SPRING 2013 BUSINESS COMMUNICATIONS Syllabus Instructor: Antoinette Simmonds Section 3097 Class Meeting Time: Every Wednesday evening 7:00-10:10 Room 3207 (February 4 May 29, 2013) Office Hours: Bus Ed Bldg 3200, Room 3210 Wednesday 6:30-7:00 p.m. Telephone: (818) 710-2540 Email: arsimmonds@gmail.com Class Group: http://moodle:piercecollege.edu Prerequisites: CAOT 31 or English 101 College Reading and Composition Required Text: Business Communication: Process and Product 7 th edition, by Mary Ellen Guffey Recommended References: A standard English dictionary and an office reference manual, such as How 12: A Handbook for Office Professionals, by Clark & Clark Supplies Required Internet access and email account USB Flash One 8 ½ x 11 Folder Course Description and Objectives: One of the fastest growing fields in communicating is telecommunications. Skills in writing, speaking, grammar, spelling, and punctuation become paramount in conveying information. This course is designed to develop the ability to write effective business memorandums, letters, email messages, employment documents, and short reports. Problem-solving skills are stressed to create messages that inform, persuade, and convey negative news with mutual understanding. Working in collaborative projects and giving short oral communication through class presentations, will help to prepare you to meet today s demands. Expected Student Outcomes Flip Classroom What is the Khan Academy s Flip Classroom? The Khan Academy emphasizes letting students learn the content of the subject from videos and lectures at home, then doing homework in class where they can engage with the teacher and get help. 1
The Business Communication class will incorporate some of the Khan Academy classroom techniques to strength student outcomes. Most of the writing activities will be completed in the classroom with available assistance as needed. Students have the ability to read and review materials at home, while asking questions in the classroom to clarify comprehension. The goal in using the flip classroom is to mitigate fragmented concepts in learning. Students will complete the class with more competencies in their ability to write, improve mastery of subject matter, and maintain greater self-confidence in skills to execute proficiently. Student expectations At the conclusion of this course, students will be expected to Complete a case study, compose, revise, and proofread standard business correspondence using appropriate strategies; proper business style; and correct format, grammar, and mechanics with at least 70% accuracy. Prepare an effective business report and associated oral presentation based on the evaluation of research and include information in graphical form. Create a customized resume and cover letter in an appropriate format based on the student s qualifications and the requirements of the position. Final team assignment develops persuasive writing, oral communications, and report and informal proposal writing in chosen fields. The final team project encourages students to start thinking about themselves as professionals with a valuable commodity to sell and about ways to sell it. Correctly use with at least 70% accuracy appropriate vocabulary for the adult educational environment during discussions, homework, tests, and projects Course Requirements and Policies: Attendance: Students are expected to be in class on time and to remain for the entire class period. Roll will be taken daily. Tardiness is disruptive to the class, and it is unprofessional; absences and tardiness will directly affect your grade! Medical appointments, work, job interviews, childcare responsibilities, etc., should be arranged so as not to occur during class time. Please do not make requests for exceptions.. You may be excluded if you do not attend the first class meeting. If you attend the first class meeting but you are absent from the second and third meeting, you will be excluded from the class. Important Note: Students should consult the college schedule to determine the last day that classes may be dropped. Students may drop the class in the Admissions and Records Office, through the Internet (Pierce web page), or by using the STEP telephone system. Students should not rely on the instructor to exclude them. If you stop attending the class and fail to drop officially through the Admissions and Records Office, you will receive a final grade of F in the course. (This is a college policy.) For more details on attendance, see attached CAOT Attendance Policies.
