BST 1000
Professional Development

Course Information

Course Description:

This course is designed to help students assess their strengths and weaknesses with respect to personality and productivity. It offers direction in using that information to design a specific, focused self-improvement program--to pave the way for students to attain realistic goals and objectives in preparation for successful employment

Course Objectives:

Students who successfully complete this course will be able to:

  1. Distinguish between active and passive learning.
  2. Demonstrate active learner concepts.
  3. Identify learning styles.
  4. Identify your learning style.
  5. Identify how you can increase your concentration.
  6. Identify techniques for time management.
  7. Identify how to take tests successfully.
  8. Use devices for increasing memory recall.
  9. Identify strategies needed for successful learning.
  10. Practice reading for comprehension and speech.
  11. Identify and discuss personal and professional factors associated with job success.
    a) Conduct a self-analysis of personal and professional traits that will lead to a career success.
    b) Identify techniques that will build a positive self-image.
    c) Describe how self-esteem leads to career success.
    d) Project a professional image by applying the basics of good health practices (exercise, nutrition, and stress management), personal grooming, selecting a proper business wardrobe, and demonstrating proper etiquette.
    e) Discuss principles of effective personal time management.
  12. Demonstrate an understanding of how interpersonal skills affect personal and professional development.
    a) Apply techniques to improve listening skills.
    b) Apply effective nonverbal communication skills.
    c) Use voice as an effective tool for communicating.
    d) Apply business etiquette skills in professional situations.
Prerequisites and Corequisites:

It would be helpful for students to have completed the RODP Orientation course covering basic WebCT skills for on-line courses.
Course Topics:

Module 1: Study Skills (2 hours)

Module 2: Self-Esteem, Self-Improvement, Developing Positive Attitudes (6 hours)

Module 3: Communication Channels, Getting Your Message Across, Communicating to Resolve Conflict (6 hours)

Module 4: Working with Others, Getting Along with Your Supervisor, Relating to Clients and Customers (6 hours)

Module 5: Self-Motivation, Self-Management, Thinking Skills (6 hours)

Module 6: Standards of Conduct, Valuing Diversity (6 hours)

Module 7: Getting the Job, Workplace Success (6 hours)

Module 8: Business Etiquette (2 hours)
Specific Course Requirements:
No special course requirements or knowledge of specific software is necessary for successful completion of this course.
Textbooks, Supplementary Materials, Hardware and Software Requirements

Required Textbooks:

Please visit the Virtual Bookstore to obtain textbook information for this course:  http://rodp.bkstr.com
Supplementary Materials:
None required.
Hardware Requirements:
The minimum requirements can be found at http://www.rodp.org/students/hardware_software.htm.
Software Requirements:
The minimum requirements can be found at http://www.rodp.org/students/hardware_software.htm.
Instructor Information
Please see the separate page inside the course to find instructor contact information as well as a statement of virtual office hours and other communication information.
Assessment and Grading
Testing Procedures:

There will be no outside testing. All testing will be done within WebCT.
Grading Procedure:

Your grades will be based on Skills (50%), Related Work (25%), and Participation (25%).

The Skills score is the average of the major comprehensive exams at the end of Modules 2-7.

The Related Work will account for 25% of your grade. This score is derived from homework assignments for modules 1 and 8 and your active involvement in discussion board assignments for modules 2 through 7.

The Participation grade is also 25% of your grade. It will be based on weekly email communications with the instructor received no later than 11:59pm each Saturday, meeting deadlines, netiquette, and professionalism (maintaining composure and self-control, attitude, following instructions, mental alertness, attentiveness, observing, eager to learn, working independently and under pressure, using initiative, needing little supervision, quality of work). Once you have successfully finished all the requirements for the course, you will no longer have to send weekly emails, etc.

Grading Scale:

93 - 100---A
85 - 92----B
77 - 84----C

A score of 77 or better must be achieved to receive credit for this course.
Assignments and Participation
Assignments and Projects:
A listing of exams arranged by module according to due dates is available on the Calendar.
Class Participation:

Students must participate in all interactive aspects of the course. Students can communicate with other students in the chat room; students are expected to communicate with the instructor as a learning resource; students must check the course discussion board where the instructor will post topics for students comments. To begin with students will reply/post an introduction to the class on the discussion board.

