VALENCIACOLLEGE
Office & Medical Administration
OST 1335C Business Communications
Course Syllabus CRN 27350 Hybrid Format
Spring 2016 West Campus
(Subject to Change)
INSTRUCTOR:
Julie Lux, MA Ed. @ jlux@valenciacollege.edu
OFFICE HOURS:
By appointment
EMAIL: Blackboard Email. It is recommended and strongly encouraged to correspond
by Blackboard Messages as this identifies you in what class you are taking.
CLASS MEETING ROOM AND TIME: Building 7, Room 140, Tuesday, 10 – 11:15 a.m.
OST 1335C Business Communications
(Subject to Change)
COURSE DESCRIPTION:
This course presents an overview of business communications, including international
considerations, and focuses on constructing, formatting and proofreading good news, bad
news, and persuasive business messages. Preparation and formatting proposals, business
reports and oral presentations are included. Students will proofread, review grammar, and
create an employment package consisting of resumes, application letters and job interviewing
techniques. (Special Fee: $56.00).
TOPICS/AREAS COVERED:*
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Oral Communication
Grammar and Style
Business Correspondence
Reports and Proposals
Employment
*These may be covered as discrete topics and/or integrated with other areas in an order, which is
at the discretion of the professor. It should be understood that this topic knowledge is the
minimum level of a grade of D or better. These and other topics may be expanded or elaborated
at the discretion of the individual professor and is in no way intended to be comprehensive or
all-inclusive.
CREDIT HOURS:
3 credit hours
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PREREQUISITES:
None
COURSE OBJECTIVES:
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Explain how communication skills fuel career success, and understand why writing skills
are vital in a digital workplace embracing social media.
Identify the tools for success in the hyper-connected 21st-century workplace, and
appreciate the importance of critical-thinking skills in the competitive job market of the
digital age.
Describe significant trends in today’s dynamic, networked work environment, and
recognize that social media and other new communication technologies require excellent
communication skills, particularly in an uncertain economy.
Examine critically the internal and external follow of communication in organizations
through formal and informal channels, explain the importance of effective media choices,
and understand how to overcome typical barriers to organizational communication.
Analyze ethics in the workplace, understand the goals of ethical business communicators,
recognize and avoid ethical traps, and choose the tools for doing the right thing.
Understand the importance of teamwork in today’s digital-era workplace, and explain
how you can contribute positively to team performance.
Discuss effective practices and technologies for planning and participating in face-to-face
meetings and virtual meetings.
Explain and apply active listening techniques.
Understand how effective nonverbal communication can help you advance your career.
Improve your competitive advantage by developing professionalism and business
etiquette skills.
Understand the powerful effects of globalization and the major trends fueling it.
Define culture, name its primary characteristics, and explain the five key dimensions of
culture: context, individualism, time orientation, power distance, and communication
style.
Discuss strategies for enhancing intercultural effectiveness, reflect on nonverbal
intercultural communication, assess how social media affect intercultural communication,
and apply techniques for successful oral and written interactions across cultures.
Grasp the complexities of ethics across cultures, including business practices abroad,
bribery, prevailing customs, and methods for coping.
Explain the advantages and challenges of workforce diversity, and address approaches for
improving communication among diverse workplace audiences.
Understand the nature of communication and its barriers in the digital age.
Summarize the 3-x-3 writing process and explain how it guides a writer.
Analyze the purpose of a message, anticipate its audience, and select the best
communication channel.
Employ expert writing techniques such as incorporating audience benefits, the “you”
view, conversational but professional language, a positive and courteous tone, bias-free
language, plain language, and vigorous words.
Understand how teams approach collaborative writing projects and what collaboration
tools support team writing.
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Apply Phase 2 of the 3-x-3 writing process, which begins with formal and informal
research to collect background information.
Explain how to generate ideas and organize information to show relationships.
Compose the first draft of a message using a variety of sentence types and avoiding
sentence fragments, run-on sentences, and comma splices.
Improve your writing techniques by emphasizing important ideas, employing the active
and passive voice effectively, using parallelism, and preventing dangling and misplaced
modifiers.
Draft effective paragraphs using three classic paragraph plans and techniques for
achieving paragraph coherence.
Complete business messages by revising for conciseness, which includes eliminating
flabby expressions, long lead-ins, there is/are and it is/was fillers, redundancies, and
empty words, as well as condensing for microblogging.
