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1 BUSI 1304-01 Business Communication / Fall 2019 Professor: Dr. Heidi Huntington Class Days/Times/Location: Monday and Wednesday 9:30 – 10:45 a.m. CC 221 Office Location: CC 332H Office Hours: 11 a.m. – 3:30 p.m. Mon.; 11 a.m. – 12:30 p.m., 1:30-4:30 p.m. Wed. or by appointment Office Phone: (806) 651-2765 Email: [email protected] Social Media: Keep up with the latest happenings of your COB on Facebook and Twitter, connect with us on LinkedIn, and check out COB videos on YouTube. Terms of Use A student's continued enrollment in this course signifies acknowledgment of and agreement with the statements, disclaimers, policies, and procedures outlined within this syllabus and elsewhere in the WTClass environment. This Syllabus is a dynamic document. Elements of the course structure (e.g., dates and topics covered, but not policies) may be changed at the discretion of the professor. WTAMU Paul and Virginia Engler College of Business Mission Statement The mission of the Paul and Virginia Engler College of Business is to provide high quality undergraduate and graduate business education with a global perspective and ethical awareness. We accomplish this through emphasis on excellence in teaching, which is strengthened by faculty scholarship and supported by professional service. Learning Objectives of the WTAMU Paul and Virginia Engler College of Business Programs The Paul and Virginia Engler College of Business (COB) at West Texas A&M University (WTAMU) seeks to prepare students in the Bachelor of Business Administration (BBA), Master of Business Administration (MBA), Master of Professional Accounting (MPA), and the Master of Science, Finance and Economics (MSFE) degree programs for careers in business and to foster their professional growth and advancement via key learning goals and objectives. The learning objectives of the Paul and Virginia Engler College of Business are as follows: Leadership Communication Critical Thinking Business Integration Core Business Knowledge Global Business Environment Business Ethics and Corporate Governance Course Description Catalog description: Relationship of creative, critical thought to problem-solving aspects of business communication designed to build and develop effective letters and reports. This course is primarily a writing course, though we will discuss other forms of business communication as well, including oral communication. It may be used to partially fulfill the University’s Core 90 requirements.

BUSI 1304-01 Business Communication / Fall 2019 Professor ... · 1 BUSI 1304-01 Business Communication / Fall 2019 Professor: Dr. Heidi Huntington Class Days/Times/Location: Monday

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BUSI 1304-01 Business Communication / Fall 2019 Professor: Dr. Heidi Huntington

Class Days/Times/Location: Monday and Wednesday 9:30 – 10:45 a.m. CC 221 Office Location: CC 332H Office Hours: 11 a.m. – 3:30 p.m. Mon.; 11 a.m. – 12:30 p.m., 1:30-4:30 p.m. Wed. or by appointment Office Phone: (806) 651-2765 Email: [email protected] Social Media: Keep up with the latest happenings of your COB on Facebook and Twitter, connect with us on LinkedIn, and check out COB videos on YouTube.

Terms of Use A student's continued enrollment in this course signifies acknowledgment of and agreement with the statements, disclaimers, policies, and procedures outlined within this syllabus and elsewhere in the WTClass environment. This Syllabus is a dynamic document. Elements of the course structure (e.g., dates and topics covered, but not policies) may be changed at the discretion of the professor.

WTAMU Paul and Virginia Engler College of Business Mission Statement The mission of the Paul and Virginia Engler College of Business is to provide high quality undergraduate and graduate business education with a global perspective and ethical awareness. We accomplish this through emphasis on excellence in teaching, which is strengthened by faculty scholarship and supported by professional service. Learning Objectives of the WTAMU Paul and Virginia Engler College of Business Programs The Paul and Virginia Engler College of Business (COB) at West Texas A&M University (WTAMU) seeks to prepare students in the Bachelor of Business Administration (BBA), Master of Business Administration (MBA), Master of Professional Accounting (MPA), and the Master of Science, Finance and Economics (MSFE) degree programs for careers in business and to foster their professional growth and advancement via key learning goals and objectives.

The learning objectives of the Paul and Virginia Engler College of Business are as follows:

Leadership

Communication

Critical Thinking

Business Integration

Core Business Knowledge

Global Business Environment

Business Ethics and Corporate Governance

Course Description Catalog description: Relationship of creative, critical thought to problem-solving aspects of business communication designed to build and develop effective letters and reports. This course is primarily a writing course, though we will discuss other forms of business communication as well, including oral communication. It may be used to partially fulfill the University’s Core 90 requirements.

