INSTRUCTOR: DR. SAMUEL M.
EDELMAN
OFFICE: TEHAMA 435
OFFICE HOURS: TTH 9:00 - 11:30 am
PHONE: 898-4336
EMAIL: sedelman@csuchico.edu
INSTRUCTOR: DR. MADELINE M.
KEAVENEY
OFFICE: TEHAMA 434
OFFICE HOURS: TTH 8:30 - 9:30 am, 1:15-1:45 pm, and W 9:00-11:00
am
PHONE: 898-4062
EMAIL: madeline_keaveney@macgate.csuchico.edu
TEACHING ASSISTANT: CLAUDIA
COON
EMAIL:
TEACHING ASSISTANT: DARLENE
HINDS
EMAIL: hindsdm@ecst.csuchico.edu
CLASS IS HELD: AYRES 106, TTH 2:00 - 3:15 pm
FINAL EXAM TIME: THURSDAY MAY 21, 1998: 12:00 - 1:30 pm
CLASS WEB PAGE: http://www.csuchico.edu/~sedelman/syllabi/COM100S98/index.html
Dominic A. Infante, Andrew S. Rancer, Deanna F. Womack. Building Communication Theory. Prospect Heights, Illinois: Waveland Press Inc., 1997. Third Edition.
The New York Times. At the Book Cellar, AS Bookstore, semester subscription.
The purpose of this course is to explore basic theories associated with communication and to look at the nature, process, and effects of human communication behavior, innovation, and change. In addition to studying general theories, we will be interested in examining language and the symbolic basis for communication as well as rhetorical, intrapersonal, nonverbal, interpersonal, organizational, intercultural, and mass communication perspectives on communication. We will explore how we create realities with words and images by examining modern communication theory and research as it evolves from its ancient beginnings.
This is an introductory survey course that attempts to give a broad view of human communication, i.e., on the interactions people have with each other. It is required for all communication majors. In addition to the standard mass lecture that is the staple of this class, we will use email and the Internet as part of the delivery system for this class along with several small group discussions scheduled throughout the semester.
In order to accommodate all students needing the class and as a means for keeping enrollments down in classes in your major, this class is conducted as a mass lecture class. It is, by necessity, a mode of instruction that is less personal than that utilized in classes with smaller enrollments.
Because of the large number of students involved in this class, attendance in this class is your responsibility. We will take attendance the first day of the semester to verify the accuracy of the initial roll sheets; after that, attendance is your responsibility. If you add the class after the first day, your name should appear on subsequent roll sheets, but it would be advisable to check with one of us if you have any questions about your enrollment. If you wish to drop this class after the first day of class, you are responsible for ensuring that you get yourself disenrolled.
By the end of the second week of classes (no later than February 6) you must secure an email account; you can get one by registering either at the Meriam Library or at ECST in the O'Connell building. In addition to being able to contact either of your instructors or the TAs via email, this account will allow us to contact you with relevant information. All information about paper and exam scores will be transmitted electronically. Once you have an email account, you will submit your email address to hindsdm@ecst.csuchico.edu and will be assigned a 4 digit number that will be used to give you your exam scores, etc.
You need to know how to send and receive email, how to save items, and how to cut and paste (PLEASE NOTE: We will not accept any material sent as an enclosure.) If you are not familiar with how to use email, there are numerous workshops conducted for students that should familiarize you with what you need to know; schedules are available through the student computing labs. Or contact HELP for more information. To help you we have a technology portion of the Web page that will guide you through much of the process.
NOTE: If you pick a name for your email account that is different from your name that appears on the roster, you must include your name, as it appears on the roster, on the subject line in all correspondence, to expedite identifying you and addressing your concerns.
Several assignments in this class will require you to access the Internet and utilize materials that you find therein. Internet access is available via the computer lab in Tehema 131 or via the 24 hour lab in the Library. For those unfamiliar with how to access and navigate the Internet, workshops are available through the computer labs that will give you training in what you need to know.
You will receive basic training in First Class to allow you to conduct "chats" on assigned topics and to use the conferencing facility. If, after training, you are still unclear on how to use First Class, you should promptly avail yourself of training available to you through the computer labs.
All papers will be submitted electronically to (to be announced) by the dates and times stipulated in your syllabus. We will let you know in a few weeks exactly how papers are to be submitted .
There will be three exams given in this class based on class lectures and readings; two exams will be counted in your final grade. The first exam will be entirely multiple choice; the second exam will be a combination of multiple choice questions with a short essay (you will have two or three essay questions to choose from); the third exam, entirely multiple choice (exactly what will be covered on the last exam will be announced near to the time of final exam week). If you take all three exams, the two highest grades will count; if you miss any exam, for whatever reason, that exam will be the score you will drop. If you take the first two exams and are satisfied with your scores, you do not need to take the last exam.
Exams will not be scheduled early and no makeup exams will be given. No exceptions for whatever reasons!!!
You will be provided with a scantron for each exam but you must bring and use a No. 2 pencil for the exam.
Each of the multiple choice exams is worth 100 points each.
There will be three opportunities for each of you to meet with an assigned group and discussion leader for small group discussions so that class materials can be discussed in a face-to-face format that allows everyone to participate; you will receive your group designation when you submit your email address. The scores for two of these discussions will count in your final grade. Each group will meet once with Edelman, once with Keaveney, once with Coon. There will be small written assignments that will need to be submitted to your discussion leader electronically before you attend the small group discussion; details about this aspect of the small group meetings will follow. In order to receive full credit for the discussion, the pre-discussion assignment must be completed and submitted, and the student must attend and participate in all activities in the small group meeting. A schedule of discussions meeting topics, discussion leader assignments, and discussion locations will be available on the class web page in a few weeks.