Improve clarity in business messages by keeping the ideas simple, dumping trite business
phrases, dropping clichés, avoiding slang and buzzwords, rescuing buried verbs, and
controlling exuberance.
Enhance readability by understanding document design including the use of white space,
margins, typefaces, fonts, numbered and bulleted lists, and headings.
Recognize proofreading problem areas, and apply effective techniques to catch mistakes
in both routine and complex documents.
Evaluate a message to judge its effectiveness.
Understand e-mail and the professional standards for its usage, structure, and format in
the digital-era workplace.
Explain workplace instant messaging and texting as well as their liabilities and best
practices.
Identify professional applications of podcasts and wikis, and describe guidelines for their
use.
Describe how businesses use blogs to connect with internal and external audiences, and
list best practices for professional blogging.
Address business uses of social networking and the benefits of RSS feeds.
Understand the channels through which typical positive messages travel in the digital
era—e-mails, memos, and business letters—and apply the 3-x-3 writing process.
Compose direct messages that make requests, respond to inquiries online and offline, and
deliver step-by-step instructions.
Prepare contemporary messages that make direct claims and voice complaints, including
those posted online.
Create adjustment messages that salvage customers’ trust and promote further business.
Write special messages that convey kindness and goodwill.
Understand the strategies of business communicators in conveying negative news, apply
the 3-x-3 writing process, and avoid legal liability.
Distinguish between the direct and indirect strategies in conveying unfavorable news.
Explain the components of effective negative messages, including opening with a buffer,
apologizing, showing empathy, presenting the reasons, cushioning the bad news, and
closing pleasantly.
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Apply effective techniques for refusing typical requests or claims as well as for
presenting bad news to customers in print or online.
Describe and apply effective techniques for delivering bad news within organizations.
Explain digital-age persuasion, identify effective persuasive techniques, and apply the
3-x-3 writing process to persuasive messages in print and online.
Describe the traditional four-part AIDA strategy for creating successful persuasive
messages, and apply the four elements to draft effective and ethical business messages.
Craft persuasive messages that request actions, make claims, and deliver complaints.
Understand interpersonal persuasion at work and write persuasive messages within
organizations.
Create effective and ethical direct-mail and e-mail sales messages.
Explain report functions and types used in the digital-age workplace, understand direct
and indirect organizational strategies, and describe report-writing style as well as typical
report formats.
Apply the 3-x-3 writing process to contemporary business reports to create wellorganized documents that show a firm grasp of audience and purpose.
Locate and evaluate secondary sources such as databases and Web resources, and
understand how to conduct credible primary research.
Identify the purposes and techniques of citation and documentation in business reports,
and avoid plagiarism.
Generate, use, and convert numerical data to visual aids, and create meaningful and
attractive graphics.
Analyze, sort, and interpret statistical data and other information using tables, measures
of central tendency (mean, median, and mode), and decision matrices.
Draw meaningful conclusions and make practical report recommendations after sound
and valid analysis.
Organize report data logically and provide reader cues to aid comprehension.
Write short informational reports that describe routine tasks.
Prepare short analytical reports that solve business problems.
Understand the importance and purpose of proposals, and name the basic components of
informal proposals.
Discuss the components of formal and grant proposals.
Identify the components of typical business plans.
Describe the components of the front matter in formal business reports, and show how
they further the purpose of the report.
Understand the body and back matter of formal business reports and how they serve the
purpose of the report.
Specify final writing tips that aid authors of formal business reports.
Recognize various types of business presentations, and discuss two important first steps
in preparing for any of these presentations.
Explain how to organize the introduction, body, and conclusion as well as how to build
audience rapport in a presentation.
Create effective visual aids and handouts using today’s multimedia presentation
technology.
Specify delivery techniques for use before, during, and after a presentation.
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Organize presentations for intercultural audiences, in teams, and as slide decks.
List techniques for improving telephone skills to project a positive image.
Prepare to search for a job in the digital age by understanding the changing job market,
identifying your interests, assessing your qualifications, and exploring career
opportunities.
Develop savvy search strategies by recognizing job sources and using digital tools to
explore the open job market.
Expand your job search strategies by using both traditional and digital tools in pursuing
the hidden job market.
