Business & Professional Communication
SPCH 1321
Instructor: James M. Keller
Phone: 281-793-3855
Email: jamkeller1972@yahoo.com
Text: Communicating for Results: A Guide for Business & the Professions
Course Objective: To provide you with specific minimum skills necessary for communicating
effectively in the organizational environment. Three areas will be primary aim: Professional
Presentations, Team Problem Solving and Interviewing Techniques
Course Completion Competencies:
Student Learning Outcomes:
*Students will be able to compose a cover letter and different types of resumes or vitae.
*Students will be able to understand the role of interviewer and interviewee, as well as serve as
both in a professional manner when applicable to the situation.
*Students will be able to discuss different schools of thought concerning leadership and
management, serve as leader and manager, and determine various leadership styles.
*Students will be able to present presentations and produce business-related materials with
self-confidence, and the proper verbal, aural, and nonverbal skills.
*Explain and demonstrate the components, types and characteristics of communication,
including source/receiver, message, code, feedback, noise and context.
*Explain and provide examples of the major components of organizational theory:
communication, flow, span of control, division of labor, chain of command, line and staff
functions, levels of authority and organizational structure.
*Plan and deliver an informational presentation with the following components:
A. an introduction utilizing the attention getting techniques presented by text and instructor
B. A well-organized body as evidenced by an outline with major, minor and supporting
subordinate ideas.
C. A psychologically pleasing conclusion reflecting techniques presented by the text &
instructor.
*Structure and conduct or participate in an employment interview as both employer and
applicant
*Use the reflective thinking problem-solving sequence in a small group setting.
*Demonstrate increased proficiency in listening, reading, writing and articulation as measured by
pre-and post-speech laboratory evaluations.
EVALUATION: GRADING CRITERIA IS BASED ON THE FOLLOWING:
(NOTE THE TENTATIVE DATES)
Requirement
Tentative Date
Percent of Final
Average
Mid Term Exam
15%
Interview
Final Exam
15%
Team Project
20%
Impromptu exercises
5%
Informative
Presentation
Persuasive
Presentation
CLASS PARTICIPATION
(INCLUDES ATTENDANCE)
15%
TOTAL
D:4.2.1 Student Bill of Rights
Responsible Department: Student Services
15%
15%
100%
Date Approved/Amended: June 20, 2005
_________________________________________________
HCC recognizes students' right to learn. The responsibility of the student in exercising that right is detailed in
the Student Bill of Rights and Responsibilities, which is contained in the Student Handbook.
D:4.2.3 Student Complaints
Responsible Department: Student Services
Date Approved/Amended: June 20, 2005
_________________________________________________
Any student who has a complaint concerning the interpretation, application, or claimed violation of his or her rights
as a System student, or feels he or she has been discriminated against or harassed on the basis of age, color,
disability, family status, gender, national origin, race, religion, veteran status, sex, or sexual orientation, including
sexual harassment, has the opportunity to seek resolution of such a complaint, in accordance with procedures set
forth in the Student Handbook. Such procedures may, when appropriate, include the use of a student court or
other peer review process.
D:4.2.4 Student Sexual Harassment
Responsible Department: Student Services
Date Approved/Amended: June 20, 2005
_________________________________________________
Definition
Sexual harassment by a student includes unwanted and unwelcome verbal or physical conduct of a sexual
nature, whether by word, gesture, or any other sexual conduct, including requests for sexual favors.
Sexual harassment of students by employees includes activities such as engaging in sexually oriented
conversations for purposes of personal sexual gratification, telephoning students at home or elsewhere to
solicit inappropriate social relationships, physical contact that would reasonably be construed as sexual in
nature, and enticing or threatening students to engage in sexual behavior in exchange for grades or other
school-related benefit.
Prohibition Against Sexual Harassment
The System provides an educational, employment, and business environment free of sexual harassment.
Sexual harassment is a form of sex discrimination and is strictly prohibited. Students are prohibited from
engaging in sexual harassment toward another student or a HCC employee. HCC employees are similarly
prohibited from engaging in sexual harassment. [See HCC Board Policy C: 4.5] A substantiated charge of sexual
harassment against a student or employee shall result in disciplinary action.
