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Fall 2011 California State University, Fullerton College of Communications Introduction to Human Communication: HCOM 100, 3 Units Tuesday/Thursday

11:30-12:45a.m. E011 Instructor: Office: Office Hours: E-Mail: Website: Mr. Jeffrey Neu Langsdorf Hall 407B Tuesdays 2-4p.m. or by appointment. ProfessorNeu@Gmail.com (please allow 48hrs for a response) http://JeffreyNeu.blogspot.com

Required Text: OHair, D., & Wiemann, M. (2009). Real communication: An introduction (1st ed). Boston: Bedford/St. Martins. ISBN: 978-0-312-53616-9. Course Description: This course is an introduction to the theory and practice of human communication. The focus of the course is on learning and practicing the skills needed to improve the quality of interpersonal communication in a variety of contexts, such as in relationships, groups, organizations, public settings, and diverse cultures. You are expected to practice skills in class and in everyday communication outside of class. This course fulfills the General Education requirement for the core competency of category I.A, Oral Communication. The course is comprised of three major components of the communication field: interpersonal, small group, and public speaking. The basic public speaking aspect is designed to develop oral communication skills of students through the delivering of speeches, participating in group activities, completing assigned readings, and by writing brief peer critiques. The interpersonal component will focus on the pragmatic aspects of relationships, including those relationships between friends, family, co-workers, and significant others. Course Objectives: -To develop an understanding of some the basic concepts operating in the communication process and to develop an understanding of cultural awareness and cultural viewpoints. -To increase student relational sensitivity. Only as we become more socially sensitive can we recognize the various conditions that help and/or hinder the process of interpersonal comm.; -To increase student behavioral flexibility. Only as we become more flexible in our behaviors can we select the appropriate behavioral responses to specific communication situations; -To increase student awareness of her/his own behaviors in interpersonal settings; -To develop and improve listening skills. -To provide you with the knowledge, skill, and motivation necessary to help you become a competent communicator. -To enhance competence in managing communication anxiety/apprehension. -To analyze audience characteristics and adapt a topic appropriately for a particular audience. -To distinguish between informative, persuasive and special occasion speeches, recognizing the unique characteristics of each. -To locate and analyze supporting material from Internet sources as to their usefulness and credibility. -To encourage critical analysis of and ethical issues relating to communication in public settings. Class Format: A course in communication requires active participation in class discussion and exercises. You must be present to be an active participant. Though the instructor will provide lecture materials, instruction on activities, and facilitation of in-class discussion, it is your responsibility to participate. Please feel free to share relevant thoughts and ideas in class. Although open expression of ideas in this class is encouraged, your freedom to share your thoughts should not infringe on other students' freedom to share theirs. Please be considerate of others and of your instructor so that all can enjoy a dynamic, engaging, and comfortable environment.

