Course Syllabus

Syllabus ID: syllabus-69125792aca4

Course Syllabus
Structured Public Version

SPCH 1321-71

Business & Professional Communication
Instructor
Rekieta, Casi
Term
Fall 2026
Department
GEDS
Workflow Status
Published

Instructor Information

Instructor: Dr. Casi Rekieta

Email: rekietacl@lamarpa.edu

Phone: 409-984-6305

Office Hours: By Appointment

Additional Contact Information:

Course 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 Textbook & Materials

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

Textbook Purchasing Statement

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.

Additional Materials/Resources

- 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.

Pre-requisites/Co-requisites

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.

Program Student Learning Outcomes

  • 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

*The instructor reserves the right to change due dates. If changes are made, students will be notified via an announcement in Blackboard. 

WEEK 

ASSIGNMENT 

Unit #1: Introduction to Business Communication 

Week #1  

08/24 to 09/30 

Orientation to Class–Syllabus, Course Calendar, Expectations   What is Business Communication?  Complete “Welcome/Self Introduction” Discussion Post 

Unit #2: Professional Presentations 

Week #2 

08/31 to 09/06 

Developing Your Business Presentation  Researching Your Business Presentation   More About You Assignment (50 pts) 

Week #3 

09/07 to 09/13 

Outlining Your Presentation  Goals After Graduation Paper (50 pts) 

Week #4 

09/14 to 09/20 

Creating a Professional PowerPoint  Delivering Your Presentation 

Week #5 

09/21 to 09/27 

Types of Presentations  Informative Speech (100 pts)  *Informative speeches will be completed virtually by recording your speech in front of an audience of two adults, uploaded to YouTube, and submitted via blackboard. 

Week #6 

09/28 to 10/04 

Public Speaking Online  Informative Speech Reflection (100 pts) 

Unit #3: Professional Written Communication 

Week #7 

10/05 to 10/11 

E-Mail Etiquette  How to Write a Professional Email  Email Assignment (100 pts) 

Week #8 

10/12 to 10/18 

What is a Cover Letter?  How to Write a Cover Letter   Cover Letter Assignment (100 pts) 

 Week #9 

10/19 to 10/25 

What is a Resume?  How to Write a Resume  Resume Assignment (100 pts) 

Unit #4: Getting Started in Your Career 

Week #10 

10/26 to 11/01 

How to Submit Job Applications  How to Interview  Interview Assignment (100 pts) 

Unit #5: Group Communication 

Week #11 

11/02 to 11/08 

 

Intercultural Communication & Conflict Management 

Week #12 

11/09 to 11/15 

Working in a Team  Managing Conflict on the Job   Extra Credit: Conflict Management (15 pts) 

Unit #6: Group Project 

Week #13 

11/16 to 11/22 

Persuasive Speaking  Monroe’s Motivated Sequence  Introduction of Group Project  Group Project Charter (10 pts) 

Week #14 

11/23 to 11/29 

Group Project Work Week  Instructor-Group Meetings (if needed)  *Instructor-Group Meetings will be completed virtually at the time specified in the course module. 

Week #15 

11/30 to 12/06 

Group Project Presentation (190 pts)  *The group project will be completed virtually. You do not have to meet face to face to successfully complete the project.  *Group Projects are due by 11:59 p.m. on Thursday, December 3rd!     

Week #16 

12/07 to 12/09 

Final Exam (100 pts)   *Final exams are due by 11:59 p.m. on Monday, December 7th! 

Final Exam Date

Final exams must be completed by Monday, December 7th.

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%

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.

The use of AI is prohibited.

Students are required to complete a group project which requires students to communicate and collaborate outside of class. Students who do not collaborate with their team will be removed from the group and required to complete the project independently.

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. Emails sent via blackboard will not be answered. You must use your Office 365 email account to contact me.

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.

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 Accessibility Services Coordinator, Room 119, in the Ruby Fuller Building. The phone number is (409) 984-6241.

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.