Communication As Critical Inquiry (Com 110)

COMMUNICATION AS CRITICAL INQUIRY (COM 110) Instructor: Olivia Hook Office Hours: T/R 11:30-12:30 p.m. or by appt. Office: Fell Hall 280 Phone (office): (309) 438-7578 Email: [email protected] Section: 033 Classroom: 162 Fell Hall Meeting time: T/R 12:35-1:50 p.m.

“Education is what remains after one has forgotten what one has learned in school.” - Albert Einstein

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.

(Access codes available at campus bookstores—See below)

Simonds, C. J., Hunt, S. K., & Hooker, J.F. (2014). Communication as critical inquiry: Supplementary materials packet. Champaign, IL: Stipes Publishing.

(Available at the School of Communication Resource Center in Fell Hall—See below)

COURSE MATERIALS: COM 110 TEXTBOOK: You are required to have an Ebook Access code which will allow you to access the textbook for this course. On this website, there is a full electronic copy of the textbook as well as other materials necessary for the completion of the course. If you would prefer to also have a hard copy of the textbook, these can be purchased from the Pearson website for about $20 with free shipping.

SUPPLEMENTARY MATERIALS PACKET (SPIRAL BOOK): The other item that you will need to purchase is the student workbook at the Communication Resource Center (located in the basement of Fell Hall). This contains activities and evaluation forms that you will need to complete COM 110. This book should be purchased during the first week of class from the Communication Resource Center. The workbook will cost $31 (plus tax) and will be available for pick up in the Communication Resource Center (Fell basement) 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.

Students will purchase the spiral workbook through the School of Communication online store using a credit, debit, or monetary gift card. Cash or check will NOT be accepted. The website can be found at the following address: http://tinyurl.com/o8jjxke

Communication Resource Center Hours of Operation: Hours TBD the first week of class.

ALSO REQUIRED:  working ISU email account  stapler  a printer, or money on your ID for printers on campus

COMMUNICATION AS CRITICAL INQUIRY (COM 110) COURSE GOALS 1) Students will become more competent communicators (using knowledge, skill, motivation, and judgment). 2) Students will become more critical consumers and producers of ideas and information (using analytical reasoning skills in the reception, collection, and presentation of ideas). 3) Students will conduct background research necessary to develop well-informed presentations. 4) Students will evaluate the communication skills of others (identifying effective and ineffective aspects of oral presentations). 5) Students will become more competent in communicating in small group discussions (articulating and defending their own ideas as well as listening to and considering the ideas of others). 6) Students will become more effective communicators in a democracy (demonstrating ethical communication, considering multiple perspectives on controversial issues, and managing conflict).

ASSIGNMENTS: INTRODUCTION AS BIOGRAPHY SPEECHES: The second day of class, you will be required to deliver a 2- minute speech in which you will introduce a classmate to your fellow students through participating in what is known as the “Introduction as Biography.” This speech consists of quickly interviewing a classmate and introducing them to the class. This assignment will also make you more comfortable speaking in front of your COM 110 classmates/audience.

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. The final exam will not be cumulative.

SPEECHES: Each student will present three speeches: a. Informative speech (5-7 minutes, no more than 7:30; at least 4 sources) b. Group presentation (18-20 minutes, no more than 20:30; at least 10 sources) c. Persuasive speech (5-7 minutes, no more than 7:30; at least 3 new sources in addition to sources used in the group speech)

*Speeches that either do not reach or exceed the time limits by more than 10 seconds will be docked from the total grade. All three speeches 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). You will also be required to submit a preliminary outline to me for comments prior to your presentation date.

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. The speech lab is located in the basement of Fell Hall, room 032, and appointments are required. Make an appointment at your earliest convenience since the speech lab fills up quickly. If you need to change or cancel your appointment, you will need to call the Speech Lab at (309) 438-4556 or stop by in person (room 032 Fell Hall) 24 hours in advance. Note: I will offer 5 points of extra credit for your first documented visit to the speech lab.

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.

SYNTHESIS PAPER: The synthesis paper is 3-5 page accumulation of the goals that you have reached throughout the semester, as well as those you did not reach. Although a detailed assignment will be provided on ReggieNet, the end product will consist of your Ethical Communicating Self Assessment (ECSA) post-test, Critical Thinking Self Assessment posttest (CTSA), and your final synthesis paper.

PARTICIPATION/(P2P): This is a discussion-based course, and therefore participation is essential. Participation is a function of attendance, demonstration of having read the material, asking questions that extend the thinking of the class and instructor, contributing relevant examples, and demonstrating respect for the contributions of classmates. Participation will be assessed using “preparing to participate” questions from each chapter that will be done before class collected for each chapter. If we discuss a chapter for more than one class period, I will collect your “preparing to participate”, or “P2P” on the first day in which we cover that chapter. These assess your preparation for participation in class and aid in class discussion. Your preparing to participate responses will not only help you review the material for a given class, but they will also prepare you for discussion and will serve as a study tool for both the midterm and the final.

