EL PASO COMMUNITY COLLEGE WORKFORCE DEVELOPMENT

WOS Prudential Training

SYLLABUS
Corporate Communications/Mentoring
Term (duration): Mondays: July 25 Nov 7, 2016 and one other day when the
week has more than 7 hours
Instructional Time: 8:30 a.m.-4:30 p.m. LUNCH 12:30 noon -1:30 p.m.
Teacher : Lisa Morinsilva
Email: __________________________
Course Overview
Welcome to your Corporate Communications/Mentoring course. The focus of this course is to
assist the student to transition into and assimilate scenarios that can be encountered in the
workplace as well as discuss issues relevant to the development as individuals, students, and
professionals. Additionally this course provides training, practice, and feedback in the
construction, presentation, and critical evaluation of clear, concise, and well-reasoned arguments
through the use of three aspects of corporate communication: grammar, professional writing and
artifacts, and speech and presentation. There will be heavy focus on prioritization and critical
reading. The overall goal will be to maximize the students self-confidence and comfort level
when entering the corporate environment.
Course Competencies
To successfully complete this course, you will be expected to:
Grammar
Produce weekly journal entries due BEFORE entering class. Entries must be a minimum
of eight to 10 sentences. If you miss a journal entry, you will receive an F grade for that
entry. No makeups without a doctors note; no exceptions.
Actively participate in the discussion of personal development topics in class.
Understand the basics of English grammar and syntax, including word classes i.e. parts of
speech, phrases, clauses, and sentences.
Understand sentence structure and develop some facility with composing and
manipulating sentences and their components.
Read attentively, closely, and critically by attending to the use of grammar in everyday
written and oral texts and multimedia.
Write thoughtfully, coherently, and persuasively by generation original writing that
employs appropriate grammar, syntax, and punctuation.
Professional Writing and Artifacts
Understand the most common forms of business writing used in professional workplace
settings.
Understand that office work includes making presentations and calling meetings during
which the expression of opinions and thoughts can be communicated productively.
Participate in activities that are often accompanied by many forms of writing including email reports, customer e-mails, status updates, stakeholder engagement, and all office
memos.
Speech and Presentations
Learn to organize and deliver clear and informed public speeches.
Understand how improving control over speaking habits and enunciation leads to
successful communication.

EL PASO COMMUNITY COLLEGE WORKFORCE DEVELOPMENT

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Understand purpose, message, audience, strategies to research, generate ideas, draft and
how to revise content.
Be able to prepare and deliver a speech using the techniques of informing, explaining or
persuading.
Be able to identify effective communication strategies, distinguish between formal and
informal speech, pronunciation and enunciation, and importance of listening.

Grading
Course requirements include the following major independent measures of learner competency.
Learning Activity Weights and Scoring Guides:
Activity
Weight Scoring Guide
1. Discussion Participation
20%
2. Independent Unit Activities
20%
3. Team Projects
20%
4. Presentations
20%
4. Exams
20%
Total: 100%
Final Course Grade
A = 90-100%
B = 80-89%
C = 70-79%: This grade is considered INCOMPLETE and you may re-do work until it meets 80
or better. FAILURE IS NOT AN OPTION
Evaluation Measures:
Outside assignments are due at the beginning of class. Unless otherwise indicated, they must be
typed on standard 8 by 11-inch, white paper, double-spaced and left justified. Please use the
appropriate templates in Microsoft Word for your documents and use a 12-point font and Times
New Roman font. Please include your name, course name and assignment number on all work in
the top left hand corner as a header. Please consult the course schedule for due dates.
Late written work will result in a lower grade. Late assignments must be submitted within two
weeks of their due date. Neatness, accuracy, conciseness, and promptness in turning in work all
determine success on the job and in this course.
Note: If you must miss a class, please use the professional work model and email your instructor
with the date and reason for your absences and turn in all work on the scheduled date.
Your Grade will be determined by:
1.
Your journal entries-they will be graded for quantity and quality of thought.
2.
Your attendance.
3.
Your performance on a final exam that will ask you to write on what you have learned
about yourself in the class and quiz you on various workplace scenarios.
4.
Participation in class discussions.
(Attendance and participation in class should be consistent with workplace behavior standards.
You must do more than show up; you are expected to actively and productively participate in
class discussions and activities.)

