Course Information
SemesterCourse Unit CodeCourse Unit TitleT+P+LCreditNumber of ECTS CreditsLast Updated Date
3İKY215Courtesy and Protocol Rules2+0+02408.03.2026

 
Course Details
Language of Instruction Turkish
Level of Course Unit Associate Degree
Department / Program Human Resources Management
Type of Program Formal Education
Type of Course Unit Elective
Course Delivery Method Face To Face
Objectives of the Course This course aims to equip students with the knowledge and skills required to recognize the principles of courtesy, etiquette, and protocol in social and professional life, and to explain and apply appropriate behaviors in personal image management, institutional representation, hierarchical relations, as well as written, oral, and online communication processes.
Course Content This course covers the definition, scope, and interrelationship of the concepts of courtesy, etiquette, and protocol. It addresses first impressions, professional image management, and dress codes in business life. Rules of introduction and self-introduction, hierarchy, forms of address, greetings, handshaking, and the use of business cards are examined. In addition, courtesy in oral communication, corporate telephone etiquette, rules for online meetings and interviews, formal correspondence, e-mail format, and netiquette principles are discussed. The course also includes the use of shared spaces in the workplace, professional codes of conduct, meeting organization and seating arrangements, business meals and table manners, corporate representation, invitations and RSVP (Répondez S'il Vous Plaît) procedures, as well as office and vehicle protocol.
Course Methods and Techniques An interactive and practice-oriented methodology is followed in this course in order to transform theoretical knowledge into professional competencies. The course examines fundamental concepts, hierarchy, forms of address, representation, and etiquette rules through lectures and guided discussions, while case analyses are used to discuss the gray areas that may arise in institutional representation, invitations, meetings, and communication. Simulations and practical exercises are employed to develop skills related to introductions, greetings, telephone communication, online meetings, and dining protocol. The learning process is further concretized through the “Personal Protocol Guide” prepared at the end of the semester, and students’ professional behavior patterns are reinforced through group work, peer feedback, and structured assessment.
Prerequisites and co-requisities None
Course Coordinator None
Name of Lecturers Asist Prof. Ali Kayış https://abis.gedik.edu.tr/ali-kayis ali.kayis@gedik.edu.tr
Assistants None
Work Placement(s) No

Recommended or Required Reading
Resources Baltaş, A., & Baltaş, Z. (2010). Bedenin dili. İstanbul: Remzi Kitabevi.
Tutar, H. (2021). Örgütsel iletişim. Umuttepe Yayınları.
Aytürk, N. (2023). Protokol yönetimi: Kamusal yaşamda protokol ve davranış kuralları. Nobel Yayıncılık.
Law No. 6698 on the Protection of Personal Data. (2016, April 7). Official Gazette (No. 29677).
Microsoft. (n.d.). Outlook best practices: Write great email. Microsoft Support. & Microsoft. (n.d.). Tips for Teams meetings. Microsoft Support.
Kayış, A. (2026). İKY215 course materials: Rubrics, checklists, and case sets [Unpublished course notes].
Course Notes In this course, fundamental works on courtesy, etiquette, communication manners, and formal protocol practices, as well as up-to-date academic sources and course materials prepared by the instructor, will be utilized.
Documents Baltaş, A., & Baltaş, Z. (2010). Bedenin Dili. İstanbul: Remzi Kitabevi.

Course Category
Social Sciences %45
Field %55

Planned Learning Activities and Teaching Methods
Activities are given in detail in the section of "Assessment Methods and Criteria" and "Workload Calculation"

Assessment Methods and Criteria
In-Term Studies Quantity Percentage
Mid-terms 1 % 35
Final examination 1 % 35
Total
2
% 70

 
ECTS Allocated Based on Student Workload
Activities Quantity Duration Total Work Load
Course Duration 14 2 28
Hours for off-the-c.r.stud 14 1 14
Presentation 1 10 10
Mid-terms 1 15 15
Project 1 15 15
Final examination 1 20 20
Total Work Load   Number of ECTS Credits 4 102

 
Course Learning Outcomes: Upon the successful completion of this course, students will be able to:
NoLearning Outcomes
1 Distinguishes the concepts of courtesy, etiquette, and protocol, and explains their functions and importance in institutional life.
2 Applies the protocols of meeting, introducing others, greeting, handshaking, forms of address, and business card exchange in accordance with hierarchy.
3 Produces e-mail texts in accordance with the rules of formal correspondence; analyzes and corrects netiquette violations, and develops appropriate communication alternatives.
4 Conducts corporate telephone calls, video calls, and online meeting processes in accordance with the principles of professional communication and protocol rules.
5 Selects appropriate protocol procedures in meeting, invitation, RSVP, and corporate representation scenarios, and justifies these decisions.
6 Applies dining etiquette, seating order, and basic rules of professional representation appropriately in scenario-based business meal settings.
7 Designs and presents a “Personal Protocol Guide” incorporating the principles of corporate representation and professional courtesy.

