Syllabus for Business English, BSA105 Yavapai College Lindsay Henning, Instructor

1. BSA105: Business English
Course Description
Developing or reviewing good language skills for occupational purposes. Covers
spelling, punctuation, capitalization, sentence structure and word usage. Utilizes
business-oriented materials.
Course Content
1. Basic language skills
a. Grammar
b. Punctuation
c. Word usage
d. Capitalization
e. Spelling
2. Business correspondence
a. Emails
b. Letters
c. Memos
Learning Outcomes
Upon successful completion of the course, the student will be able to:
1. Demonstrate basic grammar and punctuation skills.
2. Identify the parts of a business letter and envelope.
3. Select appropriate salutations and closings.
4. Demonstrate techniques of paragraphing a business letter.
Required Textbook
Pearson Business Reference and Writer’s Handbook.
Authors: Moore, Seraydarian & Fruehling.
ISBN#: 0-13-514053-6.

2. Assignment Instructions
There are 8 learning sections in this course. For each section, students will be
responsible to complete written or Blackboard assignments:
1. Business English Assignments – Spelling, grammar, capitalization and punctuation
are graded!! These exercises can be accessed multiple times.
2. Written Assignments – Compose answers on a word-processed document and then
attach the paper in Blackboard.
3. Section Quizzes – To be completed in Blackboard. Quizzes can be accessed only
twice.
Student Progress
Student progress is recorded on the Blackboard site. Check this site often to
ensure that you have received credit for all work submitted.
Course Outline
Section Topic Assessments
Grammar Grammar Exercises
Section 1 Quiz
Web Exercise
Punctuation Punctuation Exercises
Section 2 Quiz
Capitalization Capitalization Exercises
Section 3 Quiz
Numbers, Abbreviations, and Symbols Numbers & Abbreviations Exercises
Section 4 Quiz
Spelling and Word Usage Spelling Exercises
Word Usage Exercises
Section 5 Quiz
Web Exercise
The Writing Process Writing Assignments
Web Exercise
Writing Style Writing Assignments
Email, Memos, and Letters Writing Assignments
Web Exercise

3. Calendar
detailed calendar is available in Course Information/Calendar
Course Prerequisites
This online course has no prerequisites. However, in order for learners to participate online, they must
have:
• Computer that meets the minimum technical requirements for using Blackboard
• Internet access
• Email account
• Basic computer navigation skills
Course Requirements
• This course contains 8 units of instruction. Each unit may contain one or more of the following
requirements:
o Overview (Unit Introduction)
o Theory (Class Readings and Relevant Web Readings)
o Practice and assessment (Activities and Assignments)
o
• Participants are expected to be active learners in the learning experience. Consistent online
attendance is prerequisite to class participation and essential to your success in this course.
Reading assignments and activities must be accomplished as indicated so that your instructor
has an opportunity to give you feedback on your progress in a timely manner. At a minimum,
learners should expect to log into the course every other day to complete the requirements.
Think of an online course just as you do a face-to-face class. Make yourself a schedule of
when you will work on this class. Your biggest enemy is procrastination. It is always easy
to say, “I will do this tomorrow…” Just like the old song, tomorrow never comes.
• If you are unable to maintain the pace of the course, it is your responsibility to inform the
instructor as soon as possible. The instructor will make every effort to accommodate individual
learners who have made their needs known.
• Technical Considerations
All course participants must possess the basic browser configurations necessary to learn online.
While users do not need the most powerful or the most expensive browser available, they will
require equipment that meets or exceeds the following specifications as outlined in the document
found at the following link:
http://www2.yc.edu/content/tels/resforstudents/files/sysrequirements.htm
• Additionally, you may need some of the following browser plug-ins:
o Adobe Acrobat Reader http://www.adobe.com/products/acrobat/readstep2.html
Apple Quick Time 6 http://www.apple.com/quicktime/download/index.html
Microsoft Media Player
http://www.microsoft.com/downloads/search.aspx?displaylang=en&categoryid=4
o Real Networks RealPlayer http://www.real.com/player/index.html?src=downloadr
Shockwave, Flash & Authorware http://www.macromedia.com/downloads/
• For more information, check out the Tech Support section on plugins and viewers.

