COMMUNICATION STUDIES 103, Section 02 - Introduction to Communication

COMMUNICATION STUDIES 103 - Introduction to Communication Spring Semester 2007

Monday, Wednesday, and Friday

Section 02 - 9:00-9:50 p.m.

Section 03 - 1:00-1:50 p.m.

Room 228, Moreau Center for the Arts

Dr. Michael Kramer

Office Address: 103 Moreau Center for the Arts

Office Hours: Tuesday and Thursday 9:30 a.m.-noon., and by appointment

Phone: 284-4042 (office), 251-0262 (home)

Email: mkramer@saintmarys.edu

Home Page: http://www.saintmarys.edu/~mkramer/

COURSE DESCRIPTION

This course introduces students to a variety of communication concepts and provides opportunities to further develop oral and written communication skills. We will explore a wide range of communication areas, including interpersonal communication, nonverbal communication, public speaking, small group communication, and intercultural communication.

In order to be accepted as a Communication Studies major, a student must maintain a B- or above average in this course.

As suggested above, the course is related to the following goals:

1. Students should be able to demonstrate an understanding of communication theory and history, and of critical thinking skills.

2. Students should be able to produce written and oral messages appropriate to a variety of communication contexts.

3. Students should understand the contexts (political, social, legal, ethical and cultural) in which messages are produced, disseminated, and interpreted.

REQUIRED TEXTS

1. Raymond Zeuschner, Communicating Today: The Essentials, (Boston: Allyn and Bacon, 2003).

2. Other readings will be provided in class for assigned reading or for classroom reading and discussion.

3. Purchase blank VHS videotape by February 21.

ATTENDANCE

Attendance and participation are an important part of this course. However, in recognition of the demands of everyday life, there is some flexibility here. First, I will excuse absences that are verified with official written documentation from the Office of Academic Affairs/First Year Studies. Second, students are permitted 3 unexcused absences during the semester. Each unexcused absence after that will result in a 10 point deduction from your final point total for the course.

Students are held responsible for all material assigned or discussed during the class sessions. For any absence, you are responsible for obtaining lecture notes and assignments from a classmate. You cannot make up missed exams or speeches unless you provide the documentation discussed above.

PAPER REQUIREMENTS

All written work must be stapled, typed, double-spaced, with 1 inch margins and a standard 10 or 12 point font. Any research sources should be cited on a separate sheet of paper and should be cited using the MLA style guide. Proper grammar, spelling, and punctuation is expected. Failure to follow any of these instructions will result in point deductions.

ASSIGNMENTS

Detailed directions will be provided as we get closer to a particular assignment, but a general description follows:

1. PARTICIPATION - At the core of the communication discipline is the exchange of ideas through interaction. Therefore, each student is expected to contribute regularly to classroom discussions.

***Reading and Discussion Questions *** The questions for each reading found at the end of the syllabus are another important opportunity for participation. I suggest that you jot down answers to these questions and bring them to class. These questions are designed to reinforce important concepts from the readings and to prompt classroom discussion. I reserve the right to collect your answers to these questions, as part of your participation grade. However, that will not happen if students are able to answer the questions in class and participate regularly in classroom discussion.

Conduct that contributes to a productive classroom conversation, such as listening, attentiveness, and not coming to class late is important and will be taken into account here. Also, communication courses require an environment that promotes open discussion of issues, so disrespect for others' opinions will not be tolerated. Finally, please turn off pagers, cell phones, IM devices etc., before entering the classroom.

2. SPEECH PREPARATION AND PRESENTATION

Informative Speech - (6-8 minutes) As the name suggests, this speech requires the speaker to provide the audience with information about a chosen topic of interest. That topic may include a person, place, event, object, activity or idea. A Works Cited page is required to be turned in at the time the speech is delivered.

Ceremonial Speech - (5-7 minutes) You will write and deliver a speech for a specific ceremonial event, such as a eulogy, toast, commencement address, or an award acceptance speech. You must turn in a verbatim manuscript of this speech at the time the speech is delivered.

The speeches will be videotaped so that I can engage in additional evaluation outside the classroom when needed. Also, you may come in and review the speech if you wish to discuss issues related to the physical presentation of your speech. Finally, in many settings outside the classroom, speeches are routinely videotaped and speakers need to be comfortable speaking under those circumstances.