 
Weekly Detailed Course Contents
WeekTopicsStudy MaterialsMaterials
1 The concepts of manners, courtesy, and protocol; first impressions and professional representation Examines the weekly lecture slides and takes notes on examples related to first impressions. Lecture slides, First Impression Checklist, and practice guidelines on first impressions
2 Personal image and professional appearance: dress codes and the use of accessories Prepares two examples related to clothing and accessory use and evaluates them in terms of professional appearance. Lecture slides and the “Wardrobe Analysis – 3 Scenarios” worksheet
3 Rules of meeting, introducing others, and hierarchy: greetings and handshaking in business life Examines the rules of introduction hierarchy and prepares two short scenarios. “Hierarchy Cards” material and the “True–False Handshaking” visual set
4 Business card and forms of address protocol: use of titles and institutional language Prepares draft forms of address appropriate to five different professional titles. Forms of address transformation exercise and notes on business card use protocol
5 Courtesy in verbal communication: tone of voice, forms of address, and polite refusal Rewrites the same statement in three different styles: formal, neutral, and friendly. “3 Tones, 3 Perceptions” practice form and model expressions for polite communication
6 Rules for corporate telephone calls, video calls, and online meetings Checks the settings for video calls and prepares an appropriate opening statement. Zoom/Teams Checklist and mini scenario form for telephone calls
7 Written communication and e-mail practices: netiquette, institutional language, and signature use Identifies an e-mail example that does not comply with the rules of corporate correspondence, develops suggestions for improvement, and prepares a draft institutional signature. E-mail review worksheet and sample e-mail templates
8 Midterm Exam Reviews the topics covered in Weeks 1–7. Scenario texts, assessment rubric, and examination form
9 Use of common areas in the workplace: boundaries and ambiguous situations Identifies two examples of grey areas related to common areas such as the kitchen, elevator, and similar shared spaces, and develops appropriate solutions. Case discussion form and the “Professional Solution Proposals” template
10 Meeting management and protocol: preparation process, agenda, and seating arrangements Prepares a sample meeting agenda and reviews different seating arrangements. Seating Arrangement Visual Set and the “5-Point Pre-Meeting Plan”
11 Business Meals and Table Etiquette I: Seating Arrangements, Napkin Use, and Ordering Rules Summarizes the rules related to napkin use and seating arrangements, and prepares a payment scenario. Table Etiquette Checklist and “The Bill Has Arrived” Scenario Sheet
12 Business meals and table manners II: cutlery use and rules of conduct for difficult-to-eat foods Reviews the basic signals related to cutlery use and takes notes on difficult-to-eat foods. Table manners practice material and a visual guide to the use of cutlery
13 Corporate Representation, Invitation Management, and RSVP Rules: Gift Selection Examines an invitation text containing RSVP information and prepares notes on gift protocol. RSVP Samples, Corporate Representation Scenario, and Guide
14 Office and vehicle protocol: rules for official visits and order of precedence Identifies the basic steps of an official visit and reviews the rules of seating arrangements in a vehicle. Visit Practice Guideline and Visual Summary of Vehicle Protocol
15 Overall evaluation and integrated simulation activities Reviews all checklists and completes the “Personal Protocol Guide.” Station Scenarios, Quick Reference Sheet, and Presentation Rubric

 
Sustainable Development Goals
Contribution of Learning Outcomes to Programme Outcomes
P1 P2 P3 P4 P5 P6 P7 P8 P9
All 2 1 3 3 3 5 2 2 4
C1 2 1 3 2 3 4 1 1 4
C2 3 1 2 2 3 5 3 1 3
C3 1 1 4 5 3 5 2 2 4
C4 1 1 4 4 3 5 2 1 4
C5 2 2 3 3 4 5 2 2 4
C6 1 1 2 2 3 5 1 1 3
C7 3 2 3 3 3 5 3 3 4

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