OFFICE ADMINISTRATION DEPARTMENT

(COURSE MASTER SYLLABUS)

 

POFT 2312 Business Communications II

 

FIRST DAY HANDOUT

Office Administration instructors will furnish students a “First Day Handout” ( Attachment #3) which will contain at least the following information:

 

Heading:  Instructor name, course name and number, section and synonym number.

 

How to Reach the Instructor:  Instructor’s office hours, office location and number, phone number and E-mail address, availability of instructor for appointments and conferences.

 

Course Outline/Calendar:         The instructor will give a course outline and/or calendar so students will have an idea of what they will be doing when, particular test dates, and other due dates. This information will be covered in “First Day Handout.”

 

COURSE DESCRIPTION

POFT 2312 BUSINESS CORRESPONDENCE & COMMUNICATION (3-2-2). Skill development in practical applications which emphasize the improvement of writing skills necessary for effective business communications. Fee: $12 Skills: R Prerequisites: POFT 1302 or equivalent. ( ) Course Type: W

 

REQUIRED TEXTS/MATERIALS

Effective Communication for Colleges, Eleventh Edition, South-Western Publishing Co., Brantley and Miller. -  (ISBN# - 0324272715)

 

SCANS COMPETENCIES

Department scans skills for this and other  courses in the program are given in Attachment #1.  Students will demonstrate their mastery of these skills through the use of class discussions, written assignments, demonstrations, and/or test taking.  Flex courses will include only hands-on computer-based assignments, and objective and performance evaluations.

 

·         Manage time

·         Participates as member of team

·         Teaches others

·         Exercises leadership

·         Negotiates to arrive at decision

·         Works with cultural diversity

·         Organizes and maintains information

·         Uses computers to process information

·         Applies technology to task

·         Basic reading, listening, speaking, reasoning and writing skills

·         Creative thinking and decision making skills

·         Personal qualities—responsibility, sociability, self-management and integrity/honesty

 

 

 

INSTRUCTIONAL METHODOLOGY

At the instructor’s discretion, lecture, videos, class discussions, research papers, and class projects may be used to instruct the class. 

 

COURSE RATIONALE

This course will provide students with increased knowledge of specialized areas of office procedures and techniques.  This course will also train students with marketable skills to meet their individual requirements, current demands, and future needs of the business world.

 

COURSE OBJECTIVES/OUTCOMES

Attachment #3 lists objectives that the instructor is expected to teach and students are expected to learn during this course.  Students will demonstrate that these objectives have been mastered through the use of class discussions, written assignments, demonstrations, and tests, For flex courses, students will demonstrate that these objectives have been mastered through the use of hands-on computer-based assignments and individual assistance as needed.  The Instructor may also list additional learning objectives in their “First Day Handout” (Attachment #3).

 

COURSE POLICIES

Class Rules:  ACC college rules state that food and drink are not allowed in classroom.  Children are also not allowed in the classroom.  The Instructor may also list additional course policies in their “First Day Handout” (Attachment #3).  Flex courses will include flex lab policies in the Student Guide.

 

 

Attendance Requirements:  A student at Austin Community College is expected to attend classes in order to progress satisfactorily toward completion of course objectives.  Because objectives can vary from department to department and from course to course, individual Office Administration instructors shall inform the student in writing of their specific course objectives, attendance policies, instructor office hours, and course grading policies at the first class meeting with a “First Day Handout” (See attachment #3).  A student who is not meeting course objectives may be withdrawn from the course at the discretion of the instructor.  It is the student’s responsibility to consult with instructors and seek support services when course objectives cannot be met.

 

Withdrawal Policy: the instructor may drop students for unsatisfactory attendance and/or academic progress. NOTE: IT SHOULD BE UNDERSTOOD THAT IT IS THE STUDENT’S RESPONSIBILITY AND NOT THE INSTRUCTOR’S TO DROP A COURSE.  A STUDENT THAT DISCONTINUES COMING TO CLASS AND FAILS TO DROP A COURSE IS SUBJECT TO RECEIVING A FINAL, PERMANENT GRADE OF “F”.

 

Incompletes:  Instructors may award a grade of “Incomplete” when students fail to complete all course requirements.  When doing so, instructors will complete an “Incomplete Form” and forward to the department’s program coordinator.  If the student then completes the work in the required time frame, the instructor will be responsible for contacting the program coordinator with the new grade information.  NOTE:  Students who fail to successfully complete the required course work within the timeframe allowed, will automatically have the “Incomplete” changed to a final grade of “F.”  Incompletes are not allowed for flex courses.