Informal Resolution
Any student who believes he or she has been a victim of sexual harassment may attempt to resolve the matter
informally by bringing a complaint to the Dean of Students or designee, who will investigate immediately and
attempt to resolve the matter. If the Dean is the alleged harasser, the complaint may be brought to the College
President or designee. If a student brings a complaint to the attention of another staff member, that staff
member will ensure that the complaint is forwarded to the appropriate administrator for investigation and/or
resolution. In no event will the complainant be required to bring the complaint to the alleged harasser.
D:4.3.1 Student Conduct
Responsible Department: Student Services
Date Approved/Amended: June 20, 2005
_________________________________________________
The System has established standards of conduct in the Student Handbook for students. In addition, the
System provides “procedural due process” as defined in the Student Handbook for students who are alleged to
have violated System policy or regulations.
Scholastic Dishonesty
System students are responsible for conducting themselves with honor and integrity in fulfilling course
requirements. System officials may assess penalties and/or initiate disciplinary proceedings against a student
accused of scholastic dishonesty. Consequences for academic dishonesty may include a grade of “0” or “F” on
the particular assignment, failure in the course, recommendation for probation or dismissal from the System,
and other consequences deemed appropriate by the administration. Students who wish to appeal a final course
grade may do so in accordance with procedures set forth in the Student Handbook.
Smoking, Alcohol, Drugs
The System prohibits smoking inside any of its buildings, owned or leased, including offices, classrooms, rest
rooms, hallways, elevators and all other interior locations.
The System complies with the provisions of the Drug-Free Schools and Communities Act amendments of 1988
and is fully dedicated to a drug-free environment for all students and employees at all System locations. The
unlawful manufacture, distribution, dispensation, possession, sale, offer to sell, purchase and/or use of
controlled substances or alcohol on System campuses, teaching sites, vehicles, and other property owned,
leased, or under the control of the System, and at all on-campus and off-campus school-sponsored activities is
prohibited.
Weapons
Students shall not intentionally, knowingly, or recklessly possess or go onto school premises with any
prohibited weapon unless pursuant to written regulations or written authorization of the System. “Prohibited
weapons” include firearms, illegal knives, explosive weapons, machine guns, short-barrel firearms switchblade
knives, knuckles, armor-piercing ammunition, chemical dispensing devices, zip guns, and clubs.
Interrogations and Searches
All System-controlled property, such as lockers, desks, equipment, and rooms are subject to search at any
time. No student has any expectation of privacy in lockers, desks, equipments, rooms and other
System-controlled property. Such property may be searched at any time, without a student's permission.
D:4.3.2 Discipline & Penalties
Students at HCC have due process rights as set forth in the 14th Amendment. Students must, however, assume
the responsibilities of citizenship. They are expected to obey the penal and civil laws of the State of Texas and the
United States, as well as HCC Board policies, System regulations, and administrative rules.
The student discipline code, developed by the administration, contains regulations for addressing alleged student
violations of System standards of conduct in a manner consistent with the requirements of procedural due
process.
When an administrator receives information that a student has allegedly violated a Board policy, College
regulation, or administrative rule, the appropriate administrator shall investigate and take appropriate action, up to
and including dismissal from the System. Disciplinary procedures and potential consequences are detailed in the
Student Handbook.
D:4.4 Student Fees, Fines & Charges
Responsible Department: Student Services
Date Approved/Amended: June 20, 2005
_________________________________________________
HCC collects fees or charges from students only as permitted by law. The College Operations Officer or
appropriate official may initiate disciplinary proceedings against students who:
1. Refuse to pay or fail to pay a debt they owe the System.
2. Give the System a check, draft, or order with intent to defraud the System. A student's failure to pay the
System the amount due on a check, draft, or order on or before the tenth business day after the day the
Business Office sends written notice that the drawee has rightfully refused payment on the check, draft, or
order, is prima facie evidence that the student intended to defraud the System.
