COM 411 Online Course Computer Mediated Interpersonal Communication Fall Week Version October 19 December 11, 2015

Transcription

1 COM 411 Syllabus- Page 1 of 9 COM 411 Online Course Computer Mediated Interpersonal Communication Fall Week Version October 19 December 11, 2015 Instructor: Dr. Jim Grubbs address: grubbs.jim@uis.edu Office Phone: Office Location: UHB 3020 Dr. Grubbs Web Site: Blackboard Classroom: COURSE DESCRIPTION and OBJECTIVES The primary focus for this course will be on the Boyer category of Identity. At root, this course explores the ways in which our personal identity is mediated through electronic communication, specifically, the Internet. Additionally, all communication courses, by their nature, address Boyer s Language category. Further, the study of technology fits into the Boyer category of Nature. Only basic computer and Internet skills are required for this course our focus is on human communication, not the technology itself. In this course, you will: Develop an understanding of the human-computer interface Explore the ways in which language itself is mediated (altered, changed) through Internet communication Consider Internet communication at the intrapersonal, interpersonal, and group (organizational) levels Develop effective practices for utilizing the Internet for continuing education Evaluate Internet communication across communication contexts for benefits and potential negative effects

2 COM 411 Syllabus- Page 2 of 9 REQUIRED TEXTS Leonard Shedletsky & Joan Aitken. (2004). Human Communication on the Internet. Boston: Pearson. Susan Barnes. (2003). Computer-Mediated Communication: Human-to-Human Communication Across The Internet. Boston: Pearson. ADDITIONAL SUGGESTED TEXT Andrew Wood & Matthew Smith. (2001). Online Communication: Linking Technology, Identity, & Culture. London: Erlbaum. IMPORTANT NOTE ABOUT THE EIGHT WEEK VERSION OF THIS COURSE This version of this course is designed to cover 15 weeks of material in a compressed session lasting 8 weeks. Short term courses, by their nature, present scheduling challenges for students. The format used in this course requires careful planning on the part of the student in order to ensure that all assignments are completed on time. The schedule requires you to hit the ground running. You are advised to read all of the assignment sheets during the first few days of class in order to ensure that you will be able to complete each of the weekly assignments by their due dates. You are expected to complete all assignments on time, including discussion questions and interactive discussion, tests, and papers. Late work is not accepted and incompletes will not be given. Plan your schedule now in order to make sure you are able to keep up with the demands of this course. Lectures COURSE REQUIREMENTS You are responsible for all material presented in the Blackboard classroom. A portion of the material covered in class may not be in your text. You are also responsible for being aware of all assignments, handouts, and announcements posted in the online classroom. Participation An effective online experience requires the ongoing presence and participation by all members of the class. Participation is defined as ongoing interaction with others in the class in the discussion area not just posting answers to discussion questions individually. In order to earn the full number of points available for participation, you need to actively participate in class discussions, offer thought-provoking questions or comments, and provide constructive, critical feedback to others.

3 COM 411 Syllabus- Page 3 of 9 Discussion Questions 30 points each week X 7 weeks Interaction among students and the instructor using the class Blackboard is critical to your understanding of the subject matter in this course. You are expected to participate on a regular basis at least twice each week. You are expected to respond to all discussion questions, read all the postings in the online classroom, and interact by posting responses with your classmates. Your answers to discussion questions will be evaluated on how they reflect your understanding of the material for the week. In order to receive the maximum number of points available for this assignment, you need to submit answers that contribute to, and spark additional, meaningful, discussion. You will receive a combined grade on your discussion questions and your level of interaction with your classmates four times during the semester approximately once every three to four sessions. Discussion questions are due each week on Friday night no later than 5:00 p.m. Central time. Do not work ahead devote your effort to the current week s questions and discussion Criterion 1 - Quality of response to classroom discussion question Demonstrates that you have done the reading and viewing for the week Demonstrates that you have researched the answer to the question Demonstrates that you have used the same care and effort that you would for a formal essay. For a grade of C Reflects minimally acceptable effort; you have responded to all of the questions, demonstrated an acceptable level of research in commenting on the questions, and demonstrated at least minimal upper-division college level writing skills. For a grade of B Reflects an expanded understanding of the materials assigned for the week. You have demonstrated extra effort in researching your responses (for example, locating and posting to the class additional sources relevant to the discussion). Your posts reflect better than average upper-division college level writing skills. For a grade of A Reflects a deep understanding of the materials assigned for the week and engagement with the probes. You have demonstrated exemplary effort in researching your responses. Your posts reflect exemplary upper-division college level writing skills. Criterion 2 - Level of weekly participation You are expected to login to the classroom Blackboard a minimum of two days each week. Your usage will be tracked