3. PAPER ASSIGNMENTS

Interpersonal Communication Analysis - (5 pages) This paper requires you to analyze and evaluate yourself as a communicator in your interpersonal relationships. In this paper, you will apply specific concepts about interpersonal communication as discussed in class.

Small Group Analysis - (5-7 pages) In this paper, the communication dynamics of a small group are analyzed.

4. EXAMS - Midterm and Final - Format will be multiple choice, true/false, matching, and essay.

POINTS AND GRADE DISTRIBUTION

Final Grades will be based upon the following scale:

Percentage Points Grade

93-100 465-500 A

90-93 450-464 A-

87-90 435-449 B+

83-87 415-434 B

80-83 400-414 B-

77-80 385-399 C+

73-77 365-384 C

70-73 350-364 C-

67-70 335-349 D+

60-67 300-334 D

0-60 0-299 F

GRADE DISPUTES AND INCOMPLETES

Students who disagree with a grade on an assignment or exam must submit a written appeal to me within one week of the assignment being returned. That appeal should make an argument as to why the grade should be changed.

ACADEMIC DISHONESTY

Consult the Saint Mary's Academic Honesty Code, which states: “When students submit any work for academic credit, they make an implicit claim that the work is wholly their own, done without the assistance of any person or source not explicitly noted, and that the work has not been previously submitted for academic credit in another area. Students are free to study and work together on homework assignments unless the instructor stipulates otherwise. In the case of examination (tests, quizzes, etc.) students also implicitly claim they have obtained no prior unauthorized information about the examination, and neither give nor obtain any assistance during the examination. Moreover, students shall not prevent others from completing their work.”

Also, according to the policies of the Department of Communication Studies, “a student who violates the policy will be given an “F” (0) on the assignment at issue. A student who violates the policy twice in the same course will receive an “F” in the course. A student who violates the policy in two or more courses will be dropped from the major.”

I interpret the above policies to apply to giving speeches that you have already used in a different class, using another student's speech, or copying a speech from the Internet. It is not difficult for me to check the authenticity of a speech. If there are doubts, I may ask you to produce your research and research notes to prove that the work is original.

COURSE CALENDAR - schedule may be modified if needed

I. INTRODUCTORY CONCEPTS, INTERPERSONAL AND NONVERBAL COMMUNICATION

M 1/15 Introduction and Syllabus

W 1/17 Contemporary Communication Studies; Prepare for Introduction Speeches

F 1/19 Deliver Introduction Speeches

M 1/22 Brief History of Communication READ CHAPTER 1 (for 1/22 class)

W 1/24 Fundamental Communication Principles, Communication Models, and Intrapersonal Communication READ CHAPTER 7

F 1/26 Interpersonal Communication; Assign IPC Paper READ CHAPTER 8

M 1/29 Interpersonal Communication

W 1/31 Interpersonal Communication READ CHAPTER 3

F 2/2 Interviewing READ CHAPTER 9

M 2/5 Nonverbal Communication READ CHAPTER 5

W 2/7 Nonverbal Communication

F 2/9 Nonverbal Communication

II. PUBLIC COMMUNICATION

M 2/12 Informative Speaking; Assign Speech

***IPC PAPER DUE***

W 2/14 Speech Research, Organization, and Outlining READ CHAPTER 11

F 2/16 Introductions and Conclusions; Transitions

M 2/19 Speech Delivery and Communication Apprehension READ CHAPTER 12

W 2/21 Prepare for Informative Speeches; Discuss Citing Sources: Watch Student Examples READ CHAPTER 13

F 2/23 Mass Media Communication READ ORBE AND HOPSON ARTICLE

M 2/26 Deliver Informative Speeches

W 2/28 Deliver Informative Speeches

F 3/2 Deliver Informative Speeches

M 3/5 Deliver Informative Speeches; Review for Midterm Exam

W 3/7 ***MIDTERM EXAM ***

F 3/9 Go over Midterm Exam

MID-SEMESTER BREAK -- MARCH 10-18

III. COMMUNICATION IN CONTEXT(S)

M 3/19 Assign Small Group Analysis Paper; Orientation Session w/ Small Group

W 3/21 Small Group Communication READ CHAPTER 10

F 3/23 Small Group Communication

M 3/26 Small Group Communication SKIM CHAPTER 4

W 3/28 Applying Small Group Concepts to “The Apprentice”

