Comm 1304 - Introduction to Speech Communication Course Syllabus
The University of Houston-Downtown
One Main Street • Houston, Texas 77002
Introduction to Human Communication
Communications 1304
Spring, 2008
Robert Wawee, Visiting Lecturer • Cell: 281-704-4151
eMail:
Yahoo Messenger: profbob
Website:
Course Number: Communications 1304
Comm 1304, CRN: 20579, Rm A431, 1:00 – 2:15 PM, TR.
Comm 1304, CRN: 20583, Rm A431, 2:30 – 3:45 PM, TR.
Course Prerequisites: READ 1300 or acceptable reading placement score.
COURSE DESCRIPTION: An overview of skills important in developing effective communication.
COURSEOBJECTIVES AND GENERAL OUTCOMES:
Course Objectives:
• To list and explain the components ofcommunication.
• To discuss emerging technology foreffective communication.
• To discuss self-concept and awareness.
• To analyze biases in perception.
• To teach students to create clear,unambiguous verbal messages.
• To teach students to complementverbal messages with nonverbalbehavior.
• To teach students to analyze conflict ininterpersonal relationships.
• To improve listening and feedbackskills.
• To teach students to work effectivelyin a small group of 4-5 people.
• To teach students to plan and developan informative presentation.
General Outcomes:
• Students will be able to prepare andpresent effective oral presentations.
• Students will be able to discuss andapply theories of communication.
• Students will be able to recognizecommunication technologies and theirinfluence on humancommunication ina variety of contexts.
• Students will develop effectivelearning skills.
• Students will be able to engage ineffective group discussion anddecision-making.
• Students will develop anunderstanding of and sensitivity tointercultural communication.
• Students will improve writtencommunication.
TEXT:Communication in a Changing World (2006 Edition) by Bethami A. Dobkin and Roger C. Pace.
ATTENDANCE:
Regular attendance is expected. See Ground Rules below. If you are absent, you should get notes from a classmate who was present during the class you missed. There is no need to contact me if you must be absent. If you have an unexcused absence on the day of a test or speech, you will receive a “zero”. You may not make-up tests, quizzes, homework assignments, or speeches for unexcused absences.
LAST DAY TO WITHDRAW FROM THE COURSE: March 27, 2008 (6 PM)
OFFICE HOURS:
My goal is to work cooperatively with you as you strive for excellence in academic endeavors. I am available for counsel and tutorial assistance on campus in the University cafeteria area from 4:00 – 5:15 PM Tuesdays and Thursdays. Additionally, I am available to speak with you on the telephone, by text messaging and, additionally, you can contact me by email or Yahoo Messenger at the address listed above.
TESTS: Quizzes and Tests will cover information from class lectures, handouts (when applicable), and the textbook. I will not cover every detail in the textbook during class sessions. However, as students, you are responsible for the information in the textbook. There will likely be questions on your quizzes and tests that are not discussed in class sessions. Moreover, an exam guide will not be provided for you. Therefore, it is critical that you attend class sessions.Quizzes and Tests will be graded using scantron forms. You should purchase at least ten (10) scantron forms for this class.
GRADING POLICY: Your semester grade is comprised of the following parts:
Participation and Homework Assignments: 50%
Periodic Quizzes, Mid-Term, Final and Speech Projects: 50%
REQUIRED SPEECH ASSIGNMENTS:
1. Introductory Speech (3 minutes). This speech will not be formally graded as to content and performance techniques, but you will receive a participation grade. If you speak over 3 minutes, time will be called. You should read the Six-Step Guide to Preparing and Delivering Your First Speech in the textbook beginning on page xxix before delivering this speech.
2. Informative Speech (3-5 minutes). An outline must be submitted prior to delivering the speech. The minimum time is 3 minutes. The maximum time is 5 minutes. You will be graded on content and delivery or presentational techniques. The criteria for the speech will be given in class sessions.
ACADEMIC HONESTY:
The following is taken directly from the University of Houston-Downtown Student Handbook regarding Academic Honesty. All applicable regulations and remedies set forth by the University regarding academic honesty apply in this course.
2.2 Academic Honesty Violations
The most common academic honesty violations are cheating and plagiarism.
Cheating includes, but is not limited to:
-Submitting material that is not one's own.
-Using information or devices that are not allowed by the faculty member.
-Obtaining and/or using unauthorized material.
-Fabricating information.
-Violating procedures prescribed to protect the integrity of a test, or other evaluation exercise.
-Collaborating with others on assignments without the faculty member's consent.
-Cooperating with or helping another student to cheat.
