Course Name & Number

SPCH 1321

Business & Professional Speaking

Semester & Year

SPRING 2017

MWF

11-11:50am

Catalog Description

Study of the theory and practice of speech communication in business and professional situations. Emphasis is placed on interpersonal communication technique, leadership strategy, small group communication, conflict management, and the skills necessary to conduct successful interviews, build teams (problem solving), and formal presentations.

Textbooks & Materials

Required / Recommended

Adler, Elmhorst, & Lucas, Communicating at Work: Strategies for Success in Business and the Professions, McGraw-Hill, 11th Ed., ISBN# 9780078036804.

Learning Outcomes

Upon successful completion of the course, the student will be able to:

1.     Demonstrate communication competence and critical thinking through an understanding of the foundational communication models.

2.     Demonstrate essential public speaking skills in professional presentations.

3.     Demonstrate written and oral competencies as it relates to employment (including job searches, interviews, interpersonal interaction, conflict management, leadership and performance appraisals.)

4.     Apply essential dyadic and small group processes as they relate to the workplace.

5.     Utilize various technologies as they relate to competent communication.

6.     Demonstrate effective cross-cultural communication.

Instructor’s Name

Justin Hawkins

Office Phone #

(972) 899-8502

Instructor’s Office #

107

Office Fax #

E-mail Address

jbhawkins@nctc.edu

Office Hours

MWF 9:00am-10am; 1-2pm (before March 20^th); 3-4pm (after March 20^th)

TTh 11:30am-1:30pm

Grading Policy & Procedures

*GRADE REQUIREMENTS:  Approx. 800 total points possible

§  Unit Exams = 200 pts. (4 exams at 50pts. each)

§  Organization Project = 400 pts.

§  Interview = 100 pts.

§  Career Project = 100 pts.

§  Bonus/Extra Credit opportunities may be given throughout the semester

§  Additional pop quizzes may be administered, if needed (based on participation, reading, etc.)

GRADING SCALE:

The following scale will be used to calculate grades for this class:

            A         90%-100%        (720-800)

            B          80%-89%          (640-719)

            C          70%-79%          (560-639)

            D         60%-69%          (480-559)

            F          59% or below     (479 & below)

**This class is based on a points system. Everything that you do in class is worth a designated amount of points. You must keep track of how many points you accrue throughout the semester as well as how many possible points are available in order to be aware of your grade. At any time, you can divide the number of points you have accumulated by the total points possible at that point in the semester to figure out your letter grade. Hint: little number/big number

Exams: (200 pts. @ 50 pts. per exam)

The Unit Exams consists of true/false questions and multiple-choice questions. Specifically, I want to see that you can remember the concepts and theories that you have learned and can apply them. Exams are given on the scheduled date. Make-up exams are given only for those with extenuating (excused) circumstances.

Career Project: (100 pts.)
Students will be required to pick a career that they might want to enter in the near future. They will research this career by looking at salary information, turn-over rate, hiring rate, etc. They will then be required to contact a potential employer through email attaching a cover letter, resume, and references for the particular job they researched.  The more quality of research and communication with a potential employer, the better chance of employment. 

Organizational Project: (400 pts.)

The major assignment for this course is the organizational project. You are asked to break into groups that will create and construct a potential business. There will be multiple parts to this entire project:

• Organizational Presentation (125 pts.) – The final presentation to the class as if they were “potential investors” in your company. You are asked to be persuasive and construct a valid speech to the intended audience with clarity and professionalism.

• Name, Logo, Product/Service (25 pts.) – Every organization has a name, a company logo, and a product or service that they are selling. Each of these should be professional and an idea that can actually be pursued logically and tangibly.

• Mission Statement, Values, Company Hierarchy (50 pts.)  – Every organization has a mission as well as a set of values that are the backbone of the way they run their business. Additionally, very company has a hierarchy of internal power where duties/roles/jobs will be distributed.

• Print Ad & Radio Ad/Video Ad – (50 pts.) – You are asked to create a visual striking print advertisement that will reel your customers in to your product or service. It can be a magazine ad, billboard ad, newspaper ad, brochure (recommended regardless) etc. You also have the choice of creating a radio advertisement (audio only) or a t.v. advertisement (audio and video) that explains your product or service in more detail and with a little flair.

• Group Evaluation (100 pts.) – Each group member will be graded on certain criteria by their peers. You do not get to grade yourself.

Interview Assignment: (100 pts.)

Each organization will create a position that they need to fill and make want ads for that particular position to pass to those NOT in their group (make at least 20 want ads). Likewise, each individual in the class will pick the particular position they would like to interview for (can’t be their own company). Each individual will then give their prepared resume to the company of their choice.

• Interviewee (75 pts.) – Each person in the class will be interviewed for a position by the company of their choice.

• Interviewer (25 pts.) – Each person will have a chance to interview others for your own groups’ open position. The format for this will be a “panel interview” (everyone in the organization will take part in the interview and ask questions).