 

Scholastic Dishonesty:  Acts prohibited by the college for which discipline may be administered include scholastic dishonesty, including but not limited to cheating on an exam or quiz, plagiarizing, and unauthorized collaboration with another in preparing outside work.  Academic work submitted by students shall be the result of their thought, research or self-expression.  Academic work is defined as, but not limited to tests, quizzes, whether taken electronically or on paper; projects either individual or group; classroom presentations, and homework.”  (Refer to Student Handbook for details).  NOTE:  STUDENTS MAY BE DISMISSED FROM THE COURSE AT THE DISCRETION OF THE INSTRUCTOR FOR SCHOLASTIC DISHONESTY.

 

Academic Freedom:  Institutions of higher education are conducted for the common good.  The common good depends upon a free search for truth and its free expression.  Hence it is essential that faculty members at Austin Community College be free to pursue scholarly inquiry without unreasonable restriction, and to voice and publish their conclusions without fear of institutional censorship or discipline.  They must be free from the possibility that others of differing vision, either inside or outside the college community, may threaten their professional careers.

 

The concept of academic freedom in Austin Community College is accompanied by an equally demanding concept of responsibility, shared by the Board of Trustee, administration, and faculty members.

 

The essential responsibilities of the Board of Trustees and administrators regarding academic freedom are set forth in the Criteria For Accreditation, adopted by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools, as updated and revised.

 

In the classroom or in college-produced telecommunications, faculty members should strive to be accurate, to exercise appropriate restraint, and to show respect for the opinions of others.   In addition, instructors should be judicious in the use of material and should introduce only material that has a clear relationship to

the subject field.

 

Student Discipline:       Austin Community College students are recognized as responsible persons who neither lose the rights nor escape responsibilities of citizenship.  Enrollment in the College indicates acceptance of the rules set  forth in Administrative Rule 4.02.010 concerning disciplinary action.  Due process through an investigation and appeal process is assured to any student involved in disciplinary action.

 

Student’s Freedom of Expression:  Each student is strongly encouraged to participate in class.  In any classroom situation that includes discussion and critical thinking, there are bound to be many differing viewpoints.  These differences enhance the learning experience and create an atmosphere where students and instructor alike will be encouraged to think and learn.  On sensitive and volatile topics, students may sometimes disagree not only with each other but also with the instructor.  It expected that faculty and students will respect the views of others when expressed in classroom discussions.

 

OSD Statement:  Each ACC campus offers support services for students with documented physical or psychological disabilities.  Students with disabilities must request reasonable accommodations through the Office of Students with Disabilities on the campus where they expect to take the majority of their classes.  Students are encouraged to do this three weeks before the start of the semester. (Refer to Student Handbook for details).

 

TESTING CENTER RULES

 It is the student’s responsibility to obtain, read, and be thoroughly familiar with the ACC Testing Center Rules prior to taking exams at the center.  Violation of these rules is very serious and may result in disciplinary action.

 

STUDENT HANDBOOK

A current copy of the ACC Student Handbook can be located on the ACC Internet Page under Student Services.  Students are encouraged to review this handbook to familiarize themselves with college rules and policies that may affect them.

 

COLLEGE CATALOG

Students may purchase a current ACC College Catalog at one of the college bookstores.  Office Administration degree and certificate plans outlined in the catalog are especially helpful for students in developing future educational plans.

 

OFFICE ADMINISTRATION DEPARTMENT WEB PAGE

Students are encouraged to review the department’s web page at http://www.austincc.edu/ofad/ where valuable information concerning the  program may be found.  Several other useful URL sites are also listed.

 

COUNSELING

Many educational and employment concerns of students may be answered by their course instructor.  If additional counseling is needed, students are encouraged to contact the Office Administration Program Coordinator for assistance.  (Note:  The Office Administration Program Coordinator is located at the Eastview Campus, room #8319, Phone # 223-5840, E-Mail address: jbillings@austincc.edu.)

 

RULE OF THREE

 

ACC is implementing a rule spring 2006 that will affect tuition for students who attempt a course three or more times beginning fall 2002.  The rule is called “The Rule of Three,” and is based on state tuition reimbursement laws. 

Students who attempt a course for the third (or more) time will be charged an additional $60 per credit hour for that course.   Complete information can be found at http://www.austincc.edu/admiss/ruleofthree/.