Comm 1210: Perspectives on Human Communication
Comm 1210: Perspectives on Human Communication
Spring 2008 Recitation Syllabus
Instructor: Lori Britt
Recitation: Section 23 - Fri., 12:00-12:50 PM, HLMS 263
Email:
Office: HLMS 14 (basement, west wing of Hellems)
Office hours: Mon. 2-3 pm, Friday 10:45-11:45 am, and by appointment
*** The best way to contact me is during office hours or via email***
Required Text: Wood, J. (2006). Communication mosaics: An introduction to the field of communication. Belmont CA: Thomson Wadsworth. 4th or 5th edition
Additional readings (journal articles, book chapters, etc.) will be assigned in your recitation.
Course Syllabus: The main course syllabus can be found on the CULearn website. Please print the course syllabus for yourself. You are expected to know the information on the syllabus. If you have any questions about the course please refer to the main course website. If you cannot find the answer please ask me.
CULearn: I use CULearn extensively to support you throughout the semester. I find it enables students to keep up with work and assignments. Please check it at least twice per week.
General policies:
1. Please turn your cell phones OFF (note: “Vibrate” is not the same as “OFF”).
2. Use of laptops for course related note-taking is permitted. However, to ensure an environment conducive to learning, that privilege will be revoked for an individual the first time I find it being used for non-course-related purposes during class time.
3. Come prepared and ON TIME.
4. It is important, and your responsibility to check your CU email and CULearn on a regular basis.
5. Email and visiting office hours are the best way to reach me. (Sending a short email to let me know what time you will be at my office hours helps ensure I can devote that time to you and will be prepared to answer your questions.)
Attendance and Participation: Attendance to recitations is required, and your attendance and participation can earn you up to 100 points of your grade (as much as an exam). As per the course syllabus, two unexcused absences will be permitted, after which for every additional unexcused absence, your final number of points earned in the course will be reduced by 7 points. In addition, you are likely to miss an in-class assignment that cannot be made up. Please be on time.
In addition to physically being present, you are expected to be mentally with us. This is your chance to ask questions, discuss concepts, and clarify the readings and lectures. Participation in this course includes being prepared by doing the readings before class, completing assignments both in and outside of class time, and coming prepared to engage in (course-related) discussion with your classmates. Students who study with other classmates tend to do better then those who do not. Asking questions and participating in discussion is a key part of this communication course. To this end, it is expected that each of you will not only share your own opinions and experiences, but also respect and engage those expressed by your peers. With your help and input, this will be an interesting and engaging semester.
Assignments: In addition to various in-class activities, there will be three writing assignments to be completed outside of class assigned during the semester. Specific guidelines for each assignment will be provided separately. Assignments that are late, emailed, or handwritten will not be accepted. Assignments must be typed, double-spaced, on 8 x 11 paper. References should be in APA format. Problems with grammar, punctuation, and/or spelling can affect your grade. I expect college-level writing and mechanics, regardless of the level of formality of the assignment. Students who anticipate missing class on paper due dates must turn in a hard-copy of the paper before the due date.
A helpful source for papers: Program for Writing and Rhetoric Writing Center (http://www.colorado.edu/pwr/)
Grading Policy: Grades are not given, they are earned. It is important to me to be as fair as possible. The other instructors and I meet weekly to maintain consistency in our grading and class curriculum. If you feel there has been a grading error, I will be happy to discuss it with you. To address a perceived error, you must wait 24 hours before sending me an email which contains 1) a short explanation of why you feel your grade does not reflect the quality of your work or learning and 2) a time you are available to meet, in order for us to discuss the issue face to face. This allows me to address your concerns more effectively and positively.
Note: You can track your grades throughout the semester both using the chart below and I will also post grades on CULearn so you can follow your progress. I do not, under any circumstances, entertain pleas at the end of the semester to raise you to the next highest letter grade because “I just missed it by two points!” You have control over how many points you earn during the semester and this is my commitment to be fair to all students. Also, I cannot release your grades to you over the phone or email.
Schedule: Please see the main course syllabus for the semester schedule.
Comm 1210 Points: Possible Earned
Writing Assignment #1 50
Exam #1 100
Writing Assignment #2 100
Exam #2 100
Writing Assignment #3 100
Exam #3 (Final) 150
Participation 100
Total 700
Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA): Students with disabilities needing academic accommodation should: (1) register with and provide documentation to the Disability Services Office; (2) bring documentation to the instructor indicating the need for accommodation and what type. This should be done during the first week of class.
Academic Honor Code and Classroom Behavior Policy: The academic honor code and the guidelines for appropriate classroom behavior are presented in the general bulletin and the student handbook. Please read, understand, and follow them. http://www.colorado.edu/policies/classbehavior.html http://www.colorado.edu/academics/honorcode
Final Exam: The final exam will be held on Wed., May 7, from 1:30-4 pm. The only reason you may schedule an alternate time is if you have three or more finals on May 7. You must let me know this by March 7 in order to be eligible to take the exam at an alternate time. Travel plans ARE NOT a reason to schedule an alternate exam.
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