Speech 120: Human Communication Spring 2015 Tentative Course Syllabus and Schedule

Transcription

1 Speech 120: Human Communication Spring 2015 Tentative Course Syllabus and Schedule Instructor: Dewi Hokett Phone: x2794 Office: H 201 P Office Hours: Tue / Thurs.: 11-4 pm by appointment only Required Text: Communication Mosaics: An Introduction to the Field of Communication. 7 th Edition. Julia T. Wood. Specific Course Objectives 1. Identify the fundamental components of human communication systems. 2. Analyze and evaluate definitions and models of human communication systems. 3. Learn major theoretical approaches to the phenomenon of communication and be able to compare, contrast, and synthesize these approaches. 4. Apply understanding of communication principles to practical questions in group interaction, public address, and mass mediated communication. 5. Analyze human communication from an interdisciplinary perspective, combining and evaluating the vocabularies and methodologies of various social sciences. 6. Analyze interpersonal communication processes and apply this material to improving the student s own relational communication. 7. Examine the various fields of verbal communication and nonverbal communication. 8. Evaluate the strengths and limitations of small group communication. Student Learning Outcomes 1. Analyze interpersonal communication with regard to perception, verbal and nonverbal communication. 2. Discuss and Problem-solve in a small group setting with analysis of experience and presentation of a group chapter teaching methodology. 3. Construct a 3,500 word or 5-8 pages research paper on a course-related topic that should include critiques of theories, applications of theory to personally experienced communication problems, reviews and evaluations of literature in a particular field of communication research, or reports on group or mass-mediated events. The paper will emphasize skills and the development and defense of a thesis.

2 Spring 2015 Speech 120 Human Communication: Class Policies 1. Attendance is mandatory and taken at the beginning of each class. Because of the in-depth nature of this course, your success is determined by the lectures attended. Tardies are unacceptable. Two tardies count as an absence. If you arrive after I have taken roll, it is your responsibility to make sure I changed the attendance sheet. There is a point in the semester when I can no longer drop you from my roster. At that point you will receive the grade earned if you are an absentee student. It is your responsibility to withdraw from the course. If you are having family problems or a medical emergency, please feel free to come see me. Two excused absences will be allowed and then ten points will be deducted for each day following. After 4 absences you may be dropped from the course. Please attain lecture notes from a classmate if an absence should occur. Attendance: 20 points. 2. Class participation is a vital part of Human Communication. In class exercises, group projects, and especially lecture discussions are important in framing a positive, active experience in cross applying methods and theories to everyday situations. Your feedback, ideas, and questions are an essential facet of this course. I run an informal classroom, I consider class to be an extension of my family and appreciate your presence. Complete respect for all the views of your classmates is expected, as well as reverence for the material taught. This course will be tough, rewarding and enjoyable, so please consider your attitude and attention span as you enter class. It is important that students engaged in a Communication course understand that their classroom behavior must be respectful, sensitive and civil to all students and points of view. Usage of laptops, cell phones, pagers, and other electronic devices without the approval of the instructor is prohibited. Students not adhering to this classroom etiquette rule will have the electronic devices confiscated until the end of class! In extreme problem situations, the student may be dropped from the class. Participation: 30 points 3. Cheating and plagiarism: Acts of cheating and plagiarism are unethical and unacceptable behavior. Any student found to have engaged in these acts will be subject to disciplinary action according to the rules and regulations of the college as explained in the schedule of classes and course catalogue. 4. All written work must be typed (12 point font, double spaced) and will be evaluated not only on content but also on correct form, grammar, punctuation, spelling and other mechanics. In other words, I expect college level writing. 5. Group Presentations are assigned according to the chapter order. They will consist of teaching the chapter to the class for an entire class session (1 hour). The presentation should be creative, and incorporate all the terms, methods and theories of that chapter in order to prepare the class for the final exam. The presentation should incorporate multi-media, class participation activity, and a five minute lecture from each group member. The smaller the group, the longer the lecture. A reflection paper from each group member is due on the day of that group s presentation. Each group member will grade their peers. A full description of what is expected is listed on a separate document.

