syllabus101

Communication 101 Course Syllabus

Communication Department | Communication Basic Courses Homepage | Communication Web Resources

Course Description:

Students will learn the skills and strategies used in interpersonal and small group communication situations. This course introduces students to the principles involved in communicating in interpersonal relationships and small group interactions.

Course Objective/Rationale:

During the course you will be asked to write journals reflecting upon the ways in which concepts in the text relate to your everyday lives; participate in a small group experiential learning exercise; analyze relationships in a film or book and write a research paper on how those relationships are portrayed and how they are similar to or different from interpersonal concepts and research; conduct an interview in the community. In this course, you will be asked to present two oral reports. It is important that you build your interpersonal communication skills and that you learn how to informally present analysis of interpersonal and small group relationships. The goal is for you to gain more confidence in interpersonal and small group communicative settings.

GMU Communication Basic Courses Homepage: http://classweb.gmu.edu/classweb/comm/comm104/coursepage.html

Required Textbooks:
Wood, J. T. (2000). Communication Mosaics: An introduction to the field of communication (2nd). McGraw-Hill.
Bethea, L. S. (2000). A guide to interpersonal communication: Student handbook.
Carrollton, TX: Alliance Press/Thomson Learning.

Student Learning Objectives:

In ALL COMM 100 level classes, the following objectives are involved:

1. Students will become aware of the fundamental principles of communication as they apply in a variety of situations.
2. Students will have experiences that teach self-monitoring and thus provide the basis for life-long improvement of their communication skills.
3. Students will receive reinforcement for effective written communication.
4. Students will understand the role of free speech in a democratic society.
5. Students will gain insight about the influence of culture in communication and how to cope with cultural differences when interacting with others.

In addition, individual skill development is stressed in COMM 101. Students learn principles relating to dyadic and small group interaction. In COMM 101, the following specific objectives are identified:

1. Students will learn how to critically analyze and synthesize interpersonal
communication research by gaining an understanding of the concepts, principles, and theories of interpersonal communication.

2. Students will develop an understanding of specific skills that enhance the interpersonal communication process and the importance of cultural factors in influencing communication.

3. Students will understand the interrelationship between interpersonal concepts and the small group process by acquiring problem-solving skills through experiential learning and through working in small groups and teams.

4. Students will develop analytical skills and critical listening skills
by practicing the use of interpersonal skills in various group and team situations.

5. Students will gain critical writing and research skills by learning how to conduct
responsible and appropriate research on interpersonal relationships.

Course Requirements:

Participation:

You are expected to participate in all classes. Instructors will provide a sign up sheet that will serve as a partial indicator that you made an effort to participate in class. Make every effort to inform your instructor if an emergency prevents you from giving a speech on an assigned date. If you are absent during your scheduled presentation time (and/or the date when an assignment is due) a grade of "0" will be assigned if you miss that day without a physician’s verification of an absence within 24 hours.

Do not be late for class. Walking into class late is disruptive; be courteous. Coming to class late or leaving early will be counted as an absence for the entire class period. If you are absent/tardy for any reason, you are responsible for the material covered and any announcements made while you were gone. You are allowed a limited number of non-participation days on non-presentation days. The following is the limited number of non-participation days you are allowed: three (3 absences) for Monday/Wednesday/Friday; two (2 absences) for Tuesday/Thursday; and one (1 absence) for night and summer classes.

Exams:

Two multiple-choice exams will be given. You will need to bring scantron #882 or #8000 to each exam (little green scantron forms can be found at the GMU bookstore by the checkout stand). Each exam will cover readings from the text and lectures from class. The midterm will cover chapters 1-10. The final exam will be comprehensive (i.e., include elements from every chapter in the book). Approximately 70 percent of the final exam will cover chapters 11-15, and approximately 30 percent of the final will be taken from the chapters covered up to the midterm.

