COMM 1000: The Process of Communication

Summer Session I, 2016

Professor: Dr. Kirstie M. Farrar

E-mail:

Office: ARJ 208

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Welcome to Comm 1000!

This online course will introduce you to the study of communication. We will begin with a broad discussion of the discipline of communication, including the various topics and areas of research included in the field. For the bulk of the course, we turn our attention to the discipline’s main foci, starting with a micro-analytic approach, such as person perception and language, and ending with a broader perspective, that of mass media.

This is not an “easy” course. Don’t assume that this course will not be challenging merely because it is online or because it is an introductory level course. This is a survey course, so we will cover a very broad range of material during the semester. The goal is to paint a picture of the many fascinating areas of communication research. Keep up with the material and get in touch with me whenever you have any questions. I am here to help!

Course Objectives: This class is designed to help you…

-Understand the various areas of research in the communication discipline

-Prepare for advanced courses in communication

-Understand how communication research is conducted and “how we know what we know”

-Become a more effective communicator across a variety of contexts

Required Materials

Tubbs, S. (2010). Human communication: Principles and contexts(12thed.).

New York, NY: McGraw-Hill

You must also have regular access to email and HuskyCT.

1. Attendance

This online course is designed for asynchronous learning and does not require students to participate online all at the same time. However, students are expected to follow the scheduled due dates and times. The specific requirements for attendance are the following:

  • Any student who does not log into classes within the first seven days of the term will be dropped from the course.
  • Students must log into the course AT MINIMUM TWICE A WEEK for each week of the semester. Students who log in less than 2 times per week for each week may have their grade reduced by one letter grade.
  1. Late Work Policy

In order to move quickly and successfully through this course and in order to manage our time during the semester, deadlines will be strictly observed. Failure to deliver work on time is costly in the real world and it will cost you in this class as well. You MUST turn in assignments on time to avoid penalty. I suggest that you NOT put off doing an assignment until the last minute to avoid any technical problems.

Assignments will be considered late if submitted after the due date and time. Please be aware of the time deadlines on HuskyCT. Once the due date and time has passed, students will not be able to electronically submit assignments, quizzes, or discussion posts.

  1. Assignments: Make-ups are rarely allowed and ONLY if you contact me beforehand, and we have a discussion about the matter BEFORE the assignment is due! Work may not be made up unless the situation is discussed beforehand, or it is a verifiable hardship case.Active communication is the key to overcoming any hurdles you may encounter during the semester. If I cannot interact with you, I will not grant an extension
  2. Quizzes: CANNOT be made up after the due date and time.
  3. Discussion: CANNOT be made up after the due date and time.

2. Academic Dishonesty

Academic dishonesty on any course assignment will result minimally in receiving zero points on that assignment and will likely lead to further disciplinary action. This statement is directly from the UConn code on academic misconduct:

A fundamental tenet of all educational institutions is academic honesty; academic work depends upon respect for and acknowledgement of the research and ideas of others. Misrepresenting someone else's work as one's own is a serious offense in any academic setting and it will not be condoned.

Academic misconduct includes, but is not limited to, providing or receiving assistance in a manner not authorized by the instructor in the creation of work to be submitted for academic evaluation (e.g. papers, projects, and examinations); any attempt to influence improperly (e.g. bribery, threats) any member of the faculty, staff, or administration of the University in any matter pertaining to academics or research; presenting, as one's own, the ideas or words of another for academic evaluation; doing unauthorized academic work for which another person will receive credit or be evaluated; and presenting the same or substantially the same papers or projects in two or more courses without the explicit permission of the instructors involved.

A student who knowingly assists another student in committing an act of academic misconduct shall be equally accountable for the violation, and shall be subject to the sanctions and other remedies described in The Student Code.

3. Course Format

A.The Different Kinds of Assignments

Assignments are intended to help you master the content, so you should attempt to complete them all. All assignments and quizzes are due BY THE DATE POSTED ON THE COURSE CALENDAR.

This Online course employs a variety of assignments, including:

  • Readings from the textbook-- You need to have any required textbooks in advance of starting the course.
  • Online Readings—Posted online as a supplement to the text, where necessary. These will provide additional information about the unit and will often be articles or papers that have been authored by experts in the field.
  • Discussion Questions—A total of 12 Discussion Questions are answered in the class discussion areas and form the core of class communication. Discussion Questions may ask you to apply course concepts to your own circumstances, provide your opinion about course content, or share your experiences completing course Exercises. Participation in discussions is required. Your lowest two discussion scores will be dropped from your grade.
  • BExams,Quizzes and Discussions

These cannot be made up without a reasonable cause as outlined above. If you miss the deadline for adiscussion, quiz or an exam without a reasonable cause and/or you fail to follow the appropriate procedures for securing a make-up, you will receive a zero for that quiz, exam or discussion. No exceptions. Keep in mind that I will drop your two lowest quiz and discussion scores. Deadlines are posted in the syllabus as well as within each assignment on HuskyCT.

