COMMUNICATION AS CRITICAL INQUIRY: CLASSROOM COMMUNICATION
(COM 110.01)
Instructor: Anna Wright Office Hours: TR 11:00 am- 12:35 pm
Office: Fell 402 Phone: 309-438-2872
Email: Section: 2
Classroom: Fell 162 Class time: TR 2 -3:15 pm
Texts
Simonds, C. J., Hunt, S. K., & Simonds, B. K. (2013). Communication as Critical Inquiry (5th ed. for Illinois State University). Boston, MA: Pearson Custom Publishing. (Textbook materials with access codes and SD cards for recording speeches available at Barnes and Noble or Alamo II—See below).
Simonds, C. J., Hunt, S. K., & Hooker, J. F. (Eds.), (2014). Communication as critical inquiry: Supplementary materials packet. Champaign, IL: Stipes Publishing. (Available at the School of Communication Resource Center in Fell 276—See below).
COURSE MATERIALS:
E-Textbook Purchasing Procedures. You are required to have an eText Access code for Com 110, which will allow you to access the textbook as well as other materials necessary for the completion of the course. You will register this code with Pearson as well as with your instructor so please do not discard this access code or your receipt of purchase. Access codes may only be registered once per student and will go offline once the semester is completed.
Spiral Workbook Purchasing Procedures. Students will purchase the spiral workbook (Com 110 Communication as Critical Inquiry) through the School of Communication online store using a credit, debit, or monetary gift card. The website can be found at the following address:
http://tinyurl.com/o8jjxke
The workbook will cost $31 plus tax and will be available for the students to pick up in the Communication Resource Center located in the basement of Fell Hall, room 34, 1-2 business days after the online purchase. Students will need to show their ISU ID card and Resource Center workers will verify they have purchased the book and give it to them at that time.
Communication Resource Center Hours of Operation
1st week hours: Fell 34 2nd week hours: Fell 34
Monday, August 17th– 9:00 a.m. – 7:00 p.m. Monday, August 24th– 9:00 a.m. – 7:00 p.m.
Tuesday, August 18th – 9:00 a.m. – 7:00 p.m. Tuesday, August 25th – 9:00 a.m. – 7:00 p.m.
Wednesday, August 19th – 9:00 a.m. – 7:00 p.m. Wednesday, August 26th – 9:00 a.m. – 7:00 p.m.
Thursday, August 20th – 9:00 a.m. – 7:00 p.m. Thursday, August 27th – 9:00 a.m. – 7:00 p.m.
Friday, August 21st – 9:00 a.m. – 3:00 p.m. Friday, August 28th – 9:00 a.m. – 3:00 p.m.
Additional Readings (available on ReggieNet)
Gray, P.L. (2008). Leading classroom activities. In Hugenburg, L. W., Morreale, S., Worley, D. W., Hugenberg, B., & Worley, D. A. (Eds.). Best practices in the basic communication course: A training manual for instructors. (pp. 81-90). Dubuque, IA: Kendall-Hunt Publishing Company.
Simonds, C.J., & Cooper, P.J., (2011). Leading classroom discussions. In Communication for the classroom teacher, (9th ed.). Needham Heights, MA: Allyn & Bacon.
ALSO REQUIRED
· Some mechanism that can record at least 8 minutes of video that can be uploaded to a computer (smartphone, tablet with video capabilities, laptop with web cam, or a friend/classmate with said technology).
COMMUNICATION AS CRITICAL INQUIRY (COM 110) COURSE GOALS
Communication as Critical Inquiry (Com 110) seeks to improve students’ abilities to express themselves and to listen to others in a variety of communication settings. Effective oral communication is viewed as an essential life skill that every person must possess in order to function in today’s society. The course emphasizes participation in a variety of communication processes in order to develop, reinforce, and evaluate communication skills appropriate for public, small group, and interpersonal settings. The course content and experiences will enable students to assume their responsibilities as speaker-listener-critic in a culturally diverse world. In short, the course is designed to make students competent, ethical, critical, confident, and information literate communicators.
