Written Analysis And Communication (WAC)
( PGPRM, 2007 - 09)


Introduction: Decision making is one of the primary roles of a manager. In professional life, he/she not only has to analyse the decision situations but also has to take decisions and communicate the same to subordinates, peers, and superiors. This requires skills in understanding and analyzing the situation, developing and evaluating various options available, and preparing implementation plan(s). Apart from these skills, success of any management decision depends upon the ability of the manager to communicate the decisions clearly to all concerned.
Cases are being used in most of the courses; there is an urgent need of developing skills in learning through cases. Further, skills in technical and business written communication are necessary to fulfill many of the course requirements (eg. reports, proposals, assignments, business letters, business plans etc.). Similar requirements continue even after one graduates, and assumes managerial responsibilities. Hence, it is in this perspective the course is being offered to give such specific inputs to
the students.

Objectives: Specific objectives of the course are to -
- improve analytical skills in decision making situations.
- improve written communication skills for a variety of managerial requirements.

Course Design: WAC is designed to improve the analytical ability and written communication skills of the students and one should note that the course is not about creative writing or English language. Because of the type and extent of inputs it seeks, it is an assignment based course and therefore, requires longer time period compared to any other course carrying the same credit points. Though WAC is designed to be a 3.0 credit course, the number of classroom sessions however, will be less than 20 as students and the instructor would be devoting enough time while writing, and evaluating and discussing various assignments.

Evaluation: The course will have no mid/end term examination and students would be evaluated on their assignments.

Teaching methods: The course will rely predominantly upon case method of teaching. Lectures, classroom discussions, and presentations will be used only to explore various managerial options. Major output will be in the form of written reports/ assignments.

Assignments: In WAC, teaching method includes class discussion and presentation, but the emphasis is on written reports. The purpose of class discussion is only to help the students to think through the questions that they should ask themselves while analyzing the case before writing a report. The written assignments will progress from relatively simple situations to complex ones. All written assignments will be evaluated and graded. Grades of individual assignments will be-combined at the end of the course to give the final grade obtained by the student.

Assignments
Weightage
Assignment I (Basics , Class Excercise)
0
Assignment II (Case Analysis)
10
Assignments III(Case Analysis, GE*)
15
Assignment IV ( Business letter)
15
Assignment V (Popular Article)
15
Assignment VI (Project Proposal)
15
Assignment VII (Project Report, GE)
20
Class Participation
10
Total
100
* GE - Group Excercise
The maximum number of words to be used in the text (excluding exhibits) will be specified for each assignment. If the assignment exceeds the specified word count, the grade will be lowered by one grade category.
Only legible hand-written (or printed when asked for) submissions on standard A4 size paper will be permitted. All assignments will be accepted only within the deadline given for each assignment. Under exceptional circumstances, upon late submission, the grade will be lowered one full grade category. All WAC assignments are take-home assignments. Hence, each student is responsible for ensuring that his/her report is not copied by others and for timely submission of the reports.

Important: Each student should ensure that his/her report is a product of his/her own independent thinking and writing, and that he/she does not collaborate with other/s or copy from other/s or any other source. Any violation of the above would be dealt as the case of plagiarism.

*****
WAC SCHEDULE

*****

SUGGETED REFERECE SOURCES

Straunk Jr., W., White, E.B. (1979) The Elements of Style, The Macmillan Publishing Co. Inc. Newyork.

Guffy, M. E. (2002) Business Communication, Process and Product, Thomson Learning Inc. Singapore

Burt, A. (2006) Write With Confidence, Jaico Books, Mumbai.

Riordan, D. G., Pauley, S.E. (2004) Technical Report Writing, Brztantra, Wiley dreamtech India Pvt. Ltd., New Delhi

Sigband, N. B., Bell, A. H. (1996) Communication for Management and Business, Scott, Foresman and Company, London

Note: These are neither the reference books nor the limited sources of information available on the subject. Students are requested to consult as many sources (both books and websites) as possible. Further, students are encouraged to develop their own writing skills which are widely accepted among the professionals.


READING MATERIALS AND ASSIGNMENTS

Case Analysis
Business Letter
Popular Article
Project Proposal
Project Report
***


Your Progress Report
***


Date and Time of Individual Discussion
24th July, 07
Roll Nos.
6.00 - 7.30 pm
57, 24, 25, 03, 04, 58, 59, 12, 42, 46, 60,61
Pl. bring your evaluated assignment along with you.
Both of the members of the group should be present during the meeting.

***


Course Instructor

Prof. Niraj Kumar, Ph.D.
Room no. 120, Intercom no. 730
Email: niraj@ximb.ac.in

********