Fall 2011

Class Policies: Please carefully read the following class policies: 1. Attendance: Because this is a performance course, regular attendance is essential. Two or more absences will result in loss of points from the class participation portion of your grade (2 points per class period). On scheduled speech days, attendance is mandatory. Public speaking is a part of this class--you need a public to speak to, therefore you have to be present. Warning: A 10-point deduction from the students speech grade will occur for every speech day that he/she misses. Student participation is a major component of this course. The quality and enjoyment of this class depends on your involvement and preparation. You are encouraged to share your viewpoints on the issues discussed. Students are expected to have read the assignments prior to coming to class. Class participation points may also be deducted for each tardiness and/or early departure. Please see me ahead of time if you have a conflict. 2. Speeches are to be delivered on the assigned day. Speakers who are absent on the assigned speaking day will receive a zero unless prior arrangements are made with the instructor. Also carefully observe the speaking order that your instructor provides for each of the speaking rounds. Arrive to class at the beginning of class and be ready to present your speech. You are also required to provide evaluations of your peers speeches. Participating as an audience member is a graded assignment. 3. PAPERS and WRITTEN EXERCISES: All assignments written out of class MUST be typed in APA format, double spaced, in a 12-point font with one-inch margins on all sides. Your name, the course number, my name, and the assignment name should be single-spaced and centered on a cover page. Papers should be stapled together in the upper left hand corner. No plastic covers or folders, please. Papers will be due on the date specified in the syllabus. I do NOT accept work via e-mail. All work must be handed-in in hard copy form at the beginning of class (I do not accept work after the first 5 minutes of class). Assignments may NOT be turned in to my mailbox or office if you miss class. If you turn work in via email or in my mailbox/office, it will not be graded and you will receive a zero for that assignment. No Late work will be accepted. 5. PLAGIARISM and ACADEMIC DISHONESTY: Plagiarism is defined as the act of taking the specific substance of another and offering it as ones own without giving credit to the source. Sources must be cited accurately and appropriately. Cases of plagiarism could constitute dismissal from the course with a failing grade. 6. No substances or equipment in violation of CSUFs Student Conduct Code will be permitted in this course. Use of laptops and cell phones are not permitted in this course. 7. STUDENTS WITH DISABILITIES: Please let your instructor know if you have a disability that might affect your participation or study in this class. The instructor will, of course, keep this information in strict confidence. You should also contact the Office of Disabled Student Services on campus. Your instructor will work with this office to provide students with disabilities with reasonable accommodations. 8. No administrative withdrawals will be initiated by the instructor. If you stop attending class, but do not officially withdraw from the class, your name appears on the ending roll sheet. Grades will be assigned based on the work completed. 9. HCOM 100 classes regularly participate in research or classroom assessment projects during the course of the semester. Feedback from students for the latter will help target areas of instruction which need improvement.

Fall 2011

Evaluation: Exams: Exams are designed primarily to assess comprehension, retention, and application of central ideas from readings and class (lecture and class discussion). There will be two exams: a Midterm and a Final. They will consist of multiple choice and essay questions. Questions for the exams will be drawn from the text, lecture materials, and supplementary readings. Students are required to purchase two scantron forms (# 882-E) for the two course exams from the University Bookstore. Make-up exams will be given ONLY for legitimate cases (e.g., official school travel/medical reasons/emergencies) and made up at the instructors discretion. Please dont schedule a routine doctor/dentist appointment, etc. on a scheduled exam day. You will need to provide your instructor with appropriate documentation to make-up the exam. Speeches: You will be required to prepare and deliver at least two major speeches and several minor speeches throughout the semester. Each individual speech will be graded on your research, content, organization, and presentation. Students must try to produce a balanced attack with your research/sources (interviews, texts, www, periodicals, testimony, etc). You must submit a typed outline of your speech to your instructor before your presentation (this outline is for the informative and persuasive speeches only; no written work is required for the first smaller speeches). Again, refer to the policies regarding speeches above and below. **Words of advice: 1) Never enter the classroom when someone is giving a speech; be considerate (avoid arriving late for that matter). 2) For a formal speech, you may wish to dress neatly and professionally. 3) If a student does not give a required speech on the day assigned he/she will receive a zero (except for a legitimate excuse or an unforeseen emergency). In such a case your instructor will ask to see documentation. Activities: There will be a number of in-class activities that you will participate in. These may take the form of group activities, impromptu speaking, homework assignments, or planned or unannounced quizzes. We will complete in-class exercises that will require your oral and/or written participation. You must bring your text to class with you for this reason. Any quizzes will always be administered at the beginning of class ONLY. Points for participation may be earned by completing in-class exercises. In-class activities usually cannot be made up, at least not for full-credit. Application Papers: The reaction paper is your opportunity to (1) analyze what you have learned from an in-class exercise or an activity assigned by your instructor for completion outside of class, (2) integrate concepts from class to elaborate on your explanation of the experience, and (3) illustrate your growing communication competency through your analysis and your written communication. Each reaction paper is to be turned in on the date listed in the course schedule. Each paper must be two to three pages, double-spaced, and typed with your name clearly at the top of each page. Proper grammar and language rules must be followed for you to receive a desirable grade. Successful completion of reaction papers will facilitate your reflection upon your progress toward accomplishing the learning goals of this course. Each reaction paper is worth fifteen (15) points for a total of 30 points possible.