CANVAS:

Each student is required to log-in to CANVAS for this class. This is pertinent for two reasons: 1) All course content (this includes your syllabus, grades, attendance, lectures, descriptions of assignments, grading rubrics, examples of speeches for study/evaluation, exam reviews, and homework assignments, etc) will be available to view in CANVAS; 2) Because I said so.

If you have not already registered for CANVAS, please do so at the following link:

Login to Canvas at https://nctc.instructure.com or by clicking the Canvas link on the NCTC homepage (Links to an external site.). Use your NetID username (i.e., same username you use to login to MyNCTC) and password (student ID) to login to Canvas. You can change your password via the Settings link in Canvas after login. 

Scholastic Integrity

Academic Integrity

Scholastic dishonesty shall include, but not be limited to cheating on a test, plagiarism, and collusion. See Student Handbook “Student Rights & Responsibilities: Student Conduct [FLB-(LOCAL)]” #18. 

18. Scholastic Dishonesty: Scholastic dishonesty shall constitute a violation of these rules and regulations and is punishable as prescribed by Board policies. Scholastic dishonesty shall include, but not be limited to, cheating on a test, plagiarism, and collusion. 

 “Cheating on a test” shall include:

·       Copying from another student’s test paper.

·       Using test materials not authorized by the person administering the test.

·       Collaborating with or seeking aid from another student during a test without permission from the test administrator.

·       Knowingly using, buying, selling, stealing, or soliciting, in whole or in part, the contents of an unadministered test.

·       The unauthorized transporting or removal, in whole or in part, of the contents of the unadministered test.

·       Substituting for another student, or permitting another student to substitute for one’s self, to take a test.

·       Bribing another person to obtain an unadministered test or information about an unadministered test.

“Plagiarism” shall be defined as the appropriating, buying, receiving as a gift or obtaining by any means another’s work and the unacknowledged submission or incorporation of it in one’s own written work. 

“Plagiarism” is further defined as any of the following:

·       Turning in someone else’s ideas, opinions, theories, or work as your own.

·       Copying words, ideas, or images from someone else without giving credit.

·       Failing to put a quotation in quotation marks.

·       Giving incorrect information about the source of a quotation or image.

·       Changing words but copying the sentence structure of a source without giving credit.

·       Copying so many words, ideas, or images from a source that it makes up the majority of your work, whether you give credit or not.

Note: This definition was taken from plagiarism.ord with some modification.

“Collusion” shall be defined as the unauthorized collaboration with another person in preparing written work for fulfillment of course requirements.

Disciplinary Actions [Student Handbook, p. 164, #5] “When cheating, collusion, or plagiarism has occurred beyond any reasonable doubt, the instructor may give the student or students involved an “F” on a particular assignment or in the course. [See Scholastic Dishonesty FLB (Local)] The instructor shall make a written report of the incident and of the planned action to his Department Chair. The Department Chair shall report the incident and action to the appropriate instructional dean who shall review the case, notify the student and, if necessary, take further action. This may involve either probation or suspension of the student or students in question. If such disciplinary action is deemed necessary, the Dean of Student Services shall be notified, and the action shall be taken through that office.” 

ADA Statement

STUDENT SUPPORT SERVICES

Disability Services (OSD)

The Office for Students with Disabilities (OSD) provides accommodations for students who have a documented disability. On the Corinth Campus, go to room 170 or call 940-498-6207. On the Gainesville Campus, go to room 110 or call 940-668-4209.  Students on the Bowie, Graham, Flower Mound, and online campuses should call 940-668-4209.

North Central Texas College is on record as being committed to both the spirit and letter of federal equal opportunity legislation, including the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) of 1990, ADA Amendments Act of 2009, and Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 (P.L. 93-112). 

http://www.nctc.edu/StudentServices/SupportServices/Disabilityservices.aspx

Support Services

Counseling and Testing staff offer a variety of services to current and prospective students, such as College 101, placement testing, academic advising and course registration, transfer assistance, and College Success seminars (Time Management, Study Skills, Test Anxiety, Choosing a Major, Learning Style Strategies, Career Exploration), and much more.

http://www.nctc.edu/StudentServices/CounselingTesting.aspx

Student Success offers academic coaching, tutoring, including a Writing Center, a Math Lab, free 24/7 online tutoring through Grade Results and assist new students acclimate to college by providing computer lab services for prospective students.  First generation students can also participate in TRIO which offers specialized support services.

http://www.nctc.edu/StudentServices/SupportServices.aspx

Financial Aid offers financial resources for students that qualify, visit the financial aid offices for more information.

http://www.nctc.edu/FInancialAidHome.aspx

Early Alert/CARES

The NCTC Early Alert program has been established to assist students who are at risk of failing or withdrawing from a course. Your instructor may refer you to this program if you are missing assignments, failing tests, excessively absent, or have personal circumstances impacting your academic performance. If submitted as an Early Alert you will be notified via your NCTC

e-mail address and then contacted by a Counseling and Testing advisor or counselor to discuss possible strategies for completing your course successfully.

The NCTC CARES (Campus Assessment Response Evaluation Services) Team

Addresses behavior which may be disruptive, harmful or pose a threat to the health and safety of the NCTC community-such as stalking, harassment, physical or emotional abuse, violent or threatening behavior, or self-harm.