EL PASO COMMUNITY COLLEGE WORKFORCE DEVELOPMENT

WOS Prudential Training

Course Policies:
Attendance:
You are expected to attend all classes. If you are absent for any reason you must still complete
and/or hand in any assignment that is due. Attendance is mandatory. More than two unexcused
absences will result in an F grade for the course.
Lateness: Being late to class is inexcusable. Excessive absences will result in a lower letter
grade.
Instructors Rules:
A.
Emergency phone calls are to be made during break, before or after class.
B.
Selling and soliciting is not allowed in classrooms and/or computer labs or in any EPCC
Campus or satellite.
C.
All cell phones are to be turned off before entering the classroom. If there is a need for
your cellphone to remain on, notify the instructor before class begins.
D.
Breaks: Students are allowed a fifteen (15) minute break during a three (3) hour class
and a 20-minute break during a four-hour class.
E.
Classroom etiquette
1.
Raise your hand if you have a question
2.
Respect your classmates
3.
Always maintain ethical and/or professional behavior during class
4.
Cheating will not be tolerated
5.
No children allowed in the classroom
6.
Bring materials (books, dictionaries, school supplies, etc.) every day to class
7.
Foul language will not be tolerated
Student will read and agree to abide by the Student Code of Conduct.
Course Materials
The materials listed below are required to complete the learning activities and projects in this
course.
Books
When Fish Fly: Lessons for Creating a Vital and Energized Workplace from the World Famous
Pike Place Fish Market
*TBD
Other material will be provided by the instructor or available online.
Articles
The following are required readings please access them via the provided link. These required
articles are available on the Internet. Please note that URLs change frequently; therefore if you
encounter an issue with accessing them send me an e-mail.

EL PASO COMMUNITY COLLEGE WORKFORCE DEVELOPMENT

WOS Prudential Training

1. DISC personality test https://www.123test.com/disc-personality-test/

2. Stages of Team Building http://coalitionswork.com/wpcontent/uploads/stages_of_team_building.pdf
3. Most young people entering the u.s. workforce lack critical skills essential for success
http://www.p21.org/news-events/press-releases/250-most-young-people-entering-the-usworkforce-lack-critical-skills-essential-for-success
4. Understanding How Military and Civilian Cultures Differ: By Diane Hudson Burns
http://www.job-hunt.org/veterans-job-search/military-vs-civilian-cultures.shtml
5. Maslow's Hierarchy of Needs: by Saul McLeod published 2007, updated 2016
http://www.simplypsychology.org/maslow.html
6. Minority Discrimination in the Workplace: by Kay Bosworth, studioD
http://work.chron.com/minority-discrimination-workplace-11668.html
7. The Importance of Cultural Sensitivity in Business Dealings: by Michael Batton Kaput,
studioD http://smallbusiness.chron.com/importance-cultural-sensitivity-businessdealings-20503.html
8. Temperament Theory Explains "The Why" We Behave The Way We Do
http://www.4temperaments.com/
9. What is the Communication Process? - Definition & Steps
http://study.com/academy/lesson/what-is-the-communication-process-definitionsteps.html
10. 7 Steps to Fierce Conversation quizlet https://quizlet.com/140499567/7-steps-to-fierceconversation-flash-cards/
11. Fierce Conversations http://www.bcsls.net/pages/documents/SchendelFierceConversations1.pdf
12. Keeping your professional development continuous
https://www.theguardian.com/careers/careers-blog/keeping-professional-developmentcontinuous
13. Personal Goal Setting Planning to Live Your Life Your Way
https://www.mindtools.com/page6.html
14. Five Types of Conflict Resolution Strategies by Erin Schreiner, studioD Google
http://smallbusiness.chron.com/five-types-conflict-resolution-strategies-19251.html

EL PASO COMMUNITY COLLEGE WORKFORCE DEVELOPMENT

WOS Prudential Training

15. Differences Between the Traditional Organizational Structure & One That Is TeamBased? http://smallbusiness.chron.com/differences-between-traditional-organizationalstructure-one-teambased-63840.html
16. Crafting an Elevator Pitch Introducing Your Company Quickly and Compellingly
https://www.mindtools.com/pages/article/elevator-pitch.htm
17. Veterans in the Workplace: Recruitment and Retention
http://www.va.gov/VETSINWORKPLACE/docs/Veterans_in_Workplace_Final_Report.p
df
18. 9 Best Practices for Social Networking in the Workplace
http://mashable.com/2012/01/23/social-media-workplace/#AkIFb5Mr5Oqf
19. Really Learn English http://www.really-learn-english.com/easy-english-grammar.html
20. Writing the Basic Business Letter https://owl.english.purdue.edu/owl/resource/653/01/
21. The writer's handbook business letters
http://writing.wisc.edu/Handbook/BusinessLetter.html
22. Top 12 Most Annoying PowerPoint Presentation Mistakes
http://thevisualcommunicationguy.com/2013/09/24/top-12-most-annoying-powerpointpresentation-mistakes/
23. AMANDA GORES 12 RULES (+6!) OF BEING A GREAT SPEAKER! (Or secrets of a
25 year veteran speaker!) http://www.amandagore.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/06/12Rules-of-being-a-GREAT-speaker.pdf
24. Plagiarism: What It is and How to Recognize and Avoid It
http://www.indiana.edu/~wts/pamphlets/plagiarism.shtml
25. TBA articles will be assigned as the class progresses

EL PASO COMMUNITY COLLEGE WORKFORCE DEVELOPMENT

WOS Prudential Training

Proposed Schedule (subject to change depending on class

flow)
Monday July 25
Topic 1

Time
8:30 a.m.

