Diablo Valley College
Syllabus
Fall 2009
Business Division
Course: BUS 101-2873 Business English (3 units, 54 hours)
Telephone: (925) 685-1230, Ext. 2306
Meeting Time/Place: Tuesday/Thursday, 9:30-10:45 a.m.,
Room BFL 103
Fax: (925) 687-6384
Instructor: Carolyn M. Seefer
E-Mail: cseefer@dvc.edu
Office: BFL 227 (Business/Foreign Language Building)
Instructor's Web Site:
http://voyager.dvc.edu/~cseefer/carolyn.htm
Office Hours:
Tuesday/Thursday: 7:00-8 a.m., 11 a.m.-noon, 2-2:30 p.m. (on campus)
COURSE OBJECTIVES
1. To review and study English grammar, punctuation, vocabulary, style, and usage from a business perspective.
2. To build the foundation to be able to communicate effectively in a business environment using standard business English
and clear, concise, correct, and coherent presentation
Recommended Prerequisite: Eligibility for ENGL 116/118
STUDENT LEARNING OUTCOMES (SLOs)
The purpose of this course is to provide a study of the English language from a business perspective involving grammar,
punctuation, spelling, business vocabulary, sentence structure, and basic document creation.
1.
2.
3.
Students completing this course will be able to evaluate a business document for accuracy in grammar and mechanics
usage.
Students completing this course will be able to compose an effectively written e-mail message.
Students completing this course will be able to distinguish correct usage of commonly confused words.
TEXTBOOK
Business English, 9th Edition, Mary Ellen Guffey, Cengage, ISBN 0-324-36606-X, 2008 (required)
Save money and buy the eTextbook version of textbook: http://www.ichapters.com
SUPPLIES
Scantron Form 882-E (Green two-sided form) (7)
It is highly recommended that the student have the following: College-level Dictionary (Merriam-Webster recommended)
COURSE WEB PAGE
http://webct.dvc.edu
TEXTBOOK WEB PAGE
http://www.thomsonedu.com/bcomm/guffey
GRADING
Chapter Tests (6, will drop lowest score)
Writing Tests (6, will drop lowest score)
Spelling Tests (10, will drop 2 lowest scores)
In-Class Activities/Homework
Final Comprehensive Exam
30%
20%
20%
20%
10%
A grade of 90 percent or higher earns an A grade; 80 to 89 percent earns a B grade; 70 to 79 percent earns a C grade; 60 to 69
percent earns a D grade; anything below 60 percent earns an F grade.
GENERAL PROCEDURES
Attendance
It is important to attend class each day. Lectures and class activities extend your understanding and application of your new skills
and knowledge. If you must miss a class meeting, you are responsible for any missed assignments or handouts. NO MAKEUP
TESTS WILL BE GIVEN OR LATE WORK ACCEPTED FOR ANY REASON.
Outside Work
Please plan to devote at least three to four hours per week in addition to the three weekly class meeting hours for completing
homework assignments, reviewing, studying for tests, and preparing for the next class session (a 54-hour class requires an
additional 54 hours of homework per state educational requirements). In order to be prepared for each class meeting, you should
complete each homework assignment listed prior to the following class meeting.
Important Dates
September 11: Last day to drop a class without having it appear on your transcript
September 11: Last day for CR/NC option (if you choose this option, you must earn at least a “C” for a CR grade)
November 20: Last day to drop a class (W on transcript)
Thursday, December 17: Final Exam (8-10.a.m.)
Note: This is a fast-paced, intensive course. Please see your instructor as soon as possible if you feel you need extra assistance or
would like extra exercises. Also note that there are Self-Help Exercises for each chapter in the back of your textbook. The answers
to these exercises are also provided. Your instructor reserves the right to make any necessary changes to the above syllabus.
Classroom Rules
 You are expected to arrive for class on time each day. Class will begin promptly at 9:30 a.m.
 All assignments are due on the date indicated. No late assignments will be accepted for any reason, and no makeup tests will
be given.
 Plagiarism or cheating of any kind will not be tolerated.
 Please take advantage of the textbook web page for extra help with your assignments.
 It is the student’s responsibility to drop the course. If you drop the course, please let me know so that I can update my records.
 Learn a lot, and apply what you learn in school and on the job
 Show respect for all class members, and relax and have fun!!
ASSIGNMENTS
Date
Week 1
August 18
Chapters/Topics
Assignments
Introduction to Course
Introduction to Course
Discuss Chapter 1
Chapter 1
Reference Skills
Chapter 1, cont.
Reference Skills
August 20
Week 2
Appendix A
Developing Spelling Skills
Chapter 2
Parts of Speech
August 25
August 27
Homework for 8/20 (check when completed):
 Read Chapter 1
 Read Appendix A
Discuss Appendix A
Discuss Chapter 1, cont.
Homework for 8/25 (check when completed):
 Complete Chapter 1 Reinforcement Exercises
 Read Chapter 2
Go over Chapter 1 homework
In-Class Group Activity: Parts of Speech
Discuss Chapter 2
Homework for 8/27:
 Complete Chapter 2 Reinforcement Exercises
Chapter 2, cont.