Organize your qualifications and information into effective resume segments to create a
winning, customized resume.
Optimize your job search and resume by taking advantage of today’s digital tools.
Draft and submit a customized cover message to accompany a print or digital resume.
Explain the purposes and types of job interviews, including screening, one-on-one, panel,
group, sequential, stress, and online interviews.
Describe what to do before an interview, including ensuring professional phone
techniques, researching the target company, rehearsing success stories, cleaning up
digital dirt, and fighting fear.
Describe what to do during an interview, including controlling nonverbal messages and
answering typical interview questions.
Describe what to do after an interview, including thanking the interviewer, contacting
references, and writing follow-up messages.
Prepare additional employment documents such as applications, rejection follow-up
messages, acceptance messages, and resignation letters.
First Day of Classes for Spring Term beginning January11, 2016
Course Dates:
January 11–May 1, 2016
College Closed HOLIDAY
January 18, 2016
No Show Reporting Period
January 20-29, 2016
No Class
February 12, 2016
College Closed SPRING BREAK
March 7-13, 2016
Withdrawal Deadline for “W” grade
April 1, 2016
Final Exams Week
April 25-May 1, 2016
This is a Hybrid Course
Note: Hybrid Courses will meet on campus on designated dates. A hybrid blends online with
in-class. Meeting dates on campus for this course are listed below. It is important that you keep
track of those meetings dates as not attending will result in an absence from class on that day. A
suggestion is to record those dates in your datebook so as not to miss the onsite campus class.
Off campus, we will be working online through the textbook management site and Blackboard
when applicable on the required chapter assignments, projects, PowerPoint presentations,
quizzes, tests, etc. It is extremely essential that you check the Blackboard website, publisher
website and other assigned projects, reports, assignments, etc. at least once a week so as not to
miss an upcoming assignment, project, online discussion, etc.
***Important: There will be quizzes in Blackboard that are mandatory to complete to satisfy
weekly Attendance for those weeks that we do not meet. SEE ATTENDANCE POLICY.
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Important: Note that class will meet on campus on the following dates* at 10:00 am in our
designated classroom in 7-140 @ West Campus:
January 12, 2016
First class session - Orientation!
February 9, 2016
Class Meeting - Test 2
March 15, 2016
Class Meeting - Test 4
April 12, 2016
Class Meeting – Oral Presentations
April 19, 2016
Class Meeting – Oral Presentations
April 26, 2016
Class Meeting – Final Exam
*Subject to change by discretion of instructor. It is the students’ responsibility to remain
informed of any changes and/or additions throughout the term of the course. Information will be
communicated by Blackboard email. A recommendation of setting up a calendar and listing the
days that we will be meeting on campus so as not to miss class for that week is highly suggested.
It is imperative that you check your Blackboard Email regularly at least once a week for an
update or as additional information required for an assignment, project, class presentation, etc.
All students enrolled in the course are responsible for ALL assignments in order to receive a
completed grade.
Print out a copy of the course syllabus and course assignments so that you may have the
information to refer to. Not logging in to course regularly resulting in missed assignments will
NOT be an excuse for not turning in an assignment, chapter test(s) or project, etc. and the grade
will result in “0.”
EDUCATIONAL MATERIALS:
1) Guffey & Loewy Business Communication Process & Product 8th Edition –
ISBN 9781285094069
Supplements: Websites we will be utilizing throughout the course in addition to other sites as
applicable:
 In addition, we will also be accessing the Companion Website at:
www.cengage.com and Aplia.
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Student Registration Instructions:
How to access your Aplia course:
Registration
1. Connect to http://login.cengagebrain.com/course/XUHV-2VEL-3NT3
Follow the prompts to register for your Aplia course.
System Check
To check whether your computer meets the requirements for using Aplia, go to
http://www.aplia.com/support/config.jsp.
Dear Student:
Valencia College is pleased to announce that we are now able to offer the Microsoft Student
Advantage to our current students! Microsoft Student Advantage offers students the free
Office 365 ProPlus which is a full version of Office and includes Word, PowerPoint, Excel,
Access, and more. Office 365 ProPlus is a user-based service and allows each student to install
on up to five PCs or MACs and access Office mobile applications on iPhone and Android
phones.
Your Office ProPlus subscription will remain valid while you are an active Valencia
student.