Material Turned in Late:

Any material not turned in by the designated time period will result in an automatic 50 PERCENT OFF THE GRADE…..ABSOLUTELY NO EXCEPTIONS….SO PLAN AHEAD! Material that does not meet the designated deadline will ONLY be considered for half credit until the next class period.

Written Assignments:

For each written assignment you must turn in one typed copy of your outline and your grade sheet AND email a copy via file attachment to your instructor by class time for each day material is due (e.g., labeled Last Name 101-001-critique2001). The hard copy will be graded and returned to you. The file attachment will be kept in the BASIC COURSES administration file. If you fail to turn in the required copy and file attachment assigned you by the designated due date you will receive a "0" for the entire assignment.

Research requirement:

Participation includes activities such as coding data, participating in surveys, etc. It is your responsibility to check the sign-up board regularly for upcoming research projects. The sign-up board is located in the adjunct instructor office 206 Thompson Hall.

Grades:

You will be graded in this class based on the number of points you earn for each exam, speech, and written assignment as well as your class participation. The total number of points available for the semester is 1000. Keep track of your scores on the Student's Record of Grades form. At semester's end, add up your points and use the chart provided below (or in your handbook). GMU adopted the plus/minus system in 1998. If you have any questions concerning GMU grading policies call the Assistant Registrar for academic records 703-993-2462 or the academic records staff 703-993-2435.

A 93-100 (930-1000)
A- 90-92 (900-929)
B+ 87-89 (870-899)
B 83-86 (830-869)
B- 80-82 (800-829)
C+ 77-79 (770-799)
C 70-76 (700-769)
D 60-69 (600-699)
F 59 or less (590 or less)

Student notification of grades:

Grade reports are not automatically mailed to students at the end of the term. Instead, students may access their grades by calling 4GMU (703-993-4468) or by checking http://webGMU.gmu.edu for the grade report. The grade reports will be updated nightly.

Posting grades publicly:

The posting of student grades by student name or ID number---at any time, in any format---is not allowed at GMU. This policy has been in effect since May 1990 to comply with the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act of 1974 (FERPA), as amended.
*NOTE: It is your responsibility to record your grades for this class. Do not expect your instructor to subtotal your grades for you during the course or at the conclusion of the semester.

Special Notes:

*Academic Misconduct:

The guidelines in the Student Code of Responsibility and Conduct for GMU will be upheld in this course. According to the Academic Misconduct Code:

Academic misconduct includes (a) cheating (using unauthorized materials, information, or study aids in any academic exercise, plagiarism, falsification of records, unauthorized possession of examinations, intimidation, any and all other actions that may improperly affect the evaluation of a student's academic performance or achievement); (b) assisting others in any such act; or (c) attempts to engage in such act.

Academic misconduct will not be tolerated and will be severely penalized, and possibly resulting in a failing grade for the class. The appropriate dean will be notified of academic misconduct and handled according to university policy.

We take the GMU Honor Code very seriously. Unless otherwise indicated (as in a group project), all work and discussion is to be your own. Plagiarism is representing another’s work as your own or recycling earlier work as new work without consulting the instructor. Digital technologies make it possible to cut and paste work–remember that if you don’t cite it, it is plagiarism and you are plagiarizing! Remember to use proper source citations in citing the evidence, ideas and quotations you use in your own work. All quizzes and other assessment techniques must be completed on your own with no outside help. Academic dishonesty also includes providing false or misleading information in order to receive a postponement or an extension on a quiz or any other assignment. Academic dishonesty, or a failure to follow the GMU Honor Code, will most likely result in a course grade of F and may result in further academic penalties.

*Incompletes or Withdrawals:

It is extremely unlikely that an incomplete will be assigned. Students requesting an incomplete must be passing the course, must still complete all of the quizzes, must provide compelling evidence justifying an incomplete, and must sign an incomplete contract with the course instructor. Withdrawal requests are evaluated by the Dean’s office.

