CAWT-116 - Business Communications - Renée Hall

Course:	Business Communications
Professor:	Renée Hall
Email:	renee.hall@canyons.edu
Format:	Online
Course Length:	Applies to All Course Lengths

Introduction

Welcome to the winter 2020 online section of Business Communications! Get ready for the glorious world of online learning, where the classroom is virtual, but the learning is real.

My name is Renée Hall and it will be my privilege to teach and learn from you as we strive to become better communicators.

Course Description

CAWT 116 is a streamlined approach to business communication. You will learn basic writing skills and about the writing process. You will apply these skills to e-mails, memos, letters, reports, and résumés. You will learn concrete techniques for communicating effectively in many different workplace scenarios.

What to Expect in this Course

Online learning can be an incredibly rewarding and exciting adventure. It provides flexibility and an opportunity for students who might not otherwise be able to take advantage of a college curriculum. However, you need to decide if the online format of this course is the best learning environment for you. This is a very important decision and one that only you can make. Perhaps some facts will help you make an informed decision.

Fact 1: This course requires a significant time commitment:

You will have 5 weeks from the start date to complete ALL coursework. Winter Intercession classes cover the same 16 weeks of course content as regular semester-length classes.
You should plan to spend at LEAST 18 hours per week studying and completing assignments for this class. Successful college-level work requires at least 3 hours of homework per course credit. This translates to at least 9 hours per week for a regular semester-length, 3-credit course, or 18 hours per week for a Winter Intercession, 3-credit course.
You will need to read and digest 3 NEW chapters each week.
You will need to complete between 11 and 16 assignments each week IN ADDITION to reading the chapter.
You will need to stay active in the course and communicate regularly with your peers and instructor.
You will need to check your College of the Canyons email account daily.

Fact 2: You will need to have daily access to a computer with a reliable internet connection (high-speed cable broadband or DSL is recommended, 56Kbps is the minimum) and be confident about your ability to complete the following tasks on your computer:

Research topics on the Internet
Download and copy files from a website (I use Canvas)
Upload and submit files to the online course site (Canvas)
Create, save, edit, name, and rename files and documents
Cut, copy, and paste text
Use the spell-check and grammar-check tools of a word processing program
Save text files as an Adobe pdf file or Microsoft® Word compatible (PC version)
Open, save, and print Adobe pdf files (free Adobe Reader plug-in)

Fact 3: Research shows that students who do well in online college courses tend to share the following qualities:

They enjoy reading and successfully relate reading material to personal and practical experiences.
They are self-motivated and willing to accept responsibility for their own learning.
They are detail-oriented and adept at following written directions.
They are comfortable asking for clarification and willing to initiate the communication required to be successful.
They are organized and able to budget their time effectively.
They are patient and do not need immediate feedback.

If you decide that your best learning environment is a face-to-face or semester-length class, I hope to meet you in the very near future. College of the Canyons offers several sections of Business Communications every semester.

If, however, you are highly motivated to learn and committed to the rigorous schedule of intercession, then I welcome you to the winter intercession section of CAWT 116. Please read this entire document and obtain the course materials it labels as “required” BEFORE the class begins. Understanding more about how THIS online course is designed and what THIS online course requires will help you get off to a strong start.

Types of Assessments

This course is 100% online.
There are NO face-to-face classroom meetings.
View and access all assignments via the Canvas course site.
Access and complete all exams via the Canvas course site.

Textbook Information

Textbook: Essentials of Business Communication Essentials of Business Communication 11th edition with MindTap (Digital Platform REQUIRED)

Text is sold in digital and printed formats and with different digital tools or bundles and is included in the NEW Cengage Unlimited
Text: Essentials of Business Communication, 11th Edition with MindTap (Digital Platform REQUIRED)

Authors: Mary Ellen Guffey and Dana Loewy
Publisher: © 2019, Cengage Learning, Inc.

NOTE: If you buy a used book, you will need to buy the MindTap digital platform separately.

