COM 11400: Fundamentals of Speech Communication - IPFW

COM 11400: Fundamentals of Speech Communication Syllabus

Instructor: Office: Contacting Me: Email Address:

Phone Number: Mailbox: Office Hours:

Section 31

T/R

10:30 – 11:45 Kettler Hall G50

Section 35

T/R

1:30 – 2:45

Neff Hall 135

Christa A. Dillman Neff Hall B38

[email protected] (BEST method of contact. I respond to emails within 24 hours during the week; please allow 48 hours if you email me after 5:00 p.m. on Friday. Do NOT email through Blackboard, as I do not check it!) 260.481.6547 (Best time to call me is during office hours, as this number does not have a voice mail account.) Department of Communication, Neff Hall 230 Tuesday and Thursday, 12:00 – 1:00 p.m.; and happily by appointment!

Course Materials: Textbook: Duck, Steve, and David T. McMahan. The basics of communication: a relational perspective. Second edition. Thousand Oaks, CA: Sage, 2012. Print. Supplemental Material: Posted on ReservEXpress for download and print. Website: Blackboard (ipfw.blackboard.com) Get into the habit of checking on a regular basis!! Course Overview: Welcome to COM 114!! While many of you may be feeling uneasy at the thought of doing nothing but public speaking, please rest assured – we will be doing so much more than that this semester. The purpose of this course is to provide you with an introduction and basic overview to the field of communication and its three major components (small group communication, interpersonal communication, and public speaking). The relevance of communication to daily life, technology and media, along with current social issues will also be examined and discussed. Course Format: In order to receive a full scope of the material, this course will be a mixture of lecture, speeches, in-class activities, videos, and discussion. Questions, comments, and personal experiences relevant to the material are always welcome and strongly encouraged. Your active participation in the course will help you to learn the material and will make the course more enjoyable for you, me, and your fellow classmates! General Education Area I Learning Objectives:

Upon completion of COM 114, students should be able to: • Speak precisely, clearly, and persuasively. • Listen actively and with comprehension. • Formulate and assess their own arguments as well as the arguments of others. • Understand basic principles of small group communication, interpersonal communication and public speaking. • Work in an increasingly diverse society. • Demonstrate computer literacy. This will be demonstrated through the usage of Blackboard discussion postings, email, research, and Microsoft Power Point during speeches. Where to Get Help: Information Technology Services – If you encounter problems with your computer, myIPFW account, Blackboard, etc., contact this office in Kettler Hall 206 at 260.481.6030 or via [email protected]. Center for Academic Support and Advancement – Need additional help with clarifying concepts or want to review before an exam? CASA provides tutoring for all IPFW students. You are allowed two free hours per week per subject at The SPOT Learning Center. Visit them in Kettler Hall G21 or contact them at 260.481.5419. Writing Center –The Writing Center can assist you with the writing process – from brainstorming and outlining to revisions and proofreading. Visit them in the Learning Commons at Helmke Library on the second floor, call 260.481.5740, or email at [email protected]. Services for Students with Disabilities – If you have a disability or acquire one during the semester, please contact this office in Walb Union 113 at 260.481.6657. I will work with you, through this office, to make accommodations in order for you to complete this course. Course Policies: Attendance-Attendance is mandatory and necessary for participation. To do well in this course you must attend class, read the textbook, and be actively involved. This is not a course where just “showing up” will earn you a passing grade. Attending and participating in class regularly will enable you to earn your required “class participation points” (see below for further explanation). At the beginning of each class, I will pass around a sign-in sheet that you must sign before you leave class that day (or else you will be counted absent). If you do need to miss a class, it is your responsibility to find out what you’ve missed from a classmate and/or through the class website (Blackboard calendar). After you’ve made the effort to find out what you missed, I will be more than happy to answer any questions or clarify any material. I will not provide you with notes or essentially “re-lecture” for you, nor will I answer emails stating, “What did I miss in class today?”

Please Note: You are allowed three absences during the semester; after that, there will be a 20% reduction of your class participation points. Classroom Behavior :

