Assignments and Grading

Course Assignments and Weight

Assignment Format

All major assignments in this class must be typed and submitted in a Word document. Pages files are not accepted. Your assignments should be:

• Typed using a one-inch margin (1.25 inches is also acceptable because it is the default setting)
• Typed using a 12-point, non-script font (i.e. Times New Roman, Arial, Tahoma)
• Note cards can be handwritten
• Double-spaced (except for formal outlines, which should be single spaced)

*Assignments that do not conform to these expectations will not be accepted.

Resume, Application Letter and Mock Job Interviews
(100 points)

OBJECTIVE:

To complete a resume and job application letter and participate in mock interviews of your classmates, and by your classmates. You should find an open position (online or for which you are currently qualified, and customize the resume and letter to that particular job.

Your resume should include the following parts:

1. Name, personal information (can omit real address, but put in fake address)
2. Education information in reverse chronological order
3. Work experience in reverse chronological order
4. Another section with other pertinent information (skills, certifications, volunteering etc.)

Your application letter should include the following parts:

1. Name, personal information (can omit address, but put in fake address)
2. Date, Employer address and greeting
3. Paragraph with explanation of where you found the position and what you’re applying for
4. Paragraph explaining how you fit the position
5. Paragraph regarding follow-up intentions
6. Closing and signature plus typed name

What you should turn into the Blackboard Assignment on the assignment due date:

1. Application letter in a Word document or pdf file (15 points)
2. Resume in a Word document or pdf file (50 points)
3. Job posting you found (not graded, but for the information of your classmates)

To prepare and complete the Mock Interview components:

1. Practice interviewing on video in Big Interview. Go to https://austincc.biginterview.com/ and register for an account. Once you're in the site, click on Interviews, then Interview Assignments, and enter assignment code: ebb202   This is only for your practice, and will count only as a completion grade. I will not be viewing every practice interview nor giving individual feedback on these. You can also practice interviewing in specific industry jobs outside of this assignment. This is a wonderful tool! (10 points completion)
2. Do a mock interview virtually on the Zoom date (interviewee and interview panel of your fellow students) (25 points)

What you should turn into the Blackboard Assignment for Mock Interview evals after the interviews on the assignment due date:

1. Peer evaluations for each interviewee in your group and turn into The Mock Interview: Peer Evaluation Assignment (on the Assignments page below this one) either scanned as pdfs, typed into Word, or submitted as photos (jpg files) (-10 points if not submitted on interview date)

Career Research Interview Assignment
(125 points)

OBJECTIVE:

To learn how to use your newly acquired interviewing skills in an information-gathering interview. It should be an interview with someone who is in a career field you want to potentially enter. This is not an employment interview. You may interview one source or more. You will turn in the list of your customized-to-the-interviewee interview questions, an essay describing your experience, and discuss with the class your findings, and about your experience interviewing. Use vocabulary and concepts from the text in the paper to analyze your interview, and be sure to bold/underline these terms in your paper to receive credit for them. Your paper should be double-spaced, 3-5 pages, and should cite sources. If you can, it would benefit you to tape your interview, and listen to it afterward, using quotes from it within your paper.

Your paper should include the following parts:

1. Summary of the topic and the interview. (1 page)
2. What were the strengths of your interview? (1-2 pages)
3. How could you improve your interviewing skills? (1-2 pages)
4. What did you learn about interviewing? (1/2 page)
5. Include at least five vocabulary terms from your textbook, explained and analyzed within the context of your paper, and underlined and bolded in your paper (they can be anywhere in your paper)

What you should turn into the Blackboard Assignment prior to class on the assignment due date:

1. Your customized list of 10-20 questions in a Word document or pdf file (25 points)
2. Your paper in a 12-point font, double spaced Word document or pdf file (analysis of the interview) (100 points)

Group Meeting Activity – Problem Solving Activity in Zoom class
(100 points)

Your group communication assignment will be to conduct a problem solving group during the designated Zoom meeting. Your meeting notes may be typed or hand-written for this assignment. There will be four groups that do this assignment. Each group will have 25-30 minutes to discuss the problem, and come up with possible solutions. You should use the entire time to discuss the problem and probable solutions. You need to use the reasonable decision-making process we will discuss in class.