OTHER STUDENT INFORMATION
All HCC students have a unique User ID. It is the same number you use for class registration.
For
students who have taken DE classes in previous semesters, the login will no longer be
“firstname.lastname” + the last 2 digit of your SS #. If you do not know your User ID you can
look it
up using the following links:
o From the HCC home page, click on “Register Here”
o On the Student Web Services page, click on “Registration (Online)”
o Click on “Retrieve User ID” and follow the instructions.
Or use the direct link: https://hccsaweb.hccs.edu:8080/servlets/iclientservlet/sauat/?cmd=start
The default student password will still be “distance.” As always, students will then be prompted
to
change their password after their first login. These new student login procedures apply to classes
taught
in both WebCT and Blackboard. Please contact desupport@hccs.edu if you need additional
assistance
with your log in.
ACADEMIC HONESTY
SCHOLASTIC DISHONESTY (HCCS STUDENT HANDBOOK)
3
Students are responsible for conducting themselves with honor and integrity in fulfilling course
requirements. Penalties and/or disciplinary proceedings may be initiated by College System
officials
against a student accused of scholastic dishonesty.
"Scholastic dishonesty" includes , but is not limited to, cheating on a test, plagiarism, and
collusion.
"Cheating" on test includes:
· Copying from another student's test paper;
· Using materials during a test that are not authorized by the person giving the test;
· Collaborating with another student during a test without authority;
· Knowingly using, buying, selling, stealing, transporting, or soliciting in whole or in part the
contents
of an un-administered test;
· Bribing another person to obtain a test that is to be administered.
"Plagiarism" means the appropriation of another's work and the unacknowledged incorporation
of that
work in one's own written work offered for credit.
"Collusion" means the unauthorized collaboration with another person in preparing written work
offered for credit.
ATTENDANCE AND WITHDRAWAL POLICIES
In accordance with HCCS rules, the instructor has the authority to drop a student from any class
after
the student has been absent for periods equivalent to two weeks of class (6 classes). However,
the
student has the ultimate responsibility to withdraw from the course. If there are extreme
circumstances
that require absence from class, it is the student's responsibility to notify the instructor. For
additional
information refer to the HCCS catalog.
The State of Texas has begun to impose penalties on students who drop courses excessively.
That is, if
you repeat the same course more than twice, you have to pay extra tuition. In addition, as of Fall
2007,
students are limited to no more than SIX total course withdrawals throughout their educational
career at
a Texas public college or university.
In order to withdraw from your class, you MUST contact your professor and this must be
done
PRIOR to the withdrawal deadline to receive a “W” on your transcript. If you do not
withdraw
before the deadline, you will receive the grade that you have earned by the end of the semester.
Zeros
averaged in for required assignments/tests not submitted will lower your semester average
significantly,
most likely resulting in a failing grade (“F”).
Please visit the online registration calendars, HCC schedule of classes and catalog, any HCC
Registration Office, or any HCC counselor to determine class withdrawal deadlines. Remember
to allow
a 24-hour response time when communicating via email or telephone with your professor. Do
not
submit a request to discuss withdrawal options less than a day before the deadline.
INTERNATIONAL STUDENTS
Receiving a W in a course may affect the status of your student Visa. Once a W is given for the
course,
it will not be changed to an F because of the visa consideration. Please contact the International
4
Student Office at 713-718-8520 if you have any questions about your visa status and other
transfer
issues.
STUDENTS WITH DISABILITIES:
"Any student with a documented disability (e.g. physical, learning, psychiatric, vision, hearing,
etc)
who needs to arrange reasonable accommodations must contact the appropriate HCC Disability
Support
Service (DSS) Counselor at the beginning of each semester. Faculty are authorized to provide
only the
accommodations requested by the
Disability Support Services Office. Students who are requesting special testing accommodations
must
first contact the appropriate DSS Counselor for assistance.
