Spring 2024 Course Syllabus
Course: SPCH-1321 (Section: 71, CRN: 10797)
Business and Professional Communication
LSCPA Logo Image
Instructor Information
Instructor Dr. Casi Rekieta
Email rekietacl@lamarpa.edu
Phone (409) 984-6305
Office Educational I - Room: 114
Office Hours None
Additional Contact Information Virtual Meetings are available upon request.
Course Information
Description Study and application of communication within the business and professional context. Special emphasis will be given to communication competencies in presentations, dyads, teams and technologically mediated formats.
Required Textbooks Textbook Purchasing Statement: A student attending Lamar State College Port Arthur is not under any obligation to purchase a textbook from the college-affiliated bookstore. The same textbook may also be available from an independent retailer, including an online retailer.

No Textbook Required - Open Educational Resources will be utilized. The OER materials will be embedded into the course in blackboard.

Additional Materials/Resources Additional Materials Needed:
- Notebook for writing and taking notes.
- Must have materials for creating Visual Aids or access to Powerpoint.
- Must have materials needed to record and submit speech presentations.
- Must have the ability to print documents for class.
- Must be able to access Blackboard.
Corequisites/Prerequisites None
Learning Outcomes Upon successful completion of this course, students will:
Demonstrate communication competence and critical thinking through an understanding of the foundational communication models.
Demonstrate essential public speaking skills in professional presentations.
Demonstrate written and oral competencies as it relates to employment (including job searches, interviews, interpersonal interaction, conflict management, leadership and performance appraisals.)
Apply essential dyadic and small group processes as they relate to the workplace.
Utilize various technologies as they relate to competent communication.
Demonstrate effective cross-cultural communication.
Core Objectives * Communication skills: Students will demonstrate effective written, oral and/or visual communication.
* Critical Thinking Skills: Students will engage in creative and/or innovative thinking, and/or inquiry, analysis, evaluation, synthesis of information, organizing concepts and constructing solutions.
* Teamwork: Students will demonstrate the ability to work effectively with others to support a shared purpose or goal and consider different points of view.
* Personal Responsibility: Students will demonstrate the ability to connect choices, actions and consequences to ethical decision-making.
Lecture Topics Outline

Introduction to Business Communication
Understanding Business Meetings
Developing Professional Presentations
Developing Professional PowerPoint Presentations
Public Speaking Online
Email Etiquette
Cover Letter
Resume
Career Search
Job Applications
Interview
Group Communication
Interpersonal Communication
Intercultural Communication
Working in Teams
Managing Conflict on the Job
Major Assignments Schedule SPCH_1321_71_202410_P00348224.docx
Final Exam Date May 6, 2024 - 8:00 AM   Through  May 7, 2024 - 11:59 PM
Grading Scale 900- 1000 = A
800- 899 = B
700-799 = C
600-699 = D
0- 599 = F
Determination of
Final Grade
Presentation - 10%
Group Project - 20%
Test - 10%
Assignments & Activities - 60%
Course Policies
Instructor Policies Communication between students and the instructor is essential for success. You are required to check your LSCPA email every 24 hours.

Students are expected to attend virtual meetings or watch the recording of virtual meetings.

The instructor will not conference with students regarding assignments 48 hours before the due date unless you have an appointment.

The instructor's records will be the final determination of grades. Contact your instructor for grade discrepancies during designated office hours or by appointment within 48 hours of grades being made available.

Missed exams, presentations, quizzes, and class activities will result in a ZERO on the assignment. Makeup assignments will NOT be allowed unless (1) the student receives prior approval from the instructor, (2) has a documented medical emergency (3) or is at a school-sponsored event. Make-up assignments are determined at the instructor's discretion.

All written work must be typed using correct grammar and spelling and submitted as specified in the assignment instructions.

Participation is a critical portion of your final grade. Participation includes participating in-class activities, discussions, as well as being an active and respectful audience member during face-to-face meetings.

Plagiarism, written or oral, will result in a zero on the assignment (1st offense) and failure of the course (2nd offense). If a student plagiarizes an assignment, the instructor will regrade all previously submitted assignments.