Parts of Speech
Acronyms and Abbreviations
Go over Chapter 2 homework
In-Class Group Activity: Acronyms and Abbreviations
Homework for 9/1:
 Read Chapter 3
 Study for Spelling Test 1
Spelling Test 1 (Lists 1 and 2)
Discuss Chapter 3
Chapter 3
Sentences, Elements, Patterns,
September 1 Types
Week 3
Chapter 3, cont.
Sentences, Elements, Patterns,
September 3 Types
Developing Proofreading Skills
Homework for 9/3:
 Complete Chapter 3 Reinforcement Exercises
 Study for Spelling Test 2
 Read Unit 1 Writer’s Workshop
Spelling Test 2 (Lists 3 and 4)
Go over Chapter 3 homework
Discuss Unit 1 Writer’s Workshop
Review for Test 1
Homework for 9/8:
 Study for Chapter Test 1 (covering Chapters 1, 2, and 3)
Date
Chapters/Topics
Assignments
Take Chapter Test 1 (Chapters 1, 2, 3)
Week 4
September 8
Chapter Test 1
(Chapters 1, 2, 3)
Homework for 9/10:
 Read Chapter 4
 Complete Writing Test 1 (Chapters 1, 2, 3) (at home)
Writing Test 1 (Chapters 1, 2, 3) due
Discuss Chapter 4
September
10
Week 5
September
15
September
17
Week 6
September
22
September
24
Chapter 4
Nouns
Chapter 4, cont.
Nouns
Chapter 5
Possessive Nouns
Chapter 5, cont.
Possessive Nouns
Chapter 6
Personal Pronouns
Chapter 6, cont.
Personal Pronouns
Chapter 7
Pronouns and Antecedents
Chapter 7
Pronouns and Antecedents
Techniques for Effective
Sentences
Homework for 9/15:
 Complete Chapter 4 Reinforcement Exercises
 Read Chapter 5
 Study for Spelling Test 3
 Complete Test 1 Redo
Test 1 Redo due
Spelling Test 3 (Lists 5 and 6)
Discuss Chapter 5
Go over Chapter 4 homework
Homework for 9/17:
 Complete Chapter 5 Reinforcement Exercises
 Read Chapter 6
Discuss Chapter 6
Go over Chapter 5 homework
Homework for 9/22:
 Complete Chapter 6 Reinforcement Exercises
 Read Chapter 7
Discuss Chapter 7
Go over Chapter 6 homework
Homework for 9/24:
 Complete Chapter 7 Reinforcement Exercises
 Study for Spelling Test 4
 Read Unit 2 Writer’s Workshop
Spelling Test 4 (Lists 7 and 8)
Go over Chapter 7 homework
Discuss Unit 2 Writer’s Workshop
Review for Test 2
Homework for 9/29:
 Study for Chapter Test 2 (covering Chapters 4, 5, 6, and 7)
Date
Chapters/Topics
Take Test 2 (Chapters 4, 5, 6, 7)
Week 7
September
29
Assignments
Chapter Test 2
(Chapters 4, 5, 6, 7)
Homework for 10/1:
 Read Chapter 8
 Complete Writing Test 2 (Chapters 4, 5, 6, 7)
Writing Test 2 (Chapters 4, 5, 6, 7) due
Discuss Chapter 8
October 1
Week 8
October 6
Chapter 8
Verbs: Kinds, Voices, Moods,
Verbals
Chapter 8, cont.
Verbs: Kinds, Voices, Moods,
Verbals
Chapter 9
Verb Tenses and Parts
Chapter 9, cont.
Verb Tenses and Parts
October 13
Test 2 Redo due
Spelling Test 5 (Lists 9 and 10)
Discuss Chapter 9
Go over Chapter 8 homework
Homework for 10/8:
 Complete Chapter 9 Reinforcement Exercises
 Read Chapter 10
Discuss Chapter 10
Go over Chapter 9 homework
Chapter 10
Verb and Subject Agreement
Homework for 10/13:
 Complete Chapter 10 Reinforcement Exercises
 Study for Spelling Test 6
 Read Unit 3 Writer’s Workshop
Chapter 10, cont.
Verb and Subject Agreement
Spelling Test 6 (Lists 11 and 12)
Go over Chapter 10 homework
Group Activity: Subject-verb agreement
Discuss Unit 3 Writer’s Workshop
Review for Test 3
October 8
Week 9
Homework for 10/6:
 Complete Chapter 8 Reinforcement Exercises
 Read Chapter 9
 Study for Spelling Test 5
 Complete Test 2 Redo
Techniques for Effective
Paragraphs
Homework for 10/15:
 Study for Chapter Test 3 (covering Chapters 8, 9, and 10)
Date
Chapters/Topics
Assignments
Take Chapter Test 3 (Chapters 8, 9, 10)
October 15
Week 10
October 20
October 22
Chapter Test 3
(Chapters 8, 9, 10)
Chapter 11
Adjectives and Adverbs
(wear green!)
Chapter 11, cont.