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This course is designed to empower students to develop and polish communication skills necessary for success in the corporate setting. The course focuses on communication skills with regard to the written word, interpersonal communication in the workplace setting, spoken presentations, and mediated message formation. Students will learn to write, deliver, and distribute various messages that fuel the business community and to work effectively within task-based teams. Students will also have an opportunity to discover their own communication styles and strengths, which can be used to their advantage on the job market.

Course Objectives After taking this course, students should be able to:

Demonstrate ability to effectively communicate within groups to achieve business objectives.

Organize and develop effective messages for a variety of business communication contexts and modalities.

Understand and employ effective technology and visuals to enhance messages.

Demonstrate research and critical skills that can be applied to business communication contexts.

Craft effective job search materials that build upon the student’s individual strengths and skills. Map from COB Learning Objectives to Specific Course Objectives The Engler College of Business Learning Goals are related to the course objectives for BUSI 1304-01, as follows:

Engler COB objective Course objective

Communication BBA Objectives 1.1, 1.2, 1.3

Students will demonstrate competencies in written, spoken, and technology-mediated business communication via individual and/or group exams, assignments, and in-class exercises.

Critical Thinking BBA Objective 2.1

Students will demonstrate their competencies in critical thinking via individual and/or group written assignments and in-class exercises, demonstrated by application of course material to the assigned tasks.

Business Integration BBA Objective 4.1

Students will illustrate and explain theories and concepts related to business communication as it applies to the workplace via individual and/or group exams, written assignments, and in-class exercises.

Business Ethics BBA Objective 3.1

Students will demonstrate their competencies in ethical decisions via individual and/or group assignments and in-class exercises.

Diversity BBA Objective 3.3

Students will demonstrate their knowledge of diversity for effective problem-solving and communication development via individual exams, written assignments, and in-class exercises.

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COMPOSITION OF THE GRADE

Participation (20%) Individual Tests (15%)

Team Tests (15%) Team Assignments (30%)

Career Portfolio (20%)

Course Materials McLean, Scott (2016). Business Communication for Success, v. 2.0. Flatworld. ISBN: 978-1-4533-7418-4.

Visit https://students.flatworldknowledge.com/course/2589727 to order and/or to redeem a code purchased in the WT bookstore. This book is available in a variety of formats, the cheapest of which is an online-only digital copy for $29.95. You can also order a downloadable eBook version ($49.95) or a printed copy ($54.95). It is up to you which version you use. Choose the version that you can learn with the best.

Pollak, Lindsey (2012). Getting from College to Career, revised ed. New York: Harper Business. ISBN: 978-0-06-114259-8. This book is available in the WT bookstore or from online retailers (paperback about $10 new on Amazon).

Students may also be expected to sign up for and use free accounts on web-based services such as Pinterest, Google Drive, Slack, Adobe Spark, or LinkedIn in order to complete assignments in this course. More detail will be provided with the instructions for specific assignments. Please let me know of any concerns regarding this expectation as soon as possible. It is expected that you will check WTClass regularly. I will post important assignment instructions and course messages there, and you will be assigned to teams within WTClass.

Course Grading Policies The standard grading scale will be used in this course.

Grade Scale: A = 1000-900 points B = 899-800 points C = 799-700 points D = 699-600 points F = 599-0 points Composition of the Grade: Participation (incl. attendance, in-class activities, discussion, etc.) 200 points 20% Individual Readiness Assessment Tests (5) 150 points 15% Team Readiness Assessment Tests (5) 150 points 15% Team In-Class Discussion Leader Duties 100 points 10% Team Business Culture Case Report 100 points 10% Team Bus. Comm. Problem Case Report 100 points 10% Individual College to Career Portfolio 200 points 20% Total 1000 points 100% Approx. 10 to 15% of your score on each team assignment will be based on self and peer evaluations. Therefore more than half of your final course grade will be based on your individual efforts in this class.

