Great Basin College
BUS 110 B I01 Human
Relations for Employment
spring 2013 Course Syllabus
3 Credits
NOTE: This IS NOT A SELF-PACED COURSE. ASSIGNMENTS ARE DUE EACH WEEK OF THE SEMESTER. See the COURSE SCHEDULE at the end of the syllabus FOR SPECIFIC DUE DATES/TIMES.
Required Textbook AND MATERIALS (note that the GBC Bookstore does not keep textbooks on its shelves very long–get yours Asap or they may be gone):
- Reece, Brandt & Howie, Effective Human Relations, Eleventh Edition. South-Western, ISBN: 978-0-538-74750-9.
- Resumes & Interviews – BarChart ISBN: 978-157222546-6
- Business Letters – BarChart ISBN: 978-157222518-3
Catalog Description
Course introduces students to the principles and skills of effective communication in business and professional settings. It provides information on how to communicate with superiors, co-workers, subordinates, clients and customers. This course includes a computational component. Prerequisites: None.
Course Description
This course is designed to improve students’ communication and organizational behavior encounters in the workplace. It explores interpersonal, face-to-face relationships and the dynamics of small group settings. Concepts to be taught include: self-image, self-disclosure, leadership, listening skills, information processing, and decision-making. The central focus of the class is to develop positive human relation skills which, in turn, could be applied to enhance interactions with future customers and co-workers.
Instructor: Robert M. Cameron
EMAIL: Use Web Campus EMAIL
Phone: (702) 682-9145
I will generally respond to calls within 48 hours, Monday through Friday (longer if a call is left over the weekend). I also usually respond to emails within 48 hours (I try to check Web Campus at least once each day).
Web Campus Access: http://webcampus.gbcnv.edu
Help Desk ACCESS:
· Website: http://www.gbcnv.edu./computing/helpdesk.html
· Phone: 775-753-2167, Monday-Friday Saturday 8 am- 5 pm
To ensure your computer is ready for your course, please click on Browser Check on the right side of the home page. Turn off any pop-up blockers and say Yes or Always to accept a Java Security Certificate when you first log in. To watch the video pieces, you’ll need to have access to a DSL or higher connection for those segments. If you don’t have this at home, you can watch the video from a GBC Center, local library or school.
ALWAYS watch for Web Campus updates and important information after you log into your Web Campus page. Sometimes Web Campus is down for maintenance or certain programs don’t work well with Web Campus, so be sure to know what is going on so you can plan accordingly.
If you have never taken a Web Campus course, you may want to pay extra attention to the following:
· Web Campus orientation workshops are available at the beginning of the semester and can help you with the Web Campus technology (contact the Help Desk for more information).
· Microsoft Internet Explorer is the best browser (Firefox will not work properly and will cause many problems and headaches!).
· Waiting until the last minute to submit assignments or complete exams could cause lower or failing grades. Your grade could suffer if you cannot complete everything on time due to any unforeseeable reason. No excuses. Planning ahead and saving work frequently in both Web Campus and word processing/spreadsheet programs will only help.
· Read through the Help section on the Web Campus website – it will decrease the time it takes to figure out how to use Web Campus effectively.
· Focus on the Learning Module section of Web Campus (or the Learning Module file on the home page of the course). I have organized content for you there so you know what is expected each week. If you simply go to the assignments, assessments, and discussions sections, etc., you will miss important information for the week.
Instructor’s Expectations of Students
It is expected that all assignments are completed, that all quizzes and exams are taken by the closing dates, and that meaningful participation in discussion/blog postings (which means reading all classmates’ postings in addition to creating your own) occurs by each member of the course. Web Campus shows who has read postings and who has not.
All exams are open book/open note and it should be noted that limited time is available for taking each exam. I expect students to have read and be familiar with all the course materials; therefore, there will be little time for looking up answers. Additionally, studying in this course is essential for success.
A general rule to follow when budgeting time for this course is to allow at least three hours for working on readings and assignments for every credit hour of the course in addition to the 3 hours of seat time you would normally expect in a live, face-to-face class. For example, the three credit hours of this course will generally require at least 12 hours of time per week (3 hours for the course plus 9 hours of study time).
Methods of Instruction
This course is not self-paced. This means that you cannot turn in assignments whenever you wish: all assignments and exams have due dates throughout the semester. Please refer to the course schedule for a list of all assignments, readings and due dates. The online nature of this course requires that students take a proactive role in their own learning. Throughout the course the following instructional methods will be used: reading assignments; homework/self-assessments; computation problems; videos; essays/writing assignments; exams; and online discussion/blog postings.
Assignments and Grading
Your assignments are due on the date specified in the schedule at the end of this syllabus. Exams cannot be made up; however, your lowest exam score will not be counted in your final grade. Any assignments not turned in on the due date will automatically lose 20% with 5% lost each day thereafter (in addition to any points deducted for incorrect answers and content). Example: day 1 late: -20%, day 2 late: -25%, day 3 late: -30% . . . day 9 late: -60% and so on.
At the end of the semester there will be an ultimate due date for all assignments and the preceding statement will no longer apply. Assignments not received by the date noted will receive zero points.
Note: Instructor reserves the right to modify course content and other related policies based on the needs of the students and as circumstances may require.
The following table shows you how many points are available for each assignment/exam/quiz and the percentage of your grade that the assignments/exams/quizzes represent:
ASSIGNMENTS / POINTS AVAILABLE / % OF GRADE· Exams (5 exams, 100 Points per exam) / 500 / 43.1%
· Resume Quiz – 25 pts.
