An innovative course in fundamentals of management communication derives
from competency-based instruction. Course designers created a list of competen
cies and behavioral objectives for each of four modules: business writing funda
mentals, formal report writing, informative oral presentations, and persuasive oral
presentations. Students receive the list before instructions. Students also gain
instruction in class or through self-study or both. They are assessed through multi
ple forms of assessment, and those assessments are measured in relation to individ
ual demonstration of competencies rather than course norms. In general, the stu
dents, faculty, and administration have viewed this course positively.