To download your free subscription to Office ProPlus:
1. Log into your Atlas Account
2. Click on the EMAIL icon in the upper right corner
3. If given an option Select Atlas Email & Office 365
4. Click on the Settings Icon
5. Select Office 365 Settings
6. Select Software
7. Follow the instructions provided to install the software
Sincerely, The Atlas Information Systems Team
If you have a question, please send your request askatlas@valenciacollege.edu.
VALENCIA STUDENT COMPETENCIES:
http://valenciacollege.edu/competencies
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EVALUATION-Tests and Assignments:
During the session, there will be scheduled quizzes, assignments, projects, classroom discussions
or postings, presentations online or in classroom, group assignments, etc. These are to be
completed during the assigned week and/or dates when assigned. There may also be unscheduled
tests on reading and lecture materials at the discretion of the instructor. If a student is absent, it is
his/her responsibility to return to class prepared and/or log in online ready for any unscheduled
or scheduled work. Make up tests must be pre-arranged with the instructor.
The course is divided into five parts:
 Grammar and Style
 Employment
 Business Correspondence
 Reports and Proposals
 Oral Communication
But not necessarily in that order. Grades will be averaged for each section as part of the final
grade in the class. In order to complete the work assigned to each section, a special project, quiz,
test and/or assignment may be the element of each unit or chapter of the course.
COURSE GRADING SCALE
Average of all graded in-class and homework assignments
Intercultural/Cultural Diversity Paper & Oral Presentation
Average of tests and quizzes
Employment Package
Final Exam
20%
20%
25%
15%
20%
GRADING POLICY:
The grading scale for this course is:
A = 90 – 100%
B = 80 – 89%
C = 70 – 79%
D = 60 – 69%
F = Below 60%
All work must be completed on time during the week assigned. There will be an Assignment
tab in Blackboard designating the particular assignments to complete and submit, and those
assignments are located on the Assignment Sheet/Course Schedule.
GENERAL: All assignments need to have your name and item number at the top when
submitting an item, and/or attaching to a Message. Make sure your name is on top of each
message.
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The final exam will be an objective test. No books, notes or any aids are allowed with this
final exam. *NOTE: The final examination in this course is MANDATORY. Any student not
completing the final exam will receive a grade of F for the course.
Final Exam will be given on Tuesday, April 26, 2016, @ 10 a. m.
Please note: If the student has problems with their computer and/or software at home or work,
the computer labs at the college may be utilized during lab hours to complete chapter
assignments, homework, projects, etc. Problems such as these will not serve as an excuse to
turn in late work or request an extension or withdrawal from the course.
Make-up work (assignments, quizzes, exams) will be allowed in cases of documented student
emergencies. For student emergencies, it is the student’s responsibility to contact the
instructor and provide documentation within one week unless special arrangements have been
made previously.
*NOTE: College policy requires that students take the final exam at the scheduled examination
time. Failure to do so will result in a failing grade for the course, unless arrangements have
been made for a make-up exam in accordance with College policy.
WITHDRAWAL POLICY:
A student may withdraw at any time before April 1, 2016, by filing a withdrawal form in the
Admissions Office and receive a W for a grade or in submitting online through Atlas.
Per Valencia Policy 4-07 (Academic Progress, Course Attendance and Grades, and
Withdrawals, a student who withdraws from class before the withdrawal deadline of
April 1, 2016, will receive a grade of “W.” Note that a student is not permitted to withdraw after
the withdrawal deadline.
Important: Students who stay in the class after this deadline are responsible to complete all work
required for the course; e.g., homework, projects, tests, etc. If you choose to stop coming to the
class after the Withdrawal deadline, you will be held responsible for all work missed, including
the final. Any work which is not completed by the appropriate deadline will receive a zero.
Hence, the final grade for the course will be determined by taking into consideration the points
obtained by work which was turned in and the zeroes given to work which was not turned in on
time. Students can still be withdrawn by the college for violations of the college’s code of
conduct policies. Any student who withdraws or is withdrawn from a class during a third or
subsequent attempt in the same course will be assigned a grade of “F.”
Final course grades of "A," "B," "C," "D," or "F" shall be assigned based upon the student's
academic achievement upon the completion of all course work, including the required final
examination.
A student who fails to take the required final examination may receive a final course grade
earned, unless the professor elects to assign the student a grade of "I" or as otherwise
addressed in the Professor's course syllabus.