PARTICIPATION JUSTIFICATION: Participation requires more than being present in class; it is a demonstration of having read the material, asking questions that extend the thinking of the class and instructor, contributing relevant examples, and demonstrating respect for the contributions of classmates. Twice this semester, I will ask that you provide me with a one-page explanation of what your participation grade should be and why. I will take into account your justification as well as my attendance records to make the final decision of your participation grade.

ACTIVITIES: You are expected to come to class and be prepared to engage in activities and discussion with your peers. I do not want to lecture on notes you have already read. Throughout the semester you will experiment with introduction speeches, short impromptu speeches and various in-class group activities. Activities will be done in class and cannot be made up. Detailed instructions will be given at the appropriate times.

COURSE EVALUATION: Informative Speech 100 pts. Group Presentation 100 pts. Persuasive Speech 100 pts. Midterm Exam 100 pts. Final Exam 100 pts. Participation/P2Ps 85 pts. (1 per chapter at 5 pts. each) Informative Speech RD 15 pts. CIP paper 30 pts. Synthesis Paper 40 pts. Participation Justification Paper 30 pts. (2 at 15 pts. each) Interview as Biography 10 pts. Total 710

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

*Grades will be updated on ReggieNet after exams and speeches and will not be discussed through email or in class. If you have questions about an individual or overall grade, contact me during office hours.

COURSE POLICIES:

ATTENDANCE: You are expected to come to class prepared to discuss and participate in activities associated with the readings. Being absent will deprive you of valuable class discussions and will also prevent you from fulfilling certain graded in-class activities, which cannot be made up. I understand that “life happens” and there may be days that you make the choice to not attend class. Each student may have 2 absences without being penalized, no matter what the creative excuse may be (exceptions being tests, quizzes, and speech days). 5 points will be deducted from your participation grade for each day that is missed, otherwise. No exceptions will be made. You would not skip a day at work and have no repercussions, so the same goes for this class.

If you are involved in university activities that will cause you to miss class such as athletics, band, theatre, or the debate team, I need a schedule of classes that you will miss and a signed note from your coach or sponsor verifying that you are on the team.

Tardiness will not be tolerated. Nothing is more distracting to your classmates and myself than someone walking into the room late. If you are tardy more than once, you will not be allowed to turn in any material due that day, and thus, not receive credit for that assignment.

We are a support system for each other because public speaking can be a scary proposition. Therefore, if you skip a speech day when you are not presenting, you will lose 10 points off the grade for your speech for each day missed. Please show up to class and support your classmates because they will do the same for you. Also, if you are late on a speech day, NEVER come into the classroom during a speech. Wait outside until you hear applause and the conclusion of the speech. Tardiness on speech days will result in an absence for the day.

Exceptions to this rule include exam and speech days. Failure to attend class on an exam or speech day will result in the student receiving a zero for that particular exam or speech. If you have a legitimate reason for not being in class, you must contact me as far as possible in advance by email, and I will do my best to make accommodations for you.

ELECTRONICS: There will be no need for electronic devices to be out during this class period. This class is not a lecture and your notes will be done ahead of time, so, as a result, no laptops will be necessary. Don’t text during class. I find it distracting and rude. ALSO, IF YOUR PHONE RINGS DURING SOMEONE ELSE’S SPEECHES OR YOU ARE TEXTING, I WILL DEDUCT 10 POINTS FROM YOUR OWN SPEECH GRADE.

LATE WORK: 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. Make sure to anticipate those predictable problems so that you can prevent them. For example, running out of paper or printer ink, or losing computer files that you did not back up are problems that need not occur if you are looking ahead. (Supplies only run out when you need them, because that is the only time you use them!)

ASSIGNMENT FORMAT: Please make your headings for ALL assignments uniform. I will provide an example, which I will expect you to follow. Though your work will be double spaced (with the exception of your outlines), 12pt font and will have 1 inch margins, the heading should be SINGLE SPACED and on the first page ONLY .

Your name Assignment Date Course title (COM 110)

*ALL assignments must be stapled. I reserve the right to not accept any assignment that is not stapled. Also, please write legibly! Any work that I cannot read will not be accepted.

EMAILING: Email is the best way to get in contact with me. You must give me 24 hours to respond to your email on weekdays and 48 hours to respond to your email on weekends. As a student of higher education, it is expected that all communication be of professional quality. When writing an email to an instructor, identify the subject matter in the subject line of the email. Always sign your name in your e-mails. Emails not properly addressed may not be answered. It is important to follow these policies so your email is given full consideration. Reminder: I will be sending several important pieces of information through email.

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.

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.

