This template specifies minimum information and policies (and provides some optional, sample statements) to be included in syllabi for campus classes at Metropolitan Community College

6

Metropolitan Community College

Class Syllabus 2012 Summer

CLASS IDENTIFICATION

TITLE:Human Relations Skills

PREFIX/SECTION: HMRL 1010 4A

CREDIT HOURS:4.5

CLASS BEGINS/ENDS:6/6-7/11/2012

MEETING DAY(S)/TIMES:Monday/Tuesday/Wednesday/Thursday 10:30a.m. -12:45 p.m.

NO CLASS DAYS:July 4, 2012WITHDRAWAL DATE:July 3, 2012

CLASS LOCATION:FOC, Building 10, Room 208

CONTACT INFORMATION

INSTRUCTOR NAME:Maria B. Walker

OFFICE LOCATION:FOC Adjunct Office

OFFICE TELEPHONE:402-457-7200 X8345

OFFICE HOURS:By appointment

EMAIL ADDRESS:mbwalker2@mccneb.edu

ACADEMIC AREA:Social Sciences

FACULTY WEBPAGE:http://faculty.mccneb.edu/mbwalker2/" http://faculty.mccneb.edu/mbwalker2/

COURSE INFORMATION

COURSE DESCRIPTION: This is an introductory course in interpersonal skills stressing the importance of utilizing those skills in the workplace. Students are presented with opportunities to become more effective, discerning, ethical, flexible, perceptive, and understanding in both professional and personal endeavors. Special attention is given to appropriate communication skills, multinational and diversity awareness, teamwork, and job-seeking skills as applied to an increasingly customer-oriented workplace.

COURSE PREREQUISITES: None.

COURSE OBJECTIVES:

Upon completion of this course, each student will be able to:

Recognize the importance of human relations and develop basic communication skills. Develop self-awareness consistent with success in the workplace. Formulate personal strategies for improving human relations in the workplace (i.e., flexing, teamwork stress management, etc.) and emphasize the importance of workplace ethics. Develop team and group membership skills that are necessary for success in todays workplace. Develop strategies for adapting to challenges of rapidly changing conditions in the workplace. Develop strategies for coping with stress and anger related to workplace. Develop and understand the nature of diversity issues as it relates to the workplace and formulate a plan for dealing with those issues effectively. Demonstrate an understanding of globalization as it relates to the workplace and strategies for dealing with global issues effectively. Describe the nature of communication within a culturally diverse work population and develop approaches for interacting with all individuals, including those with disabilities, differences in gender, race, ethnic background, age, socioeconomic status and sexual orientation. Prepare a one-page resume, cover letter and job application in both electronic and paper copy form and participate in simulated job interview activities.

REQUIRED MATERIALS:

Title:Human Relations Skills

Edition:Customized 10th edition

Author:Reece and Brandt

Publisher:Houghton Mifflin

SOFTWARE/FILE SUBMISSION REQUIREMENTS:

Metropolitan Community College uses Microsoft products as part of its standard software and encourages students to do the same. You may save word-processed documents for file attachments in Microsoft Word .doc or .docx format. If your software does not allow either of these, then save files in Rich Text Format (.rtf).

CLASS STRUCTURE:

This course is primarily a lecture, discussion, and team activity course. There may be some outside readings and activities, as well as experiential class activities. Audiovisuals are included as supplements to the lectures and class discussions. In-class discussion may or may not follow the readings, yet the readings will be covered in a quiz, and the student is expected to apply concepts in the readings to portfolio assignments. A variety of assessment techniques will be utilized during the course including: quizzes, portfolio review, a team project, and participation in classroom activities and discussions.

ASSESSMENT OF STUDENT WORK

Final grades in the course are based on the instructors judgment of how much learning has occurred, as demonstrated by the amount of points students earned for demonstrated learning. This will be determined by the following requirements:

Participation90 Points

The key to getting the most out of the HMRL 1010 experience is to be present at each class. You are expected to read/review the textbook material ahead of time in order to participate in class discussions and activities; all homework must completed by the start of class. Attendance, active participation, and timely submission of assignments affect learning and grades. Participation includes being attentive, taking notes, responding to and asking questions, and actively engaging in class assignments. (It is also important to note that to remain eligible for financial aid, students are responsible for meeting Satisfactory Academic Progress standards). If you are late, leave early, or are absent you forgo the opportunity to earn all your participation points.

Quizzes and In Class Activities (ICA)100 Points

Within each unit of learning, you will be given opportunities to demonstrate your leaning. These opportunities will take the form of in class quizzes or in class activities. The quizzes will be taken individually and may consist of multiple choice, true-false, and short essay questions. The activities may be completed individually or within a group depending on the nature of the activity.