Deliverables:

You will turn into the Blackboard Assignment prior to class on the assignment due date:

      BEFORE MEETING:

1. Leader turns in typed Agenda including group roles in a Word document or pdf file. Follow sample agenda. (5 points)

DURING MEETING:

1. Group roles have been assigned, and members introduce themselves and their roles at the beginning of meeting. (5 points)
2. Group communication follows Dewey’s Reflective Thinking Process, using each of the six modified steps in the rubric: Define the problem, Analyze the problem, Brainstorm, Evaluate ideas/solutions, Discuss logic of implementation, Agree to follow-up. Group also uses the modified nominal group brainstorming technique (silent, individual brainstorming, then round robin sharing of one idea per person at a time with NO judging). (40 points)
3. Individual communication reflects the following: Communicates with multiple group members, Respectful and collegial, responds appropriately, Participates in all steps, Contributes equally without dominating conversation, Encourages others to speak up, Clearly states ideas. (40 points)

AFTER MEETING:

1.  Meeting notes including solution(s) for the problem as well as goals in a Word document or pdf file. This may be handwritten and turned in as a jpg as well. (10 points)

Special Occasion Presentation
(75 points)

OBJECTIVE:

To give OR accept an award for an achievement in business. It could be for someone’s retirement, for length of service in years, for an award they received, for a plaque at the chamber luncheon, etc. The speech should be 2-3 minutes in length. Adhere to the guidelines in the text for special occasion speeches.

What you should turn into the Blackboard Assignment prior to class on the assignment due date:

1. Note cards in a jpg file format or inserted as photos into a Word document. Note cards should be: written on actual index cards, be numbered at top right, have writing only on one side, and have key phrases only (bullet points).
2. You can choose to attend the live Zoom with me and your classmates, OR you can choose to record this presentation with an audience of at least five humans. You choose how to record (i.e. Zoom, Vidgrid, Vimeo, Google Drive, etc.), and provide the link in the assignment comments. Make sure I have a link that is accessible without having to log into any site (get a public URL or unlisted site sharing link). Speech recording must have audio and video to be eligible for a grade. Five audience members are required. Each missing audience member not shown on video is minus 10 percent. Audience members can be virtually attending, live in the room, or a combination. The instructor MUST be able to see the audience members in the submitted video in order for them to count.

Group Persuasive Presentations
(175 points)

OBJECTIVE:

To learn how to work within the small group or Team concept being used in many corporations today. Learning how to resolve problems and conflicts, developing solid and reasonable solutions, learning active leadership qualities and developing group presentational skills.

Class will be divided into groups. The instructor will provide a sign-up, but if a student does not sign up there, then the instructor will assign students to groups. EXCEPTION: A student who has not submitted the previous major assignment or who has not logged into the class or completed any work in the previous two weeks will not be assigned to a group and will need to contact the instructor immediately. Each group will create their own company, determine roles within that company and develop a product for or isolate a problem within the company using brainstorming and small group communication skills learned in class.

Choose ONE of the following as your presentation topic:

1. The group develops a product, and is responsible for creating a name for the product, being able to explain WHY the company needs to development of this product, WHAT and WHO this product is being developed for, HOW this product will be developed, marketed to the public, beneficial to consumers and beneficial to the company, WHEN the product will come online using the presentation skills learned through the class.
2. The group solves a problem within a company, such as workplace bullying, sexual harassment, tardiness, professional dress, etc. Present a solution for the problem to the company leaders as a pitch for them to implement it.

CRITERIA FOR EACH GROUP:

1. Each member of the group will give an oral presentation pertaining to one aspect of the product, service or problem. They will be graded on organization, use of support material, use of visual aids, presentational skills, and use of appropriate time and overall effectiveness within the GROUP presentation. Each member of the group will give the Group Leader a typed outline of their presentation.

2. Each individual presentation within the group must have a minimum of TWO supporting sources with citations and use a minimum of one Visual or Audio Aid.

3. Each GROUP PRESENTATION must use a MINIMUM OF 3 MINUTES PER PERSON AND NOT EXCEED 5 MINUTES PER PERSON. The group leader will make sure that each individual presentation is equitable (i.e. that the total amount of time is divided equally among the group members) and that the time limit requirement is met. Q&A session follows the presentation, and each group member should respond to at least one question. Q&A is not to exceed five minutes. This is in addition to the presentation time.

4. All members must contribute to the group within three days of group assignment in the Discussion Board in Blackboard. If any group feels that a member is not contributing his/her share to the group, whether through absences, misuse of group work time (i.e. talking, arguing, being disruptive) or not completing or refusing to do the assigned task(s), then that member of the group may be fired. Once fired, the individual will not be allowed to rejoin the group. All groups must talk with the instructor before firing an individual. ONCE GROUPS are assigned, members must communicate within three days or are at risk of automatic firing.

 5. IF YOU ARE FIRED FROM THE GROUP, your final presentation will consist of a 10-minute persuasive presentation with a minimum of 6 cited sources and not less than three visual or audio aids. The assignment will receive an automatic deduction of 30% of possible points earned. The topic of the final persuasive presentation will be instructor’s choice.

6. Each group will select a Group Leader who will lead the meetings, organize and divide the group into the different areas of discussion and keep track of individual group members’ progress of their presentations. The Group Leader is also responsible for maintaining a positive working atmosphere within the group and to alert the instructor of any problems or conflicts that the group cannot resolve.