Outside Work: Please plan to apply at least three to four hours per week in addition to class meetings for completing homework assignments, reviewing, composing rough and final drafts, and preparing for the next class session. To be prepared for each class meeting, you should complete each homework assignment before the next class meeting. Classroom Rules Arrive for class on time. All assignments are due on the date indicated. Plagiarism will not be tolerated. Take advantage of the textbook Web page for extra help with your assignments. Show respect for all class members, and relax and have fun! Grading Grading for the Business Communication module will be as follows: Assignments Points % of Total Points Possible for Class Writing Assignments 13 1345 Case Studies 25 A = 90 100% Writing Activities 148 B = 80-89% Attendance & Participation 30 C = 70-79% Unit Quizzes Unit 1, 2, & 3 75 D = 60 69% Employment Portfolio 300 F = Below 60% Business Report 300 Power Point Presentation 200 Final 100 Total Points 2523 Americans with Disabilities Act In compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), all qualified students enrolled in this course are entitled to reasonable accommodations. Please notify the instructor during the first week of class of any accommodations needed for the course. Students who violate the code of academic conduct by which the College maintains its academic integrity will be dealt with in a manner reflecting the seriousness of these violations. Academic Conduct Defined Cheating Policy: Pierce College s Code of Academic Conduct and Reporting Policy defines academic dishonesty as the act of or assistance in deceiving, including fraud or deception, in any academic exercise. The instructor may assign a failing grade to the examination or assignment in which the alleged cheating or plagiarism occurred. Violations of Academic Honest and Integrity occur when a student participates in any act in which he/she uses decision or fraud while performing an academic activity.
Violations include, but are not limited to, the following: 1. Using testing aids such as calculators, tape recorders, or notes on any examination. 2. Allowing another individual to assume one s identity for the purpose of enhancing one s grade in any of the following: testing, field trips, or attendance. 3. Falsifying or attempting to falsify attendance records and/or grade rosters. 4. Representing the words, ideas or work on another as one s own in any academic exercise (plagiarism), including the use of commercial term paper companies. 5. Changing answers on a previously scored test, assignment, or experiment with the intent to defraud. 6. Copying or allowing another student to copy from one s paper or answer sheet during an examination. (This includes looking at someone else s computer while taking an exam or assignment.) 7. Submitting for a grade the words, ideas, and/or written work (including laboratory notes and drawings) of another person without giving due credit to that person. This includes purchased papers or papers written by other students. 8. Giving and/or taking information during an examination by any means including sign language, hand signals, secret codes, or electronic transmission Consequences for any offenses against academic honesty and integrity may include: An F or an O on the examination or assignment Suspension from the class, and other sanctions and/or penalties authorized by the Board of Trustees for violations of the District s Student Code of Conduct A record of the student s violation placed in the student s disciplinary file
CAOT ATTENDANCE POLICIES All students should be familiar with the Attendance Regulations printed in both the College Catalog and the Schedule of Classes. (See #1-3 below.) As is true of employment, attendance, promptness, and work habits have a significant effect on job (and class) performance. 1. Students who fail to attend the first class meeting may forfeit their place in class. (Appears at the beginning of schedule offerings for Computer Applications and Office Technologies Department.) 2. Due to high demand for this course, any student who attends the first class meeting but misses the second and third class meetings will forfeit his or her place in the class. 3. Students are expected to be in class on time and to remain for the entire class period. Roll will be taken daily. Tardiness is disruptive to the class, and it is unprofessional; absences and tardiness will directly affect your grade! Medical appointments, work, job interviews, childcare responsibilities, etc., should be arranged so as not to occur during class time. Please do not make requests for exceptions. 4. Any student who has unexcused absences equaling one week s worth of class time prior to census date may be excluded. Students may drop the class in the Admissions and Records Office, online, or by phone on or before Census date without incurring fees, February 18, Last day to drop without a grade of W, February 18, or Last date students can drop with a W recorded on your permanent record, from February 19 May 5. STUDENTS SHOULD NEVER RELY ON THE INSTRUCTOR TO EXCLUDE THEM. NOTE students only have three (3) attempts to repeat a class successfully. 5. Do not call the college offices to report absences. If you are going to be absent for two or more consecutive class meetings, call my office extension (818-710-2540). 6. By the last day to add the class, students are responsible for informing the instructor of any anticipated absences on test days due to observance of major religious holidays so that alternative arrangements may be made. Failure to do so may result in an inability to make other arrangements or a lower grade. Except as indicated above, no make-up tests will be given. 7. No incompletes will be given as a final grade. 8. As a courtesy to other members of the class, students are expected to turn off all cell phones and pagers upon entering the classroom.