of fact checking and performs it. Understands the basics of conflict resolution techniques. Uses various methods of predicting and resolving conflicts Knows practical tips how to conduct meetings and interviews. Understands what team practices and rules work in business environment. Understands the rules of feedback and uses feedback techniques to facilitate team dynamics and ensure the effectiveness
- Understands the scope of business and cross-cultural etiquette in communications, verbal and non-verbal aspects, the essence of cultural shock and stereotypes as well as various ways to communicate during negotiaton process and team management activities
Course Contents
- 1. Introduction to Business Communications. Basics of the communication process
- 2. Business Communications as a Tool of Influence.
- 3. Written and Oral Business Communication.
- 4. The Art of Public Speaking. Presentation Skills.
- 5. Teamwork and Communication.
- 6. Negotiation process in business communication.
- 7. Cross-culture communication
Assessment Elements
- 1. Seminar ActivityAt each seminar, the student receives from 0 to 3 points depending on his activity and participation in the discussion. 0 points – absence or passive participation in the seminar 1 point – weak activity at the seminar, questions not related to the topic of the lecture 2 points – moderately active participation in the seminar (participation in discussions, questions on the topic, demonstration of knowledge of the lecture material) 3 points – active participation in the seminar for the benefit of the whole group (active participation in discussions, questions on the topic of the lecture that were useful to the whole group, demonstration of deep knowledge of the material of lectures and literature).
- 2. Seminar Activity-Test (on Yandex forms)9 short control surveys (online) on the basis of materials of the previous lecture and the recommended literature (main list). The duration of the test is 10 minutes. Tests include closed-ended questions with multiple answers of three levels of difficulty: • level A (5 questions, weight 1): direct reproduction of the main definitions, models, concepts and conclusions (the content of the corresponding to the lecture slides). • Level B (4 questions, weight 2):the ability to operate with the content of the lecture, to compare and analyzelecture material. • Level C (1 question, weight 3):understanding the practical use of definitions, models, concepts and conclusions.
- 3. Group projectPresentation of mini-groups (5-6 people) on one of the topics offered to students. The results of the project are drawn up in the form of a presentation in Power Point format. The group presents the presentation offline in the form of a report. Presentation design and volume is up to a project group but minimum 10 slides. Presentation duration -10 minutes. During the presentation, a set of skills acquired at the end of the course is assessed: disclosure of the topic, clarity and clarity of presentation of materials on slides, presentation skills, business etiquette. The grade is given on a 10-point scale per group, all group members receive the same grade. All members of the group have to be present in class for presentation.
- 4. Exam_Test (on Yandex forms)
Interim Assessment
- 2025/2026 1st module0.12 * 2. Seminar Activity-Test (on Yandex forms) + 0.24 * 1. Seminar Activity + 0.24 * 3. Group project + 0.4 * 4. Exam_Test (on Yandex forms)
Bibliography
Recommended Core Bibliography
- Business writing today : a practical guide, Canavor, N., 2019
- Influence, new and expanded : the psychology of persuasion, Cialdini, R. B., 2021
Recommended Additional Bibliography
- Austin, J. (2019). Contemporary Conflict Resolution. Society Publishing.
- Coaching self-organising teams : helping teams flourish, Gorell, R., 2024
- Gilson, L. L., Davis, W. D., Gabelica, C., & Popov, V. (2020). “One Size Does Not Fit All”: Revisiting Team Feedback Theories From a Cultural Dimensions Perspective. Group & Organization Management, 45(2), 252–309. https://doi.org/10.1177/1059601120910859