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Students can still be withdrawn by the college for violations of the college’s code of conduct
policies. Any student who withdraws or is withdrawn from a class during a third or subsequent
attempt in the same course will be assigned a Grade of “F.”
“NO SHOW” STATUS”:
Class attendance is required beginning with the first class meeting. For an online class, that
means “logging in” as instructed whether completing a posting in the Discussion Board/and or
sending an email to instructor as assigned. If you do not attend the first class meeting, you may
be withdrawn from the class as a “no show.” If you are withdrawn as a “no show,” you will be
financially responsible for the class and a “W” will appear on your transcript for the course.
OFFICE FOR STUDENT DISABILITIES: Students with disabilities who qualify for academic
accommodations must provide a letter from the Office for Students with Disabilities (OSD) and
discuss specific needs with the professor, preferably during the first two weeks of class. The
Office for Students with Disabilities determines accommodations based on appropriate
documentation of disabilities.
COMPUTER/EQUIPMENT USE POLICY: Plan to spend from four to six hours per week or more
on the computer in addition to the class time. This is homework time needed to complete the
assignments. Check with the Business Labs in Building 3 for the hours. Users are welcome to
use the lab/computer often. If you are visiting one of the other campuses at East, West,
Lake Nona, or Winter Park, you need to contact their office for the scheduled lab hours. Use of
computers in the Business labs and classrooms at Valencia College is restricted to those
activities designated by the instructor to enhance the class materials. Any other use is strictly
forbidden. Inappropriate use includes, but is not limited to:
 Use of computer to send E-mail or access Internet sites not specifically assigned in class
or use of a computer for job, internship, homework or other activities not assigned in
class.
 Modifying any hardware or software system configuration or setting.
 Activities not in accordance with the Valencia Student Code of Conduct are prohibited.
Use of computers in the departmental open lab is limited to those activities involved with
preparing homework or coursework in this department and is subject to the same restriction as
listed above.
Note that computer use will be remotely monitored; any student using computers
inappropriately may be subject to dismissal from class or banishment from the lab. Subsequent
offense may be sent to the campus administration for further disciplinary action.
EXPECTED STUDENT CONDUCT: Valencia College is dedicated not only to the advancement of
knowledge and learning but is concerned with the development of responsible personal and
social conduct. By enrolling at Valencia College, a student assumes the responsibility for
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becoming familiar with and abiding by the general rules of conduct. The primary responsibility
for managing the classroom environment rests with the faculty. Students who engage in any
prohibited or unlawful acts that result in disruption of a class may be directed by the faculty
member to leave the class. Violation of any classroom or Valencia rules may lead to disciplinary
action up to and including expulsion from Valencia. Disciplinary action could include being
withdrawn from class, disciplinary warning, probation, suspension, expulsion, or other
appropriate and authorized actions. You will find the Student Code of Conduct in the current
Valencia Student Handbook.
As a student of this course, it is your responsibility to read and comply with ALL posted
announcements, discussions, and/or email in Blackboard.
CLASSROOM, LIBRARY & LAB POLICIES:
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Food and drinks are not allowed in the classrooms, labs and/or library.
Note that pagers and cellular phones should be turned off and or at vibrate/silent mode
during study and/or classroom sessions.
Please note that college policy also indicates that NO children are allowed in lab, library
and or classrooms at ANY time.
Further information on college policy is found on the website at:
http://valenciacollege.edu/catalog
Blackboard Technical Support
All faculty members and students needing assistance with Blackboard can now contact the
Valencia Blackboard Help Desk by calling 407-582-5600 or email
onlinehelp@valenciacollege.edu.
Please note: If the student has problems with their computer and/or software at home or work,
the computer labs at the college may be utilized during lab hours to complete chapter
assignments, homework, projects, etc. Problems such as these will not serve as an excuse to turn
in late work or request an extension or withdrawal from the course.
CLASSROOM POLICIES FOR CLASSES AND/OR LAB ON CAMPUS:
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Absolutely NO Food and drinks are allowed in the classrooms, computer labs and/or lab.
College policy also indicates that NO children are allowed in classrooms, in the lab
or college library at any time.
Please turn off or “silent” cell phones during class, exam and/or study period. Again, this
is a distraction in the classroom or lab. Note that if you are expecting an important call,
please resume to the lobby or hall area outside the classroom.