Fall 2011

Grading: Plus/minus grading will be used in the final grades for this course. The following table indicates the number of points and the percent of total possible points associated with each grade. Grade A+ A AB+ B BC+ C CD+ D DF Percent of total possible points 98-100 (490-500 points) 93-97.9 (465-489 points) 90-92.9 (450-464 points) 87-89.9 (435-449 points) 83-86.9 (415-434 points) 80-82.9 (400-414 points) 77-79.9 (385-399 points) 73-76.9 (365-384 points) 70-72.9 (350-364 points) 67-69.9 (335-349 points) 63-66.9 (315-334 points) 60-62.9 (300-314 points) 59.9 or below

***You must receive a C or better in the course (i.e., 73% or higher, which means 365 points or more) for it to fulfill the general education requirement for oral communication.***

Record your scores: Midterm Exam Informative Speech Persuasive Speech Final Exam Application Papers ____ (15) + ____(15) = 100 100 100 100 30 _____/100 _____/100 _____/100 _____/100 _____ / 30

Other written assignments; Attendance, Any quizzes, Exercises; Object, Classmate, Impromptu Speeches; Participation, etc. 70 _____ / 70 _____________________________________________________ TOTAL 500 _____/500 Final Letter Grade:_______

Fall 2011

Tentative Calendar Please note that this is subject to change. All reading assignments should be read prior to the class period they are due. Date: Tuesday, August 23 Thursday, August 25 Tuesday, August 30 Class Activity & Topic: Introduction to Class Introduction to Communication Object Speeches Perceiving the Self and Others Thursday, September 1 Tuesday, September 6 Thursday, September 8 Tuesday, September 13 Thursday, September 15 Tuesday, September 20 Thursday, September 22 Perceiving the Self and Others Contd Language and Communication Nonverbal Communication Listening Classmate Interviews Getting to Know Your Classmate Speech Preparing and Researching Presentations Organizing, Outlining, and Writing Presentations Tuesday, September 27 Thursday, September 29 Delivering Presentations Informative Speaking Due: Chapter 1 DQ Chapter 2 Object Speech Chapter 2 DQ Chapter 3 DQ Chapter 4 DQ Chapter 5 DQ

Chapter 11 Paper 1 Chapter 12 DQ Chapter 13 DQ Chapter 14 DQ

Tuesday, October 4 Thursday, October 6 Tuesday, October 11 Thursday, October 13 Tuesday, October 18 Thursday, October 20 Tuesday, October 25 Thursday, October 27 Tuesday, November 1 Thursday, November 3 Tuesday, November 8 Thursday, November 10 Tuesday, November 15

Persuasive Speaking Wrap up and Review Midterm Attendance Mandatory Attendance Mandatory Attendance Mandatory Communication in Groups Leadership and Decision Making in Groups Communicating in Organizations Attendance Mandatory Attendance Mandatory Attendance Mandatory Interviews and Interviewing

Chapter 15 DQ Informative Speech Informative Speech Informative Speech Chapter 8 Chapter 9 Chapter 10 Persuasive Speech Persuasive Speech Persuasive Speech Appendix

Fall 2011
DQ Paper 2 Chapter 6 DQ Read Assigned Article DQ Chapter 7 DQ Thursday, December 8 Thursday, December 15 Wrap up and Review Session Final Exam Noon-1:50p.m.

Thursday, November 17 Tuesday, November 22 Thursday, November 24 Tuesday, November 29 Thursday, December 1 Tuesday, December 6

Interviews and Interviewing Contd Thanksgiving Recess (No Class) Thanksgiving Recess (No Class) Developing and Maintaining Relationships Stages of Relationships Managing Conflict in Relationships

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