3 Grading Policy: Grading will follow a standard scale: 90% and above = A, 80-89%, = B; etc. There are a total of 600 points in this class. Grading components are as follows: Component Points Attendance 20 Class Participation 30 Test One Exam 50 Test Two Exam 50 Test Three: Final Exam 100 Group Presentation: Individual Score 50 Group Presentation: Group Score 100 Group Presentation: Outline 50 Group Presentation: Reflection Paper 50 Research Paper 100 Total 600 points Grading scale based on points: A 540 to 600 Points B C D F below 359 Additional Notes regarding the Research Paper: 1. The paper will be 5-7 typed pages. In addition to the 5-7 text, there is a required formal title page and bibliography. Please use a plastic cover for your paper, do not staple. 2. Please follow the MLA Handbook for Research Writing requirements for writing your research paper. Follow correct format on title page, pagination, and especially bibliography. No footnotes are required. Bibliography should total no more than 10 sources, no less than 6. Please include any interviews, handouts or Internet research cited within the body of the paper. The paper MUST have sources cited WITHIN the body of the paper or it will not constitute a proper research paper. 3. You will be graded on two criteria: Technics and Content. The technics of the paper will follow MLA style requirements: any grammar problems will also be reviewed. The content of this paper is based solely on your results: do not attempt to correct a problem in the world, it MUST BE WITHIN YOURSELF. Did you achieve success or do you still need growth? The first three pages must be a review of your problem, The final four must concentrate on steps taken to change this behavior. If you have any questions regarding a particular assignment, please come see me at least two weeks before the assignment is due. Feel free to talk to me before class, or leave a message on my voice mail and I ll be happy to call you at home. I am here to help you. You will gain my respect by working hard and working well with your classmates. This course is not material to be read and left behind at semester s end. It is important to understand these concepts now, so that others may learn from your experience. Good journey.

4 GROUP PROJECT PRESENTATION GUIDELINES 1. Time Frame: 45 to one hour, ten minutes. Grading will be affected if group should go over or under time. Be sure to practice your presentation several times before bringing it to class. 2. Materials: Video: no more than 10 minutes (recommended break up into small increments) Visual Aids: Posters for added effect do not display unless referring to them. PowerPoint: Graphs and charts do not display unless referring to them. Handouts: Limit of three per group for entire class. Be sure to explain each to class! Skits: Small scenes using the group project partners can underscore content. Quizzes: mini-questionaires or quizzes for the audience involve class be sure to explain. NOTE: no special speakers or performers allowed during presentation. 3. Each group project partner must present for at least five minutes of material not including the above multi-media. An evenly presented project involves entire group contributing in equal amounts. an imbalanced group relies on one or two people to carry the group. It will show in the presentation. Groups have been marked down in the past for lack of balance in time allotment. 4. Sources should not just come from Mosaics. Variety of documentation must be cited during the course of each presentation to show the studies done on the project s topic. Sources for each person should be at least four, remember, all sources are verbally cited!! See sources at the back of Mosaics chapters. REMEMBER: YOU ARE PREPARING THE CLASS FOR THE FINAL EXAM. Academic sources are recommended. 5. Script and outline must be provided to the instructor before beginning presentation. This script will include a table of contents, and each section by every group member in the order they appear. This script must be in one font, double spaced, and paginated. All handouts that are given to the class must be included in the script. Scripts must be in a folder, along with any extraneous materials the group adds. This is a word for word script of each presenter s material---no extemporization allowed. Therefore, it is essential to present solid research material, not just discussion. 6. Creativity is vital in these presentations! Some of the best presentations include the class, provide interesting real-world examples and great multi-media. The group that enjoys each other and their topic usually does best on this project. However, taste during presentation is required. No, distasteful presentations: language is a consideration, as well as style of format.in other words, be careful of offending your audience. Use discretion when choosing music or video, as well as checking with the instructor at least one week before the presentation. I have seen presentations that have been totally shock value and never proved a point. Presentations given in good taste will be well received. 7. You will also be grading your partners on this project. This is your personal Group Presentation Reflection Paper. Take notes on each meeting, and keep a log of any disagreements, absences or interpersonal problems. 90% of the work takes place outside of class and it is essential to keep the group going. Many people will be a part of group projects in future jobs or other classes, therefore it is important to learn from what worked and didn t work with your team. Please enjoy this growth experience!! Good luck to you.