I expect everyone to contribute in a positive way toward our classroom and learning experience. Below is a list of behaviors that are damaging to our course environment and will not be tolerated: • Using your cell phone (for talking or texting), pager, iPod, or any other electronic gadget during class. All phones need to be put on silent as soon as class starts and all other electronic devices must be stowed away. If you are texting during class, class participation points (amount to be determined by instructor) will be deducted each time. If an extenuating circumstance must arrive where you need to keep your phone on, please inform me before class, put your phone on vibrate, and leave the classroom to respond to your call/text. • Wearing headphones and listening to music during class/speeches/exams. Please remove all headphones and turn off all listening technologies before entering the classroom. • Using your laptop for non-class related activities. I do not mind if you use your laptop to take notes or for other class-related activities (they may come in handy for when group speech work days are given). However, if you are unable to pay attention and/or contribute meaningfully to class discussion due to being distracted by your laptop, or if I catch you using it for non-classrelated activities (i.e., Facebook), I will ask you to stop using it for the rest of the semester. • Leaving class early/arriving to class late. In the case you do need to leave early, please notify me beforehand and sit close to the door so you do not distract others while leaving; if you know you will be late to class, a quick email to me would be much appreciated. I start class right on time and you are expected to be here! (Please note: If you are late on speech days, wait outside until the current speech is completed, then come in quietly and be seated in a discreet fashion. If you must leave early on a speech day, please leave between speeches. Do NOT barge in/out of the room while your fellow classmates are speaking!!) • Failing to treat others with respect during class, such as rolling your eyes or sighing when you think that someone has asked a “dumb question” or if you don’t agree with someone’s viewpoint. In this class, we discuss a variety of topics and, as individuals, have various experiences and viewpoints on each topic. It is important that we listen and be open-minded to others’ views. • Holding personal conversations during class. Be respectful of who is speaking at any given time during class and give them your full attention! While the above list is not all-inclusive, I hope you can see the pattern of behaviors that are considered inappropriate. Students who engage in these activities and are continuously disruptive will receive verbal warnings in the classroom, have class participation points reduced, or even be asked to leave. Make-Up Work – There is NO make-up work in this course, meaning NO make-up exams, speeches, or assignments. Exams are scheduled for specific days during the semester and you must take them during that class period. All speeches, assignments, speech topics, and outside class participation opportunities are due on the date specified. Oversleeping, “forgetting,” losing your flash drive, etc. will not constitute a sufficient reason for being allowed to make-up an exam/speech/assignment/opportunity. If there is an emergency or unforeseen circumstance (i.e., accident, sick child) that arises, please contact me within 24 hours and have proof of as to why you were absent. In contrast, if you know you will have to

miss an exam/speech/assignment due day, please contact me before that time and have proof as to why you will miss. Only under extreme circumstances will I allow a paper or speech to be turned in late or an exam to be taken at a later date. Any make-up exams, late speeches/assignments/class participation opportunities will be subject to penalization (i.e., lost points) per the discretion of the instructor. Speech Days – You are expected to be here not only on the days you give your own speeches, but when your classmates give their speeches, as well. On the day you are giving your speech, you are allowed to have your outline, visual aids, and any notes you may use in your speech on your desk. On the days you are in the audience, you are not allowed to have anything on your desk, including the textbook (for this class and other classes), notes, notebooks, or any electronic devices. The point is to not only have your classmates give you respect on the day of your speech, but to return that respect the days you are in the audience. Conversely, when you are in the audience, you are expected to be actively engaged (i.e., listening, possibly thinking of questions) and quiet. Students who yell out, shout, sleep, hold side conversations, or are engaged in other behaviors could be asked to leave the class and have class participation points deducted. Plagiarism/Academic Honesty – I look upon cheating as a major insult, not only to the person who is cheating, but also to the other members of the class and myself. It is expected for all students to behave honorably and honestly in this course. According to IPFW’s Academic Regulations, "Academic honesty is expected of all students. You are responsible for knowing how to maintain academic honesty and for abstaining from cheating, the appearance of cheating, and permitting or assisting in another’s cheating." Academic dishonesty in this class includes: • Cheating, or attempting to cheat, and/or aiding a fellow student in the copying of answers from exams or assignments. • Having course materials (textbook, notes) and/or technological devices (iPad, laptop, phones, headphones) out during an exam. • Forging another student’s signature on attendance sign-in sheets. • Using a speech, whole or in part, authored by another student or person. • Using a written paper, whole or in part, authored by another student or person. • Plagiarizing another’s written or oral work, including insufficient citations or references. Plagiarism includes using another student’s work and passing it off as your own, or copying material from websites, books, articles, etc. and not using proper citation.

Instances of plagiarism and/or cheating will not be tolerated. If you are caught plagiarizing/cheating, the minimum result will be a zero on that assignment with other penalties optional, including up to automatic failure of the course!!

