CMST&101
- Introduction to Communication
Spring, 2012 | Daily
Instructor: Jen Anderson
Phone: (425) 564-4185
Email: jeanders@bellevuecollege.edu
Office Hours: Before and after class or by appointment in R230L
Text: Rothwell, D. (2010), In the Company of Others, Third
Edition
Communication influences every aspect of our lives, whether
in work or play. Communication Studies 101, Introduction to Communication, is
designed to examine both theoretical understanding and skilled application of
communication principles and techniques in a variety of settings. We will have
the opportunity to experience a variety of forms of communication, specifically
public speaking, interpersonal communication, and communication within small
groups.
Course Objectives:
Course Format:
This course is designed to provide
multiple ways for you to enhance your communication skills and develop a more
comprehensive understanding of communication processes that occur in public
speaking, interpersonal interactions, intercultural interactions and small
group settings. The course objectives will be met through the use of
mini-lectures, readings, class discussion and activities, writing assignments,
quizzes, speeches and a group project. Five quizzes will be administered
throughout the quarter, assessing your understanding of, and ability to apply,
communication concepts covered in the reading and in class. It is imperative that you stay current
with assigned reading as well as study of the content included in class. My teaching philosophy is grounded in the
theory of active learning. We will
participate in a variety of activities in class and it is assumed you will
arrive in class each day prepared and ready to participate fully in class.
Course Requirements:
Assigned Reading:
You will be assigned reading each week and it is your responsibility to be
prepared to participate in class discussions regarding that reading. While many
of the concepts covered in the reading will be discussed in class, all concepts
covered in the readings are fair game for the quizzes. Therefore, it is vital
that you keep up with the reading and have an understanding of the
communication concepts therein.
Attendance and Participation:
Your attendance and participation are an integral part of making this class
work effectively. As stated previously, most of the work that makes up this
class involves group discussion and class exercises that emphasize course
material. If you are not in class consistently, you are unable to participate
in these discussions and exercises. Please be on time for all classes.
I will
take attendance throughout the quarter. You are allowed two free absences. After that, any unexcused absence results in
a deduction of points from your attendance/participation grade. After
10 absences, you will receive a failing grade in this class.
I reserve the right to deduct points from your grade for
late arrivals/early dismissals.
I understand that many students have important
responsibilities outside of the classroom…families, work, sports, etc. I am
sensitive to these issues and will do all that I can to assist with scheduling
conflicts as they relate to class activities. I ask that you let me know ahead
of time of any conflict you might have with scheduled class time, and
we will try to work things out. Please realize though, while I am flexible,
that flexibility only goes so far. Please be respectful of your group members
and my time as we will be of your time.
Cell Phone/Laptop Use:
No texting, surfing the web, or checking
personal email/Facebook in class. Please
keep your phones on vibrate/mute or off during class time and keep them in your
bag or pocket during class – I do not want to see them out. You are able
to use your laptop to take notes. I reserve the right to restrict use of
laptops in class if students are found to be checking email/facebook/youtube/etc. during class. Please be respectful of
your classmates and me.
Grading System:
In order to allow for flexibility, I may omit some assignments and add others
during the quarter. I will keep you posted when and if changes occur and how
those changes will alter the following grading system.
Quizzes:
Quizzes will be administered and the format consists of a combination of
approximately 40 true/false and multiple-choice questions. I will not allow make-up quizzes unless you
have a documented medical issue for missing the quiz. A review sheet will
be made available before each quiz.
Speech:
The purpose of this 4-6 minute speech is to teach your audience how to do
something that you feel will be interesting to them. More information will be distributed
regarding this assignment.
Group Project:
Working effectively in small groups is an important aspect of interpersonal
communication. With that said, you will be required to complete a group project
that demonstrates your ability to work together and apply the communication
concepts learned in class. The group project will be further discussed later in
the quarter. At that time, groups will be developed and topics discussed. Your
individual grade will be computed by taking into consideration both the grade
the group received as a whole and your participation in the group as evaluated
by you and other group members.
Note: Students who contribute inadequately
to their group project (or group meetings) can be voted out of the group at any
time during the quarter. If a student is
voted out of his/her group, he/she will research and write a 10-page paper on a
communication topic of my choice. The research paper will have a minimum of
10 cited journal sources and a bibliography.
The student will present his/her paper and findings to the class in a 10-minute
presentation. In addition, the person
can only earn up to 75% of the potential points for that project.
Interpersonal Project:
We will examine the notions of culture, public/private selves and identity
management in a creative project. More information will be given in class.
Film
Analysis:
We will watch a feature film in class and write a paper about
interpersonal communication using the film as our examples thereof. More information will be given in class.
Grade Appeals:
You have the opportunity to appeal any grade that you are given in this class.