*Reasonable Accommodation:

Any student in this course who has a disability that may prevent him or her from fully demonstrating his or her abilities should contact their instructor or the course directors as soon as possible so that the necessary accommodations can be made to ensure full participation and facilitate your educational opportunities. A Disability Support Services office is available on campus to assist students with special needs. If you have a disability or suspect you might have a disability, contact this office at 703-993-2474. If you have a disability that will require assistance, let your instructor know within the first two weeks of this course.

*The GMU Writing Center:

The Writing Center provides free tutorial sessions for all students needing help with any writing project--from freshman essays to scholarly publications. It is best to make an appointment to ensure seeing a Writing Center consultant at a specific time; however, walk-ins will be accepted if there are openings. The GMU Writing Center is located at UWC: Robinson A114. Phone: 703-993-1200. Web page: www.gmu.edu/departments/writingcenter

Useful websites for students, writers, researchers, and educators:

Guide to grammar—this is a very thorough and well-organized site with clear explanations of grammar conventions. Also includes quizzes for those who are looking for a grammar and mechanics challenge.
http://webster.commnet.edu/HP/pages/darling/original.htm

Academic Writing Online---this is an excellent online journal featuring scholarly articles about writing and writing culture, as well as a link to Language and Learning in the Discipline’s website.
http://aw.colostate.edu/

What is an "A" paper---this gives students a basic idea of C-based grading scales and criteria for writing well in a variety of disciplines.
http://web.calstatela.edu/centers/write_cn/apaper.htm

What is APA style?---this website may help get you started in learning how to properly cite your academic sources.
http://www.apa.org/journals
http://www.apa.org/journals/faq.html
http://www.apa.org/journals/webref.html

Student's Record of Grades

Assignments
Journals (3 @ 50 pts each) ________/150
Small Group Experiential Learning Assignment ________/100
Interpersonal Communication Research Paper ________/100
Interpersonal Communication Research Oral Report ________/100
Community Builder Information Gathering Interview ________/100
Community Builder Information Gathering Oral Report ________/100
Exams
Midterm (Chs. 1-10) ________/100
(50 questions multiple choice format)
Final (30% 1-10) (70% 11-15) ________/100
(50 questions multiple choice format)
Instructor points ________/100
Team Workshops (optional)
Assurance Readiness Tests (optional)
Class Participation
Other
Research Requirement ________/50
Subtotal _________/1000
______________________________________________________________________________TOTAL _________
*NOTE: It is your responsibility to record your grades for this class. Do not expect your instructor to subtotal your grades for you during the course or at the conclusion of the semester.

Semester Schedule (tentative)

Week 1: Syllabus/Introduction to Communication Mosaics Ch. 1-2, The field of communication, Perceiving and understanding, Description of Journal Assignments

Week 2: 2 Creating communication climates Ch. 3, Engaging in verbal communication Ch. 4, JOURNAL #1 DUE

Week 3: Communication in groups and teams Ch. 10, Description of Small Group Experiential Learning Assignment, Engaging in nonverbal communication Ch. 5, JOURNAL #2 DUE

Week 4: Listening and responding to others Ch. 6, Adapting communication to people and contexts Ch. 7, Small Group Experiential Learning Presentation Team #1, JOURNAL #3 DUE

Week 5: Communication and personal identity Ch. 8, Small Group Experiential Learning Presentation Team #2

Week 6: Communication in Personal Relationships Ch. 9, Description of Interpersonal paper, Small Group Experiential Learning Presentation Team #3

Week 7: Review for Midterm (Chapters 1-10)

Week 8: Communication in organizations Ch. 11, Small Group Experiential Learning Presentation Team #4

Week 9: INTERPERSONAL PAPER DUE, INTERPERSONAL ORAL REPORTS

Week 10: INTERPERSONAL ORAL REPORTS

Week11: Communication in interviews Ch. 12, Description of Community Builder Information Gathering, Interviewing assignment, Small Group Experiential Learning Presentation Team #5

Week 12: Public communication Ch. 13, Small Group Experiential Learning Presentation Team #6