Adjectives and Adverbs
Homework for 10/20:
Read Chapter 11
 Complete Writing Test 3 (Chapters 8, 9, 10)
Writing Test 3 (Chapters 8, 9, 10) due
Discuss Chapter 11
Homework for 10/22:
 Complete Chapter 11 Reinforcement Exercises
 Prepare for in-class presentations
 Complete Test 3 Redo
Test 3 Redo due
In-Class Presentation: Share Descriptive Passages
Go over Chapter 11 homework
Homework for 10/27:
 Read Chapter 12
 Study for Spelling Test 7
Week 11
October 27
Spelling Test 7 (Lists 13 and 14)
Discuss Chapter 12
Chapter 12
Prepositions
Chapter 12, cont.
Prepositions
October 29
Chapter 13
Conjunctions
Homework for 10/29:
 Complete Chapter 12 Reinforcement Exercises
 Read Chapter 13
Discuss Chapter 13
Go over Chapter 12 homework
Homework for 11/3:
 Complete Chapter 13 Reinforcement Exercises
 Read Unit 4 Writer’s Workshop
 Study for Spelling Test 8
Date
Week 12
November 3
Chapters/Topics
Assignments
Chapter 13
Conjunctions , cont.
Spelling Test 8 (Lists 15 and 16)
Go over Chapter 13 homework
Discuss Unit 4 Writer’s Workshop
Review for Test 4
E-Mail Messages and Memos
Homework for 11/5:
 Study for Chapter Test 4 (covering Chapters 11, 12, and
13),
Take Chapter Test 4 (Chapters 11, 12, 13)
November 5
Chapter Test 4
(Chapters 11, 12, 13)
Homework for 11/10:
 Read Chapter 14
 Complete Writing Test 4 (Chapters 11, 12, 13)
Writing Test 4 (Chapters 11, 12, 13) due
Discuss Chapter 14
Week 13
November 10
Chapter 14
Commas
Chapter 14, cont.
Commas
November 12
Chapter 15
Semicolons and Colons
Week 14
November 17
Chapter 15, cont.
Semicolons and Colons
Chapter 16
Other Punctuation
Homework for 11/12:
 Complete Chapter 14 Reinforcement Exercises
 Read Chapter 15
 Complete Test 4 Redo
Test 4 Redo due
Go over Chapter 14 homework
Group Activity: Comma Exercise
Discuss Chapter 15
Homework for 11/17:
 Complete Chapter 15 Reinforcement Exercises
 Read Chapter 16
Go over Chapter 15 homework
Discuss Chapter 16
Homework for 11/19:
 Complete Chapter 16 Reinforcement Exercises
 Read Unit 5 Writer’s Workshop
 Study for Spelling Test 9
Date
November 19
Chapters/Topics
Assignments
Chapter 16, cont.
Other Punctuation
Spelling Test 9 (Lists 17 and 18)
Go over homework for Chapter 6
Discuss Unit 5 Writer’s Workshop
Review for Test 5
Informational Business Letters
Homework for 4/28:
 Study for Chapter Test 5 (covering Chapters 14, 15, and
16)
Take Chapter Test 5 (Chapters 14, 15, 16)
Week 15
November 24
November 26
Chapter Test 5
(Chapters 14, 15, 16)
Homework for 12/1:
 Read Chapter 17
 Complete Writing Test 5 (Chapters 14, 15, 16)
No Class!
Enjoy your Thanksgiving!
Writing Test 5 (Chapters 14, 15, 16) due
Discuss Chapter 17
Week 16
December 1
Chapter 17
Capitalization
Chapter 17, cont.
Capitalization
December 3
Chapter 18
Numbers
Homework for 12/3:
 Complete Chapter 17 Reinforcement Exercises
 Read Chapter 18
 Complete Test 5 Redo
Test 5 Redo due
Go over Chapter 17 homework
Discuss Chapter 18
Homework for 12/8:
 Complete Chapter 18 Reinforcement Exercises
 Read Unit 6 Writer’s Workshop
 Study for Spelling Test 10
Date
Week 17
December 8
Chapters/Topics
Assignments
Chapter 18, cont.
Numbers
Spelling Test 10 (Lists 19 and 20)
Go over Chapter 18 homework
Discuss Unit 6 Writer’s Workshop
Review for Test 6
Short Reports
Homework for 12/10:
 Study for Chapter Test 6 (covering Chapters 17 and 18)
Take Chapter Test 6 (Chapters 17, 18)
December 10
Chapter Test 6
(Chapters 17-18)
Homework for 2/17:
 Complete Writing Test 6 (Chapters 17, 18)
 Complete Test 6 Redo
 Study for Final Exam
No class today
We meet only on Thursday this week
Week 18
December 15
FINAL EXAM
Thursday,
December 17
Last Day of Class
Meet 8-10 a.m.
Writing Test 6 Due
Test 6 Redo due
Take Final Exam (Cumulative)
Note:
This is a fast-paced, intensive course which will require a lot of outside work and preparation.
Your instructor reserves the right to make any necessary changes to the above syllabus.
NOTES