GRADE APPEALS: If you disagree with a grade you have been given in this class, you have up to one week after the assignment was returned to make an argument. In order to do this, YOU MUST follow the evaluation challenge sheet in your spiral book on page 89. I will inform you of my decision before your next class period via email. UNIVERSITY BEREAVEMENT POLICY: Students who experience the death of an immediate family member or relative as defined in the University Student Bereavement Policy will be excused from class for funeral leave, subsequent bereavement, and/or travel considerations. Students are responsible for providing appropriate documentation to the Dean of Students office and for contacting the instructor as soon as possible to make arrangements for completing missed work. More information is available in the Student Bereavement Policy at http://www.policy.illinoisstate.edu/2-1-27.shtml

SPECIAL NEEDS: Any student needing to arrange a reasonable accommodation for a documented disability should contact Disability Concerns at 350 Fell Hall, 438-5853 (Voice), 438-8620 (TDD). MENTAL HEALTH RESOURCES: Life at college can get very complicated. Students sometimes feel overwhelmed, lost, experience anxiety or depression, struggle with relationship difficulties or diminished self- esteem. However, many of these issues can be effectively addressed with a little help. Student Counseling Services (SCS) helps students cope with difficult emotions and life stressors. Student Counseling Services is staffed by experienced, professional psychologists and counselors, who are attuned to the needs of college students. The services are FREE and completely confidential. Find out more at Counseling.IllinoisState.edu or by calling (309) 438-3655.

SCHOOL OF COMMUNICATION RESEARCH POOL WEBPAGE: This website is dedicated to research projects approved by the School of Communication which students enrolled in communication courses may participate during the semester. Com 110 students are encouraged to participate in research projects found on this website for possible extra credit points assigned at the discretion of their instructor to facilitate the production of new knowledge about communication and to learn about the value of research. The website can be found at https://sites.google.com/site/isucomresearch/home Note: I will offer 2 points of extra credit for each survey you participate in, up to 5 (or a total of 10 points).

*Note: Your instructor reserves the right to change the syllabus details throughout the semester. Of course, I will inform you of any changes. Syllabus Contract

Year in school:

Major/Minor:

Favorite song:

What you are looking forward to learning about in COM110?

By signing below, I acknowledge that I have read the syllabus in its entirety, and that I agree to the terms for required coursework and acceptable classroom behavior in Olivia Hook’s COM 110 class.

______Signature Date Name (please print)

Week Date Day Chapter(s) Material Covered Assignment Due

1 1/13 T Review of Syllabus; Instructor Syllabus contracts Introduction DUE 1/15 R Introduction as Biography Speeches; Assign CIP 2 1/20 T 1,2 Ch. 1: Introduction to P2P chapters 1 P2P Communication chapter 2 Ch. 2: Communication Confidence 1/22 R 3,4 Ch. 3: Ethical Communication P2P chapter 3 Ch. 4: Perception and Self P2P chapter 4 Concept 3 1/27 T “Once Upon a Time…” activity 1/29 R 5,6 Ch. 5: Choosing Topics P2P chapter 5 Ch. 6: Audience Analysis P2P chapter 6 Assign Informative Speech CIP DUE 4 2/3 T 7,8 Ch. 7: Supporting Material P2P chapter 7 Ch. 8: Organizing Ideas P2P chapter 8 2/5 R Topic selection activity Informative speech “Speed dating” topics due by end of class 5 2/10 T 9,10 Ch. 9: Outlining P2P chapter 9 Ch. 10: Intros and Conclusions P2P chapter 10 2/12 R 11 Ch. 11: Appropriate Language P2P chapter 11 6 2/17 T 12,13 Ch. 12: Designing Presentation P2P chapter 12 Aids P2P chapter 13 Ch. 13: Delivery 2/19 R In-class work day- Informative speeches 7 2/24 T Informative Speeches 2/26 R Informative Speeches 8 3/3 T [Informative Speeches] Midterm Review Assign Group Speech 3/5 R 14 Ch. 14: Communicating in P2P chapter 14 Groups Group speech [& Culture] topics due 9 3/10 T SPRING BREAK 3/12 R Have fun & be safe! 10 3/17 T 15 Ch. 15: Listening and Critical P2P chapter 15 Thinking 3/19 R Group speech work day 11 3/24 T Group Speeches 3/26 R Group Speeches 12 3/31 T 16 Ch. 16: Understanding P2P chapter 16 Persuasive Principles Assign Persuasive Speeches 4/2 R Persuasive Speech in-class work day 13 4/7 T 17 Ch. 17: The Toulmin Model P2P chapter 17 4/9 R Ch. 17: Building Arguments 14 4/14 T Persuasive Speech in-class work day 4/16 R Persuasive Speeches 15 4/21 T Persuasive Speeches 4/23 R Finish Persuasive Speeches 16 4/28 T Final Exam Review Synthesis paper DUE, Participation Justification #2 DUE 4/30 R Chapter 18: Communication in a Democracy

Final Exam Date: TBD (week of 5/4- 5/8)