Each discussion session is worth 50 points each. TOTAL: 100 points.
There will be three paper opportunities in this
class that will be submitted electronically; two papers will count
for your final grade. Each paper will be worth 50 points. Each paper
should be 4-5 pages in length, with appropriate citations and
bibliography if applicable. Papers need to be submitted by the date
stipulated in the schedule.
[NOTE: when you send your papers make sure your name is also included
on the subject line of your email]
Paper 1: summarize one of the theories discussed in class and/or the text and then show how this theory explains and/or illuminates and/or clarifies something in your life (approximately half of this paper should be summary of the theory while the other half of the paper should be application of the theory). When you submit this paper, label it COM 100: Paper 1.
Paper 2: take a theory or series of theories discussed in class or your text and apply it to some article that you find in The New York Times. Half of the paper should summarize the theory as well as the article; the other half of the paper should apply the theory to the article. When you submit this paper, label it COM 100: Paper 2.
Paper 3: take a theory or series of theories and apply it (or them) to something you find at a Web site of your choice. Half of the paper should summarize the theory and the contents of the Web site; the other half of the paper should apply the theory to the Web site. Include an address for the Web site and a copy of the first page of the Web site or some section of the material you consulted. When you submit this paper, labei it COM 100: Paper 3.
Papers for this class need evidence of careful thought and should be proofread to insure correct spelling, punctuation, grammar, etc. Due dates for each paper are listed in the weekly calendar; in order to receive full credit, papers must be submitted by the due date. Late papers will not receive full credit.
You will be assigned to a First Class group (you will receive your First Class group assignment when you submit your email address) that will meet, either virtually or in-person, to arrange a time when all of you can meet on-line to conduct discussions on assigned topics relevant to the concerns of this class; once you have chosen dates and times for your First Class Discussions, you need to send your group schedule to your instructors. Eight discussions will be scheduled throughout the semester; the grades for four of these discussions will count in your final grade. A moderator will be assigned for each discussion who will be responsible for keeping the discussion on topic and keeping the discussion moving. Logs of the discussion will be downloaded and used as an additional evaluation mechanism.
Grades in this class will be posted electronically using your assigned four digit number, either via email or through First Class and will be based on the following:
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Exam 1 |
100 points |
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Exam 2 |
100 points |
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Small Group Discussions: 2 x 50 points |
100 points |
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Papers: 2 x 50 points |
100 points |
|
First Class Discussions: 4 x 25 points |
100 points |
|
TOTAL |
500 points |
There may be some adjustment or scaling or individual exam scores, as deemed advisable, but there will be no adjustment on final point totals.
There will be 500 possible points in this class,
|
A = 470-500 points |
B- = 400-419 points |
D+ = 335-349 points |
|
A- = 450-469 points |
C+ = 385-399 points |
D = 300-334 points |
|
B+ = 435-449 points |
C = 370-384 points |
F = below 300 points |
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B = 420-434 points |
C- = 350-369 points |
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If you have special needs in terms of taking exams (for example, you are dyslexic and need additional time to complete exams), you need to contact Professsors Edelman and/or Keaveney to identify yourself within the first two weeks of class so that special arrangements can be made through the Office of Disabled Student Services. In addition, if you are an international student and taking this class in English as a second language, please identify yourself so we can talk to you about your limited use of a dictionary during test taking.
Cheating on exams, by either requesting answers or giving answers, will result in failure in this course, as will cheating on papers.
Incompletes are strongly discouraged in this course and will only be given for documented serious and compelling reasons.
Be aware of deadlines for adding and dropping of classes. If you are disenrolled for failure to pay fees, you cannot be added after the first two weeks of class. If you wish to drop a class after the second week, you will need the signature of one of your instructor as well as additional signatures, so plan ahead!!
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January 27,29 |
Introduction to the course; surveys; introduction to First Class |
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February 3, 5 |
Finish Introduction to First Class; Chapter 1 and Chapter 2 |
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February 10, 12* |
Finish Chapter 2; Chapter 3 |
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February 17, 19 |
Chapter 4; Appendix B |
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February 24, 26 |
Small Group Discussions/Paper 1 |
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March 3*, 5 |
Chapter 5 |
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March 10, 12 |
Chapters 6, 7 |
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March 17 |
Theory and Context: Rhetoric |
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March 19 |
EXAM 1 |
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March 24, 26: |
SPRING VACATION |
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March 31, April 2 |
Gender; Chapter 8 |
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April 7, 9 |
Chapter 9, Chapter 10 |
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April 14, 16 |
Small Group Discussions/Paper 2 |
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April 21, 23 |
Chapter 12 |
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April 28 |
Chapter 13 |
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April 30 |
EXAM 2 |
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May 5, 7 |
Small Group Discussions/Paper 3 |
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May 12, 14 |
Finish Chapter 13; Chapter 11 |
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May 21 |
EXAM 3 |
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February 24 |
Group A to Edelman: |
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February 26 |
Group D to Edelman: |
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April 14 |
Group B to Edelman: |
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April 16 |
Group E to Edelman: |
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May 5 |
Group C to Edelman: |
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May 7 |
Group F to Edelman: |
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Copyright 1998 S. Edelman /
M. Keaveney |
This site
updated by Darlene Hinds |