4 COM 411 Syllabus- Page 4 of 9 You are expected to respond in a substantive manner to a minimum of three of your classmates posts. For a grade of C -- You participate at the minimum level determined by Blackboard statistics and the instructor s observations. Your comments and/or replies to your classmates posts reflect a minimal but acceptable level of interaction. For a grade of B You participate at a level above the minimum expected (two or more days each week) as determined by Blackboard statistics and the instructor s observations. Your comments and/or replies to your classmates posts reflect an above average level of interaction For a grade of A You participate on most days each week as determined by Blackboard statistics and the instructor s observations. Your comments and/or replies to your classmate s posts stimulate further discussion and qualify you as a discussion leader. Final Exam The final exam will be posted for all students no later than one full-week before it is due. This exam will be administered online using Blackboard and will consist of 100 multiple choice and true / false questions. The test will be timed and you will only be able to take it once. You must complete the exam in one session. Written Assignments Your written work is expected to conform to college level writing at the junior or better level. Students are encouraged to seek help at the Learning Hub in order to ensure the quality of their writing meets the standards for the university and this class. Failure to meet this standard will affect the grades you receive in this class. Assignment sheets with more details will be made available in the Assignments area of the class Blackboard. Sample papers are also available for viewing. The scope, nature, and relative value of assignments may be changed at the discretion of the instructor. General Expectations for Written Assignments What criteria will be used for assessment? Your assignments will be evaluated on factors including Criteria for a C paper: Paper minimally addresses the assignment

5 COM 411 Syllabus- Page 5 of 9 Paper is written at minimally acceptable upper-division college level but contains some grammatical and/or spelling errors, reflects minimal organizational effort, or includes questionable language choice If citations are included, some citations errors are present Criteria for a B paper: Paper more substantially addresses the assignment Writing exhibits better than average upper-division college level skills but contains a few grammatical and/or spelling errors, and shows room for improved organization and language choice Citations are present and in correct form with minimal errors Criteria for an A paper: Paper thoroughly addresses the assignment Answer reflects not only an understanding of course materials but demonstrates significant additional research. Writing is free of grammatical and spelling errors, demonstrates effective language choice, and is exceptionally well organized. Citations are present and error-free GRADING Course grades will be determined by performance on written assignments, projects, exams, and class participation: All students will be evaluated on the following criteria (all dates are 2015). A total of 1000 points are possible. First Encounter Essay 300 points October 30 Discussion Board Analysis 300 points November 20 Final Exam 200 points December 11 Online Discussion Questions (30 x 7 weeks) 210 points Weekly *Unless otherwise directed, all assignments are due on the designated Friday, no later than 5:00 p.m. local time in the Central time zone. This includes answering discussion questions. In general, papers, exams and other assignments in the course are designed so students of average ability and motivation applying ordinary amounts of time and diligence to the coursework will receive a grade of "C," indicating average achievement. Higher grades will require significantly greater effort and more thorough understanding of course material. No grade of Incomplete will be given, and no class work will be accepted after the final exam is given.