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Plagiarism policy: All work submitted in this course must be original. Do not submit work created for another class without first getting my explicit permission. Safe Assign and/or Turnitin may be used to check for plagiarism, including self-plagiarism. Plagiarized work will automatically earn a grade of 0, and could be reported for additional sanctions. At my discretion, students may be given the opportunity to redo such work, subject to a minimum 2 letter-grade reduction in score; this is not a guarantee. Questions about Grades: I am more than happy to discuss your grades on any course assignment with you, but I will not do so in detail over email or course messaging. Instead, come to my office hours or make an appointment to discuss. You must contact me within one week of when your grade is returned in order to request a grade adjustment, if applicable; note that speaking with me does not guarantee a grade adjustment. Grade adjustments for team Readiness Assessment Tests follow a different procedure from this policy; see next page of this syllabus. If you’re reading this, email me a picture of a birthday cake or (clean) birthday-related meme by 5 p.m. Sept. 13 for 5 points of extra credit. Use the WTClass email feature or my email at the top of this syllabus to do so.

Late and Missed Work Policy: Assignments are due at the time (Central Time) and date indicated on the syllabus and/or assignment instructions and/or WTClass. All late assignments that are not granted prior permission by me for being late will be docked one full letter grade per day (24 hours) it is late. The clock on late work starts running one minute past the due time and includes weekends. A 0 may be entered in the WTClass gradebook for assignments not submitted by the deadline; late assignments may be regraded later, reflecting the point deduction policy for late work.

If you are going to miss class or are struggling with an assignment, talk to me about your options before the missed class or due date. If you need to miss a class or deadline, please contact me before the missed class or deadline – or as soon as possible afterward in the case of an emergency – to make other arrangements. Some absences may be excused according to West Texas A&M University policy, but still must be cleared in advance. It is your responsibility to remind me of such absences. Course Assignment, Examination, and or Project Policies Team-based learning model: Team-based learning allows students to engage in communication at all levels – interpersonal, group, and public, as well as via written, oral, and mediated communication modalities. The ability to work in teams is a vital skill required in business and employment of all kinds. Given the topic of this course, this semester, we will put this in to practice by using a team-based learning model within this class. Team-based learning will also give you an opportunity to engage regularly with a smaller group of people, for a greater sense of community. This is a flipped classroom model, which minimizes the amount of time you spend listening to me lecture, and maximizes your active learning time. It will be very important that you come to class having read the assigned material and/or completed assigned activities. You will be assigned to a working team of approx. 6 to 7 people by Sept. 4; you will work with this team throughout the semester to complete discussions, assignments, and activities. There will be time allowed during class for some team work, and teams will be given group space to collaborate in WTClass. We will conduct a check-in around the semester mid-point, and may make adjustments to the implementation of this model within the class as needed at that time.

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Participation (200 points): This individual grade will be based on attendance, participation in class, and one-off exercises during the semester. Such exercises will either be conducted in class or assigned as take-home work. They will be graded on a “+” scale (i.e. +, , -, -), and will be intended to provide you opportunity for practice and more individualized feedback on your communication skills. Individual Readiness Assessment Tests (iRAT) (5, 30 points apiece): These quizzes, based on the assigned readings, are offered at the beginning of each unit to demonstrate student preparedness to actively participate in the upcoming unit activities. In other words, you will need to plan ahead on your reading using the schedule provided in this syllabus. These may be completed in class on paper or via WTClass depending on our needs during that unit. See the schedule included in this syllabus for dates. Team Readiness Assessment Tests (tRAT) (5, 30 points apiece): These cover the same information as the individual tests, but are completed as a team during class. After the test is graded, teams will be offered a chance to seek grade adjustments on specific test items in writing. If a grade challenge is desired by the team, the team must together compose a 1-page memo in proper memo format (see example on WTClass). This memo must specifically indicate 1) which test item(s) are being contested, 2) which answer(s) the team feels deserve credit instead, and 3) why this answer deserves credit. These memos should use proper writing and effective persuasive techniques, and must be submitted by the following class period. Only team test scores, not individual test scores, may be considered for grade adjustments. Grade adjustments are not guaranteed – e.g., there may only be one right answer. Team Projects (3, 100 points each)

Discussion Leadership: Each team will lead about 45 minutes of one class session, to consist of a mini-lecture and activities to enhance that week’s course material. Teams will meet with me to receive approval of their materials. This assignment will be graded on instructor assessment of group work, peer and self evaluation. Instructions and rubrics will be provided via WTClass. See calendar for the planned available dates, which are spread throughout the semester.

