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Syllabus

Words kill, words give life; they are either poison or fruit--you choose

Proverbs 18:21 (The Message Translation)

 “. . . but because there has been implanted in us the power to persuade each other and to make clear to each other whatever we desire, not only have we escaped the life of wild beasts, but we have come together and founded cities and made laws and invented arts; and, generally speaking, there is no institution devised by man which the power of speech has not helped us to establish.”

Isocrates, Antidosis.

 The world of everyday life is not only taken for granted as reality by the ordinary members of society in the . . . conduct of their lives.  It is a world that originates in their thoughts and actions, and is maintained as real by these [same thoughts and actions].

Peter L. Berger and Thomas Luckmann:

The Social Construction of Reality 1966.

 Course Description

            This course begins with the assumption that the most uniquely human thing we do is communicate through symbols.  This ability is both empowering and burdensome—often at the same time!  Consequently, if we are going to become our best self and be our best in the various roles we encounter: citizen, sibling, significant other, teammate, co-worker, consumer, etc. then we need to become more aware of and more intentional about communication.  This class focuses on principles and concepts that will expand your understanding of communication and provide tools for managing communication in your life. 

In a class this size, obviously there will be a fair amount of lecture, but your active participation is essential for this class to work.  Please come in with questions from the reading!  What does it mean?  What does it look like?  How does it apply?  How do we do it?  These are all good questions and will help make the class meaningful for you. 

Course Objectives

            This course is intended to:

1.      Introduce concepts and principles of communication

2.      Provide opportunities to apply that understanding 

Course Competencies

            In completing this course the successful student will be able to:

1.      demonstrate strong familiarity with course concepts

2.      apply course concepts to real-life scenarios

3.      evaluate the effectiveness and appropriateness of communication choices  

Course Policies

            Attendance:  You are expected to attend every class period.  However, since life happens, you are allowed a number of “personal days.”  Use them wisely if at all. 

If you must be absent, handle it responsibly and certainly be prepared for the next class session.   

Assignments:  All work must be handed in on time unless prior arrangements have been made. No make-ups will be given unless there are extreme circumstances and such circumstances are handled responsibly.  Do not wait until you are out of school to begin behaving professionally. 

 Texts and Other Materials

Required: 

1) Wood, J. T. (2006).  Communication in our lives (4^th ed.). Belmont, CA: Thomson-Wadsworth.

2) Individual Student Response Pad: Model: Response Innovations Response Card RF.  You will need this “clicker” to participate in quizzes and attendance.  Bring this to class EVERYDAY!

Grading and Assignments:  I will be using a modified plus/minus system.  Here are the basics: 

 You may keep up with your grades by dividing the points available so far by the points you’ve earned.  The result will be a number corresponding to your percentage.  For instance, after The assessment instrument and two probes, you have had the opportunity to earn 75 points.  Let’s assume your actual scores when added up come to 67.  If you divide 66 by 75 you get .88 which is a B plus.  The assignments are as follows: 

Assignment Descriptions 

I reserve the right to modify the schedule and assignments as needed.  For instance, habitual poor attendance or obvious lack of reading as a class may result in additional graded assignments   

Clicker Quizzes:  We will take attendance and a quiz on the reading using “clickers” just about every day.  These clicker quizzes will focus almost exclusively on vocabulary, lists and principles.  Some questions will be drawn from the textbook website practice quizzes.   

Exams:  There will be three exams for the course.  The exams will consist of T/F and multiple choice questions.  I will focus the questions on vocabulary, principles and examples not facts as such.  For instance, I will not ask you to recall facts such as what percentage of time we spend listening vs. speaking.  I will focus on things such as the differences between listening and hearing as well as strategies of effective listening and the like.  The final exam will be “semi-cumulative” and I will provide a study guide to help you review key material from earlier in the semester.  Be sure to go to the textbook website for practice questions! 

Application Exercises:  You will complete two of the application exercises from the options discussed on my instructor website.  You must complete them in groups of four.  You can use the same group for both exercises or switch around.  However, pay close attention to the deadlines!  No late exercises will be accepted.  I will give some class time to the completion of these activities but they will also require you to meet outside of class and perhaps exchange email messages with one another.  Plan accordingly.  

Classroom Exercises:  We will occasionally do application activities during the class period.  It is critical in a class this size that everyone focuses on the activity.  Typically, I will not grade these activities.  However, I reserve the right to take them up to grade them if necessary. 
 

Schedule of Sessions