Students who require testing accommodations need to schedule an appointment for testing to
ensure
that staff will be available for proctoring and to arrange for any adaptive equipment that may be
required. Students should contact the instructor's "Instructional Support Specialist" (ISS) the
week prior
to each exam throughout the semester to confirm that the requested testing accommodations will
be
met.
USE OF CAMERAS OR RECORDING DEVICES:
Use of recording devices, including camera phones and tape recorders, is prohibited in
classrooms, unless by written request to the instructor.
laboratories, faculty offices, and other locations where instruction, tutoring, or testing occurs.
Students
with disabilities who need to use a recording device as a reasonable accommodation should
contact the
Office for Students with Disabilities for information regarding reasonable accommodations.
GRADE APPEAL, REFUNDS, DISCIPLINE ISSUES and SEXUAL HARASSMENT POLICY
Refer to the Student Handbook, Catalog and Schedule.
ACTIVITIES
You have the opportunity to enhance your personal and intellectual growth by participating in a
variety
of activities. Those activities can be located in the Student Handbook or through the HCCS Web
resources at: www.hccs.edu/handbookHome2.html.
Tentative Instructional Outline: SPRING 2012
Week
Number
Activities
and Assignment
Objectives
and Details
1
JAN 18
Getting acquainted
Ch. 1/Intro to Business Speech
2
JAN 23
Ch. 1 cont’d/
Commun.Process/ Intro to improvised sales
JAN 25
Ch. 2
Org. Comm./Improvised sales presentations
Ch. 2con’d./Ch. 3
Org. Comm and Improving Interpersonal Relationships
Ch. 6
Overcoming obstacles to comm. And org’s.
FEB 6
Ch. 4
Effective Listening
FEB 8
Ch. 5
Nonverbal comm.
FEB 13
Ch. 9
Small Group Comm/Problm solving
FEB 15
Intro to team pres
Project Bake and Freeze introduced/handouts for docs given
FEB 20
Ch. 10
Participation in leadership and teams
FEB 22
Ch’s 12 & 13
Researching, supporting & delivering/Prof visual aids
Ch. 11
Inform Presentations/Inform topic selections
MAR 5
Mid Term preps
Mid Term game show
MAR 7
Mid Term Exam
50 questions, multiple choice
3
MAR 30
FEB 1
4
5
6
7
FEB 27
FEB 29
8
9
MAR 12
Spring Break!
MAR 14
Spring Break!
10
MAR 19
Time for Meeting
Bake and Freeze project meeting time
MAR 21
Ch. 14
Persuasive presentations/persuasive topic selections
MAR 26
Ch. 7
Basic inform for interviews
MAR 28
Ch. 8
Employment Interview
APR 2
Interviews
Mock Interviews/Rough draft informative outline due
APR 4
Time for Meeting
Bake and Freeze project meeting time
APR 9
Overview of Org’l Comm
Taking a glimpse at what we’ve learned (final exam review handouts)
APR 11
Re-evaluating comm..
Scientific management theories X, Y and Z Final Exam Game Show
APR 16
Presentations
Bake and Freeze team presentations
APR 18
Presentations
Bake and Freeze team presentations cont’d.
APR 23
Presentations
Informative presentations
APR 25
Presentations
Informative presentations
APR 30
Presentations
Persuasive presentations
MAY 2
Presentations
Persuasive presentations
11
12
13
14
15
16
17
MAY
7/9
Final Exam Week
Chapters Covered
Chapter 1
The Communication Process: An
Introduction
Chapter 2
Organizational Communication
Chapter 3
Improving Interpersonal Relationships
Chapter 4
Effective Listening
Chapter 5
Nonverbal Communication in the
Organization
Chapter 6
Overcoming Obstacles to
Communication in Organizations
Chapter 7
Basic Information for All Types of
Interviews
Chapter 8
The Employment Interview
Chapter 9
Small-Group Communication &
Problem Solving
Chapter 10
Participation & Leadership in Teams
Chapter 11
Informative Presentations
Chapter 12
Researching, Supporting & Delivering
Your Ideas
Chapter 13
Professional Visual Aids
Chapter 14
Persuasive Presentations: Individual or
Team