Team Business Culture Case Report: Teams will prepare a written report analyzing the diversity and culture of a business, and discuss the importance and relevance of communication within that organizational culture. Teams will also consider a question of ethics related to effective communication. This assignment will be graded on instructor assessment of group work, peer and self evaluation. Instructions and rubrics will be provided via WTClass.

Team Business Communication Problem Case Report: Teams will prepare a written report analyzing a current event related to negative or crisis communication and provide a description of best next steps. The instructor will provide a list of topics, and multiple teams will tackle each topic. Teams will orally present these reports and their solutions to the class in the final week of the semester, and the best solutions will be voten on by the class. This assignment will be graded on instructor assessment of group work, peer and self evaluation. Instructions and rubrics will be provided via WTClass.

Individual College to Career Portfolio (200 points): This individual assignment will include a 2-page memo outlining your 5-year plan, a resume, LinkedIn profile, and an audio recorded elevator pitch. Instructions and rubrics will be provided via WTClass. This assignment is due by 9 a.m. Dec. 11. Up to 15 points of extra credit may be earned on this assignment by submitting it by 11:59 p.m. Dec. 4.

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Course Topics - Tentative Calendar of Readings, Topics, and Due Dates

Week Date Topic Due Notes

1 8/26 Intro to Business Communication

8/28 Intro to Business Communication, cont.

Read whole class syllabus Pre-assessment in class

Unit 1 – BUILDING BLOCKS FOR EFFECTIVE BUSINESS COMMUNICATION

2 9/2 NO CLASS – LABOR DAY

9/4 Intro to Team-based learning & Group Problem-Solving Teams assigned in class

In-class practice iRATs, tRATs covering BCS Chs. 1 & 2.3, 2.6, 2.7, 2.8, 19.4

Sign up for team discussion lead dates

3 9/9 Understanding Your Audience Graded iRAT, tRAT #1 covering BCS Chs. 3, 4.3-4.7, 5.3 – 5.5, 6

9/11 Audience, cont.

4 9/16 The Writing Process Graded iRAT, tRAT # 2 covering BCS Chs. 5.3 – 5.5, 6

9/18 Process, cont. Discussion Lead 1

5 9/23 Business Writing in Action

9/25 Writing in Action, cont. Discussion Lead 2 [25 points extra credit opportunity: Career Expo 9/26 – see WTClass]

Unit 2 – CULTURAL ASPECTS OF BUSINESS COMMUNICATION

6 9/30 Nonverbal Communication Graded iRAT, tRAT #3 covering BCS Chs. 11, 18, reading TBD in WTClass

10/2 Nonverbal, cont. Discussion Lead 3

7 10/7 Intercultural & International Comm.

10/9 Intercultural, cont. Discussion Lead 4

8 10/14 Visual Communication Last chance for 15 points e.c. - office hours visit, see WTClass

10/16 Visual, cont. Team Business Culture Case Report due 5 p.m. 10/16 to WTClass.

Discussion Lead 5

Unit 3 – EFFECTIVE BUSINESS COMMUNICATION IN ACTION

9 10/21 Negative News & Crisis Communication

Graded iRAT, tRAT #4 covering BCS Chs. 17; 12; 13.6-13.7; 14.2-14.3, 14.7; 15.4-15.5, 15.10

10/23 Negative News, cont. Discussion Lead 6

10 10/28 Developing Business Presentations

10/30 Developing, cont. Discussion Lead 7

11 11/4 Presentations in Action

11/6 Presentations, cont. Discussion Lead 8

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Week Date Topic Due Notes

Unit 4 – FROM COLLEGE TO CAREER

12 11/11 From Student to Professional – Planning a Career Trajectory

Graded iRAT, tRAT #5 covering BSC Chs. 16, C2C Chs. 2, 5-7

11/13 Trajectory, cont. – Guest Speaker?