COM 110 addresses the following General Education outcomes:
II. intellectual and practical skills, allowing students to
a. make informed judgments
c. report information effectively and responsibly
e. deliver purposeful presentations that inform attitudes or behaviors
III. personal and social responsibility, allowing students to
a. participate in activities that are both individually life-enriching and socially beneficial to a diverse community
c. interact competently in a variety of cultural contexts
IV. integrative and applied learning, allowing students to
a. identify and solve problems
b. transfer learning to novel situations
c. work effectively in teams
Primary outcomes are indicated in plain text and secondary outcomes are indicated in italics.
ASSIGNMENTS:
EXAMS: There will be a midterm exam and a final exam. Exams will assess your understanding of communication concepts and theories, as well as your application and integration abilities.
PRESENTATIONS: Each student will present three speeches:
· Informative Speech (5-7 minutes, at least 4 sources) (IPTS: 6E)
· Group Lesson and Activity (25-30 minutes) (IPTS: 5B, 5I, 5K, 5Q, 6E, 6Q, 6R, 8B, 8K, 8L, 8N, 8R)
· Persuasive Presentation (3-5 minute individual speech; 6-8 minute discussion; each person will speak at least 5-8 minutes) (IPTS: 5B, 5I, 5K, 6E, 6S, 8B, 9S)
Informative Presentation: Students will deliver a 5-7 minute informative speech about an educational topic accurately, clearly, and interestingly. All topics must be related to education and topic suggestions will be provided.
Group Lesson and Activity: Students will work in groups based on the content area or teaching level they plan to teach. They will then give a content lesson on some content necessary for that age group and will conduct an instructional activity that reinforces the concepts taught in the lesson. Prior to the group presentation, students will be taught how to conduct and debrief an instructional activity.
Persuasive Presentation: Students will work in pairs to present two credible and convincing arguments on two different sides of an issue relevant to education and facilitate an instructional discussion on the issue. Each partner will present one side of the argument. Each speech will be a claim of fact, value, or policy. Following the speech, you and your partner will facilitate an instructional discussion with the whole class on your topic. Prior to the persuasive presentation, students will be taught how to conduct an instructional discussion.
All three presentations must be completed to pass the course. Each presentation will be evaluated on content and delivery. Specific details will be clearly outlined in class. Typed outlines and references are required for each (a sample will be provided). If you fail to give your speech on the day it was assigned you will automatically receive a zero for that speech. You are still required to give that speech in the speech lab with a 3-5 person audience (that you provide), have it recorded, and then bring it to me with your peer evaluations in order to pass the class.
ILLINOIS ARTICULATION INITIATIVE:
The Illinois Articulation Initiative is designed to allow students to transfer course credit between institutions. The IAI requires that all Com 110 students present at least three speaking opportunities that include research and are five minutes, or longer, in duration.
LIBRARY: We have a librarian assigned to our COM110 course who is available to help you research your topic. Our course librarian is Julie Derden, . You can also use the following LibGuide to help with your research http://illinoisstate.libguides.com/com110educationmajors
CIP/SYNTHESIS PAPER: The portfolio is a collection of your work in this course over the semester. It will represent your insights, observation, experiences, and reflections that illustrate course content. Although a detailed assignment will be provided, the end product will consist of your Communication Improvement Profile (CIP) and Critical Thinking Self-Assessment pretest, Ethical Communication Self-Assessment, copies of your draft and final outlines, self critiques, certificates of completion for library activities (library checklist), and a final communication analysis paper and Critical Thinking Self Assessment posttest. (IPTS: 6E)
SPEECH LAB: You are encouraged to visit the speech lab at least once during the semester to practice your speech. It is also recommended that you plan a visit to the speech lab at least one week before your speech so you have enough time to synthesize the feedback received from the attendant and incorporate it into your speech. Ultimately, the speech lab can be a useful tool in improving the quality of your speech and public speaking skills. To schedule time in the speech lab, call 438-4566. The speech lab is located in the Fell Hall basement, Fell 32. Make an appointment at your earliest convenience since the speech lab fills up fast. If you need to change or cancel your appointment, you will need to call the Speech Lab at or stop by in person 24 hours in advance.
PARTICIPATION: Because Communication as Critical Inquiry is a skills-based, developmental course, participation is essential to a positive learning experience. To receive full participation points for each chapter, students must complete the Preparing to Participate questions found in the text from each chapter. All participation assignments MUST be turned in on ReggieNet by 1:55 PM the day it is due. If you are not in class that day, you cannot receive participation points.