- Having another person take an examination in the student's place.
-Altering exam answers and requesting that the exam be re-graded.
-Communicating with any person during an exam, other than the faculty member or exam proctor.
Plagiarism includes, but is not limited to:
-Directly quoting the words of others without using quotation marks or indented format to identify them.
-Using sources of information (published or unpublished) without identifying them.
-Paraphrasing materials or ideas of others without identifying the sources.
CLASS GROUND RULES:
1. Class Attendance and Tardiness Issues:
a. Class attendance on speech days is mandatory, even if you are not scheduled to speak. Part of the course is learning to listen intelligently and to evaluate speeches. When you skip your fellow students’ speeches, you are being rude to them, saying, in effect, “Your speech is not worth my time.”
b. If you are 10 minutes late for class, you will be counted as “tardy”. If you are tardy three times, you will receive 1 unexcused absence. For every three unexcused absences you receive, your final grade will be reduced by one letter grade. Thus, if you earned a “B” for the course, yet had three unexcused absences throughout the semester, your final grade will be a “C”. If you had six unexcused absences throughout the semester, your final grade would be reduced to a “D”, and so forth.
c. If you arrive late for class, please enter the classroom quietly and take the first seat nearest the door.
d. If you are not prepared to speak on the day you are scheduled, you will receive a “zero”. There are no opportunities to make up missed speeches. You must give all assigned speeches in order to earn a passing grade for this course. Except for extreme cases of sickness that precludes you from coming into contact with others or requires hospitalization, or death in your immediate family (defined as mother, father and/or sibling), if you are absent when it is your turn to deliver a speech, you will receive a “zero”. There are no opportunities to make-up a missed speech performance.
2. Personal Performance Issues
a. It is your responsibility to read the textbook material for each day before arriving at class. I will not cover every detail of the textbook in our discussions. When discussion begins, you must close your textbook and prepare for interaction with the instructor and your fellow students.
b. All homework assignments must be word-processed or typewritten. Hand-written assignments are not acceptable. The University of Houston-Downtown has a large library and state-of-the-art computer lab. If you do not have a computer and need to use one, please utilize our facilities. The library and computer lab hours are posted on the door of each facility. If your instructor requests that you email homework assignments, please ensure that you are using Microsoft Word or, if not available, put the text of your assignment in the body of the email.
c. When delivering a speech, you may not read any part of your speech (except for a brief quotation). You should rely only on brief notes written on a 3x5 index card. (You will not be required to turn in your notes).
3. University Regulations Pertaining to the Disabled
UHD adheres to all applicable federal, state, and local laws, regulations, and guidelines with respect to providing reasonable accommodations for students with disabilities. Students with disabilities should register with Disable Student Services and contact the professor in a timely manner (preferably before the first test) to arrange for appropriate accommodations.
COURSE SCHEDULE (Approximate):
Week #1:Introduction to the Course. No Reading Assignment.
Icebreaker, Introduction, Values of Communication, First half—Chapter 1 Basic Elements in the Communication Process, Finish Chapter 1
Week #2:Perception and Communication, Chapter 2.
Week #3:Perceiving and Communication with Others, Chapter 3.
Week #4:Listening and Responding to Others, Chapter 4.
Week #5:Understanding and shaping the World through Verbal Communication, Chapter 5.
Week #6:Appreciating and Using Nonverbal Communication, Chapter 6.
Week #7:Communicating in Interpersonal Relationships, Chapter 7
Building Common Ground in Interpersonal Relationships, Chapter 8
Mid-Term Examination – February 28, 2008
Weeks #8 and #9: Communicating in Groups, Chapter 9
Exploring Mediated Communication, Chapter 10
Spring Break – March 17-22, 2008
Week #10:Planning Public Presentations, Chapter 11
Organizing and Outlining Public Presentations, Chapter 12
Last Day to Withdraw from the Course: March 27, 2008 - 6PM
Week #11:Delivering a Confident Presentation, Chapter 13
Week #12-13: Speaking to Inform and Inspire, Chapter 14
Speaking to Persuade, Chapter 15
Week #14: Final Speeches – All Classes: April 22 and April 24, 2008.
Last Day of Class:April 28, 2008
Final Exams:
CRN 20579, 1:00-2:15pm – Thursday, May 8, 2008, 1:00-3:30 PM
CRN 20583, 2:30-3:45pm – Thursday, May 1, 2008, 2:30-5:00 PM
Disclaimer: In order to meet course goals and objectives
this course schedule is subject to change at the discretion of the instructor.
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