Always carry your student ID and schedule as you may be asked to show verification that
you are a Valencia student.
Always check the computer and/or your desk area before leaving. Clean up your desk
area and please push your chair in upon leaving. We need to keep our classroom clean.
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When utilizing the lab, the instructor or the lab assistant staff is not responsible for lost or
left items such as flash or usb drives, keys, cell phones, etc. If an item is found, it will be
brought to the campus Security Office in “Lost and Found.” The Security Office at the
West Campus is in the Student Services Building (SSB).
DISCLAIMER:
Changes in the syllabus and schedule may be made at any time during the term by announcement
of the professor. A revised syllabus may be issued at the discretion of the professor.
For online courses, participation online is required whether by responding to the Discussion
Board, completion of assigned online activities, posting of assignments and/or response to email,
etc. It is important that ALL online students respond to required postings to discussions, emails,
assignments, tests, quizzes, etc.
DISRUPTIVE BEHAVIOR:
Any student engaged in disruptive behavior will be advised at the first offense, and will be
dropped from the course in the second offense.
ACADEMIC HONESTY:
All forms of academic dishonesty are prohibited at Valencia College. Academic dishonesty
includes, but is not limited to, plagiarism, cheating, furnishing false information, forgery,
alteration or misuse of documents, misconduct during a testing situation, and misuse of
identification with intent to defraud or deceive.
• All work submitted by students is expected to be the result of the students' individual thoughts,
research, and self-expression. Whenever a student uses ideas, wording, or organization from
another source, the source shall be appropriately acknowledged and cited.
• Note that Blackboard includes “Safe Assign,” which is a plagiarism prevention tool. This will
disclose unoriginal content in a student report, assignment and/or project. All projects,
assignments and or papers will be checked with Safe Assign, which compares all submitted
papers against the Internet, ProQuest Research Database Articles, Institutional Submissions from
Valencia and/or other colleges, in addition to the Global Reference Database.
• When the professor has reason to believe that an act of academic dishonesty has occurred, and
before sanctions are imposed, the student shall be given informal notice and an opportunity to be
heard by the professor. Any student determined by the professor to have been guilty of engaging
in an act of academic dishonesty shall be liable to a range of academic penalties as determined
by the professor which may include, but not be limited to, one or more of the following: loss of
credit for an assignment, examination, or project; a reduction in the course grade; or a grade of
"F" in the course.
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At the option of the professor, the campus provost may be furnished with written notification of
the occurrence and the action taken. If such written notice is given, a copy shall be provided to
the student.
• Students guilty of engaging in a gross or flagrant act of academic dishonesty or repeated
instances of academic dishonesty shall also be subject to administrative and/or disciplinary
penalties which may include warning, probation, suspension and/or expulsion from the College.
• The student may appeal action taken by the professor under the provisions of either Policy
6Hx28:10-13 Student Academic Grievances or 6Hx28:10-15 Student Rights of Appeal of
Administrative Decisions as determined by the nature of the action taken.
As a result, students shall take special notice that the assignment of course grades is the
responsibility of the students' individual professor.
***ATTENDANCE POLICY: Valencia's attendance policy is that a student will be present for
all on campus class meetings; hence, punctual and regular attendance is expected.
For an online course and/or hybrid course, that means logging into Discussion Board, Emails,
etc. and/or submitting assignments due by the determined DUE DATE. Students with more than
3 absences may be withdrawn, and 3 tardies equal 1 absence.
***Attendance to be calculated for 15 weeks by the following:
 0-1 absence = 100% for the attendance grade
 2
absences = 50% for the attendance grade
 3-3+ absences = 00% for the attendance grade and subject to withdrawal.
VALENCIA I.D. CARDS: Valencia I.D. cards are required in order to use the LRC, (Library)
Testing Center, and for other services on campus. Cards are free and can be obtained in the
Student Development Office.
MISCELLANEOUS: Work efficiently to save time. Complete your lesson assignments weekly
by the schedule and on time. It is very important to complete your work on time, and not fall
behind on your typing assignments.
A. Attend class regularly or for an online class and/or hybrid class, log in
regularly. It is suggested at least twice a week or more. Don’t procrastinate.
Regular attendance and regular application constitutes the two most
significant factors to promote success.
