BCR Course Outline

Vanier College 

Faculty of Arts, Business and Social Sciences 

Business Communication and Research

410-145-VA/ Ponderation 2-2-2 

Prerequisites: None

 Section(s) 3

Fall, 2025

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Instructor	Dr. Samie Li Shang Ly
Office	N-225
Phone/E-mail	lys@vaniercollege.qc.ca
Office Hours	By appointment, please feel free to Mio me

 Assigned Times to the Course: 

Day	Time	Location
Wednesday	8:30 PM - 10:30 PM	N - 231
Friday	10:00 PM - 12:00 PM	N - 271

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1. Course Description

This course is designed for students in the Business Administration program. Students will learn basic writing techniques and practice editorial skills as they relate to business writing. Elements of style, awareness of audience and clarity of purpose will be stressed as integral aspects of effective writing and speaking.
Planning, drafting and revising as steps necessary to producing high-quality finished work will be emphasized throughout the course. Students will learn to read, analyze and document program-related publications, and prepare letters, memos, analytical report, and job search documents. Students will summarize business articles, conduct research, apply standard methods of documentation, as well as design and deliver oral presentations using current presentation software.

1.1 Course Level Learning Outcomes 

Students will develop research, written and oral communications skills for the purpose of delivering research- based individual and group business reports and business presentations that target the needs and interests of their audience.

1.2 Durable Skills In this Course

1.2.1 Manage tasks and deadlines

1.2.2 Build positive relationships 

1.2.3 Interact and participate effectively with others

1.3. Program Relevance

This is a skills-based course given to Marketing students in their third semester. Building on skills learned in Marketing I and Business Computer Applications I and II courses, students will be introduced to Digital Marketing Planning and tools (Content Marketing, UX, CRM, Web Page Design and Development, SEO, E-mail, video, online and search advertising) that can be used to effectively market profit and non-profit organizations.
This course has content and develops skills that will be revisited and further developed in Integrated Marketing Communications, Consumer Behavior, Entrepreneurship, Advanced Topics in Marketing, Project Management and Social Media Marketing.
Introduction to Business is a prerequisite for Digital Marketing. Digital Marketing is a prerequisite for Social Media Marketing.

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2. Teaching Methodology and Resources 

2.1 Compulsory Resources (Includes textbooks & softwares) 

Various open source texts (free).

An additional $10 may be collected to cover the cost of the Professional Networking Simulation (see below).

Learning Software

Our submissions and regular activities will be held on Innovatank. An approved software by the institution, free of charge to students at Vanier College by the creators Samie Ly and Stavros Athanasoulias. The platform will be used for Assessments and LIA presentation submissions as well as feedback and evaluation through out the semester. On the first day of class, the instructor will walk you through the steps of setting up for your semester and a document will be posted for incoming students.

2.2 Recommended Resources (Includes textbooks & softwares) 

2.3 Teaching Approach

Attendance
Learning is an active process. By taking an active approach, students will be more likely to understand and be able to apply course concepts. Students must take responsibility for learning by taking advantage of learning opportunities such as attending class, preparing for class, and joining into in-class and out-of- class discussions, posting online, etc.
Failure to attend a class has specific consequences. Any student who misses a class will receive a grade of 0 on any in-class assignments, given during the period, without the opportunity for any make-up work. All discussions, notes, videos and articles are subject to examination and project questions. No additional tutorials will be held for students that fall behind because of poor attendance. Note: Distance learning techniques may be used if there are ongoing concerns with the Covid-19 pandemic. Any changes to the schedule will be communicated to students.

Methods

In-class assignments, exercises and course contribution
Students are expected to come to class on time, and contribute to in-class discussions, activities and exercises, all of which complement and emphasize material that could be tested and/or applied to assignments/projects. Please note that some of these may be distributed online through Léa, Innovatank, or other digital platforms. Marks can be based on the extent of the student's regular, active and constructive engagement in class.
Mandatory Sessions
There will be 2 mandatory sessions in class with the Tutoring and Academic Success Centre (TASC) as well as 3 mandatory in-class sessions with the Peer Mentors (see dates below).
Peer Mentorship
To support you in your transition to college and to Business Administration you will have access to a group of upper-year peer mentors who will visit your class in the first week. They will be available to you throughout the term and during classroom activities that they will organize with your course instructor.
Late submission of assignments
There is a 5% penalty for each day late (including weekends) unless a medical certificate is provided.