Discussion Lead 9

13 11/18 Effective Job Documents [25 pts. extra credit opportunity: book review memo of C2C – see WTClass]

11/20 Dr. Huntington at conference – Job Documents (cover letters) continued on WTClass

Complete post-assessment online

14 11/25 Interviewing Tips Discussion Lead 10

11/27 NO CLASS – THANKSGIVING BREAK

15 12/2 Group Case Presentations

12/4 Group Case Presentations Team Bus. Comm. Issue Case Reports due 5 p.m. 12/4 to WTClass

16 12/11 C2C Portfolios due 9 a.m. 12/11

Other important dates: Last day to add 8/29; last day to drop 9/11; midterm grades due 5 p.m. 10/18; last day to withdraw (grade of X) 10/31

This schedule is subject to change at the instructor’s discretion. For readings, BCS = Business Communication for Success, C2C = Getting from College to Career. Additional Course Policies Attendance: Participation and attendance are important elements of this course. You are expected to participate in class discussions about the material, so come ready to talk about these ideas and to share questions you might have. Chances are if you’re curious or confused about something, someone else in the class is too! As this is a 1000-level class, you are expected to arrive to class on time and to swipe in with your student ID. You should plan to remain present for the entire class period. Excessive tardiness or leaving class early (10 minutes late or leaving early) without prior communication with me may be counted as an absence. Attendance will be considered in your participation grade. Some absences may be excused per WTAMU policy – e.g. for sports or other university-related activity. It is the students’ responsibility to contact me about such absences.

Classroom Decorum: Because this is a business communication class, you will be expected to practice best communication practices, including engaging in active listening during class lecture and discussions. You should treat the classroom as a professional working space and consider your classmates as colleagues – which they will be, in this team-based learning model. Class discussions should be respectful of others’ thoughts and opinions to foster a positive learning environment. Disagreement is acceptable, but disrespect (name calling, personal attack, etc.) is not. If you

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need to step out of class briefly to take care of personal needs before returning, that is acceptable; please be courteous to minimize disruption as you leave and re-enter the classroom. If you must leave class early, please sit toward the back of the room and leave quietly, taking care not to disrupt the learning environment for those around you. See also the COB’s Acceptable Student Behavior policy later in this syllabus. Personal Technology Use: Please silence your phone before class. We will often use phones, laptops, and/or tablets during activities and group work periods of our class time together. Please refrain from using your personal technology during lecture portions of the class in a manner that is distracting to me or to your peers. Any technology use that becomes distracting to others in the class, including to me, may result in loss of technology privileges for the remainder of class or the semester.

Course Communication: Be sure to turn on notifications for messages in WTClass, and to check your Buff email account regularly. I often send important class messages via the announcement feature in WTClass. If you have a question about a course policy or an assignment, I am happy to help. Be sure to first read the syllabus and the assignment instructions, as the answer may be there. I will do my best to respond within 24 hours to messages received during business hours on weekdays. If you do not get a response to your message after 24 hours on a weekday, you may send me a polite reminder. It will take me longer to respond to messages received on weekends or in the evening hours, so plan ahead when working on assignments. My door is open during the posted office hours -- please come by with questions or just to chat! Proper Forms of Address: In keeping with the practice of effective business communication, appropriate communication protocol will be enforced in all class contexts. Email or other communications with the professor and other students should follow the guidelines for effective messages as taught within the course. This includes using the proper form of address for me and correct spelling of my name (Dr. Huntington or Prof. Huntington). I reserve the right to not respond to emails and messages that do not use my proper form of address or name spelling. In turn, please let me know if you use a different name than that provided in the official class roster so that I may use the correct one. You may also alert me to your pronouns; email is fine.

Extra credit: Five extra credit opportunities worth up to 85 points are described throughout this syllabus (look carefully!), and where indicated, more detail will be provided in WTClass. Other opportunities may be offered throughout the semester at my discretion. Each extra credit assignment is due by the date listed in this syllabus and/or WTClass. Any extra credit opportunities will be equally available to all students.

WTAMU Paul and Virginia Engler COB Student Code of Ethics Each student enrolled in COB courses accepts personal responsibility to uphold and defend academic integrity and to promote an atmosphere in which all individuals may flourish. The COB Student Code of Ethics strives to set a standard of honest behavior that reflects well on students, the COB and West Texas A&M University. All students enrolled in business courses are expected to follow the explicit behaviors detailed in the Student Code of Ethics.

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Code of Ethics

Do not use notes, texts, solution manuals, or other aids for a quiz or exam without instructor authorization.

