BMGT 1325 - Office Management

BMGT 1325:

Description

Systems, procedures, and practices related to organizing and planning office work, supervising employee performance, and exercising leadership skills.

Semester Offered
Spring
Credits 3 Lecture Hours 3 Lab Hours 0
Extended Hours
0
Contact Hours
48
State Approval Code
52.0401
Alternate Operations During Campus Closure

In the event of an emergency or announced campus closure due to a natural disaster or pandemic, it may be necessary for Panola College to move to altered operations. During this time, Panola College may opt to continue delivery of instruction through methods that include, but are not limited to: online learning management system (CANVAS), online conferencing, email messaging, and/or an alternate schedule. It is the responsibility of the student to monitor Panola College's website (www.panola.edu) for instructions about continuing courses remotely, CANVAS for each class for course-specific communication, and Panola College email for important general information.

Class Attendance

Regular and punctual attendance of classes and laboratories is required of all students. When a student has been ill or absent from class for approved extracurricular activities, he or she should be allowed, as far as possible, to make up for the missed work. If a student has not actively participated by the census date, they will be dropped by the instructor for non-attendance. This policy applies to courses that are in-person, online, hybrid, and hyflex.

Attendance in online courses is determined by submission of an assignment or participation in an activity. According to federal guidelines, simply logging into a distance learning course without participating in an academic assignment does not constitute attendance. Distance learning is defined as when a majority (more than 50%) of instruction occurs when the instructor and students are in separate physical locations. Students must engage in an academic activity prior to the course census date. 

When an instructor feels that a student has been absent to such a degree as to invalidate the learning experience, the instructor may recommend to the Vice President of Instruction that the student be withdrawn from the course. Instructors may seek to withdraw students for non-attendance after they have accumulated the following number of absences: 

Fall or spring semesters: 

3 or more class meeting times per week - 5 absences

2 class meeting times per week - 3 absences

1 class meeting per week -  2 absences

The student is responsible for seeing that he or she has been officially withdrawn from a class. A student who stops attendance in a class without officially withdrawing from that class will be given a failing grade; consequently, the student must follow official withdrawal procedures in the Admissions/Records Office.

Please note: Health Science and Cosmetology courses may require more stringent attendance policies based on their accreditation agencies. Please see the addendum and/or program handbook for further information concerning attendance.  

Pregnant/Parenting Policy

Panola College welcomes pregnant and parenting students as a part of the student body. This institution is committed to providing support and adaptations for a successful educational experience for pregnant and parenting students. Students experiencing a need for accommodations related to pregnancy or parenting will find a Pregnancy and Parenting Accommodations Request form in the Student Handbook or may request the form from the course instructor.

Artificial Intelligence (AI) Course Policy

No use of Generative AI permitted.

This option assumes that all work submitted by students will be generated by the students themselves, whether they are working individually or in groups. Students should not have another person or entity do the writing of any portion of an assignment, which includes hiring a person or a company to write assignments and/or using artificial intelligence (AI) tools like ChatGPT. Use of any AI-generated content in this course qualifies as academic dishonesty and violates Panola College’s standards of academic integrity.

Instructional Goals and Purposes

The purpose of this course is to equip students with the essential skills and knowledge required to efficiently oversee and coordinate office operations.

Learning Outcomes
  1. Define the role of an office professional
  2. Create a professional image in the workplace
  3. Develop communication skills in an office setting
  4. Identify methods for organizing and optimizing an office workspace
  5. Develop strategies for managing an office staff
  6. Plan for meetings and events
  7. Coordinate business travel
  8. Engage in professional development and continuous learning
  9. Adhere to ethical principles and maintain confidentiality
Specific Course Objectives (includes SCANS)

After studying all materials and resources presented in the course, the student will be able to:

  1. Define the role of an office professional. (1ai-ii, bi-vi, 2ai, aiii, ci-iv)
    1. Define the role of an administrative assistant.
    2. Explain the evolution and importance of administrative professionals.
    3. List key skills and attributes for success.
    4. Project employment opportunities and salary.
  2. Create a professional image in the workplace. (1ai-ii, bi-vi, 2ai, aiii, ci-iv)
    1. Identify the types of workplace dress codes.
    2. Develop strategies for building a professional wardrobe.
    3. Explain the impact of grooming and hygiene on perception in the workplace.
    4. Adapt your attire to effectively suit different workplace situations.
    5. Tailor your personal style to align with evolving workplace norms.
  3. Develop communication skills in an office setting. (1ai-ii, iv, ciii, 2ei-ii)
    1. Identify effective verbal and written communication.
    2. Demonstrate professional email etiquette.
    3. Demonstrate how to handle phone calls and messages professionally.
    4. Use online software for effective Web conferencing.
    5. Manage mail and shipping.
  4. Identify methods for organizing and optimizing an office workspace. (1ai-iii, bii-vi, ci-v, 2ai, aiii, ei-iii)
    1. Optimize workspace organization and ergonomics.
    2. Create efficient filing systems.
    3. Manage office supplies and resources.
    4. Streamline administrative processes.
  5. Develop strategies for managing an office staff. (1i-ii, iv, bv, 2ai, bi-ii, iv, ci-iv, eii)
    1. Develop prioritization techniques.
    2. Plan and schedule work assignments.
    3. Manage multiple tasks simultaneously.
    4. Delegate tasks and responsibilities to boost productivity.
    5. Develop communication strategies for managing office staff.
  6. Plan for meetings and events. (1ai-ii, 2ci-iv, ei)
    1. Explain the key phases of planning successful events and meetings.
    2. Identify the roles and responsibilities of office administrators in coordinating events.
    3. Demonstrate effective time management and scheduling techniques for meetings.
    4. Apply strategies for budgeting and resource allocation for office events.
    5. Analyze common challenges in event planning and develop practical solutions.
    6. Implement communication and coordination skills to ensure seamless meetings.
    7. Evaluate tools and technologies that streamline event and meeting planning.
  7. Coordinate business travel. (1ai-ii, 2ci-iv, ei)
    1. Describe the administrative staff’s role in planning and managing business travel.
    2. Create accurate and organized travel itineraries.
    3. Arrange transportation and lodging within company policies and budgets.
    4. Communicate effectively with travelers and service providers.
    5. Prepare, document, and reconcile travel expenses.
    6. Demonstrate professionalism and confidentiality in all travel-related duties.
  8. Engage in professional development and continuous learning. (1ai-ii, bi-vi, 2ai, aiii, ci-iv)
    1. Identify the importance of professional development to the office professional.
    2. Evaluate personal strengths and weaknesses to identify specific areas for professional development.
    3. Identify various resources that provide continued learning opportunities.
    4. Integrate continuous learning into your regular routine.
    5. Self-assess and recognize skills gaps.
  9. Adhere to ethical principles and maintain confidentiality. (1ai-ii, bi-vi, 2ai, aiii, ci-iv)
    1. Define professional ethics in the office support role.
    2. Maintain confidentiality and discretion.
    3. Balance ethics and confidentiality.
    4. Demonstrate how to handle sensitive information.
Course Content

Students in all sections of this course will be required to do the following:

  1. Students will submit an online quiz each week based on the material presented in the module.
  2. Students will complete and submit assignments based on the material covered in the module and the accompanying videos.
  3. Students will complete online exams testing their knowledge of administrative professional procedures.
Methods of Instruction/Course Format/Delivery

This course may be offered in the traditional classroom or over the Internet. Students in the traditional class and in the Internet class will have access to this course via Canvas, a learning management system. Students in the traditional class will meet regularly for lecture over the material. Students in the Internet class are always welcome to attend the traditional class if one is available on the schedule.

All quizzes, assignments, and exams will be submitted through Canvas. After an assignment has been graded, the student will be able to view his or her grade by returning to the exercise or by clicking the Grades link in the left banner. Students will have limited review of the answers to the exams, but they will always be able to view the score. Your work will normally be graded and posted within two days following the deadline.