Miminum Required Materials

MindTap: Essentials of Business Communication, 11th Edition [includes eChapters of text]
Dependable Internet access (high-speed cable broadband or DSL recommended)
Active College of the Canyons student e-mail account (DAILY login required)

Other Relevant Course Information

Accessing Canvas

Canvas Course Website: https://coc.instructure.com/
All students are issued a Canvas account once enrollment fees for the class are paid.
Canvas accounts are automated: Complete registration for the course starts the process.
Canvas accounts take 1 to 3 business days after registration fees have been pad and recorded.
Your Canvas login is your MyCanyons username & password
Students should log in to Canvas at least once per day.

Technical Assistance

The online education department’s home page: https://www.canyons.edu/academics/onlineeducation/
The Online Education's online readiness materials can help you prepare for online learning: https://www.canyons.edu/academics/onlineeducation/online/index.php
To help you prepare for online learning, College of the Canyons offers a free, self-paced online course called QUEST: https://coc.instructure.com/enroll/EJ3DX3
Online Canvas Tutorials http://guides.instructure.com/m/4210/c/56054

I look forward to meeting you online and I hope you find the course an enjoyable and worthwhile experience.

Sincerely,

signature

Renée Hall

Adjunct Faculty, CAWT Department

Additional Resources

Canvas

This course can be accessed on the first day of class via Canvas at https://coc.instructure.com. Log into Canvas using your CanyonsID single sign-on:

CanyonsID Username is your COC student email address (Ex: username@my.canyons.edu)
CanyonsID Password is your COC student email password

Please visit the Get to Know Your Online Classroom page for help logging into Canvas and for tips on using Canvas and Zoom. Canvas Chat Support is also available 24/7 for any Canvas related issues.

Online Education

Check out the Online Education website for more information on a variety of topics that can help you be a successful online student such as: exam proctoring, learning styles, computer skills, and tips for student success. If this is your first online course, feel free to take our online learning readiness assessment to assess your skills.

The Learning Center (TLC)

The TLC provides FREE online tutoring resources to COC students!

Academic Accommodation Center (AAC)

College of the Canyons AAC provides educational services and access for eligible students with documented disabilities who intend to pursue coursework at COC. A variety of programs and services are available which afford eligible students with disabilities the opportunity to participate fully in all aspects of the college programs and activities through appropriate and reasonable accommodations. For more information on their services visit the Academic Accomodation Center website.

Online Counseling

The Counseling Department offers appointments online. You can schedule an appointment by visiting the Online Counseling website. Counselors can help you map out a plan to reach your educational goals as well as advise you on course selection and registration.

Management of Stress and Mental Health

Often the pressure on our students is very strong, involving academic commitments, relationships, outside jobs and family pressure to name a few. The staff and faculty of College of the Canyons are here to see you succeed academically and care about your emotional and physical health. You can learn more about the broad range of confidential student services, including counseling and mental health services available on campus by visiting the Student Health & Wellness Center in the Student Services Building (across from the bookstore). The phone number is 661-362-3259 that you can call 24/7. You can also e mail for an appointment at StudentHealthCenter@canyons.edu. At the Canyon Country Campus the Health Center will be in the new Student Services Building.

Also, the National Suicide & Crisis Lifeline number is now 988. All students at COC are encouraged to enter that phone number in their cells. You can call it when you, or someone you know, is having thoughts of suicide or is in severe distress.

You can also now use the Crisis Text Line: Just text "Courage" to 741741. Someone will get back to you immediately. Its free, 24/7, and confidential.

Veterans Resource Center

The College of the Canyons Veterans Resource Center is a department within the Student Services Division at the college, created to help veterans and veteran dependents with applying to College of the Canyons, enrolling in classes, and requesting VA Education or Vocational Benefits. For more information please visit the Veterans Resource Center website, email veterans@canyons.edu or phone (661) 362-3469.

Library

The Library provides live online and in-person research help, access to a full range of e-resources and physical materials that support the curriculum, individual and group study areas, and much more!

Last updated: 10/14/2021 Sub#: 872