Major Assignments290 Points

Throughout the course you will be given assignments to complete outside of class in order to demonstrate your learning. Each of these major assignments will be included in your Portfolio (see guidelines on page 10 of syllabus), to be submitted at the end of the quarter. The major assignments are explained in the Portfolio section of this syllabus. A detailed account of expectations for these assignments will be distributed in class.

Portfolio50 Points

You will submit a Portfolio of your major assignments at the end of the term. The Portfolio is designed for you to have a collection of your academic and professional accomplishments throughout the quarter. It is the students responsibility to manage the contents of the Portfolio, compile the contents of the Portfolio, bind them, and submit on the due date.

Team Project100 Points

You will work in groups of 4-5 to complete a team project. This project involves completion of an out of class experience, preferable as a group. This experience should be centered on a service learning opportunity. Once the service is complete, you will be expected to create a 15-20 minute presentation about your experience and connect your experiential learning to classroom content. The presentation will be given to the class at the end of the quarter. Details about the team project will be distributed to the class.

FINAL COURSE GRADE

Participation90 Points

Quizzes & ICA 100 Points

Major Assignments290 Points

Portfolio 50 Points

Team Project100 Points

Total630 Points

Points EarnedPercentageGrade Earned

630-567100-90%A

566-50489-80%B

503-44179-70%C

440-37869-60%D

377-050-0%F

MAINTENANCE OF STUDENT RECORDS

Portfolio sections will be graded and returned within two weeks after the due date and kept by the student. All attendance, quiz, and portfolio points will be recorded in the instructors grade book and retained for 1 year. All written assignments will be returned to students; it is their responsibility to keep this work until the end of the term to ensure the record of their work is complete and accurate.

LATE ASSIGNMENTS

In the workplace, employees are expected to complete tasks promptly and at the assigned deadline. Late employees are usually reprimanded and those who are repeatedly late with assignments are generally terminated. This workplace standard applies to this course.

All work is due on the date assigned. No late work will be accepted. Should you anticipate missing the due date, you should make arrangements to submit work prior to the due date to the instructor in class. A hard copy of work should be submitted for grading. If you do not bring in a hard copy the class following your absence, your work will NOT be graded. No electronic submissions will be graded. Hard copies MUST be neatly typed and stapled. If work is late, this will result in a point deduction of 2 points per class day late.

Student E-mail and Contact Information:

Occasionally, I will need to send out different class opportunities (college events, scholarship info, etc). Please make sure that you have an active MCC e-mail account and check it regularly. E-mail will be the primary way I will try to contact you. (Please note that you will also need an account to use MCC computers.) In addition, be sure that your correct address and phone number are listed with the college. E-mail is the best way to contact me. I will, however, make every attempt to return your telephone calls. To make this process easier, please be sure to leave your number and times when I can reach you (but also understand that I may not be available when you are).

WRITTEN ASSIGNMENTS STANDARDS

Written assignments provide opportunities for personal connections to class material and to explore thoughts about concepts presented in class. The instructors focus of written assignments will not be on writing techniques, but upon content, (except in the case of Section A of the portfolio, in which the Resume and Cover Letter must meet typical employment standards.) Please note that in order to assess content, basic rules of grammar and writing should be followed. If you need assistance in this area, please see the Writing Center prior to submitting written work.

ASSESSMENT OF STUDENT LEARNING PROGRAM:

Metropolitan Community College is committed to continuous improvement of teaching and learning. You may be asked to help us to accomplish this objective. For example, you may be asked to respond to surveys or questionnaires. In other cases, tests or assignments you are required to do for this course may be shared with faculty and used for assessment purposes.

USE OF STUDENT WORK:

By enrolling in classes offered by Metropolitan Community College, the student gives the College license to mark on, modify, and retain the work as may be required by the process of instruction, as described in the course syllabus. The institution shall not have the right to use the work in any other manner without the written consent of the student(s).

SOFTWARE/FILE SUBMISSION REQUIREMENTS:

Metropolitan Community College uses Microsoft products as part of its standard software and encourages students to do the same. You may save word-processed documents for file attachments in Microsoft Word .doc or .docx format. If your software does not allow either of these, then save files in Rich Text Format (.rtf).

Instructors Expectations of Students

ATTENDANCE STATEMENT

Attendance is essential for group participation. You cannot contribute to the class, nor benefit from others insights offered during class discussion, if you are absent. Leaving early and/or coming in late leads to a loss of points. If you miss 4 or more classes in a row without contacting the instructor, or 6 class meetings total, you will receive a FX grade in the course, indicating an absence-related failure, or a failing (F) grade. The FX grade does affect GPA calculations in the same manner as F. In order to avoid receiving a grade of FX, a student will need to withdraw from the class through central registration.