Students are required to complete a group project which requires students to communicate and collaborate outside of class.

Students must dress as specified in the assignment instructions on presentation days.

Students must use their Lamar PA email account when sending emails to the instructor.

Please allow 24 hours for a response to emails during the week and 48 hours over the weekend.

Please turn off ringers before class begins. If you have a special need to keep your phone active during class, talk to me ahead of time.
Attendance Policy
Students are expected to attend virtual meetings or watch the recording of virtual meetings. Virtual meetings will be announced as needed throughout the semester. 

Additional Information I will not discuss your grades over the phone. If you want to discuss grades, please contact me through your LSCPA email.

All grades will be posted on Blackboard for your convenience. Please check Blackboard regularly for announcements, content, etc.

TimelyCare is a virtual health and well-being platform available 24/7 for Lamar State College Port Arthur students. Any enrolled student can use TimelyCare. There is no cost to students. Go to timelycare.com/LSCPA or download the TimelyCare app to access care.
Institutional Policies
MyLSCPA Be sure to check your campus email and Course Homepage using MyLSCPA campus web portal. You can also access your grades, transcripts, academic advisors, degree progress, and other services through MyLSCPA.
Academic Honesty Academic honesty is expected from all students, and dishonesty in any form will not be tolerated. Please consult the LSCPA policies (Academic Dishonesty section in the Student Handbook) for consequences of academic dishonesty.
ADA Considerations The Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) is a federal anti-discrimination statute that provides comprehensive civil rights for persons with disabilities. Among other things, this legislation requires that all students with disabilities be guaranteed a learning environment that provides for reasonable accommodation of their disabilities. If you believe you have a disability requiring an accommodation, please contact the the Office for Disability Services Coordinator, Room 231, in the Madison Monroe Building. The phone number is (409) 984-6241.
COVID 19 Information The Lamar State College Port Arthur (LSCPA) Student Code of Conduct COVID 19 Policy requires students who have been diagnosed with COVID 19 to report their condition directly to their local health department. Students should also contact their course faculty to report their quarantine status. In addition, this policy requires all students to wear face coverings when directly exposed to COVID 19 in compliance with the criteria included in the policy. For more information please refer to the COVID 19 link on the LSCPA website.
Facility Policies No food or tobacco products are allowed in the classroom. Only students enrolled in the course are allowed in the classroom, except by special instructor permission. Use of electronic devices is prohibited.
HB 2504 This syllabus is part of LSCPA's efforts to comply with Texas House Bill 2504.
Mandatory Reporting of Child Abuse and Neglect As per Texas law and LSCPA policy, all LSCPA employees, including faculty, are required to report allegations or disclosures of child abuse or neglect to the designated authorities, which may include a local or state law enforcement agency or the Texas Department of Family Protective Services. For more information about mandatory reporting requirements, see LSCPA's Policy and Procedure Manual.
Title IX and Sexual Misconduct LSCPA is committed to establishing and maintaining an environment that is free from all forms of sex discrimination, including sexual harassment, sexual violence, and other forms of sexual misconduct. All LSCPA employees, including faculty, have the responsibility to report disclosures of sexual misconduct, including sexual harassment, sexual assault (including rape and acquaintance rape), domestic violence, dating violence, relationship violence, or stalking, to LSCPA's Title IX Coordinator, whose role is to coordinate the college's response to sexual misconduct. For more information about Title IX protections, faculty reporting responsibilities, options for confidential reporting, and the resources available for support visit LSCPA's Title IX website.
Clery Act Crime Reporting For more information about the Clery Act and crime reporting, see the Annual Security & Fire Safety Report and the Campus Security website.

Grievance / Complaint / Concern If you have a grievance, complaint, or concern about this course that has not been resolved through discussion with the Instructor, please consult the Department Chair.
Department Information
General Education and Developmental Studies
Chair:Steven Zani
Email:zanisj@lamarpa.edu
Phone:(409) 984-6431