Essential Business Skills primary aim is to provide students with the skills and knowledge of communication in the business environment. There is a strong focus on the understanding the theory of communication in the business context and it's application to effective business writing at a high level, persuasive and appropriate verbal and non verbal communication, and interpersonal skills across teams and cultures. To achieve this students undertake the role of a new graduate employee in the workplace and develop responses to a range of current and emerging business issues that they will encounter in the private and public sector.
Students will use the workplace case study to develop knowledge and high level skills in business writing, and will assemble a portfolio of key written business documents to demonstrate capability to prospective employees. This will include short reports, memorandums, business letters, action plans and formal long reports.
Effective interpersonal communication skills are basic tools for those employed in professional fields. The workshop format of the tutorials explores business communication theory, and develops the student's communication skills and knowledge in a supportive peer group environment through ideas exchange and argument, and team approaches to workshop activities and team leadership. There is a strong focus on self development.
Learning Outcomes
Upon successful completion, students will have the knowledge and skills to:
Upon completion of the course, students are expected to be able to demonstrate a good understanding of:
- effective business writing
- effective business communications
- research approaches and information collection
- developing and delivering effective presentations
- effective interpersonal communications
- skills that maximise team effectiveness
- good time management
- effective problem solving
Other Information
See the course outline on the College courses page. Outlines are uploaded as they become available.
Indicative Assessment
The assessment for this course will involve students developing common business writing documents including business letters, action plans, and both short and more complex long reports to develop a portfolio of business communication. Students will also undertake presentations and an end of semester exam. . The combination of business writing, presentations and exams will improve student's research skills and critical thinking skills as well as written and interpersonal communication skills.
The ANU uses Turnitin to enhance student citation and referencing techniques, and to assess assignment submissions as a component of the University's approach to managing Academic Integrity. While the use of Turnitin is not mandatory, the ANU highly recommends Turnitin is used by both teaching staff and students. For additional information regarding Turnitin please visit the ANU Online website.
Preliminary Reading
Dwyer, Judith (2008) Communications in Business: Strategies and Skills. Pearson, 4th edition.
Fees
Tuition fees are for the academic year indicated at the top of the page.
If you are a domestic graduate coursework or international student you will be required to pay tuition fees. Students continuing in their current program of study will have their tuition fees indexed annually from the year in which you commenced your program. Further information for domestic and international students about tuition and other fees can be found at Fees.
- Student Contribution Band:
- 3
- Unit value:
- 6 units
If you are an undergraduate student and have been offered a Commonwealth supported place, your fees are set by the Australian Government for each course. At ANU 1 EFTSL is 48 units (normally 8 x 6-unit courses). You can find your student contribution amount for each course at Fees. Where there is a unit range displayed for this course, not all unit options below may be available.
| Units | EFTSL |
|---|---|
| 6.00 | 0.12500 |
Course fees
- Domestic fee paying students
| Year | Fee | Description |
|---|---|---|
| 1994-2003 | $3234 | |
| 2014 | $3246 | |
| 2013 | $3240 | |
| 2012 | $3240 | |
| 2011 | $3240 | |
| 2010 | $3240 | |
| 2009 | $3240 | |
| 2008 | $3240 | |
| 2007 | $3240 | |
| 2006 | $3240 | |
| 2005 | $3234 | |
| 2004 | $3234 |
- International fee paying students
| Year | Fee |
|---|---|
| 1994-2003 | $3234 |
| 2014 | $3948 |
| 2013 | $3942 |
| 2012 | $3942 |
| 2011 | $3942 |
| 2010 | $3942 |
| 2009 | $3618 |
| 2008 | $3618 |
| 2007 | $3618 |
| 2006 | $3534 |
| 2005 | $3234 |
| 2004 | $3234 |
Offerings, Dates and Class Summary Links
ANU utilises MyTimetable to enable students to view the timetable for their enrolled courses, browse, then self-allocate to small teaching activities / tutorials so they can better plan their time. Find out more on the Timetable webpage.
Class summaries, if available, can be accessed by clicking on the View link for the relevant class number.
First Semester
| Class number | Class start date | Last day to enrol | Census date | Class end date | Mode Of Delivery | Class Summary |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3348 | 16 Feb 2015 | 06 Mar 2015 | 31 Mar 2015 | 29 May 2015 | In Person | N/A |
