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:
*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
15%
15%
100%
D:4.2.1 Student Bill of Rights
Responsible Department: Student Services
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: MW, Spring13
Objectives
and Details
Activities
and Assignment
Date
JAN 14
Getting Acquainted/Lecture
JAN 16
Ch. 1 cont’d./Lecture
JAN 21
Ch. 1 Communicating @ Work
Communicating @ Work/Intro to Improvised Sales
No Class, Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Birthday Observed
JAN 23
Improvised Spch /Lecture
Improvised Sales & Org's. & Communication
JAN 28
Ch. 6/Lecture
Overcoming obstacles to Communicating in Org's.
JAN 30
Ch. 4 /Lecture
Effective Listening & Comm., Culture & Work
FEB 4
Lecture/Group assignment
Verbal and Nonverbal Comm
FEB 6
Lecture
Small Group Prob Solving & Participation in Leadership & Teams
FEB 11
Group Project Intro
Introduction to Project Bake & Freeze/Handouts given
FEB 13
Intro to Informative Speeches
Informative Presentation components & Topic Selections
FEB 18
Ch.s 12&13
Research, supporting mat. & visual aids/Mid-Term Review-Handout
FEB 20
Group assignment
Management Styles
FEB 25
Group assignment
Conflict and Deception
FEB 27
Team Meeting Time
Bake & Freeze (B&F) meet time/Rough draft inform outlines due
MAR 4
Ch. 14
Persuasive Presentations/Persuasive topic selections
MAR 6
Mid Term Preps
Mid Term "game show" & Time for meeting
MAR 11
Spring Break
Relax, have fun ( but don’t fall victim to “Spring Fever” and lose focus of
MAR 13
Spring Break
Your 2nd half of class goals!
MAR 18
Mid Term Exam
50 questions, multiple choice - must have scantron
MAR 20
Ch. 7
Interview structure and styles
MAR 25
Ch. 8
Employment interview/News Clips and discussion
MAR 27
Interview group assignment
In class "speed interviewing"/Persuasive outlines due
APR 1
In class Interviews
Mock Interviews (team meeting time between interviews)
APR 3
In class Interviews
Mock Interviews cont’d (team meeting time between interviews)
APR 8
Preparation for 1st speech
Informative presentation preps-checking your visuals & overview
APR 10
Presentations
Informative Presentations
APR 15
Presentations
Informative Presentations (cont'd)
APR 17
Final day for team meetings
Team dress reh& final prep for pres. "Proposals due"/Final Ex.Revw.
APR 22
Team Presentations
B&F Presentations
APR 24
Team Presentations
APR 29
Presentations
Persuasive Presentations
MAY 1
Presentations
Persuasive Presentations cont'd
B& F Presentations cont'd
MAY 6
Final Exam Week
MAY 8
Final Exam Week
In the unforseen event that this schedule changes, you will be notified well in advance.
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