COMM 1100-A Introduction to Human Communication (CRN 381)

Spring ‘22, TTh 11-12:15 p.m., Academic 214

 

Professor: Peter Boltz, Ph.D. 

E-mail: pboltz@gordonstate.edu

Website: faculty.gordonstate.edu/pboltz/

Office: Academic 103-C.   Office Phone: 678-359-5257

Office Hours: MW 8 a.m. to 9 a.m., 11 a.m. to 12 p.m., 1-2 p.m.; T 9 a.m. to 11 a.m.

 

Course Description: This critical thinking-based course offers a broad approach to the elements of effective human communication. Students learn a variety of strategies that can be used to improve both professional and personal communication skills. Special emphasis is placed on interpersonal and intrapersonal communication, listening techniques, language use and nonverbal communication. Students also gain experience in small group discussion and public speaking.

 

Course Objectives:

1.    Utilize critical thinking skills to create communicative appeals that are coherent and well adapted to the

        receiver, stylistically appropriate, and substantively complex.

2.     Recognize how different language strategies (such as the use of vivid, evasive, and equivocal language)

        enhance or undermine communication effectiveness.

3.     Identify, analyze, and discuss common listening habits that interfere with effective communication and

        strategies for improving listening skills.

4.     Analyze the fundamental dimensions of cultural diversity as they relate to communication.

5.     Discuss the ethical aspects of communication.

6.     Identify and explain the major theories of human communication and persuasion in interpersonal, small

        group, and public communication contexts.

7.     Observe, explain, and apply the major concepts used to describe interpersonal processes, including the evolution of the self-concept, relational development, listening, and conflict management.

8.    Observe, explain, and apply the major concepts used to describe small group processes, including group

        characteristics, decision making, roles, and norms of interaction.

9.    Observe and utilize the recommended strategies for developing and delivering and evaluating effective

        public presentations.

 

Textbooks:           Communication Mosaics, Julia T. Wood, 8th ed.

 

GRADED ASSIGNMENTS:

 

Exams:  A midterm exam and a final exam will be given, testing your knowledge of the concepts and information in the text and from the lectures. 

 

Speech:  You will be required to give one informative speech during the course of this semester. 

 

Quizzes: You can expect to be quizzed on every assigned chapter.

 

Writing Assignments: You will write three one-page papers which will test your knowledge of concepts. All written work will be Word files (do not use Pages and/or pdf’s).

 

Exercises: Exercises will focus on concepts in assigned readings.

 

Attendance: Your attendance grade is based on the following formula: (number of absences + half of tardies)/total number of class meetings.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

REGULATIONS

 

1.  Writing Assignments:   All papers will be graded against professional and collegiate standards and will be typed. Spelling, grammar and/or usage are graded.  Factual correctness is required.

 

2.  Late Work: I do not accept late work.

 

3.  Academic Dishonesty:  This includes but is not exclusively plagiarism and cheating. The penalty for this offense is failure of the assignment, of the course and/or further prosecution by the college. Ignorance is not a defense.

 

4.  Emailing: I encourage students to write me and send me questions or concerns or, at times, assignments. You should use Gordon’s email system, and not the D2L email system. I check my email on a regular basis, but this does not guarantee immediate or a timely response.

 

5.  Consultations: Grades are private and protected by the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act. I will discuss your grades only with you and in private.

 

6.  Keeping Track of Your Grade: Go to the Grades section of D2L to see your grades.

 

7.  I reserve the right to adjust this syllabus any time during the session. Students will be consulted and informed of changes during class periods.

 

8.  If you need academic accommodations for a disability, you need to make an appointment with student counseling in the Student Center Room 212, 678-359-5585.  

 

9.  Cell phones and other electronic devices must be silenced and put out of sight during quizzes and exams.  Failure to do so may lead to a zero on the quiz or exam. You may be asked to put your phone away if it interrupts class work other than quizzes and exams. You may lose attendance points for cell phone distractions. 

 

10.  Scantrons. You are required to purchase two packets of 12 Scantrons from the campus bookstore for use in this class for quizzes and exams.  

 

 

GRADE WEIGHTS

 

Speech                                                                                                   10 percent

Writing Assignments                                                                          20 percent

Exercises                                                                                               5 percent

Attendance                                                                                           5 percent

Quizzes                                                                                                  20 percent

Midterm exam                                                                                    20 percent

Final Exam                                                                                           20 percent

 

POINT/GRADE DISTRIBUTION

90-100   A                     80-89      B                     70-79      C                     60-69     D                     <60         F

 

 

GRADING FOR TIME

 

1 to 3 minutes = 100 pts. Less than 1 and more than 3 minutes = 0 pts.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

TENTATIVE SCHEDULE

 

Week 1: Jan. 11, 13            Class Introduction.