B. Plan to use the Business Lab or set aside time for homework a minimum of
one hour per day or set aside some time at home. Expect to spend additional
practice time as needed to keep up with the schedule set by your professor.
This is equivalent to homework in any course.
STUDENT ASSISTANCE PROGRAM:
https://valencia.personaladvantage.com/gateway.jsp?SingleSignIn:refid=10393936
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Hello!
Welcome to a new semester. I would like to introduce myself. My name is Beverly
Moore-Johnson and I am the Career Program Advisor for the following AS degrees
and associated technical certificates:
 Medical Information Coder/Biller (until 201830)
 Medical Office Administration (Front Office and Transcription)
 Office Administration (Office Management, Office Specialist and Office
Support)
In the event we have not already had the pleasure of meeting
face-to-face, I am here to assist you with navigation through
your chosen academic path. I place great emphasis on
students being aware of their desired career paths and the
necessary academics that are needed to obtain those ultimate
goals. If you should ever have a question or want to set an
appointment to meet, you may email me at
bjohnson@valenciacollege.edu and I will do my best to
accommodate your schedule for a meeting day/time.
Wishing you a wonderful semester!
Beverly Moore-Johnson, Career Program Advisor
14
WEEKLY DATES FOR SPRING, 2016
January 12 – April 26, 2016
Week 1 - 1/12 - 1/18/2016
CLASS MEETING
1/18/2016 - COLLEGE CLOSED – HOLIDAY
Week 2 - 1/19 – 1/25/2016
Week 3 – 1/26 – 2/1/2016
Week 4 – 2/2 – 2/8/2016
Week 5 – 2/9 – 2/15/2016
CLASS MEETING
Week 6 - 2/16 – 2/22/2016
Week 7 – 2/23 – 2/29/2016
Week 8 – 3/1 – 3/6/2016
Week 9 3/7-3/13/2016 - COLLEGE CLOSED – SPRING BREAK
Week 10 - 3/15 - 3/21/2016
CLASS MEETING
Week 11 - 3/22 - 3/28/2016
Week 12 - 3/29 – 4/4/2016
Week 13 – 4/5 – 4/11/2016
CLASS MEETING
Week 14 – 4/12 – 4/18/2016
CLASS MEETING
Week 15 - 4/19 - 4/25/2016
Week 16 – 4/26/2016 - FINAL EXAM
CLASS MEETING
15
SCHEDULE OF CLASSES:
For each chapter in the textbook that is assigned you will complete the following: Use the computer to
key in those items that are listed below and turned into Blackboard as an attachment under the
Assignments tab in Blackboard, and all other assignments relating to the textbook as listed below will
be completed in Cengage Aplia.
Start
1/12
Course Topics
Due
ORIENTATION
AND
Register in Cengage Aplia –
http://login.cengagebrain.com/course/XUHV-2VEL-3NT3
Assign Groups
Assign Oral Presentations Dates of either 4/12 or 4/19/2016
IT IS MANDATORY TO ATTEND BOTH PRESENTATION DATES WHETHER PRESENTING
OR NOT! (Everyone deserves a full audience) 
1/19
UNIT 1 – COMMUNICATION FOUNDATIONS:
Read Chapter 1 – Business Communication in the Digital Age
Chpts.
COMPLETE in Cengage APLIA:
1, 2, and 3
1) Introduction to Using Aplia Assignments 2) Grammar Tutorial 3) Writing Tutorial
Due 1/25
4) Problem Set 1-6
In Aplia
Read Chapter 2 – Professionalism: Team, Meeting, Listening, Nonverbal, and Etiquette
Skills
COMPLETE in Cengage APLIA:
1) Problem Set 1-7
Read Chapter 3 – Intercultural Communication
COMPLETE in Cengage APLIA:
16
1/19
1) Problem Set 1-7
Cont.
See Study Guide in Blackboard for Test 1 (Chapters 1, 2, 3) to be taken in Blackboard
at a Testing Center.
1/26
GO TO THE CAMPUS TESTING CENTER BETWEEN 1/26 and 2/1/2016 – Take Test 1 in Blackboard
(Chapters 1, 2, 3) Bring your Student I.D.
2/2
UNIT 2 – THE WRITING PROCESS IN THE DIGITAL AGE:
Read Chapter 4 – Planning Business Messages
Chpts.
