Instructor: Marilyn D. Hunt, Ph.D. Classroom: MC Room 103 – MWF 10:00-10:50 a.m.

Office: A 116 , Phone 271-5660 Office hours: MWF: 11:00-12:00, TTh 1:30-2:30,

e-mail: huntmd@griffon.mwsc.edu And by appointment…..

Textbook: Melvin DeFleur; Patricia Kearney and Timothy Plax. Fundamentals of Human Communication.

Mountain View, California: Mayfield, 1998.

Objectives: As a General Studies course at MWSC, all sections of Oral Communication strive to fulfill the following general course objectives:

1. To provide students with an understanding of communication theory to include:

a. Communication Process

b. Role of Language

c. Listening

d. Nonverbal codes

2. To provide students with an understanding of intrapersonal communication to include:

a. reception, processing, and transmission of information

b. attitude formation

c. self-concept and its impact on communicative behavior

3.To provide students with an understanding of interpersonal communication to include:

a. types of interpersonal communication

b. communication barriers

c. discussion processes

4.To provide students with an understanding of public communication to include:

a. types of speaking situations

b. speech preparation

c. delivery techniques

d. audience analysis

5.To engage students in experiences that will enable them to develop skills in the above areas.

6.To prepare students to become active, critical citizens.

Honors Objectives: As an honors section of a General Studies course, the present course also seeks to:

1. Emphasize all different forms of communication in equal measure, particularly the oral forms of speeches and group communication.

2. Encourage critical examination of our culture as it relates to the theoretical study of communication.

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COM 104-H

GRADING POLICY AND ASSIGNMENTS

1. All assignments of 10% or greater, plus all oral assignments, must be completed. Failure to

complete any will result in failure of the course.

2. Students are expected to attend all classes. Discussion questions will be due on the days assigned.

All notes, etc., are the responsibility of the student. Your attendance, however, is necessary for

almost every segment of the course. You will be assigned an informative speech group and are to

attend every discussion. You will be expected to react to the other groups on their assigned days.

Part of your grade will be determined by members' evaluations of your contributions to the group

(including your attendance and participation in group meetings).

3. If a class is canceled, all assignments will be in effect for the next class meeting.

4. All written assignments are due on the date assigned. Make-ups will be allowed if you have a

valid university approved excuse.

5. Speeches are due on the day assigned. Speeches generally may not be made up (unless the

circumstances are so unusual that even I have to admit that the excuse is valid.) Failure to deliver

the speech on the assigned date will result in a grade of F (0 points).

6. Points will be deducted for grammatical and spelling errors on all written assignments. Students with numerous errors may be required to attend sessions at the Center for Academic Support for the duration of the semester. Proof, proof, proof, use spell check, proof again.

7. Any student in this course who has a disability that prevents the fullest expression of their abilities

should contact me personally as soon as possible so that we can discuss class requirements.

8. A student's academic honesty is a fundamental assumption of the course. Plagiarism and other

forms of dishonesty will not be tolerated. Dishonesty will be dealt with following the policy

established by the college.

9. Grading practices conform to the following criteria: C is average, the student has met the minimum

criteria for the assignment, B goes beyond the minimum criteria, shows development in several

areas, A is outstanding in several areas, demonstrates development in all areas, D fails to satisfy

many of the criteria, F (59% and below) fails to satisfy most of the criteria (exact numerical grade

depends on the minimum criteria detailed on the distributed assignment sheet).

Chapter Discussion Questions 10%

Reading Responses 10%

Interpersonal Paper 15%

Speech #1 5%

Informative Speech 10%

Group Persuasive Analysis Speech 15%

Small Group Analysis Paper 10%

Test I 10%

Test 2 15%

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III. Assignments (These are short descriptions, more detailed assignments will be distributed throughout the semester.)

1. DISCUSSION QUESTIONS

On the first day of each assigned chapter, students are expected to bring to class two (2) thoughtful questions that could lead to a discussion. These must be typed or word processed. Each question should be placed in context or framed so that the reader understands how/why the text elicited the question and why it might be important. We may/may not use these questions in discussion; however, the grade will be determined by the quality of the question itself, not whether or not it was used. These questions must be original and based on an issue raised by the text.

2. WRITTEN ASSIGNMENT-INTERPERSONAL APPLICATION

Each student will write a conceptual development paper dealing with the issues of relationships and communication. The paper should be approximately seven to eight pages, typed and utilizing a minimum of five references. More information will be distributed during the semester.

3. SPEECH #1

Early in the semester, each student is expected to deliver a three to four minute speech on a topic of a personal nature. Students will be given a choice among several topic possibilities.

4. INFORMATIVE SPEECH

Each student will select a timely, controversial, and relevant (to your audience) topic (subject to instructor approval) as a subject for in depth investigation. Findings from this research process will be presented to the class in a 6-8 minute multi-media informative presentation. During the speech, you will be expected to utilize and cite a minimum of five (5) outside reference sources. Speeches should be in outline form (no manuscripts) and include a statement of rhetorical purpose and an annotated bibliography. It is expected that you will utilize PowerPoint and other multi-media technology in this presentation.

5. GROUP PERSUASIVE ANALYSIS SPEECH

Each group will select and analyze a persuasive vehicle such as a commercial series (Taco Bell, Nike), political campaign ("right to carry"), public service communication campaign (anti-drug messages), etc. Groups will deliver a 50 minute multi-media presentation on the elements of persuasion and audience analysis utilized in their selection. Incorporated into this analysis will be an investigation of the background situation or context, suggesting how audience analysis was used in designing and implementing the persuasive effort. It is expected you will contact relevant organizations and publics in your research process. Grades will be determined on the basis of individual and group performance as well as group evaluations of each member. Remember, perception of the group's overall performance has a definite impact on perception of the individual elements. Groups will provide the instructor with an agenda or plan for the overall presentation (more on this later). Additionally, students will turn in an outline of their individual presentations to the instructor. Each student is required to utilize a minimum of three outside references in their part of the presentation. Each student will speak for approximately 8-9 minutes during the presentation. Additionally, attendance in class and at meetings will be calculated as part of the grade.

6. SMALL GROUP ANALYSIS PAPER (FINAL EXAM)

Each group member will apply course concepts and theory to the development of a comprehensive written analysis of her/his experiences in the "persuasive analysis group" and in other activities and discussions in which s/he participated during the semester (take notes!). This assignment will function as your final exam.