EVALUATION
Informative Speech 100 Points
Group Lesson and Activity 105 Points
Persuasive Presentation 100 Points
CIP Paper 30 Points
Synthesis Paper 40 Points
Midterm 100 Points
Final Exam 100 Points
Participation 95 Points
Any Old Bag Speech 10 Points
Library iTour 5 points
Quizzes/Activities TBA
Total Points: TBA
**Assessments and point values subject to change.**
The grading scale is a standard ten percentage point scale:
90-100% = A; 80%-89% = B; 70%-79% = C; 60-69% = D; below 60% = F
COURSE POLICIES:
ATTENDANCE: You are expected to come to class prepared to discuss and participate in activities associated with the readings. Regular attendance is expected, and I will take attendance every day. Being absent will deprive you of valuable class discussions and will also prevent you from receiving participation credit for that day. Additionally, I expect you to be in class on time.
If you have a legitimate reason for not being in class, you must contact me as far as possible in advance by email. If you are involved in any university activities that will cause you to miss class, I need a schedule of classes that you will miss and a signed note from your coach or advisor verifying that you are on the team.
ELECTRONICS: All electronic devices are to be turned off and put away before class begins. If I see you texting during class, your participation (P2P score) will be negatively impacted. Also, if you are not paying attention, you are demonstrating to me that you already know the material I’m presenting, so I will have you come up front and teach. If your phone rings during someone else’s speech, you are texting, or you are playing with your phone, you will lose 10% off your own speech grade.
ASSIGNMENT DUE DATES: All work is expected on the date it is due. Late assignments will not be accepted. I will work with you if you have a legitimate reason for your absence (determined by me) AND arrangements have been made with me prior to the class meeting. I want to help you in any way possible but will not accept less than your full effort. Like most instructors, I am more understanding if you keep me informed: If you encounter problems, please let me know right away.
PROFESSIONAL COURTESY: Professional courtesy includes respecting others' opinions, not interrupting in class, being respectful to those who are speaking, and working together in a spirit of cooperation. I expect you to demonstrate these behaviors at all times in this class. As a future teacher, you will be required to model professional behavior that reflects honesty, integrity, personal responsibility, confidentiality, altruism, and respect. The same behavior is expected in this class. (IPTS 9I)
SPEECH ETIQUETTE: Your attendance on speech days is required and is not optional. Failure to be an attentive audience member on speech days will result in a 10% deduction from your speech – this includes being present, sitting up and having all electronic devices turned off and put away. As a speaker you will dress appropriately and conduct yourself professionally during your speech. Please do not enter or leave the room while a speech is in progress. It is inconsiderate to arrive late during a presentation and as such tardiness will result in a 10% deduction from your speech grade.
BEHAVIORAL EXPECTATION POLICY: Should any student violate the expectations of appropriate classroom behavior (as mentioned in the professional courtesy and presentation etiquette policies above), the instructor will schedule a meeting to discuss these expectations and develop a behavioral modification plan. If these behaviors persist, you will be at-risk for failing the course.
EMAILING: If you need to contact me by email, please feel free to do so at my Illinois State e-mail address. Please do not contact me through Reggie Net. However, you must give me 24 hours to respond to your email on weekdays and 48 hours to respond to your email on weekends. For example, if you email me an hour before class starts, do not assume I will respond to that email within the hour. As a student of higher education, it is expected that all communication be of professional quality. When writing through e-mail to an instructor identify the subject matter in the subject line of the email. Please be sure to address the instructor in a professional manner. Always sign your name in your e-mails. Please follow these guidelines so your e-mail is given full consideration.
CHEATING/PLAGIARISM: Students are expected to be honest in all academic work, consistent with the academic integrity policy as outlined in the Code of Student Conduct. All work is to be appropriately cited when it is borrowed, directly or indirectly, from another source. Unauthorized and unacknowledged collaboration on speech topics and/or the presentation of someone else’s work warrants plagiarism.
Students found to inadvertently commit acts of dishonesty will receive appropriate penalties specific to the assignment in question. Students found to commit intentional acts of dishonesty will receive a failing grade in the course and will be referred for appropriate disciplinary action through Community Rights and Responsibilities.