Students who fail to attend the first two class may be disenrolled (with a WX) from the class. There is no appeal for this disenrollment.

CLASSROOM POLICIES & CONDUCT

Below is a summary of classroom policies, expectations and any consequences associated with their violations. Most of the policies discussed below are essentially about respecting others and maintaining a positive and productive learning environment. Many might consider them common sense, but incidents occur with enough frequency that they bear mentioning and will help ensure that everyone knows what is expected.

Ask for Help and CommunicateIf you dont understand something about material from class, including assignment guidelines, OR if you run into some other difficulty meeting class expectation, ASK FOR HELP before it becomes too late. Academic Honesty/PlagiarismYour work is expected to be your own, whether homework, quizzes, exams, or writing assignments.Whenever possible, you should discuss concepts, ideas, and definitions in your own words. If you are unable to do this, then you probably dont understand it.When you do use wording that is not your own (a general rule of thumb is more than three consecutive words), you should enclose them in quotation marks and provide an in-text citation (using APA format) giving credit to your source. In-text citations should also be used for any ideas or data/statistics that are not your own.Plagiarized work will not be accepted. Copied work or any other type academic dishonesty will not be tolerated. Violation will result in a zero score. A repeated violation will be referred to the dean and may result in an F in the course. For a complete list of expectations regarding academic honesty, please read the following page.Attendance Policy There are no excused or unexcused absences. If you do not attend class, you lose points for that day. Please be present and on time. You are responsible for any announcements and information you may miss due to absence or tardiness. It is also your responsibility to obtain any missed notes, assignments, or other materials from another student or from the instructor during her office hours. The instructor does not guarantee that she will carry extra handouts past the initial date they are distributed, but they will be available for you during her office hours. Students, who miss four consecutive or 6 classes total -- and do not withdraw from the course, will receive a final grade mark of FX (an absence-related failing grade) regardless of whether a student returns to class. Cell Phone Usage / Texting During ClassCell phone use during class is strictly prohibited. This includes texting for personal use. Students observed texting during class will automatically lose participation points (without warning). After the first offense, students will be asked to leave the classroom for the remainder of the period. If you must text or take a call, leave the classroom first.Please be sure to turn off cell phone ringers at the start of class. Students who repeatedly leave class to take phone calls will be asked to leave for the remainder of the period and may be counted absent.Class DisruptionsPlease refrain from distracting behaviors including rifling through backpacks and packing up your books and other belongings until class ends and you are dismissed.Please refrain from conversation while your instructor or another student is talking. Students who engage in disruptive classroom behaviors, including talking while the instructor or other students have the floor, rifling through bags, or other activities that may interfere with others learning will lose PAP points. Students who engage in disruptive behaviors with others will be asked to change seats or leave the classroom.Class Preparation & HomeworkYou are expected to come to class prepared to take notes and participate in activities. Therefore, please bring adequate supplies of paper and pencils/pens. Your instructor does not carry extra supplies.It is important for you to complete reading and other assignments before class.Communication Expectations:When you communicate with others in this course, you must follow the Student Code of Conduct (http://www.mccneb.edu/catalog/studentinformation.asp), which calls for responsible and cooperative behavior. Please think critically, ask questions, and challenge ideas, but also show respect for the opinions of others, respond to them politely, and maintain the confidentiality of thoughts expressed in the class. You may also wish to review information at http://www.albion.com/netiquette/.Computers in ClassLaptop use is fine during class, if it is used for taking notes. Please, no internet use during class unless it is recommended by the instructor for the class. Such activity distracts those around you and. Students who are found to be using their electronics for activities not associated with the class will lose the PAP points for the day, and may be asked to put away the device or leave class.Again, while no one can make you pay attention during class, some behaviors are distracting to others around you. Physical presence is not the same as mental presence and will not count as class attendance. Therefore, you may as well engage in non-related classroom activities elsewhere.Headphone Use During ClassPlease remove headphones while class is in session. Inattentive Behaviors (Reading, Sleeping, etc.)If you sleep during class, you may be awakened and asked to leave, especially if you snore or sprawl out into your neighbors space.Reading or working on homework for another class during class is disrespectful and distracting to your instructor and others. Students who read materials unrelated to the class will be held to the same consequences as those who inappropriately use electronic devises. If you cannot be mentally present, you should leave and attend to the other work or communication you find to be more pressing.Respecting othersPlease avoid words and/or remarks in class that other students might view as offensive, such as profanity, those reflecting sexism, racism, homophobia, ageism, and etcetera. Hate language will NOT be tolerated in the class, and will result in a student being asked to leave the class. Should you be asked to leave the class for using hate language, you will receive NO participation points for that day. No children or animals (other than service animals) in the classrooms; this is a college-wide policyTardinessYou are expected to arrive for class and return from breaks on time. Students who arrive after class has begun (or leave more than 10 minutes early) will not receive attendance points for the day.Returning late from breaks is disruptive and rude to the rest of the class. Individual students who arrive late from break will be considered tardy and also may lose PAP points. Persistent tardiness on the part of a few students may result in no class breaks for the entire class.