Course Assignments:

*Please note: This is a brief overview of the assignments in this course. More information will be given about each assignment closer to the time.* Speech Topics: All topics for speeches must be approved by me prior to giving your speech. Speech topics will be due generally two to three weeks before that specific speech is due. For each topic, a worksheet will be posted on Blackboard containing questions that you must answer to the fullest extent in the required format. All speech topics are due on the date specified! If you turn in a speech topic late, or change your topic on the day of your speech, it will be subjected to penalization (i.e., lost points). Consequently, if you do not turn in a topic or turn in a topic after the speaking schedule has been posted, you will not be allowed to give your speech. If you choose a speech topic and encounter difficulties with finding specific information and/or research, come speak with me – I’m more than happy to help you with any problems you may be facing. Informative Speech: In this speech, you will be presenting information on a topic you find interesting and in which you have knowledge. Topics must be approved by me prior. You must have a minimum of one visual aid. An outline and a minimum of one external source (not your textbook) must be turned in the day of your speech. This speech must be 4 – 6 minutes long and is worth 100 points. Persuasive Speech: The objective of this speech is to impact and influence the way your audience feels, thinks, or views a topic. Topics must be approved by me prior. An outline and a minimum of three external sources (not your textbook) must be turned in the day of your speech. You must also use one visual aid in your speech. This speech must be 6 – 8 minutes in length and is worth 125 points. Group Speech: For this speech, you will analyze the role of technology, communication, and media in society and in your life. Your group must choose some form of media and discuss/analyze/illustrate not only how it impacts society but your own, personal, lives. Topics must be approved by me prior and you must use two visual aids during your presentation. Each group member must participate and speak for at least 4 - 6 minutes in the speech, with the total time between 15 – 20 minutes. An outline and five external sources (one being your textbook), along with your personal group log, must be turned in the day of your group speech. This speech is worth 150 points. Film Analysis: This written assignment will illustrate how various components of communication are displayed in film. You will choose a movie from a pre-determined list and analyze how various course concepts are illustrated throughout. As part of this assignment, you will briefly (no more than five minutes) present your chosen film and one specific concept as part of a panel discussion. Your final paper will be 4 – 6 pages in length, contain a reference page, and is worth 100 points. Real World Communication Application: The purpose of this written assignment is to observe various elements of communication in the real world and apply them to course concepts. You will sign up for a textbook chapter, then apply a current event to the terms/concepts discussed in that specific chapter. The day your assigned chapter is discussed in class, you will briefly describe your chosen current event

and concepts for 2 – 3 minutes. Your final paper will be 2 – 3 pages in length, contain a reference page, and a copy of your current event. This assignment is worth 50 points. Class Participation Points: A total of 75 CP points figure into your course grade. You are allowed to keep up to 25 points earned over the required 75 and use them as bonus or “extra credit points” to count toward the non-exam portion of the course. [CAD1]The class participation activities are intended to provide additional learning and understanding of the course material, so participation is doubly beneficial. Opportunities for in-class participation points will arise on a random basis and consist of a variety of items – discussion questions, worksheets, in-class group activities, quizzes, etc. Occasionally class participation opportunities may be provided online. In order to earn the full class participation credits, you need to complete the assignment or activity in its entirety and turn it in at the end of class or on the designated due date. Those opportunities not completed in full will be subjected to lost points. Points will be awarded for effort, as opposed to actual performance. You must be present in class to earn in-class points; points may not be made up if you are absent (excused or unexcused). (NOTE: Extra class participation points are the only opportunity for “extra credit” in this course.) Exams: There will be four, 50-item unit exams. Exams will consist of multiple choice, definitions, true/false, short answer, and/or essay. Unit exams will cover the textbook, lectures, course discussion, class participation activities, and any additional supplementary material. Please note that not all of the material covered in class will appear in the textbook and exams will often have a few items taken from the text that were not discussed in class. Study guides will be made available at the beginning of each unit to aid in your preparation for the exam. Each exam is worth 100 points for a total of 400 points in the course. Grades: Due to the Family Education Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA), grades must be properly safeguarded.[CAD2] • Grades will be posted electronically on Blackboard where only you can view them. • Graded exams/speeches/written assignments/class participation will be handed back only to you in class. • I cannot give your grades, or an explanation of your grades, to anyone else other than you. I also cannot send out grades via email. At any time during the semester, I am more than happy to create a grade report and go over it with you in my office (if you would like a grade report, please notify me 24 hours in advance). • Exams are 40% of your grade, while speeches, written assignments, and classroom participation make up the additional 60%. All grades are final. If you have any questions about a grade, I will be happy to discuss and address any concerns you may have.

Grading Breakdown: 4 Exams (at 100 points each): Group Speech: Persuasive Speech: Informative Speech: Film Analysis: Class Participation: Current Events Application:

400 pts. 150 pts. 125 pts. 100 pts. 100 pts. 75 pts. 50 pts.

Total Points Available:

1000 pts.

