As a new student at UNI, you should make sure that your basic communication skills are in place.  You'll need these building blocks to do well in the coursework and extra-curricular activities that lay ahead of you.  Right now, these classes might seem "unrelated" to your business major or your ultimate business career.  That isn't so!  You'll learn business applications of these skills during your Junior and Senior years, which will be the foundation of the professional communication skills your future employer will expect. 

Written Communication:  Students must pass the U.N.I. General Education Writing Requirement prior to admission to the College of Business Administration.  Some fulfill this requirement on the basis of test performance or transfer credits, but most students will take one of three writing courses:

            English 62: 005  College Reading and Writing

            English 62: 015  Expository Writing

            English 62: 034  Critical Writing About Literature

Students should enroll in the most advanced course for which they can qualify.  Junior level business courses generally require the type of analytical skill that is developed in a critical writing course.  In order to be prepared to develop the professional writing skills that are required by a major, students should use the Freshman year to make sure the basics are solid.  At the very minimum, a pre-business major should complete the General Education writing course with the ability to

·  Write papers that consist of unified, fully developed paragraphs.

·  Write papers that are logically organized at all levels from paragraph to completed paper.

·  Design and efficiently conduct a library research project.

·  Communicate the results of a library research project in an effective written report.

·  Use a professional stylebook to correctly cite and document sources.

·  Use a writer’s handbook to prepare to deadline finished, edited, proofread manuscripts that are without errors in grammar, spelling, mechanics, usage, punctuation, or manuscript format.

·  Recognize and avoid all common forms of plagiarism.

Oral Communication: All UNI. majors must complete Communication Studies 48C: 001 Oral Communication and pre-business majors are highly encouraged to complete this course during the Freshman year.   Most courses in the College of Business Administration include class discussion, a team project or an oral presentation and often all three.  Oral Communication is designed to provide information and background on effective interpersonal, team and presentational communication.   Students will develop polished, professional oral communication skills during their Junior and Senior years, but should come into the College with an ability to

·  Analyze a communication situation and evaluate its success with respect to contextual goals.

·  Prepare and deliver a simple three-point informational speech.

·  Use an introduction, transitions and a conclusion to contextualize a formal presentation.

·  Use non-verbal cues (eye contact, posture, gestures) to signal willingness to communicate, attentive listening and level of understanding in a presentational or conversational setting.

·  Use verbal and non-verbal feedback to self-monitor and adjust interpersonal behaviors.

·  Participate actively and constructively in a small group discussion.

·  Support, explain and defend a position for a group of peers.

Electronic Communication:  Every UNI student is issued an email account and provided with free training through Information Technology Services. Pre-business majors are STRONGLY ADVISED to enroll in 150:080 Introduction to Information Systems as well as additional classes from the ITS.  Students enrolled in upper-division courses are expected to be competent in the use of email and email discussion groups, web search engines, word processing software and presentational software.