7. Each group will select a Recorder who will keep a written record of each group meeting. The

Recorder should date each entry and take a written roll of each member present at each meeting. The Recorder will take notes on everything that is discussed during each meeting. They should list all ideas generated during the Brainstorming session, writing down the reasons why each idea was rejected or accepted by the group. The Recorder is responsible for the collection of the individual outlines and any other written or printed material that is to be placed into the Group Notebook that is to be turned into the Instructor on the day of the presentation. This includes all roll sheets and minutes of each meeting.

8. Groups will be assigned days for their presentations. If there is any reason why your group cannot present on the assigned day, talk to the instructor immediately. All members of the class are expected to attend class during these presentations. You are the company or potential consumers. These presentations are being given at your request! Failure to attend these presentations will result in a 50-point reduction of your presentation grade.

What leader should turn into the Blackboard Assignment prior to class on the assignment due date:

1. Meeting minutes will be graded directly from the online discussion OR can be turned in via a Word document or pdf file
2. Speech outline in Word document or pdf file (must follow the template provided)
3. PowerPoint presentation

What each individual group member should turn into the Blackboard Assignment prior to class on the assignment due date:

1. Peer evaluation forms for each member of all other group members in Word document or pdf file – You must fill this out prior to the presentation. Evaluation is on group work up to presentation time.
2. Note cards – numbered in Word document, pdf file, or jpg photo (one photo of all of an individual’s cards together)

Exams (3 exams at 75 points each)

Each exam will have 50 multiple choice questions. You will complete these online, and within 90 minutes. Once you log into the test, you must complete it in one sitting. You may not leave and come back to it later. The time will keep running. Feel free to use your book to complete the exams.

Discussions (8 discussions at 25 points each)

Students will hold discussions each module, answering the discussion prompt with one to two paragraphs, and then reply to two other students, adding to the discussion for full credit. Be sure to have at least a paragraph of at least five sentences in all responses, and reference the concepts we are learning. Cite when necessary. You should have at least three posts per discussion week for the 25 points. Discussions will not be accepted late. The initial posts are due by Thursday of the last week of the discussion module. Replies are due by the end of the module’s discussion. Discussion posts are required to be made throughout the week, and will not receive full credit if all posts are made on one day. The essence of online discussions is that you are in the course multiple times during a module. Thus, discussions need to be ongoing on multiple days during a module. Read the directions on each discussion. Some discussions require additional posts for full credit.

Grading Policy/Schema

If you have concerns regarding a grade given on an assignment, consider waiting 24 hours before contacting me. During that time, encourage please review the assignment and grading criteria, contemplate the feedback given on the work, and then contact me if you still have questions about the grade given on the assignment. Don’t wait too long however. Grades are only open for discussion for a period of two weeks after the due date, whether you were present that day or not.  Please track your points/grade throughout the semester.

Assignment Points Tracking Table

Course Textbook & Supplies

Communicating at Work, 13th ed., by Adler, Maresh-Fuehrer, Elmhorst, and Lucas ISBN 9781265055738

This course is designated First Day Access, which means your book is available directly from Blackboard.

• Computer access for Blackboard (Bb) quizzes and word processing.
• Note cards (3x5 or 4x6).

Course Calendar

(Tentative, and Subject to Change) Please note that schedule changes may occur during the semester. Any changes will be announced in class and/or posted as a Blackboard Announcement and sent as an email.

General Education Outcomes

Communication Skills

Develop, interpret, and express ideas and information through written, oral and visual communication that is adapted to purpose, structure, audience, and medium.

Critical Thinking Skills

Gather, analyze, synthesize, evaluate and apply information for the purposes of innovation, inquiry, and creative thinking.

Personal Responsibility

Identify and apply ethical principles and practices to decision-making by connecting choices, actions and consequences.

Social Responsibility (Civic and Cultural Awareness)

Analyze differences and commonalities among peoples, ideas, aesthetic traditions, and cultural practices to include intercultural competence, knowledge of civic responsibility, and the ability to engage effectively in regional, national, and global communities.

Teamwork

Consider different points of view to work collaboratively and effectively in pursuit of a shared purpose or goal.

Student Learning Outcomes

• Demonstrate written and oral competencies related to job searches, interviewing, and performance appraisals
• Identify and/or demonstrate oral competencies related to professional interaction, ethics, and conflict management
• Recognize and evaluate the dynamics of leadership and membership in workplace groups and teams
• Utilize various communication technologies competently in professional settings
• Identify and design strategies to facilitate effective meetings
• Identify the cultural dimensions influencing communication competence within a diverse workplace
• Recall strategies to improve interpersonal relationships in the workplace
• Create and deliver a professional business presentation including a question/answer session
• Demonstrate communication competence and critical thinking through an understanding of the foundational communication models.

Course Skill Levels

In accordance with H.B. 2183, students who enroll for ACC Speech courses are expected to demonstrate competent English speaking and listening skills:

“Competence in speaking is the ability to communicate orally in clear, coherent, and persuasive language appropriate to purpose, occasion and audience.”

“Listening at the college level means the ability to analyze and interpret various forms of spoken communication.”