6 COM 411 Syllabus- Page 6 of 9 The final examination for all students will be objective and will be administered online using the Blackboard assessment feature. Questions will be either multiple-choice or true-false. Your course grade will be based on the following point system: points A points A points B points B points B points C points C points C points D points D points D 599 or less No credit for course

7 COM 411 Syllabus- Page 7 of 9 SCHEDULE This is a tentative schedule and is subject to modification at the discretion of the instructor. All dates are PART ONE: FOUNDATIONS WEEK 1 Beginning October 19 Session 1 Underpinning Ideas Introduction to the course. Note that the focus is on the process of communication rather than technology itself. How can students benefit from learning about Internet communication? Primary Reading: Shedletsky Chapter 1. Session 2 Human-Computer Interaction Primary Reading: Barnes Chapter 3 WEEK 2 Beginning October 26 Session 3 Language and the Internet Primary Reading: Barnes Chapter 5 Session 4 Process of Human Communication on the Internet An overview of how the human communication process is adapted in a computer-mediated environment. Discussion includes models to help us understand the abstract process of Internet Communication. Primary Reading: Shedletsky Chapter 2. First Encounter Essay due October 30 WEEK 3 Beginning November 2 Session 5 Tensions of Communication on the Internet Theories of interpersonal communication with an emphasis on the tensions involved in such communication. How we use the Internet to converse, inform, and play with special attention to how this mode of communication can result in polarization of communicators. Primary Reading: Shedletsky Chapter 3.

8 COM 411 Syllabus- Page 8 of 9 PART TWO: FUNCTIONS Session 6 Informatics How do we use the Internet as a communication vehicle for information? How to identify and evaluate quality, primary, sources through databases and search engines. Primary Reading: Shedletsky Chapter 4. WEEK 4 Beginning November 9 Session 7 The Play of Internet Communication Some of our communication is for fun. How do we play online? Primary Reading: Shedletsky Chapter 5. Additional Reading: Barnes Chapter 9. Session 8 Polarization of People The Internet has been blamed for a digital divide and as a source that can encourage violence and dissonance as well as violate your privacy. Primary Reading: Shedletsky Chapter 6. Additional Reading: Barnes Chapter 12, 13, & 14. WEEK 5 Beginning November 16 PART THREE: COMMUNICATION MODES Session 9 Intrapersonal Communication as Cognitive Collaboration How people come together mentally through their use of online communication. Primary Reading: Shedletsky Chapter 7. Additional Reading: Barnes Chapter 6. Wood/Smith Chapter 4. Session 10 Interpersonal Communication on the Internet How people build and maintain relationships online. Primary Reading: Shedletsky Chapter 8. Additional Reading: Barnes Chapter 7. Analysis of Blackboard Discussion Area due November 20 Week of November 23 No Classes Thanksgiving

9 COM 411 Syllabus- Page 9 of 9 WEEK 6 Beginning November 30 Session 11 Virtual Communities How are communities created online? Primary Reading: Shedletsky Chapter 9. Additional Reading: Wood/Smith Chapter 6. Barnes Chapter 11. PART FOUR: CONTEXTS OUTSIDE THE HOME Session 12 Workplace Contexts How the Internet is used within the workplace including the decision making process. What effect does organizational culture/climate have? A discussion of e-commerce is included. Primary Reading: Shedletsky Chapter 10 Additional Reading: Wood/Smith Chapter 7. Barnes Chapter 8. WEEK 7 Beginning December 7 Session 13 Educational Contexts What makes Internet based education different? What is the same? Is online instruction an effective teaching environment? What can you do to increase your level of success and satisfaction with online learning? Primary Reading: Shedletsky Chapter 11. Additional Reading: Barnes Chapter 10. Session 14 Beyond the Internet Computer use extends beyond the Internet. We use computers to compose school assignments, publish newsletters for the organizations to which we belong, organize our finances and our appointments. In what ways do these uses of the computer contribute to our sense of identity and the ways in which we interact with others? Readings: To be determined Session 15 Consequences and Conclusions A review and summary of all of the concepts from the course. Primary Reading: Shedletsky Chapter 12. Final Exam due Friday December 11 Revised August 5, 2015