5 RESEARCH PAPER GUIDELINES Paper format will be based solely on the guidelines provided in the MLA Handbook for Writers of Research Papers (A Guide to MLA Documentation, Trimmer, current edition). Please see MLA for the following technical areas that are common problems in research writing: Pagination: Please remember to put proper page numbers in the body of the paper. This also includes last name first, for example: Hokett 1, Hokett 2, Hokett 3, etc. Documentation: Note factors involved regarding citing sources in the body of the paper, as well as requirements for bibliography. (Remember to alphabetize bib!) Font Size: standard 12 point---please do not use a larger font, or unique font choice. This especially pertains to the professional presentation of the title page (no fancy borders, lettering, etc). Double Space: Double Space between lines. DO NOT Triple Space between each paragraph as this is an unnecessary space usage. Title Page: For reasons of privacy and due to the sensitive nature of this paper, I am requiring a title page. Please follow standard title page format. DO NOT include class name, instructor, your name and date on the first page of writing (MLA format). This is the only deviance from MLA this paper makes. All of the previous listed requirements should appear on the title page only. Remember to write in a research style. Though this interpersonal study will touch on areas of your life that are sensitive use heightened word choices and professional language. This paper also prepares the student for future classes and their possible requirements. Finally: Never forget to focus your paper on a facet of communication that you wish to change WITHIN YOURSELF not the world. I have read wonderful papers that never addressed the person writing how frustrating to give an A paper a lower grade because the student left the topic requirements entirely!! Really, Finally: Because this paper is a study of yourself, and some research found may require self analysis, please begin research and testing of the changing facet EARLY. Enjoy the study! Many students in the past have found the research paper revealing and life changing. Though the above requirements may seem daunting, they merely solidify the topic: you and your communication. Learn and remember. Much success to all of you.

6 Spring 2015 Speech 120 Human Communication Tentative Schedule Day & Date Topics Readings (due on that day) Mon. Jan 12 Class Overview/Introductions/Syllabus Wed. Jan 14 A First Look at Communication Chapter 1 Mon. Jan 19 NO CLASS HOLIDAY OBSERVED Wed. Jan 21 Historical and Contemporary Perspectives Chapter 2 Mon. Jan 26 Perceiving and Understanding Chapter 3 Wed. Jan 28 Engaging in Verbal Communication Chapter 4 Mon. Feb 2 Engaging in Nonverbal Communication Chapter 5 Wed. Feb 4 Group Presentations Assigned: Class Discussion Mon. Feb. 9 Listening and Responding to Others Chapter 6 Wed. Feb. 11 Listening and Responding to Others Chapter 6: Group Exercise Mon. Feb. 16 NO CLASS HOLIDAY OBSERVED Wed. Feb. 19 TEST ONE Chapters 1-6 Mon. Feb. 23 Creating Communication Climates Chapter 7 Wed. Feb. 25 Adapting Communication to Cultures and Social Communities Chapter 8 Mon. March 2 Communication and Personal Identity Chapter 9 Wed. March 4 Communication and Personal Relationships Chapter 10 Mon. March 9 Research Paper Discussion Entire Class Time Wed. March 11 NO CLASS Mon / Wed: March 16 and 18: SPRING BREAK: NO CLASS Mon. March 23 Movie: Lost in Translation Chapters 7-10 Wed. March 25 Movie: Lost in Translation Chapters 7-10 Mon. March 30 TEST TWO Chapters 7-10 Wed. April 1 Group Presentation Meetings Entire Class Time Mon / Wed: April 6 and 8: NO CLASS: GROUP MEETINGS OPTIONAL Mon. April 13 Term Research Paper Due / Groups Meet Entire Class Time Wed. April 15 Group Presentation Meetings Entire Class Time Mon. April 20 Group Presentation Meetings Entire Class Time Wed. April 22 Team Chapter 11: Presentation Entire Class Time Mon. April 27 Team Chapter 12: Presentation Entire Class Time Wed. April 29 Team Chapter 13: Presentation Entire Class Time Mon. May 4 Team Chapter 14: Presentation Entire Class Time Wed. May 6 Team Chapter 15: Presentation Entire Class Time Mon. May 11 Research Papers / Group Presentations Returned Wednesday, May 13: 10am 11:50 am: FINAL EXAM

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