RECORDING IN THE CLASSROOM:

Students may not video or audio record class sessions without the instructors knowledge and permission. If recording of class sessions is authorized as a reasonable accommodation under Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), the instructor must have the appropriate documentation from College Disability Support Services. Permitted recordings are to be used only for the individual students educational review of the class session and may not be reproduced, posted, sold or distributed to others. Students who violate this policy are subject to disciplinary procedures as outlined in the Student Conduct Code.

COMMUNICATION EXPECTATIONS:

When you communicate with others in this course, you must follow the Student Code of Conduct (http://www.mccneb.edu/catalog/studentinformation.asp), which calls for responsible and cooperative behavior. Please think critically, ask questions, and challenge ideas, but also show respect for the opinions of others, respond to them politely, and maintain the confidentiality of thoughts expressed in the class. You may also wish to review information at http://www.albion.com/netiquette/.html.

ACADEMIC HONESTY STATEMENT:

Students are reminded that materials they use as sources for classwork may be subject to copyright protection. Additional information about copyright is provided on the library website at http://www.mccneb.edu/library or by your instructor. In response to incidents of student dishonesty (cheating, plagiarism, etc.), the College imposes specific actions that may include receiving a failing grade on a test, failure in the course, suspension from the College, or dismissal from the College. Disciplinary procedures are available in the Advising/Counseling Centers or at http://www.mccneb.edu/procedures/V-4_Student_Conduct_and_Discipline.pdf.

STUDENT WITHDRAWAL:

If you cannot participate in and complete this course, you should officially withdraw by calling Central Registration at 402-457-5231 or 1-800-228-9553. Failure to officially withdraw will result in either an attendance-related failure (FX) or failing (F) grade. The last date to withdraw is noted in the CLASS IDENTIFICATION section of this syllabus.

LEARNING SUPPORT

MCC's Academic Resource Centers, Math Centers, and Writing Centers offer friendly, supportive learning environments that can help students achieve educational success. Staff members in these centers provide free drop-in assistance with basic computing, reading, math, and writing skills. Self-paced, computer-assisted instructional support in reading, vocabulary, typing, English as a Second Language, and online course orientation is also available.

Detailed information about the Academic Resource, Math, and Writing Centers is in the Student Handbook, College Catalog, and online at http://www.mccneb.edu/arc/

ACCOMMODATIONS FOR STUDENTS WITH DISABILITIES:

If you have a disability that may substantially limit your ability to participate in this class, please contact a Disability Support Services Counselor located in the Student Services Office on each campus. Metropolitan Community College will provide reasonable accommodations for persons with documented qualifying disabilities. However, it is the students responsibility to request accommodations. For further information, please visit http://www.mccneb.edu/dss/ and/or contact Student Services.

TECHNOLOGY SUPPORT

For assistance with student email, passwords, and most other MCC technology, contact the Help Desk at 457-2900 or mcchelpdesk@mccneb.edu.

TECHNOLOGY RESOURCES:

By using the information technology systems at MCC (including the computer systems and phones), you acknowledge and consent to the conditions of use as set forth in the Metropolitan Community College Procedures Memorandum on Acceptable Use of Information Technology and Resources. It is your responsibility as a student to be familiar with these procedures. The full text of the Procedures Memorandum may be found at the following website: http://www.mccneb.edu/procedures/X-15_Technology_Resources_Use.pdf.

PORTFOLIO

You will develop a portfolio of completed assignments that will be graded for satisfactory completeness and organization according to instructions provided in class. The portfolio will consist of four sections, each dealing with a specific aspect of human relations skills as related to todays workplace.