Introductions; Review
syllabus; knowing what
you dont know Reading:
Article 1, 2, and 24
4:30 p.m.
Assignment: Journal 1-2
Grammar: Avoiding
plagiarism (What is
to avoid
*Mondayplagiarism,
August 8how
(2 hours
on
Lunch

entering the workplace;

Essential worker information and
resources
Reading: Article 3 and Fish
Assignment: Journal 2-4

8:30 a.m.
Lunch
4:30 p.m.

Time
8:30 a.m.
Lunch

4:30 p.m.

Military vs. Civilian cultures;

Guest speaker TBD
Reading: Article 4, 5, and 20
Assignment: Journal 5-6

Mechanics of
writing; Writing with a
clear and
direct 29
focus;
Monday
August
Topic 5 Exam
Grammar:

Gauging your bosses/coworkers temperaments;

understanding your own
Behavioral Style and your coworkers style. Reading: Article 8
Assignment: Journal 9-10

Status Report on
Projects; Memos; Emails
Grammar:

Monday September 19
Topic 7

8:30 a.m.
Lunch

4:30 p.m.

Effective tools for overcoming

objections or difficult situations;
Conflict resolution and
avoidance; ; assessing your own
growth; training yourself
Reading: Article 12-14
Assignment: Journal 13-14

Business and
professional writing style;
Writing directly and
communicating your ideas
Grammar:

Monday October 3

Lunch
4:30 p.m.

Business writing
(Audience, purpose,
rationale; writing process
and stages)
Monday August 15
Grammar:

Tues)
Topic 3

Time

Time

Monday August 1
Topic 2
Time
Setting expectations before
8:30 a.m.

Topic 4
Being a minority in the
workplace; Cultural sensitivities
in the workplace; Diversity in the
workplace
Reading: Article 6, 7, and 21
Assignment: Journal 7-8

Time
8:30 a.m.
Lunch
4:30 p.m.

Mechanics of
Monday September 12
Topic 6
Time
Managing your boss and
8:30 a.m.
Grammar:

identifying your weaknesses;

approaching co-workers for help
Reading: Article 9-11
Assignment: Journal 11-12

Lunch
4:30 p.m.

Business and
professional writing style;
International audiences;
Avoiding wordiness when
Monday
September
26
you write;
Avoiding
sexist
Topic 8
Time
Recognizing organizational
8:30 a.m.
Grammar:

structure and culture:

Conventional/Variational/Dynami
c;
Reading: Articles 15
Assignment: Journal 15-16

Lunch
4:30 p.m.

The speech
communication process;
Formal vs. informal
speeches; Managing
apprehension; Speech to
inform; Persuasive
process; Speech to
persuade
Write and
presentOctober
a 1-2
Monday
10
Grammar:

EL PASO COMMUNITY COLLEGE WORKFORCE DEVELOPMENT

WOS Prudential Training
Topic 9
Topic 10 Exam
Time
Setting professional
Your own 60-second ad derived
8:30 a.m.

Time

8:30 a.m.

Lunch

goals/expectations, advancing
your career; marketing yourself;
finding a mentor
Guest speaker TBD
Reading: Article 13 (review) and
22
Assignment: Journal 17-18

Outlining; Using
presentational aids and
support materials;
4:30 p.m.
Listening behavior;
Audience analysis
Presentations
Monday October 17
Time
Topic 11
Grammar:

8:30 a.m.
Lunch
4:30 p.m.

Professional networking; Guest

speaker TBD
Reading: TBD
Assignment: Journal 21-22

Monday October 31
Topic 13

Time
8:30 a.m.

from your bio what is your 60second summary?

Reading: Article 16 and 23
Assignment: Journal 19-20

Using language
effectively; Pronunciation
Lunch
and enunciation
4:30 p.m.
Presentations
Ethics in communication
Presentations
Homework: Prepare a
memorized 7-9 minute
Monday October 24
Topic 12
Time
8:30 a.m.
Entering the workplace;
Grammar:

Common workplace entry issues

Reading: Article 17
Assignment: Journal 23-24

4:30 p.m.

Monday November 7
Topic 14 Exam
Time
Finals Working at the company;
8:30 a.m.
Guest speaker from Prudential
Assignment: Journal 27- 29

Lunch

Lunch

Lunch

Appropriate Use of Social Media

Reading: Article 18
Assignment: Journal 25-26

During the final exam,

the students will be given
a prompt where they will
have one hour to write a
speech and practice for a

4:30 p.m.

Name

Name

8:30 a.m.

Time
8:30 a.m.

Lunch

Lunch

4:30 p.m.

4:30 p.m.

4:30 p.m.

Time

Article 19 will be used throughout the course for grammar mechanics.