INFORMATION: class webpage http://euphrates.wpunj.edu/faculty/wagnerk/comm/
THIS COURSE is intended to focus your attention on the critical nature of various communication modes, the effect they have on your daily lives, and the important role played by context in shaping perception. The central direction of this course is to understand the nature and dynamics of intrapersonal, interpersonal, small group, and public communication through the experience of different social worlds and different voices – ethnic, racial, etc. Through text readings and "thought piece" reaction essays, you will respond to a variety of concepts and scenarios and find connections between them and your own experience.
REQUIRED TEXT: Julia T. Wood. Communication Mosaics. 2nd Edition. New York: Wadsworth. 2001.
ADDITIONAL READINGS: will be distributed in class and held on reserve in the Library.
ATTENDANCE on time is required. Please anticipate traffic and parking delays. You are responsible for all assignments, even if you are absent. I recommend that you exchange phone numbers with a class colleague to get notes that you may miss. I will not be able to
Ago over@ a lecture you may have missed. You must contact me in the event of an absence to arrange to make up work. Courtesy dictates that you leave a message for me at the numbers listed above if you are going to be absent. Our class meets for two and one-half hours each week. Leaving early, except in case of serious illness, is considered an absence.WRITTEN WORK is fundamental to this course. Your work should be simple and concise. Please do not employ complicated structure and extensive, unnecessary vocabulary. In whatever career you choose, the ability to write simply and persuasively is crucial. Clear expression is more important than flowery language. I do require that your work be grammatically correct, college-level composition. If you have problems in this regard, please contact me for assistance.
THOUGHT PIECES are one or two page essays, no longer, that clearly expresses a single relationship between two concepts, events or situations. Your thought pieces must first summarize the contents or theme of the corresponding chapter in your textbook, connect it conceptually with in-class video or exercise, then discuss an appropriate event in your life, education, relationships, or other experience that illustrate this concept. The Thought Piece can be no less than one, double-spaced, typed page in length (12pt type, one-inch margins) and no more than two pages. The intent of weekly thought pieces is to develop written communication skills, foster reflection upon events in your life, and develop important skills of discerning relationships between concepts and events and expressing them concisely. Your weekly Thought Pieces, taken together, will form the largest component of your grade in this class. I am looking for your ability to express yourself clearly. Each Thought Piece is worth ten points. You will receive your graded Thought Pieces back the week after you turn them in. Thought Pieces are to be printed out and turned in during class. E-mail submission of your work is not acceptable unless approved in advance with me, and for good reason. This isn
=t a Adistance learning@ class.CLASS POLICY requires a collective discussion of issues, some of which may be considered controversial and provocative. It is important to learn how to articulate your perspectives clearly and rationally even on issues you feel strongly about. Not everyone has the same perspective as you. It is most important that we work in an environment that respects the opinions of others. We can question and challenge the views of our colleagues in a respectful and productive manner.
ACADEMIC DISHONESTY
will result in a failing grade for the work in question and possibly for the entire course, depending upon the nature and degree of the offense. Purchasing a paper or otherwise obtaining and submitting a paper which you have not written will result in an automatic course failure. William Paterson University’s Academic Integrity Policy is found in the Undergraduate Catalog, pp. 36-38.EVALUATION of your work will be as follows:
10 thought pieces 10pts ea. 100pts Quest for Fire quiz 10pts 10pts Midterm exam 50pts 1984 quiz 10pts 10pts Final exam 100pts 100pts Participation 30pts Total 300pts Your point total will be divided by the 300 to yield a decimal score. Your final grade will be determined from the following scale: A=95-100 A-=94-90 B+=89-86 B=85-82 B-=81-78 C+=77-75 C=74-71 C-=70-67 D+=66-64 D=63-61 D-=60-59 F=58 or below
Please contact me if you are having problems with this class. I am willing to meet with you to discuss your work and ways to improve it. Do not simply fail to turn in assignments or skip class. Contacting me indicates that you are cognizant of class policy and counts in your favor.
ACADEMIC ASSISTANCE can be arranged by contacting the Academic Support Center, Hunziker Wing 218, 973.720.3324 or 973.720.2563. They can help you with tutoring, reading, study and exam-taking skills. The Writing Center, Atrium 128, 973.720.2633 is available to help you improve your writing skills.
An "A" grade
on a paper or in the class represents a great amount of work, interest and commitment. This must be made evident to me. Your papers must show that you've read and understood the text, succinctly made connections with your own experience, and have gone the extra step to have found additional examples in the films we've viewed, other chapters, or other things that you have read. Your participation in discussions must be thoughtful and assist others in understanding the material. The "A" grade is reserved for those showing something well above even "additional effort"A "B" grade signifies work that is above average. If you demonstrate clear improvement over previous work, demonstrate that you are not just doing the readings, but understanding them and how they fit in with your life, and contribute to discussion occasionally, you are in "B" range. Understand that B does not mean "average." You must do more than the bare minimum to get a "B."
A "C" grade is given when the minimum requirements have been met. If you attend the classes, hand in the assignments, and participate minimally, you have earned a "C."
Let's try not to need explanations of the other possible grades.
|
SEPT 8 |
Course Introduction – FILM: Being There |
|
SEPT 15 |
Ch. 2 Perceiving & Understanding / Ch. 1-2 thought piece due/FILM:SEARCH FOR THE WILD CHILD |
|
SEPT 22 |
Ch. 3 Creating Communication Climates / ch. 3 thought piece due |
|
SEPT 29 |
Ch. 4 Verbal Communication / ch. 4 thought piece due / FILM: QUEST FOR FIRE |
|
OCT 6 |
Ch. 5 Nonverbal Communication / ch. 5 thought piece due/ QUIZ: QUEST FOR FIRE |
|
OCT 13 |
Ch. 6 Listening & Responding / ch. 6 thought piece due |
|
OCT 20 |
Ch. 7 People & Contexts / ch. 7 thought piece due |
|
OCT 27 |
Ch. 8 Communication & Personal Identity / ch. 8 thought piece due |
|
NOV 3 |
Ch. 9 Communication in Personal Relationships / ch. 9 thought piece due |
|
NOV 10 |
Midterm Exam |
|
NOV 17 |
Ch. 10 Communication in Groups & Teams / ch. 10 thought piece due |
|
NOV 24 |
Ch. 11 Communication in Organizations / ch. 11 thought piece due |
|
DEC 1 |
Ch. 12 Communication in Interviews /FILM: 1984 / ch. 12 thought piece due |
|
DEC 8 |
Ch. 14 Mass Communicaton / 1984 QUIZ/ ch. 14 thought piece due |
|
DEC 15 |
Review for FINAL EXAM / Ch. 15 thought piece due |
|
DEC 22 |
|
updated: 10/6/00