 

Week 2: Jan, 18, 20             Chapter 1 A First Look at Communication

                                                Quiz: Chapter 1

 

Week 3: Jan. 25, 27             Chapter 2 The Field of Communication from Historical and Contemporary Perspectives

                                                Quiz: Chapter 2

 

Week 4: Feb. 1, 3                Chapter 13 Public Communication

                                                Quiz: Chapter 13

                                                Writing Assignment 1 due Feb. 3

 

Week 5: Feb. 8, 10              Speeches

 

Week 6: Feb. 15, 17            Chapter 3 Perceiving and Understanding

                                                Quiz: Chapter 3

 

Week 7: Feb. 22, 24            Chapter 4 Engaging in Verbal Communication

                                                Quiz: Chapter 4

 

Week 8: Mar. 1                    Midterm Exam. Last day to drop without failing Mar. 3. 

Mar. 3                    Midterm review of exam and chapter concepts 

 

Week 9: Mar. 8, 10             Chapter 5 Engaging in Nonverbal Communication

                                                Quiz: Chapter 5

                                                Writing Assignment 2: due Mar. 10

 

Week 10: Mar. 14-18        Spring Break

 

Week 11 : Mar. 22, 24         Chapter 9 Communication and Personal Identity

                                                Quiz: Chapter 9

 

Week 12: Mar. 29, 31         Chapter 10 Communication and Personal Relationships

                                                Quiz: Chapter 10

                                                Writing Assignment 3 due Mar. 31

 

Week 13: Apr. 5, 7              Chapter 14 Mass Communication

                                                Quiz: Chapter 14

 

Week 14 : Apr. 12, 14         Chapter 12 Communication in Organizations

                                                Quiz: Chapter 12

 

Week 15: Apr. 19, 21         Chapter 11 Communication in Groups and Teams

                                                Quiz: Chapter 11

 

Week 16 : Apr. 26, 28         Chapter 7 Creating Communication Climates

                                                Quiz: Chapter 7

 

 

Final exam                           May 4, 10:15 a.m.

 

 

Title IX

Gordon State College is committed to providing an environment free of all forms of discrimination and sexual harassment, including sexual assault, domestic violence, dating violence and stalking. If you (or someone you know) has experienced or experiences any of these incidents, know that you are not alone. All faculty members at Gordon State College are mandated reporters. Any student reporting any type of sexual harassment, sexual assault, dating violence, domestic violence or stalking must be made aware that any report made to a faculty member under the provisions of Title IX will be reported to the Title IX Coordinator or a Title IX Deputy Coordinator. If you wish to speak with someone confidentially, you must contact the Counseling and Accessibility Services office, Room 212, Student Life Center. The licensed counselors in the Counseling Office are able to provide confidential support. Gordon State College does not discriminate against any student on the basis of pregnancy, parenting or related conditions. Students seeking accommodations on the basis of pregnancy, parenting or related conditions should contact Counseling and Accessibility Services regarding the process of documenting pregnancy related issues and being approved for accommodations, including pregnancy related absences as defined under Title IX.

 

ADA and 504

If you have a documented disability as described by the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) and the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, Section 504, you may be eligible to receive accommodations to assist in programmatic and/or physical accessibility. The Counseling and Accessibility Services office located in the Student Center, Room 212 can assist you in formulating a reasonable accommodation plan and in providing support in developing appropriate accommodations to ensure equal access to all GSC programs and facilities. Course requirements will not be waived, but accommodations may assist you in meeting the requirements. For documentation requirements and for additional information, contact Counseling and Accessibility Services at 678-359-5585.

 

House Bill 280

For information regarding House Bill 280, see the University System of Georgia at the following link: http://www.usg.edu/hb280

 

Religious Holidays

Gordon State College acknowledges that the academic calendar can sometimes conflict with major holidays from among our diverse religious traditions. If a student must miss class due to the observance of a religious holiday, that absence may be excused. To be excused, the student must inform his/her instructors before the absence and make alternate arrangements for any work due at the time of the absence. An excused absence for the observance of a religious holiday does not excuse student from responsibility for required course work.

 

Hightower Collaborative Learning Center & Library

The Hightower Collaborative Learning Center & Library offers Gordon State students specialized library research assistance. Students can meet with their personal librarians for one-on-one help in each discipline, major, or course to search and evaluate information sources effectively. Go to http://libcal.gordonstate.edu/ to schedule an appointment by clicking the Personal Librarian tab or click