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CAWT-116 - Business Communications - Dr. Holt

Course:Business Communications
Professor:Dr. Holt
Email:Svetlana.Holt@canyons.edu
Format:
  • Online
Course Length:
  • 16 Week

Introduction

Attention, students on the waiting list: please email me as soon as possible to be added!

Dear Students,

Welcome to CAWT 116 Business Communications! We will be advancing and supporting each other during the upcoming semester, and maybe even beyond.

I am Professor (Dr.) Holt, and I will provide the tools and guidance to help you reach a higher level of erudition and efficiency in your professional communications.

Our class is 100% online. It starts on Monday, the first day of the semester, and completes with the final exam on the last day of class.

All class meetings are asynchronous, but homework is due every week, and deadlines are firm

CAWT 116 is required to obtain the following degrees and certificates offered by the Department of Computer Applications and Web Technologies (CAWT):

  • A.S. Degrees and Certificates of Achievement in Administrative Assistant
  • Certificate of Achievement Medical Office Administrative Assistant

CAWT 116 is required to obtain the following degrees and certificates offered by the Business Department:

YOUR CANVAS CLASS PAGE WILL GO LIVE APPROXIMATELY ONE WEEK BEFORE THE START OF THE SEMESTER.

Course Description

Presents concepts and techniques for developing written and oral communications skills adapted to various business situations, including the organization of information to support conclusions, using appropriate formats and business writing styles while applying conventions of Standard English. Familiarity with computer keyboarding and the Windows operating system is assumed.

What to Expect in this Course

(Week 1 will be slightly different, and you have a "to do" list for it in multiple locations.)

Otherwise, if this is not the week of the Midterm or the Final....

  • Start on Monday or Tuesday by studying the assigned Chapter in the course textbook.
  • Wednesday: Practice "Homework" and "Practice" quizzes in MindTap, the ones which do not count toward your grades. Take notes: they will help you in graded assignments. Check out Model Documents, too. They will help you do a good job in Editing Challenges.
  • Thursday: Complete all "Counts toward Grade" assignments through MindTap. Watch out: they are "open book," but they are not easy! Handle with care! Also take notes -- they will help you on the Midterm. Cengage robots grade these at 11 pm each Sunday. There is no negotiating with robots: if you missed the deadline, your grade for the week will be zero - or whatever you managed to accomplish before 11 pm every Sunday. No exceptions and no begging! Plan ahead for unforeseen disasters -- because they WILL happen when you least need them -- and build in a time cushion in your routine just in case!
  • Friday: Write up your "Critical Thinking" answers and post the file to Assignments. Then copy and paste into Discussions.
  • Friday: Start drafting your Editing Challenge.
  • Saturday: Check out the current topic in "Chat about it" Discussion forum and post your response.
  • Saturday-Sunday: Check out both Discussion Forums and reply to a few posts from your colleagues. Each week you need to post a minimum of 4 replies between the two forums. You are welcome to do a 2-2, 3-1, or 4-0. For Critical Thinking forum, do not forget to post your own work first!
  • Saturday-Sunday: finish up your Editing Challenge and upload to Assignments.

Types of Assessments

Weekly Homework Assignments (see pp. 6-11) 63% of total class grade (Aplia GRADED lab, critical thinking questions, editing challenges, Radical Rewrite, Team video presentation) Midterm exam (Lessons/Chapters 1-7) 11% Final exam (Lessons/Chapters 8-14) 11% Discussion Forums participation 15% (quality and quantity of discussion forums interaction with your peers; at least 4 responses to classmates each week)

Textbook Information

Textbook Title: Essentials of Business Communication by M. Guffey and D. Loewy ISBN 978-1-285-85889-0 (with Premium Website, 1 term (6 months) Printed Access Card), 10th Edition -- WHICH YOU CAN BUY EITHER THROUGH Cengage MICROSITE OR IN YOUR COLLEGE BOOKSTORE

You can use Cengage MindTap without paying for two weeks. After paying (by card or PayPal), you will have the option to purchase or rent a hard copy of the text at a discounted price. However, you do not have to have a hard copy of the textbook: everything you need for the course is available to you electronically for Cengage “All-you-can-learn” 6-month access fee ($129).

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: 09/01/2022 Sub#: 795