· Resume Draft – 50 pts.
· Resume Final – 50 pts.
· Cover Letter – 50 pts.
· Interview Quiz – 25 pts.
· Interview Questions – 50 pts. / 250 / 21.6%
· Introduction Blog – 10 pts
· Time Management: Semester Schedule Assignment – 60 pts.
· / 70 / 6.0%
· Homework – 340 pts. (17 at 20 pts. each) / 340 / 29.3%
Total Points Possible / 1160 / 100%
Grades will be assigned as follows:
% Required / 92 / 90 / 88 / 83 / 80 / 78 / 73 / 70 / 68 / 63 / 60Grades / A / A- / B+ / B / B- / C+ / C / C- / D+ / D / D-
To determine the final course grade, your total points earned are divided by the total points possible
BUS 110B Syllabus, Spring 2013 1
1/18/2013
Course Objectives/Learning Outcomes
The table below lists each of the important course objectives and corresponding assignments/assessments designed to assess/improve your knowledge/skill regarding each learning objective.
Objective / Exams & Quizzes / Discussion/Blog Postings and Participation / Self Assessments and Time Management Assignments / Resume and Cover Letter Assignments / Interview Assignments1. Students will understand the interpersonal communication process and what skills are necessary to create harmonious and meaningful relationships. / X / X / X / X / X
2. Students will be able to use strategies that will resolve personal and interpersonal conflicts; especially those that often arise in a work environment. / X / X / X
3. Students will understand non-verbal communication and its role in improving or hindering the development of human relations. / X / X / X / X / X
4. Students will discern harmful thinking styles and explain how these approaches can damage communications and relationships in the workplace. / X / X / X
5. Students will appreciate diversity in the workforce and how teamwork can benefit the workplace. / X / X / X / X
6. Students will be familiar with defensiveness and explain how becoming defensive curtails communication and prevents the formation of positive human relationships. / X / X
7. Students will understand the value of making a decision and the inherent risks associated with its implementation and other elements required to be a creative problem-solver and innovative leader. / X / X / X
8. Students will develop: 1) effective communication and listening skills to enhance interpersonal relationships; 2) self evaluative and introspection skills to make appropriate choices; and 3) a positive attitude and disposition necessary for success in the workplace. / X / X / X / X / X
BUS 110B Syllabus, Spring 2013 1
1/18/2013
GRADE APPEALS
Should a student have concerns or complaints about the way grading is handled in this class, s/he should follow the steps of the official review process as stated in the GBC General Catalog. Students should keep their graded work until the end of the semester when final grades are available in case there is any discrepancy in grades.
DROPPING THE COURSE
If, for some reason, you feel that you cannot complete the course, you must officially withdraw from the class by the course drop deadline by contacting Admissions and Records at (775)753-2102, and completing the Course Withdraw Form. Officially withdrawing results in a “W” on your grade report. The “W” is not used in computing your cumulative GPA; however, it will appear on your transcript and be permanent. If you do not officially withdraw, your grade will be based on the work you have completed averaged with zeros for work you have not completed.
Academic Honesty
I expect your work to be free of any form of cheating and hold you to the highest academic integrity. Additionally, you must cite sources for all ideas and words that are not your own. If you don’t cite sources, it is plagiarism and you may fail the assignment. It is even possible you may fail the class and/or be dismissed from GBC. Please refer to the GBC Student Handbook and the most current GBC General Catalog. Take the time to give the proper credit to those who deserve it – it’s not worth ruining your grade or your credibility. This class is open note/open book but NOT open other people. This means that while you may study with other people, you must turn in your own work with your own answers, thoughts and ideas. Otherwise, it is considered cheating.
Student Conduct
It is important that each student feel safe and secure in this course in order to exist in a positive learning environment. Civility is required at all times in ALL forms of communication for this course. No profanity is ever acceptable and use of it will result in disciplinary action according to the GBC Student Conduct Policy found in your GBC catalog.
Remember – just because you may correspond and interact via email and discussion/blog postings and not via face-to-face, it does not mean you don’t need to be respectful of others who are in this class (including the instructor). It is sometimes easy to pound out frustrations on the keyboard and hit send, while not really feeling accountable for what was said using the keyboard. Keep in mind that there are humans at the other end of each keyboard and once you type it and send it, it cannot be taken back. Please think before you act.
Access
GBC is committed to providing equal educational opportunities to qualified students with disabilities in accordance with state and federal laws and regulations, including the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990 and Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973. A qualified student must furnish current verification of disability. The Students with Disabilities Office will assist qualified students with disabilities in securing the appropriate and reasonable accommodations, auxiliary aides, and services. For more information or further assistance, please call 775.753.2271.
GENERAL EDUCATION COURSE SUBSTANTIATION
The Human Relations for Employment course is part of the general education curriculum at Great Basin College, and is therefore required to meet certain requirements in five broad categories. The following is an explanation of how this course meets these requirements.
Communication Skills (Strong Emphasis)
One of the main premises of human relations is that as human beings we “cannot not communicate.” Much of the Human Relations requires that the student be engaged in listening, reading, discussing, and writing -- all of which are appropriate ways of sending and receiving meaningful messages. The main textbook for this course provides great detail and discussion regarding intra- and inter-personal communication, listening skill-building, as well as discussion regarding conflict resolution and how groups and organizations communicate.