Grading Scale: 90-100% 80-89% 70-79% 60-69% 00-59%

(900 - 1000 points) (800 - 899 points) (700 - 799 points) (600 - 699 points) (000 - 659 points)

A B C D F

This course does follow the +/- system as follows: 94% - 100% A 90% - 93% A87% - 89% B+ 83% - 86% B 80% - 82% B77% - 79% C+ 73% - 76% C 70% - 72% C67% - 69% D+ 63% - 66% D 60% - 62% D00% - 59% F

Please Note: A student must have a passing average (60%) on BOTH exams and non-exam assignments in order to pass the course. This is a department requirement and I am unable to make any exceptions to this policy.

TENTATIVE COURSE SCHEDULE I will make every effort possible to keep us on the following course schedule, but please be aware it is subject to change. All changes to this schedule will be announced in class and posted on Blackboard.

Unit One: Fundamentals of Communication and Public Speaking "Words are, of course, the most powerful drug used by mankind." – Rudyard Kipling

DATE

TOPIC

ASSIGNMENT (Readings must be completed before class!)

Welcome! Tuesday, January 15

Thursday, January 17

Tuesday, January 22

Thursday, January 24

Introduction to Course and Syllabus CH 1: “An Overview of Everyday Communication” Discuss Current Events Assignment

Sign-ups for Current Events chapter open at 9:00 a.m. today.

CH 13: “Relating Through Informative Speeches and Persuasive Speeches”

Read Chapter 13 (ONLY pages 319 – 328)

CH 11: “Preparing for a Public Presentation”

Read Chapter 11

Discuss Informative Speech Assignment Tuesday, January 29

Read Chapter 1

CH 12: “Developing a Public Presentation”

Sign-ups for Current Events chapter close at 11:30 p.m. today. Read Chapter 12

Read Chapter 14 Thursday, January 31

Tuesday, February 5

CH 14: “Delivering a Public Presentation”

CH 16: Supplemental Material - Outlines Speech and Outline Workshop

Thursday, February 7

UNIT ONE EXAM

Informative Speech Topics Due

Read Supplemental Material: Wood, CH 16 (ONLY pages 386 – 392) Bring Informative Speech Materials to Class

Unit Two: Communication Components ”What you do speaks so loud that I cannot hear what you say.” —Ralph Waldo Emerson

DATE

TOPIC


CH 2: “Verbal Communication” Tuesday, February 12

Discuss Film Analysis Assignment

Read Chapter 2


CH 3: “Nonverbal Communication”

Read Chapter 3 Read Chapter 4

Tuesday, February 19

CH 4: “Listening”

Film Analysis Topics/Introductory Paragraph Due Today


CH 13: “Relating Through Informative Speeches and Persuasive Speeches”

Read Chapter 13 (ONLY 328 – 337)

Discuss Persuasive Speech Assignment

Tuesday, February 26


Informative Speeches

If you are giving your speech today, your outline and reference page are due.


If you are giving your speech today, your outline and reference page are due. Persuasive Speech Topics Due

Tuesday, March 5

Thursday, March 7


UNIT TWO EXAM


Unit Three: Interpersonal Communication “Tell me and I'll forget. Show me and I'll remember. Involve me and I'll understand.” – Confucius

DATE

TOPIC


CH 5: “Identities and Perception” Tuesday, March 19

Thursday, March 21

Discuss Group Speech Assignment CH 6: “Talk and Interpersonal Relationships”

Read Chapter 5

Read Chapter 6

Group Speech Work Time

Tuesday, March 26

CH 8: “Culture and Communication”

Read Chapter 8 Group Speech Topics Due

Thursday, March 28

Film Analysis Presentations

Tuesday, April 2

Film Analysis Presentations

Thursday, April 4

Tuesday, April 9

Persuasive Speeches

Persuasive Speeches

Film Analysis Papers Due

If you are giving your speech today, your outline and reference page are due. If you are giving your speech today, your outline and reference page are due.

Thursday, April 11

Persuasive Speeches


Tuesday, April 16

Group Speech Work DAY!

Work on Group Speeches

Thursday, April 18

UNIT THREE EXAM

Unit Four: Group Communication “There is no ‘I’ in team but there is in win.” – Michael Jordan

DATE

Tuesday, April 23

TOPIC CH 7: “Small-Group Relationships, Leadership, and Decision Making”


Read Chapter 7


Thursday, April 25

Supplemental Material: “Leadership and Decision-Making Methods”

Read Supplemental Material: Wood, CH 11, pages 266 – 277


Tuesday, April 30

Group Speeches

Thursday, May 2

Group Speeches Wrap Up Course/Course Evaluations

UNIT FOUR (FINAL) EXAM Tuesday, May 7

Section 31 10:30 a.m. – 12:30 p.m.

Thursday, May 9

Section 35 1:00 p.m. – 3:00 p.m.

If your group is speaking today, one outline, a reference page, and your individual group log is due.

If your group is speaking today, one outline, a reference page, and your individual group log is due.