Do not copy the work of others and/or allow others to view your answers or copy your work during a quiz, exam, or on homework assignments.

Do not allow other parties to assist in the completion of your quiz, exam, homework, paper, or project when not permitted.

Do not work with other students on projects or assignments without authorization from the course instructor.

Properly cite and specifically credit the source of text, graphic, and web materials in papers, projects, or other assignments.

Do not forge the signature of an instructor, advisor, dean, or another student.

Provide truthful information for class absences when asking faculty for excused absences or for a make-up for a quiz, exam, or homework.

Provide truthful information on your resume including work history, academic performance, leadership activities, and membership in student organizations.

Respect the property, personal rights, and learning environment of all members of the academic community.

Live up to the highest ethical standards in all academic and professional endeavors.

Students violating the Student Code of Ethics will be reported to the Dean’s office and are subject to penalties described in the West Texas A&M University Code of Student Life, which may include suspension from the University. In addition, a violator of the Student Code of Ethics may become ineligible for participation in student organizations sponsored by the COB and for recognition for College academic honors, awards, and scholarships. COB Student Resources Link The COB has developed a Student Resources repository (e.g., APA writing style information, business core reviews, facilities, and other helpful supplements), which can be found on the COB Website. Additionally, WTAMU has developed an Academic Study Skills information site to assist students (e.g., study habits, supplemental instruction, tutoring, writing and math skills), which can be found on the WTAMU Website. For WTAMU Writing Center information (for students needing writing assistance, guidance, and feedback), please visit their website. COB Communications Component The Paul and Virginia Engler College of Business Communication Component requires students to demonstrate knowledge of communication skills. The COB communications component is a requirement in the following courses: ACCT 4373 (Accounting Communications), BUSI 1304 (Business Communication), BUSI 3320 (Digital Collaboration and Communication), BUSI 4333 (Cross-Cultural Issues in Business Communications), BUSI 4350 (Current Issues in Management Communications), BUSI 4375 (Healthcare Communication), BUSI 4380 (Conflict Resolution and Negotiation), BUSI 4382 (Emerging Media Law), CIDM 3320 (Digital Collaboration and Communication), ECON 4370 (Economics of Health Care), FIN 3350 (Personal Financial Planning), FIN 4320

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(Investments), FIN 4321 (Portfolio Theory), MGT 3335 (Organizational Behavior), MGT 4380 (Conflict Resolution and Negotiation), or MKT 3342 (Consumer Behavior). Student Travel Opportunities In multiple business courses, there may be opportunities for student travel supplemented by student fees. If you have an interest in such opportunities as they become available, please notify a faculty member. Dropping/Repeating the Course Should a student decide to drop the course, it is the student’s responsibility to be aware of the final drop dates and adhere to the WTAMU Add/Drop policy. Any student participating in the course after the WTAMU posted drop date will be considered active and a grade will be administered at the end of the course for that student. Students are charged a fee for any course attempted for a third or subsequent time at WTAMU other than a non-degree credit developmental course or exempted courses. Scholastic Dishonesty It is the responsibility of students and instructors to help maintain scholastic integrity at the University by refusing to participate in or tolerate scholastic dishonesty. Commission of any of the following acts shall constitute scholastic dishonesty. This listing is not exclusive of any other acts that may reasonably be said to constitute scholastic dishonesty: acquiring or providing information for any assigned work or examination from any unauthorized source; informing any person or persons of the contents of any examination prior to the time the examination is given in subsequent sections of the course or as a makeup; plagiarism; submission of a paper or project that is substantially the same for two courses unless expressly authorized by the instructor to do so; submission of a paper or project prepared by another student as your own. You are responsible for being familiar with the University's Academic Integrity Code, as well as the COB Student Code of Ethics listed in this document. Academic Integrity All work must be completed individually unless otherwise stated. Commission of any of the following acts shall constitute scholastic dishonesty: acquiring or providing information for any assigned work or examination from any unauthorized source; informing any person or persons of the contents of any examination prior to the time the exam is given in any subsequent sections of the course or as a makeup; plagiarism; submission of a paper or project that is substantially the same for two courses unless expressly authorized by the instructor to do so. For more information, see the Code of Student Life.