As a student, you have the ability to report concerning behavior which could impact your own safety or the safety of another NCTC student. Just click the NCTC CARES Team logo posted on MyNCTC, or send an e-mail to CARESTeam@nctc.edu.  As always, if you feel there is an immediate threat to your own safety or welfare (or to another student), please call 911 immediately.

EEOC Statement

North Central Texas College does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, gender, religion, age, or disability in the employment or the provision of services.

Other Pertinent Information

This syllabus is intended to serve as a guideline for Speech 1321. Both North Central Texas College and your professor reserve the right to make modifications in content, schedule, and requirements as necessary to promote the optimal educational experience within prevailing conditions affecting this course.

Date

Material Covered

Major Items and Reading Due

January 18 (W)

Getting to know each other…

Syllabus/Discussion of Assignments

January 20 (F)

What is Communication?

January 23 (M)

Communicating at Work

CH 1

January 25 (W)

Communication, Culture, and Work

CH 2

January 27 (F)

Listening in the Business Environment

CH 3

January 30 (M)

Exam I

This will cover Chapters 1-3

Take Exam I

February 1 (W)

Discuss Career Project

Assign Career Project

February 3 (F)

Verbal and Nonverbal Messages

CH 4

February 6 (M)

Interpersonal Strategies and Skills

CH 5

Career Choices Due

February 8 (W)

Effective Meetings

CH 8

February 10 (F)

Exam II

This will cover Chapters 4, 5, and 8

Exam II

February 13 (M)

Give a brief synopsis on your choice of career and potential job opportunity

Research on potential employer due

February 15 (W)

Business Writing

Appendix III (pg. 402)

February 17 (F)

Work on Cover Letter and Rèsumè in class with instructor supervision

February 20 (M)

Discuss Organizational Project

Break into Organizational Groups

Cover Letter, and Rèsumè due

Assign Organizational Project

February 22 (W)

Leading and Working in Teams

CH 7

February 24 (F)

Work in Organizational Groups to come up with a proper product/service company to try and pitch to investors

February 27 (M)

Work in Organizational Groups to design a succinct and visually striking logo for your company brand

March 1 (W)

Discuss Mission Statement, Values, and Hierarchy component

Break into groups to brainstorm and make notes

Product/Service, Company Name, and Logo Due

March 3 (F)

Work in Organizational Groups to finalize your company mission statement, values, and hierarchy

March 6 (M)

Present your business concept to the class

Mission Statement, Values, and Hierarchy Due

Concept presentations

March 8 (W)

Principles of Interviewing I: Strategies, Types, and Ethics

CH 6

March 10 (F)

Principles of Interviewing II: The Employment Interview

CH 6

March 13-19

Spring Break!! No Class

Have fun! Be Safe!

March 20 (M)

Discuss Interview Project

Assign Panel Interview, Want Ads, and Resumes

March 22 (W)

Exam III

This will cover Chapter 6 and Appendix III (pg. 402-416)

Exam III

March 24 (F)

Work in Organizational Groups to go through resumes and come up with questions to ask your potential employee

Want Ads and Resumes Due

Interview Dates Assigned

March 27 (M)

Panel Interviews

Panel Interviews Due

March 29 (W)

Panel Interviews

Panel Interviews Due

March 31 (F)

Panel Interviews

Panel Interviews Due

April 3 (M)

Types of Business Presentations: Persuasive and Group

Discuss the Persuasive Presentation

CH 12

Assign Persuasive Presentation

April 5 (W)

Developing and Organizing the Presentation:

Analyzing the Situation & Developing a Thesis

CH 9

April 7 (F)

Developing and Organizing the Presentation:

Organizing the Body, Developing Introductions and Conclusion

CH 9

Assign Print Ad

April 10 (M)

Verbal and Visual Support in Presentations: Verbal Support

CH 10

April 12 (W)

Verbal and Visual Support in Presentations: Visual Support

CH 10

April 14 (F)

Present Print Ads and discuss their meaning

Print Ad Due

April 17 (M)

Discuss Product/Service pitch

Work in Organizational Groups to conceptualize and script the pitch

Assign Product/Service Pitch

April 19 (W)

Delivering the Presentation: Types and Guidelines

CH 11

April 21 (F)

Delivering the Presentation: Q & A and Speaking with Confidence

CH 11

April 24 (M)

Exam IV

This will cover Chapters 9-12

Exam IV

April 26 (W)

Work in Organizational Groups to finalize your product/service pitch and polish them

April 28 (F)

Present Product/Service Pitches

Product/Service Pitch Due

May 1 (M)

Work in Organizational Groups on final outline and visual aid

May 3 (W)

Outline and Visual Aid Workshop with instructor

*This is where each organization gets to test their visual aid and practice delivery

Group 1

May 5 (F)

Outline and Visual Aid Workshop with instructor

*This is where each organization gets to test their visual aid and practice delivery

Group 2

May 8 (M)

Final Day: Organizational Presentations

Organizational Presentations and Peer Evaluations Due