Students in both the traditional and Internet classes should use email within Canvas to communicate with the instructor. Using Canvas email gives you access to the instructor and other classmates without having to remember or type email addresses—you just select a name from the list. If you are not able to contact your instructor using email in Canvas, you may use his or her Panola College email address. Panola College instructors attempt to respond to all email within 24 hours. Please always include a subject line and your name in your email.

Course Grade

The grading scale for this course is as follows:

  1. Quizzes - 20%
  2. Assignments - 40%
  3. Exams - 40%

All student grades and the final semester grade will be posted to Grades in Canvas.

Cheating is defined as unauthorized help on an examination or assigned course material. A student must not submit another student’s work as his or her own. A student must not receive from any other student or give to any other student any information, answers, or help during an exam. A student must not "steal" the answers from an unsuspecting student during an exam. A student must not use any sources for answers during an exam (including but not limited to notes, books, or electronic devices) without prior authorization from the professor. A student must not obtain exam questions illegally, tamper with the exam questions, nor change the results of an exam after it has been graded. All cheating infractions will result in a grade of “0” for the assignment.

Plagiarism is defined as the taking of a person's ideas, words, or information and claiming those properties as one's own. The use of all ideas, words, or information from any source must be properly referenced and due credit must be given to its author. All written assignments must be submitted through Canvas which uses turnitin.com to calculate percent originality of the submission. For compositions, a student’s work must show 0% plagiarism. For research assignments, properly quoting and citing information from other sources is usually required in the assignment; however, since the integrity of the assignment is based upon the originality of the student's work, no student may turn in a paper which exceeds a 30% score in properly quoted and cited material. The instructor reserves the right to employ other means outside of turnitin.com to check the "originality" of a student’s work. Any submission that contains copied material (other than cited material in a research paper) will automatically receive a grade of "0" for the assignment.

A student will fail the class upon his or her second cheating and/or plagiarism offense. These policies shall be adhered to unless mitigating circumstances should prove a lesser penalty should apply. Students shall have the right to contest a cheating or plagiarism claim; the appeals process is specifically defined in the student handbook.

Texts Materials, and Supplies

This course DOES NOT require a traditional textbook. Instead, your instructor will provide free open educational resources including detailed chapter notes and videos in each module. All quizzes, assignments, and exams will be based on these materials.

Access to a computer, the Internet, and a webcam.