Approach

COMMUNICATING WITH THE TEACHER

The instructor can be reached over Mio. Messages received on the weekend or holidays will be answered within 24 hours of the next workday. I will mostly answer messages between 9 am and 3 pm.

You can also communicate with the teacher during office hours or by booking virtual office hours.

You are expected to use appropriate language in all communications with the instructor and your classmates (including in Mio, and during in-person classes and office hours) and to apply the rules of Netiquette (which will be posted with class materials) for all online communication.

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3. Learning Competencies & Objectives 

3.1 Key Learning Outcomes (KLO)

1. The application of the generally accepted principles of planning, generating, composing, drafting, and revising message
2. The application of the generally accepted formats and uses of business documents and oral presentations, with a sound understanding of the style and mechanics of English language business communication
3. The creation of slides using presentation software, locate and evaluate information on the World Wide Web, and communicate using electronic mail
4. The application the generally accepted principles regarding the writing of a formal business research report
5. Research and analyze commercial data
6. Identify and delineate the problem to be researched.
   

GENERAL INFORMATION

 

 

Code	Competency Statement	Progression	Hours	Other Courses Carrying The Competency
01H9	To research and process information for management purposes.	Comprehensive	45
Code	Competency Statement	Progression	Hours	Other Courses Carrying The Competency
01HA	To communicate and interact in a management context, using a client- based approach.	Introduced	15	Marketing I, Negotiations, Leadership and team management, Selling and Customer Service
Transversal Learning
·       Group Dynamics ·       Written and Oral Communication ·       Ability to plan, research, draft and revise a proposal ·       Ability to read, analyze, and incorporate credible sources

 

 

Student Proficiency In The Language Of Instruction Statement (SPLI)

Student proficiency in the language of instruction is the ability to write, read, speak, and listen in order to communicate effectively at the college level. SPLI may also require discipline-specific vocabulary, documentation, and communication skills; assessment of language skills must account for a minimum of 10% of any take-home written assignment or oral presentation in which English is the language of expression.

Pedagogical Strategies and Assessments

·       Lectures ·       Group Discussion ·       In-Class Assignments ·       Labs ·       Presentations

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4. Academic Integrity 

4.1 Plagiarism 

Teachers reserve the right to make use of plagiarism detection software to help deter and detect plagiarism, students might be required to submit assignments to a plagiarism detection service. 

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5. Institutional Policies & Guidelines 

5.1 Familiarity with and adherence to Vanier College course level policies

It is the student’s responsibility to be familiar with and adhere to the Vanier College Academic Policies. The complete policies can be found on the Vanier College website, under Policies. Students should pay particular attention to the Institutional Policy on the Evaluation of Student Achievement (IPESA). The IPESA aims to clarify the structures and means that ensure the fair and equitable evaluation of student achievement, including the conditions for learning, assessment, and certification.

Section 11.4 of IPESA provides details on Academic Integrity, which is an essential component of any educational institution and all students are expected to uphold the highest standards of academic integrity during their college studies. Failure to do so may result in serious consequences – please see section 11.4.2 on Academic Misconduct. There are many resources available to support academic integrity in your courses. If you have a problem that you have been unable to resolve by talking with your teacher, please reach out to the Student Advocate or to a Faculty Dean’s office (A-286, B-208, N-301).  For Continuing Education courses, students can visit E-115.

Academic Complaints may be defined as grievances related to any matter covered in the IPESA (chapter 19). It is the College’s responsibility to offer a fair and equitable hearing of student complaints. To do so, the College provides students who perceive that there have been mistakes, errors, or breaches of procedure involving any aspect of this policy with clear complaint and recourse processes. Complaint and recourse processes may be informal or formal. Students are always encouraged to approach their teacher before seeking help from any outside person or body, but other courses of action may be followed depending on the situation. In the case of Academic Complaints, after having discussed with your teacher, if you are still dissatisfied, you may contact the following, in the specified order:

1. Department Coordinator: Marc-André René, renem@vaniercollege.qc.ca (for Business Administration courses)
2. Faculty Dean: Alena Perout, perouta@vaniercollege.qc.ca
3. Student Advocate, Student Services: General Email to Student Services, studentservices@vaniercollege.qc.ca

5.2 R-Score Information 

Students often ask their teachers about the calculation of their R-score. Please note that the computation of the R-score depends on information teachers do not have access to, for instance the high school averages of students in the class. Also, R-scores may be calculated for a single section or can combine students across several sections of the same course. This means that class averages, as they appear on LEA, are not necessarily the ones used to determine your R-score. For more information on the R-score, please visit this website: https://www.vaniercollege.qc.ca/advising/r-score/ 

5.3  Artificial Intelligence Usage 

Students must submit their own authentic work in order to demonstrate their own learning. Any document generated by AI, regardless of the AI program or software used, is not deemed your own authentic work.