Students will email the instructor at the beginning of the course using the WebCT email to notify the instructor that they are in the system and have mastered this communication medium. After that, students will be expected to contact (check-in with) the instructor a minimum of once weekly via email.
Punctuality:
Students are permitted to work ahead of the timeline in this course. There are specific module completion dates posted on the Calendar and noted in the modules. Exams and assignments are required to be done by these dates in order not to incur participation penalties. However, please note that all tests and assignments are accepted up until the last day of class.
Course Ground Rules

The following are recommendations for students taking this class:

  • Learn how to navigate in WebCT.
  • Keep abreast of course announcements by viewing the course Calendar for exams and assignment deadlines.
  • Check the Discussion Board several times a week for course announcements, course information, and discussion topics.
  • Manage your time wisely. Give yourself enough time to complete assignments and properly prepare for exams.
  • Keep in contact with the instructor on a regular basis by weekly emails and discussion board.
  • Use the assigned college or university e-mail address as opposed to a personal email address for everything course related.
  • Address technical problems immediately.
  • Students must respect the rights of others at all times when communicating in chat, email, or discussions. Observe course netiquette at all times. 
  • Participation is key to doing well in this course. Be sure all discussion assignments are completed by the due date as posted on the course Calendar.
  • If you have a technical issue, address it at once to avoid falling behind in the class.
  • If you have questions, the discussion board is a great place to ask it. Remember that the only bad question is one not asked. So, if you are unsure of something, ask. If you prefer, you may also email the instructor.
Guidelines for Communications
Email:
  • Always include a subject line.
  • Remember without facial expressions some comments may be taken the wrong way. Be careful in wording your emails. Use of emoticons might be helpful in some cases.
  • Use standard fonts.
  • Do not send large attachments without permission.
  • Special formatting such as centering, audio messages, tables, html, etc. should be avoided unless necessary to complete an assignment or other communication.
  • Respect the privacy of other class members.
Discussion Groups:
  • Review the discussion threads thoroughly before entering the discussion. Be a lurker then a discussant.
  • Maintain threads by using the "Reply" button rather starting a new topic.
  • Do not make insulting or inflammatory statements to other members of the discussion group. Be respectful of other’s ideas.
  • Be patient and read the comments of other group members thoroughly before entering your remarks.
  • Be positive and constructive in group discussions.
  • Respond in a thoughtful and timely manner.
Chat:
  • Introduce yourself to the other learners in the chat session.
  • Be polite. Choose your words carefully. Do not use derogatory statements.
  • Be concise in responding to others in the chat session.
  • Be prepared to open the chat session at the scheduled time.
  • Be constructive in your comments and suggestion.
Web Resources:

Library

The Tennessee Virtual Library is available to all students enrolled in the Regents Degree Program. Links to library materials (such as electronic journals, databases, interlibrary loans, digital reserves, dictionaries, encyclopedias, maps, and librarian support) and Internet resources needed by learners to complete online assignments and as background reading must be included in all courses. 

Students With Disabilities

Qualified students with disabilities will be provided reasonable and necessary academic accommodations if determined eligible by the appropriate disability services staff at their home institution. Prior to granting disability accommodations in this course, the instructor must receive written verification of a student's eligibility for specific accommodations from the disability services staff at the home institution. It is the student's responsibility to initiate contact with their home institution's disability services staff and to follow the established procedures for having the accommodation notice sent to the instructor.

Syllabus Changes

The instructor reserves the right to make changes as necessary to this syllabus. If changes are necessitated during the term of the course, the instructor will immediately notify students of such changes by individual email communication and posting both notification and nature of change(s) on the course bulletin board.

Technical Support

Telephone Support:
If you are having problems logging into your course,
timing out of your course, using your course web site tools, or other technical problems, please contact the Eduprise Help Desk by calling :

1-866-550-7637 (toll free)

or go to their website at:

http://help.rodp.org