4. Learner Assessment Plan:
Please refer to the Assignment Checklist for details on all assignments, exercises, and quizzes. The
instructor will provide feedback to learners on their submissions as necessary to capitalize on all learning
opportunities.
Grading Criteria
Upon successful completion of all program requirements, a letter grade will be given based on the
following percentage of points earned during the program:
• 90 percentage points and above will earn an A
• 80 – 89 percentage points will earn a B
• 70 -79 percentage points will earn a C
• 60 - 69 percentage points will earn a D.
• 59 percentage points and below will receive an F.
Course Communication Strategy
Students will be provided every opportunity to exchange ideas and express concerns with the instructor,
as well as with fellow classmates. As such, communication will be achieved as follows:
• Announcements: The instructor will use the Announcements area in Blackboard to broadcast
time-sensitive and course related information to all participants. Please check the
Announcements each time you log into Blackboard.
• E-Mail: This is the primary method through which the instructor will communicate with students,
and with which students should communicate with the instructor. Students should check their E-
mail each day as the instructor may send out important course information. During weekdays, the
instructor will respond to student messages within 24-36 hours. Over weekends, the instructor will
respond to e-mails within 48 hours. Students should make every effort to respond to instructor
messages within two business days.
• Office Hours: To review instructor contact information and office hours, visit the Instructors link.
Course Withdrawal
You may withdraw from this class any time during the semester until the student-initiated withdrawal
deadline. To withdraw, access the Student e-Services web page at http://www.yc.edu/eservices and
click on Drop Classes. When you withdraw from a course, a “W” will appear on your permanent college
record. If you quit participating in this course without formally withdrawing, you will receive the grade that
you have earned in the class up to that point.
For complete information, consult the online course catalog at: http://www2.yc.edu/webtools/catalogs/
Satisfactory/Unsatisfactory
At any time during the semester, you may speak with your instructor about completing this course with
either a satisfactory or unsatisfactory grade. The “S” grade is defined as equivalent to a grade of “C” or
better on the conventional grading scale of A-F. A course completed with an “S” grade indicates
appropriate subject area knowledge to satisfy the prerequisite requirement of a related higher-level
course. Although this is an option, please take note that there are implications you should consider
before electing S/U grading:

5. Since some colleges and universities limit the number of credits completed with S/U grading that will
transfer, or restrict the way that such credits may be applied to degree requirements, it is recommended
that students preparing to transfer select the S/U grading option only for elective courses.
A maximum of twelve (12) hours of “S” credit from 100- and 200-level courses may be applied toward
Yavapai College graduation requirements. S/U grading is not an option for courses applied to the Arizona
General Education Curriculum (AGEC). S/U grades are not computed in your Yavapai College grade
point average.
Academic Integrity:
Honesty in academic work is a central element of the learning environment. The presentation of another
individual’s work as your own, or the act of seeking unfair academic advantage through cheating,
plagiarism, or other dishonest means is a violation of the college’s “Student Code of Conduct.” Definitions
of plagiarism, cheating, and violation of copyright and penalties for violation are available in the Yavapai
College General Catalog.
YC Code of Conduct:
Respect for the rights of others and for the college and its property are fundamental expectations for
everyone in this class. The “YC Code of Conduct” outlines behavioral expectations, and explains the
process for responding to allegations of student misconduct.
(http://www2.yc.edu/content/studentaffairs/scc/default.htm)
Admissions/Registration:
Website:
• Admissions: http://www2.yc.edu/content/admissions/default.htm
• Registration: http://www2.yc.edu/content/registration/default.htm
Phone: 800-922-6787 x 2199 or 928-776-2199
Electronic Student Services: http://www.yc.edu/eservices
Student Support Services:
Yavapai College provides numerous resources to help students with special challenges or difficulties.
The Student Support Services program is a federally funded grant program geared toward maximizing
student success at Yavapai College. For more information, visit their web site at
http://www.yc.edu/content/studentsupportservices/default.htm or contact them:

6.
Disability Support Services:
Yavapai College is committed to providing educational support services to students with documented
disabilities. Academic support services or accommodations for mobility impaired students must be
arranged through the ADA Coordinator. For more information, visit their web site at:
http://www.yc.edu/content/disabilityresources/default.htm.
Computer Labs:
Computer Labs at YC: http://www2.yc.edu/content/its/computerlabs-yc.htm
Testing Centers:
Testing Services at YC: http://www.yc.edu/content/testingservices/default.htm
Bookstore:
Website: http://www.cbamatthews.com/yavcol/
Phone: 928-776-2213
Fax: 928-776-2215