All grade appeals must be typed, stating your reason for appeal. If you so
choose, I will accept appeals via e-mail. Grade appeals must be submitted no
sooner than 24 hours after the grade has been issued...I will not discuss any
grade on the day the grade is administered.
Adaptations or Special
Accommodations: If you need course adaptations or
special accommodations due to a documented disability or if you have emergency
medical information I should be aware of, please contact the Disability
Resource Center at (425) 564-2498. The earlier in the quarter you talk to me
about your disability, the better able I am to accommodate your needs.
Academic Integrity:
Plagiarism and cheating on assignments and/or exams will not be tolerated in
this class. Plagiarism includes, but is not limited to, submitting projects,
assignments, undocumented quotations, computer-processed materials, or other
material as one’s own work when such work has been prepared by another student
or individual. Anyone caught cheating or submitting plagiarized work will
receive a “0” for that assignment or exam and will be subject to other
consequences as determined by the instructor.
Add/Drop Policy:
BC policies allow instructors to drop students who do not attend the first
three class sessions of the quarter. Unless you contact me regarding the
absences prior to those absences, I will drop you from the course. If you are
struggling in the course, please come talk to me as I will do whatever I can
(within reason!) to assist you with class content and assignments and your
understanding thereof. If you decide this class is not for you, it is your
responsibility to drop the course. If you just stop coming to class, but do not
officially drop the course, you will receive a 0.0 on your permanent college
transcript. Please refer to your BC Student Handbook for further information
regarding the add/drop policy.
Final Note:
Several of the class exercises are interactive and require students to
role-play or share personal information. Please remember to keep others’
feelings and dignity in mind when choosing to comment on an issue or prior
statement made by one of your classmates or me. Any comments that denigrate the
worth of an individual because of his/her race, religion, background,
lifestyle, or gender are inappropriate and unacceptable in my class.
I look forward to getting to know you this quarter! I look
forward to learning from you as I believe that you have a great deal to teach
your classmates and me. You can count on me to put a great deal of time into
making this class both educational and enjoyable. I will rely on you to assist
in making the class fun and educational and firmly believe that you will get
out of this class as much as you put into it. Good luck!
Tentative
Schedule
This schedule may change
depending on circumstances of the quarter.
Week
One Reading
4/2 Welcome
and Syllabus
4/3 Autograph
Party |Communication Model Chapter One
4/4 Communication
Principles | Content and Relational Messages
4/5 Communication
Competence
4/6 Competition
vs. Cooperation
Week
Two
4/9 Perception
Process | Perceptual Biases Chapter Two
4/10 Self-Concept
| Self-Disclosure
4/11 Cultural
Patterns Chapter Three
4/12 Ethnocentrism
| Stereotyping | Prejudice
4/13 Quiz One | Chapters 1-3
Week
Three
4/16 Overview
of Public Speaking | Audience Analysis | Topic Choice Chapters
11-13
4/17 Speech
Topic Worksheet Due | Research and Organization
4/18 Research
and Organization | Fallacies
4/19 Introductions
and Conclusions | Thesis Statements
4/20 Outlining
Week
Four
4/23 Communication
Apprehension | Delivery
4/24 Future
Goal Speeches
4/25 Delivery
| Visual Aids
4/26 Gallery Walk | Delivery Workshop
4/27 Optional
Day – Meet with Jen for individual assistance
Week
Five
4/30 Speeches
5/1 Speeches
5/2 Speeches
5/3 Speeches
5/4 Speeches
Week
Six
5/7 Quiz Two | Chapters 11-13
5/8 Characteristics
of Language | Interpersonal Project Overview Chapter
Four
5/9 Power
of Language
5/10 Linguistic
Relativism vs. Linguistic Determinism
5/11 Characteristics
of Nonverbal Communication Chapter
Five
Week
Seven
5/14 Types
of Nonverbal Communication
5/15 Nonverbal
(cont).
5/16 Listening Chapter
Six
5/17 Listening
5/18 Quiz Three | Chapters 4-6
Week
Eight
5/21 Group
Project Overview | Interpersonal Project
Due
5/22 Communication
Indicators of Power | Power Resources Chapter
Seven
5/23 Power
Imbalances | Empowerment
5/24 Communication
and Relationships Chapter
Eight
5/25 Communication
and Relationships | Group Time
Week
Nine
5/28 No
Class – Happy Memorial Day!
5/29 Interpersonal
Conflict Chapter
Nine
5/30 Movie
5/31 Movie
6/1 Quiz Four | Chapters 7-9
Week
Ten
6/4 Small
Group Communication Chapter
Ten
6/5 Leadership
6/6 Ineffective
Decision-Making in Small Groups Chapter
Eleven
6/7 Effective
Decision-Making in Small Groups
6/8 Group
Day
Week
Eleven
6/11 Quiz
Five | Chapters 10-11
6/12 Group
Day
Final Group Presentations will take
place on Friday, 6/15 | 11:30-1:20