Required Readings

Chapters 1-9 provided in the Canvas modules

Other
  • Courses conducted via video conferencing may be recorded and shared for instructional purposes by the instructor.
  • For current texts and materials, use the following link to access bookstore listings: https://www.panolacollegestore.com.
  • For testing services, use the following link: https://www.panola.edu/student-services/studentsupport/academic-testing-center.
  • The Accommodations & Disability Support (A&DS) Office at Panola College provides and facilitates support services and accommodations for students with disabilities. The A&DS office works under the federal guidelines included in Section 503 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 and the American with Disabilities Act.  Please contact the Accommodations & Disability Support (A&DS) Office located in the Charles C. Matthews Student Center or go to https://www.panola.edu/disabilitysupport for more information.
  • Withdrawing from a course is the student’s responsibility. Students who do not attend class and who do not withdraw will receive the grade earned for the course.
  • Student Handbook: https://www.panola.edu/ (located on at the bottom under student)
SCANS Criteria
  1. Foundation skills are defined in three areas: basic skills, thinking skills, and personal qualities.
    1. Basic Skills: A worker must read, write, perform arithmetic and mathematical operations, listen, and speak effectively. These skills include:
      1. Reading: locate, understand, and interpret written information in prose and in documents such as manuals, graphs, and schedules.
      2. Writing: communicate thoughts, ideas, information, and messages in writing, and create documents such as letters, directions, manuals, reports, graphs, and flow charts.
      3. Arithmetic and Mathematical Operations: perform basic computations and approach practical problems by choosing appropriately from a variety of mathematical techniques.
      4. Listening: receive, attend to, interpret, and respond to verbal messages and other cues.
      5. Speaking: Organize ideas and communicate orally.
    2. Thinking Skills: A worker must think creatively, make decisions, solve problems, visualize, know how to learn, and reason effectively. These skills include:
      1. Creative Thinking: generate new ideas.
      2. Decision Making: specify goals and constraints, generate alternatives, consider risks, and evaluate and choose the best alternative.
      3. Problem Solving: recognize problems and devise and implement plan of action.
      4. Visualize ("Seeing Things in the Mind's Eye"): organize and process symbols, pictures, graphs, objects, and other information.
      5. Knowing How to Learn: use efficient learning techniques to acquire and apply new knowledge and skills.
      6. Reasoning: discover a rule or principle underlying the relationship between two or more objects and apply it when solving a problem.
    3. Personal Qualities: A worker must display responsibility, self-esteem, sociability, self management, integrity, and honesty.
      1. Responsibility: exert a high level of effort and persevere toward goal attainment.
      2. Self-Esteem: believe in one's own self-worth and maintain a positive view of oneself.
      3. Sociability: demonstrate understanding, friendliness, adaptability, empathy, and politeness in group settings.
      4. Self-Management: assess oneself accurately, set personal goals, monitor progress, and exhibit self-control.
      5. Integrity and Honesty: choose ethical courses of action.
  2. Workplace competencies are defined in five areas: resources, interpersonal skills, information, systems, and technology.
    1. Resources: A worker must identify, organize, plan, and allocate resources effectively.
      1. Time: select goal-relevant activities, rank them, allocate time, and prepare and follow schedules.
      2. Money: Use or prepare budgets, make forecasts, keep records, and make adjustments to meet objectives.
      3. Material and Facilities: Acquire, store, allocate, and use materials or space efficiently. Examples: construct a decision timeline chart; use computer software to plan a project; prepare a budget; conduct a cost/benefits analysis; design an RFP process; write a job description; develop a staffing plan.
    2. Interpersonal Skills: A worker must work with others effectively.
      1. Participate as a Member of a Team: contribute to group effort.
      2. Teach Others New Skills.
      3. Serve Clients/Customers: work to satisfy customer's expectations.
      4. Exercise Leadership: communicate ideas to justify position, persuade and convince others, responsibly challenge existing procedures and policies.
      5. Negotiate: work toward agreements involving exchange of resources, resolve divergent interests.
      6. Work with Diversity: work well with men and women from diverse backgrounds. Examples: collaborate with a group member to solve a problem; work through a group conflict situation, train a colleague; deal with a dissatisfied customer in person; select and use appropriate leadership styles; use effective delegation techniques; conduct an individual or team negotiation; demonstrate an understanding of how people from different cultural backgrounds might behave in various situations.
    3. Information: A worker must be able to acquire and use information.
      1. Acquire and Evaluate Information.
      2. Organize and Maintain Information.
      3. Interpret and Communicate Information.
      4. Use Computers to Process Information. Examples: research and collect data from various sources; develop a form to collect data; develop an inventory record-keeping system; produce a report using graphics; make an oral presentation using various media; use on-line computer databases to research a report; use a computer spreadsheet to develop a budget.
    4. Systems: A worker must understand complex interrelationships.
      1. Understand Systems: know how social, organizational, and technological systems work and operate effectively with them.
      2. Monitor and Correct Performance: distinguish trends, predict impacts on system operations, diagnose deviations in systems' performance and correct malfunctions.
      3. Improve or Design Systems: suggest modifications to existing systems and develop new or alternative systems to improve performance. Examples: draw and interpret an organizational chart; develop a monitoring process; choose a situation needing improvement, break it down, examine it, propose an improvement, and implement it.
    5. Technology: A worker must be able to work with a variety of technologies.
      1. Select Technology: choose procedures, tools or equipment including computers and related technologies.
      2. Apply Technologies to Task: understand overall intent and proper procedures for setup and operation of equipment.
      3. Maintain and Troubleshoot Equipment: Prevent, identify, or solve problems with equipment, including computers and other technologies. Examples: read equipment descriptions and technical specifications to select equipment to meet needs; set up and assemble appropriate equipment from instructions; read and follow directions for troubleshooting and repairing equipment.