F 3/30 Work in Small Groups on Own

M 4/2 Ceremonial Speaking READ CHAPTER 15

W 4/4 Ceremonial Speaking READ BARBARA BUSH COMMENCEMENT SPEECH

EASTER HOLIDAY -- APRIL 6-9

W 4/11 Language and Communication READ CHAPTER 6

F 4/13 Work in Small Groups on Own

M 4/16 ***SMALL GROUP ANALYSIS PAPER DUE*** (Each group should be prepared to present its paper to the class)

W 4/18 Intercultural Communication

F 4/20 Intercultural Communication READ SEITER ARTICLE

M 4/23 Manuscript Speaking; Prepare for Ceremonial Speeches; Student Examples

W 4/25 Deliver Ceremonial Speeches

F 4/27 Deliver Ceremonial Speeches

M 4/30 Deliver Ceremonial Speeches

W 5/2 Review for Final Exam; Course Wrap-Up

FINAL EXAM (CUMULATIVE) - Moreau 228

Section 02 – Friday, May 11, 8:00-10:00 a.m.

Section 03 – Thursday, May 10, 8:00-10:00 a.m.

Reading & Discussion Questions for Zeuschner, Communicating Today: The Essentials

(Questions listed in order of chapters as assigned)

Chapter 1

1. What is the significance of the Rosetta Stone for studying the history of communication?

2. How did the printing process and the mass availability of books impact communication?

3. What is the difference between a “revolutionary tradition” and a “parliamentary tradition”

in terms of how communication is used?

Chapter 7

1. What is intrapersonal communication? What influences this type of communication?

2. Is intrapersonal communication really communication? What do you think?

Chapter 8

1. What is the Johari Window?

2. Interpersonal communication helps us fulfill inclusion, affection, and control needs. What are

these needs and can you think of any examples of each from your own relationships?

3. What are the six sets of communication behaviors related to supportiveness and

defensiveness?

4. Think about the last interpersonal conflict you engaged in with family or friends. How did you

and the other person use communication during that conflict?

Chapter 3

1. What are the four contexts in which listening occurs?

Chapter 9

1. How is an interview different from the interpersonal communication discussed earlier in the semester?

2. What are the five different types of interview?

Chapter 5

1. What is nonverbal communication?

2. Be able to explain and give examples of the six functions of nonverbal communication.

3. Is silence a type of nonverbal communication? Why or why not?

4. How do people use space and time to communicate messages?

Chapter 11

1. When researching your speech, what is the difference between “personal resources” and “library resources”? Think of specific examples of each.

2. What are the advantages/disadvantages of Internet research?

3. What types of informative speeches would lend themselves best to a chronological

organizational pattern?

Chapter 12

1. What are the four types of speaking presentation styles?

2. What is “imaging” as a means of reducing communication apprehension?

3. From this chapter, what three suggestions/recommendations for delivering speeches and/or reducing communication apprehension did you find most surprising/useful?

Chapter 10

1. Think of examples in which you have been a member of a small group with a specific goal or

task to complete. Come to class with one or two examples in mind.

2. What needs do social groups fulfill in our lives?

3. Which communication pattern works best for a small group? Why?

4. What are the four phases of group development? What should happen in each phase?

5. What are the four types of leadership styles in small groups?

Chapter 4

1. What is the definition of “critical thinking”?

Chapter 15

1. Have you ever delivered a ceremonial speech, as discussed in this chapter, such as a

wedding toast, eulogy, award presentation, etc.? Have you witnessed someone else do

a particularly good or poor job of presenting such a speech? If so, come to class

prepared to share your example.

Chapter 6

1. What is the difference between denotation and connotation?

2. Zeuschner makes an interesting argument that language functions as magic, taboo, and ritual. Explain what he means by this.

Seiter Article on Advertising and Children

1. In one sentence, describe Seiter’s overall argument?

2. According to Seiter, how are white children portrayed in ads? How are black children presented in ads?

3. The author argues that certain production “rules” exist about commercials and race on Saturday morning TV shows. What are some of these rules?

4. What does Seiter mean by the norm of “whiteness”?