Agenda

Course introduction to COMM 210 Contemporary Business Thinking A first look at critical thinking about business Preparation for the next week

About the Instructor..

Yu-Shan Hsu PhD in OBHR from the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee, USA From Taiwan Hobbies: travel, hiking, spending time with family, Zumba

Contact Information
Phone: (514) 848-2424 ext. 2967 E-mail: yhs@jmsb.concordia.ca Office: MB 14.109 Office hours: Monday 13:00 to 15:00, or by appointment

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Your name Your major and minor (if applicable) Your expectations about this class Whats the best classroom/learning experience you have so far? Your work experience (optional)

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COMM 210: Learning outcomes

Recognize examples and counter-examples of fundamental business theories in reports of current business activities Perform critical analyses of business texts Construct persuasive arguments using the language of business (improve your writing skills) Demonstrate awareness of and interest in current business events Work effectively in groups

Instructional Methods
A combination of lectures, in-class discussion, and analysis of texts are our primary strategies You are expected to read carefully the assigned materials before coming to class

Comm 210: Required readings

Textbook Dyer, 2010 Critical thinking for

business students

Fundamental business theories see How-to find HBR articles from Library Website Electronic reserve at Webster Library Other articles Electronic reserve at Webster Library

Comm 210: Evaluation Examinations

Midterm Final 20% 40%

Team project
Term paper & progress reports 30%

Class participation 10% Details available on FirstClass!!

FirstClass Help Desk: 514848-2424, ext. 7613

Team Project
Teams of 4 to 5 students, formed in Week 3 (1/23) Project requirements

Get engaged in a contemporary business issue, collect data, analyze information critically, and write an interesting and persuasive report. Topics to be confirmed. Project report due Week 12 (4/3)

In class capacity building exercise Peer assessment at the end of term

Exams
Midterm Final Every class is a good practice for your exams
Read the assigned textbook chapter and theory article(s) first Read the practice article(s) and anticipate what questions might be discussed in class

Class participation
In class exercises Quality of your contributions to class discussion Avoid:
Chatting Using electronic devices Interrupting class

Sharpen your analytical skills Critical thinking = Analyzing the validity of arguments presented in a text
Identify the authors major conclusions Describe & evaluate supporting evidence Uncover assumptions & values Determine soundness of causal logic Deconstruct use of persuasive language

Contemporary Business Thinking Content & Outcomes

Primary outcomes

Critical reading & analysis Facility with language of business Interest in current business activities

Business press, newspapers, magazines, internet

Business discourse

Critical thinking skills

Claims, Evidence, Underlying assumptions, Rhetoric

Organizational growth, strategy, motivation, change

Management concepts

Preparation for next week

Readings for next week Chandlers article about business success (On library website) Samsung: The next big bet, The Economist (On electronic reserve in Webster library) Textbook (Dyer): Claims (chapter 2) & Popular business terms (appendix 1) Dont forget to check your mailbox and our class folder FirstClass