There are 12 quizzes and three exams including multiple-choice and short answer questions. Please note that anything covered in lecture, the readings, or the online discussions is fair game for an exam. The quizzes and exams are NOT cumulative.

You MUST take your exams from a secure location with reliable internet. Do not attempt to take exams on your iPhone, for example. Technical problems such as bad wifietc will NOT be valid excuses for missing an exam.

In addition, exams MUST be taken during the 24 hour time frame posted. You may NOT take them early. Please check the date of all exams prior to the start of the semester and plan accordingly!

All make-ups (quizzes or exams) will be essay-based.

B. Class Communication

  • Netiquette

Interactions in an online classroom are in written form. Your comfort level with expressing ideas and feelings in writing will add to your success in an online course. The ability to write is necessary, but you also need to understand what is considered appropriate when communicating online.

The word "netiquette" is short for "Internet etiquette." Rules of netiquette have grown organically with the growth of the Internet to help users act responsibly when they access or transmit information online. As an online student, you should be aware of the common rules of netiquette for the Web and employ a communication style that follows these guidelines.

In the online classroom the instructor plays an important role, but this is a different role than most instructors play in the physical classroom. You'll see a shift in the way classes work. However, some things don't change: the practices of courtesy and respect that apply in the ordinary classroom also apply online, and require even more attention.

  • A Few Rules of Thumb
  • Participate. In the online environment, it's not enough to show up! We need to hear your voice to feel your presence, and we especially need your comments to add to the information, the shared learning, and the sense of community in each class.
  • Be persistent. Remember that we're all working in a fairly new environment. If you run into any difficulties, don't wait! Send an email immediately to your instructor. Most problems are easily solved, but we have to hear from you before we can help.
  • Share tips, helps, and questions. For many of us, taking online courses is a new frontier. There are no dumb questions, and even if you think your solution is obvious, please share it by posting it on the Bulletin Board or other communication tool.
  • Think before you push the "Send" button. Did you say just what you meant? How will the person on the other end read the words? While you can't anticipate all reactions, do read over what you've written before you send it.
  • Be Clear! Remember that we can't see the grin on your face when you make a sarcastic comment, we can't see the concern on your face if you only say a couple of words, and we can't read your mind and fill in the gaps if you abbreviate your comments. So: help us "see" you by explaining your ideas fully.
  • Keep in mind that threaded discussions are meant to be constructive exchanges.
  • Never post a message that is in all capital letters -- it comes across to the reader as SHOUTING!
  • Use boldface and italics sparingly, as they can denote sarcasm.
  • Always practice good grammar, punctuation, and composition. This shows that you've taken the time to craft your response and that you respect your classmates' work.
  • Use spell check!
  • Ask for feedback! If you're not sure how your ideas and comments will be taken, ask! Remember there's a person on the other side. If you disagree with what someone has said, practice all your communication skills as you express that disagreement.
  • Be considerate. "Flaming," or flying off the handle and ranting at someone else is unacceptable; it's the equivalent of having a tantrum, something most of us wouldn't do in an onsite, face to face classroom. Any derogatory or inappropriate comments regarding race, gender, age, religion, sexual orientation, are unacceptable and subject to the same disciplinary action that they would receive if they occurred in the physical classroom. If you have concerns about something that has been said, please let your instructor know.
  • Be Honest. Plagiarism, cheating and other violations of ethical student behavior are serious actions in a learning community.

Also, please note that all communication that is course related reflects on you and your ability to communicate competently. This means that email messages and other forms of communication with your instructor and fellow classmates must be respectful, appropriate, and well formulated (using spell check is also a good idea).

C.Participating in Threaded Discussions

You will communicate with your professor and classmates using the threaded discussion areas. Think of this as our virtual classroom! This is where you post your responses to Discussion Questions and share your experiences. Participation in discussions is required and will help determine your grade. You are expected to contribute to each of the Discussion Questions posted. You should read all responses from other students and add your own. During discussions, you must demonstrate not only that you understand the subject matter but also that you can apply what you have learned, analyze it, integrate it with knowledge you already have, and evaluate it critically. Your postings should be appropriate and timely contributions that add value to the discussion.