Viewpoints/External Websites Disclaimer The views expressed in this document, web-based course materials, and/or classroom presentations and discussions are those of the professor and do not necessarily represent the views of West Texas A&M University, its faculty and staff, or its students. Views expressed by students are likewise those of the person making such statements. It is understood and expected that each individual within this course will respect and allow individual difference of opinion.

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Neither the professor, the COB, nor WTAMU are responsible for the content of external websites discussed in the classroom and/or linked to via online course materials, emails, message boards, or other means. Referred websites are for illustrative purposes only, and are neither warranted nor endorsed by the professor, COB, or WTAMU. Web pages change frequently, as does domain name ownership. While every effort is made to ensure proper referencing, it is possible that students may on occasion find materials to be objectionable for reasons beyond our control. Acceptable Student Behavior Classroom behavior should not interfere with the instructor’s ability to conduct the class or the ability of other students to learn from the instructional program (Code of Student Life). Unacceptable or disruptive behavior will not be tolerated. Students engaging in unacceptable behavior may be instructed to leave the classroom. Inappropriate behavior may result in disciplinary action or referral to the University’s Behavioral Intervention Team. This prohibition applies to all instructional forums, including electronic, classroom, labs, discussion groups, field trips, etc. Technology Requirements All technological requirements for the successful completion of this course are the responsibility of the student, including access to a working computer and or to a device with secure broadband Internet connection, data storage and retrieval, and state-of-the-art security. The student is responsible for all technological problems not related to WTAMU, including but not limited to equipment failures, power outages, and Internet breakdowns. Furthermore, students are responsible for all necessary technical and operational skills for completing this course, and for being familiar with WTClass (the Blackboard Learning System) both in a general sense and in a specific sense as pertaining to this course and any materials stored within. The professor is not responsible for any technical matters related to WTClass. Students must contact WTClass if they have problems accessing and/or using the WTClass environment. Physical or Educational Access - ADA Statement West Texas A&M University seeks to provide reasonable accommodations for all qualified persons with disabilities. This University will adhere to all applicable federal, state, and local laws, regulations, and guidelines with respect to providing reasonable accommodations as required to afford equal educational opportunity. It is the student's responsibility to register with Student Disability Services (SDS) and to contact faculty members in a timely fashion to arrange for suitable accommodations. Contact Information: Student Success Center, CC 106; phone 806-651-2335. Title IX Statement West Texas A&M University is committed to providing a learning, working, and living environment that promotes personal integrity, civility, and mutual respect in an environment free of sexual misconduct and discrimination. Title IX makes it clear that violence and harassment based on sex and gender are Civil Rights offenses subject to the same kinds of accountability and the same

kinds of support applied to offenses against other protected categories such as race, national origin, etc. Harassment is not acceptable. If you or someone you know has been harassed or assaulted, you can find the appropriate resources here:

WTAMU Title IX Coordinator Richard Webb – Kilgore Research Center 147, or call

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806.651.3199

WTAMU Counseling Services – Classroom Center 116, or call 806.651.2340

WTAMU Police Department – 806.651.2300, or dial 911

24-hour Crisis Hotline – 800.273.8255, or 806.359.6699, or 800.692.4039

Visit the Notalone website For more information, see the Code of Student Life.

WT Attendance Policy for Core Curriculum Classes For the purposes of learning assessment and strategic planning, all students enrolled in Core Curriculum or developmental courses at West Texas A&M University must swipe their Buff Gold cards through the card reader installed in the classroom/lab for each class/lab meeting. Evacuation Statement If you receive notice to evacuate the building, please evacuate promptly but in an orderly manner. Evacuation routes are posted in various locations indicating all exits, outside assemble area, location of fire extinguishers, fire alarm pull stations and emergency telephone numbers (651.5000 or 911). In the event an evacuation is necessary; evacuate immediately do not use elevators; take all personal belongings with you; report to outside assembly area and wait for further information; students needing assistance in the evacuation process should bring this to the attention of the instructor at the beginning of the semester. Copyright All original content in this document, all web-based course materials (be they text, audio, and/or video), and/or classroom presentations are subject to copyright provisions. No distribution without the express written consent of the author. Students are prohibited from selling (or being paid for taking) notes during this course to or by any person or commercial firm without the express written permission of the professor.

* Syllabus template approved by COB Curriculum Committee May 2019. Annual review of the syllabus is a formal part of the COB continuous improvement process.