COMPLETE in Cengage APLIA:
4, 5, 6
1) Problem Set 1-6
Due 2/8
Read Chapter 5 – Organizing and Drafting Business Messages
In Aplia
COMPLETE in Cengage APLIA:
1) Problem Set 1-6
Read Chapter 6 – Revising Business Messages
COMPLETE in Cengage APLIA:
1) Problem Set 1-7
BEGIN WORKING ON INTERCULTURAL/CULTURAL DIVERSITY PAPER DUE: 4/19/2016
AND ORAL PRESENTATIONS TO BE GIVEN ON 4/12 AND 4/19/2016 (SEE BLACKBOARD
FOR DETAILS)
See Study Guide for Test 2 (Chapters 4, 5, 6) in Blackboard
2/9
CLASS MEETING - Test 2 in Blackboard (Chapters 4, 5, 6)
2/16
UNIT 3 – WORKPLACE COMMUNICATION:
Read Chapter 7 – Short Workplace Messages and Digital Media
Chpts.
COMPLETE in Cengage APLIA:
7, 8,
1)Problem Set 1-6
9, 10
Read Chapter 8 – Positive Messages
Due 2/22
COMPLETE in Cengage APLIA:
1)Problem Set 1-7
Read Chapter 9 – Negative Messages
17
2/16
cont.
COMPLETE in Cengage APLIA:
1)Problem Set 1-7
Read Chapter 10 – Persuasive and Sales Messages
COMPLETE in Cengage APLIA:
1)Problem Set 1-7
See Study Guide for Test 3 (Chapters 7, 8, 9, 10) in Blackboard
2/23
GO TO THE CAMPUS TESTING CENTER BETWEEN 2/23 and 2/29/2016 – Take Test 3 in Blackboard
(Chapters 7, 8, 9, 10) Bring your Student I.D.
3/1
UNIT 4 – REPORTS, PROPOSALS, AND PRESENTATIONS:
Read Chapter 11 – Reporting in the Digital-Age Workplace
Chpts.
COMPLETE in Cengage APLIA:
11, 12,
1) Problem Set 1-8
13, 14
Read Chapter 12 – Informal Business Reports
**Due 3/6
COMPLETE in Cengage APLIA:
**NOTE
EARLY DUE
DATE
1) Problem Set 1-7
Read Chapter 13 – Proposals, Business Plans, and Formal Business Reports
COMPLETE in Cengage APLIA:
1) Problem Set 1-10
Read Chapter 14 – Business Presentations
COMPLETE in Cengage APLIA:
1) Problem Set 1-11
See Study Guide for Test 4 (Chapters 11, 12, 13, 14) in Blackboard
3/73/13
COLLEGE CLOSED – SPRING BREAK
3/15
CLASS MEETING - Test 4 in Blackboard (Chapters 11, 12, 13, 14)
18
3/22
UNIT 4 – REPORTS, PROPOSALS, AND PRESENTATIONS:
Read Chapter 15 – The Job Search and Resumes in the Digital Age
Chpts.
COMPLETE in Cengage APLIA:
15, 16
1) Problem Set 1-9
Due 3/28
Read Chapter 16 – Interviewing and Following up
COMPLETE in Cengage APLIA:
1) Problem Set 1-8
3/29
4/5
Employment Package—Locate an advertised position for your career and create a
letter of application and a resume. You will submit in Blackboard Assignments three
items – ad, letter of application & resume. DUE: 4/11/2016 (SEE BLACKBOARD FOR
DETAILS)
Due
4/11
Continue working on assignment on Intercultural/Cultural Diversity Report and Oral
Presentations – REPORT DUE IN BLACKBOARD ASSIGNMENTS 4/19/2016.
It is mandatory to be present in class on both days of presentations.
Due
4/19
ORAL PRESENTATIONS WILL BE GIVEN ON APRIL 12 AND APRIL 19, 2016.
4/12
CLASS MEETING - Oral Presentations begin today. You must be present for both days of
presentations – April 12 and April 19, 2016
4/19
CLASS MEETING - Continue Oral Presentations. You must be present for both days of presentations –
April 12 and April 19, 2016
See Study Guide for Final Exam (Chapters 15, 16) in Blackboard
4/26
CLASS MEETING – FINAL EXAM (Chapters 15, 16) – 10 a.m.
19