Discussion Guidelines

To ensure your success as a contributor to discussions and as a student in this class, please adhere to the following guidelines for posting:

  • Be clear about which message you're responding to. Refer to specific passages or ideas in the course or text that have sparked your interest.
  • Make sure your contribution adds something new to the discussion. A simple "I agree" may be your initial response, but think about how you can take the conversation to the next level.
  • Make your posting clear and easy to follow by dividing longer messages into paragraphs.
  • Address classmates by name or user name, and sign your own messages.
  • Feel free to pose new questions to your classmates within your own message.
  • Use correct spelling, capitalization, grammar, syntax, and punctuation.
  • If you plan on posting a lengthy response, it is a good idea to type your response in Word or Notepad, then copy and paste it into the discussion area. This way you'll always have a record of your communication if for some reason you lose your connection to the course.
Sample Question and Answers

The following are some examples of acceptable and unacceptable responses to Discussion Questions:

Sample Question: "The author claims that the Internet has changed teaching. How would you respond to this assertion?"

Unacceptable: "I agree."

Unacceptable: "I think the student is way off base. I can't stand it when techies try to write about education."

Acceptable: "I agree with ebiely's basic point--that is, I think she's right that the advent of the Internet means dramatic changes in how we teach. But I think she's so concerned with whether technology is going to replace teachers that she misses an essential point. Teachers must change themselves to use the Internet effectively. The Internet will never replace teachers and it will never be a successful tool unless teachers make it one."

Acceptable: "I disagree with ebiely. The Internet has not changed teaching any more than the printing press changed teaching, or modern instructional design has changed teaching. New ideas about teaching and new technologies help us deliver good teaching more effectively. They may help us understand more fully what we're delivering. They may help us reach more students. But the essence of good teaching remains the same."

GRADING RUBRIC – Discussion Board

A discussion question grade will be posted to the grade sheet for each chapter using the following grading criteria.

Points: / Grading Criteria
9-10 /
  • Responses are on topic, original, and contribute to the quality of the discussion.
  • Responses make frequent, informed references to unit material.
  • Responses are clearly written.
  • Substantial original answers to the questions that furthers the work of the class. Typically in the 100 word range.
  • Two or more thoughtful responses per discussion question to classmates that advance the discussion.
  • Posted on time

7-8 /
  • Responses are on topic, largely original, and contribute to the quality of the discussion.
  • Responses make some informed references to unit material.
  • Responses are generally clearly written.
  • Substantial original answers to the questions that furthers the work of the class. Typically in the 75-100 word range.
  • One response per discussion question to a classmate that is thoughtful and advances the discussion.
  • Posted on time

5-6 /
  • Responses are on topic, but lack originality, and lack a significant contribution to the quality of the discussion.
  • Responses make vague or summary references to unit material.
  • Responses have several mechanical or stylistic errors.
  • Short posting. Normally in the 50-75 word range.
  • Response(s) to others does not advance the discussion.
  • Posted on time

3-4 /
  • Responses are only partially on topic, lack originality, and lack a significant contribution to the quality of the discussion.
  • Responses make little or no references to unit material.
  • Responses have several mechanical or stylistic errors.
  • Minimal posting. Normally in the 25-50 word range.
  • No responses to classmates.
  • If there are two questions, student didn’t respond to one.
  • Posted on time

0-2 /
  • Responses are off topic, lack originality, and fail to advance the discussion.
  • Responses make little or no references to unit material.
  • Responses have several mechanical or stylistic errors.
  • Minimal posting. Normally in the fewer than 25 word.
  • Response is abusive or inappropriate.
  • Response is plagiarized.
  • Responses are missing.
  • No responses to classmates.

D. Grade Questions

Exam, discussion,and quiz scores will be posted on the course web page via HuskyCT. If you feel there is an error in the grade assigned on a given exam or assignment, it is your responsibility to review the assignment in question and address the issue within one week of receiving the grade. If the matter cannot satisfactorily be resolved you must submita one-page letter to me detailing the nature of the problem and why, exactly, you think your grade is incorrect. At this point, I will re-grade the portion of the assignment that is in question. The revised grade assigned by me will be final. Keep in mind that your grade could go up, but it could also go down.

.E. Office Hours Policy

I will not hold face to face office hours in my physical office during this course. Instead, I will endeavor to reply to all emails/questions within 48 hours [during the work week].

F. Sources of assistance:

The University of Connecticut offers several resources to the student in need. Here are some useful phone numbers:

•Counseling and Mental Health Services: 486-4705 (after hours: 486-3427)

•Career Services: 486-3013

•Alcohol and Other Drug Services: 486-9431

•Dean of Students Office: 486-3426

G. Religious holidays:

The following is the University’s official policy for missing work due to religious holidays: “Students anticipating such a conflict should inform their instructor in writing within the first three weeks of the semester, and prior to the anticipated absence, and should take the initiative to work out with the instructor a schedule for making up missed work.”