SECTION A: SELF-PRESENTATION/JOB SEEKING SKILLS

You will demonstrate your competence in basic job-seeking skills by completing each of the following:

A.A one page resume 50 points

B.A one page cover letter 25 points

C.A sample application 15 points (form is found at http://resource.mccneb.edu/hrm)

D.A team interview 50 points (Feedback sheets need to be in Portfolio)

SECTION B: SELF-AWARENESS FOR WORKPLACE SUCCESS

Complete a 1-2 page paper or picture collage entitled Who Am I? 25 points

Person Reflection Assignment- 50 points

The student will complete at least 5 personal inventories presented by the instructor. Some examples are:

Meyers Briggs

Learning Channel Preference (Auditory, Visual, Haptic)

Self Esteem/Self Efficacy Inventories

Communication Style ( Emotive, Reflective, Director, Supportive)

Other surveys provided on HMRL 1010 website and/or from instructor

After completing the inventories and a pre- and post-test, the student will write a 3-5 page double-spaced reflection paper. Further, specific, instructions will be handed out later in the quarter.

Goals and Action Plan- 25 points

After completing an in class assignment regarding goals, the student will identify one personal and one professional/academic goal. The student will write an action plan for accomplishing his/her chosen goals. The goals and action plan will be included in the portfolio.

SECTION C: WORKPLACE CHALLENGES

The student will write a one-two page typed paper, for one of the following topics. The student is expected to apply class materials to the topic. 50 points

A description of the students current stresses, typical reaction patterns, and a description of three coping techniques discussed in class /reading that the student believes may help to relieve the stress.A description of how the student has previously expressed anger and a plan for dealing with future anger provoking situations. The student will want to describe any trigger points as well as coping techniques.Find or write a song or poem that describes their stress and/or anger and provide a written explanation of how this applies to their daily life or situation, and identify coping strategies.Complete a drawing or collage of current stressors/anger and provide written evidence of how they will make changes in their life related to successful coping strategies.Journal stressors and/or anger trigger points for one week and provide written evidence of how they will make changes in their life related to successful coping strategies

SECTION D: TEAM PROJECT100 Points

Todays workplace is increasingly diverse and, often, globally focused. Cultural competence is both an important workplace skill as well as key to good citizenship. This assignment is intended to help the student develop a measure of cultural awareness. After attending an outside of class experience, assigned teams will develop and present a presentation focusing on the shared experience, which should focus on class content. Further, more detailed instructions will be handed out later in the quarter. Students can earn points in the following way:

15 points Peer Evaluation

25 pointsPersonal Reflection Assignment

60 pointsPresentation

Date

Unit

Topic

Content

6/6

Introduction

Introductions/Ice Breaker

Syllabus Review

Assignment: Who Am I?

6/7

HR Basics

Human Relations Basics

Service Learning Presentation

Chapter 1

6/11

The Self

Identity Development

Learning Styles

Meyers Briggs

Due: Who Am I?

Chapter 1

Assignment: Learning Styles Paragraph

6/12

The Self, cont

Meyers Briggs, cont.

Attitude

Ethics

Chapter 7 & 8

6/13

Communication

Communication Styles

Listening

Due: Learning Styles Paragraph

Chapter 5

Assignment: First draft of resume, cover letter, job application

6/14

Communication

Improving Communication

Nonverbal Communication

Chapter 4

6/18

Career

Resume, Cover Letter, Applications, and Job Interviews

Due: First Draft of Resume, Cover Letter, Job Application

Chapter 3

6/19

Career

Teams

Chapter 2

6/20

Career

Teams, cont.

Successful Interviewing

Due: Final Draft of Resume, Cover Letter, Job Application

Due; Team Interview!

Chapter 2

6/21

Career

Teams, cont.

Chapter 2

6/25

Self Esteem and Goal Setting

Self-Esteem, cont.

Goal Setting

Chapter 6

Assignment: Action Plan

6/26

Self Esteem

Self, Esteem, cont.

Multiple Intelligences

Chapter 6

6/27

Stress

Stress in the workplace

Due: Action Plan Due

Chapter 9

6/28

Anger

Anger and Conflict Management

Chapter 10

Assignment: Stress/Anger Paper

7/2

Diversity

Diversity

Chapter 11

7/3

Diversity

Diversity

Due: Stress/Anger Paper Due

Chapter 11

7/5

Teams

Team Project Activity

Chapter 2

7/9

Reflective Learning

Chapter 12

7/10

Team Presentations

Due: Portfolio

Reflection Paper

7/11

Human Relations Review

Chapter 12

NOTICE: This syllabus sets forth a tentative schedule of class topics, learning activities, and expected learning outcomes. However, the instructor reserves the right to modify this schedule to enhance learning for students. Any modifications will not substantially change the intent or objectives of this course and will conform to the policies and guidelines of Metropolitan Community College