In some instances, students may be permitted or required to use AI, however, students must respect the rules established by a given teacher in their courses.

Students are responsible to know when AI is permitted and when it is not. Unless a teacher explicitly states that the use of AI is permitted, in which context, and under which conditions and parameters, students must assume that it is not allowed. When not explicitly permitted, its use will be considered as cheating and plagiarism, and the Academic Misconduct Procedures applies.

5.4 Medical Absences

In the case of a missed assessment for a short-term medical reason, the student needs to document the absence with a verifiable medical note (or other medical documentation deemed legitimate by the College) in order to receive an alternative assessment plan. A student’s self-declaration of a medical absence (https://bit.ly/medical-absence) will be considered valid documentation, providing the student follows the appropriate steps of reporting to their teacher(s) for each day they are absent. If the medical absence is for 5 or more consecutive school days, the student is required to provide valid medical documentation from a physician to support their situation.

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6. Assessments 

EVALUATION

Criteria	Marks
LEARNING INTEGRATION ASSESSMENT (LIA)
Report
Part 1. Proposal/Outline	5%
Part 2. Final Report	15%
Presentations
Group Presentation	15%
Reflection and Peer Evaluation	5%
Total		40%
INDIVIDUAL ASSESSMENTS
Presentations
Oral	20%
Reflection and Peer Evaluation	5%
Assignments
Portfolio	10%
In-class exercises, and course contribution	25%
Total		60%
TOTAL		100%

 

General Requirements for Submissions

6.1 Assessment Notes 

6.2 Minor Assessments 

All assessments have been scheduled in the detailed schedule at the end of this document. Be sure to note them down in your agenda as submission times are strict. However, some assessments may be subject to date change to accommodate student learning progressed and will be communicated 1 week prior of any changes.

Section 8.1.3 of IPESA

6.3 Learning Integration Assessment (LIA)

The LIA is a linked formal business report with a group presentation:
1. Formal Business Report
A formal business report of a minimum of 800 words on a business-related topic determined by the teacher. There must be a research component to this paper including the proper use of credible courses and careful documentation of the research done. A minimum of 4 credible sources are to be used including 1 scholarly source.
2. Group Presentation
For the Group Presentation a 10-minute oral presentation is to be carried out.
3. Students must receive a passing grade in their LIA in order to pass the course.

6.4 Student Proficiency in the Language of Instruction (SPLI)

Student proficiency in the language of instruction is the ability to write, read, speak, and listen in order to communicate effectively at the college level, within and across disciplines.  SPLI may also require discipline-specific vocabulary, documentation, and communication skills. An assessment of language skills must account for a minimum of 10% of any take-home written assignments or oral presentations in which English is the language of expression. 

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7. Student Resources & Expectations 

7.1 Peer Tutoring

Free Drop-in Peer Tutoring Service for Social Science and Commerce Students
Get help with your Social Science, Commerce and Methodology courses. Whether it be to understand course content, search and read scholarly texts, write academic papers, cite your sources properly or any other questions you may have, the Peer Tutors are here to help. To see the schedule and connect with a Peer Tutor go to: 

https://www.vaniercollege.qc.ca/social-science/resource-center/ 

7.2 TASC Writing Centre

Teacher Provided Resource Service for RM/IP Students 
The Writing Centre's writing consultants (Vanier teachers) are available for online assistance with and feedback on all of your written assignments or essays.  For information on how to work with a writing consultant or to see the schedule, visit: 
https://www.vaniercollege.qc.ca/learning-commons/writing-centre/ 
You can access a series of short PowerPoint videos explaining different aspects of APA with examples (plagiarism, in-text citations, references, paraphrasing and quoting), along with some other information about referencing here: 
https://www.vaniercollege.qc.ca/learning-commons/plagarism-citing-sources/ 
For more information about Academic Integrity in general: 
https://www.vaniercollege.qc.ca/learning-commons/academic-integrity/

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8. Detailed Schedule 

You can view the detailed class schedule via this live link. The core is fixes, smaller details may change to accommodate student learning. Please check often. Go to schedule calendar.