BROOKLYN COLLEGE
Department of Speech Communication
Techniques of Communication (Introduction to Speech Communication)
SPE 1103 Section TF8 (Course Code 0739)
Fall, 2011, Tuesday, Friday, 8:00am-9:15am
3146 Boylan Hall
Dr. Foulger
Office: 404S Whitehead Hall

Semester Syllabus - Fall, 2011

Class Schedule and AssignmentsDiscussion Notes / Class Moodle

Course Description

Techniques of Communication is a practical introduction to Human Communication. During the course we will explore the the structure and practice of the process of human communication. We will, during the semester, explore the art of presentation, the skill of listening, the nature of language, the value of nonverbal communication, the impact of the communication of others in shaping who we are, the dynamics of group interaction, and the ways in which we can build and maintain better relationships. That's a lot of ground, but this is an introductory course and we won't go too deeply into any of these areas. You will have the opportunity, as you complete your college education, to take entire courses dedicated to these individual subjects.

Our approach here will be very hands on. You will give speeches, interview and be interviewed by people, participate in group projects, attempt to distinguish truth from lies, and explore your personal relationships. You will have some sort of assignment due almost every week and we will do a variety of in-class exercises as well.

Text

Adler, R. and Rodman, G., and Hutchinson, C.C. (Author) Understanding Human Communication, 11th Edition. Oxford University Press, 2011.

Additional Materials

Learning Objectives

  1. Students should understand the skills associated with a variety of communication contexts well enough to usefully apply them to improving their own communication and understanding the communication successes and failures of others.

  2. Students should be able to research, organize, and present informative and persuasive speeches.
  3. Students should be able to work effectively in groups to research, organize and participate in making a group presentation.

Outcomes Assessment

  1. 6.6% Participation in Class Discussions.

  2. 6.7% Submission of Questions based on the course readings. Each student should submit two questions based on each set of readings before 1am on the day of the class at which those readings are due.
  3. 6.7% Submission of Think Assignments assigned over the course of the semester. Each student should respond to any think assignment provided before 1am on the day of the class at which it is due.
  4. 10% Informative Speech
  5. 10% Group Presentation
  6. 20% Persuasive Speech
  7. 15% Mid-Term Exam
  8. 25% Final Exam

Instructions for Accessing the Moodle Discussion/Learning Space

  1. Point your web browser at http://messageecologies.com/ed
  2. Click on "Login" at the bottom of the screen.
  3. If you haven't accessed this Moodle before
    1. Press the "Create New Account" button in the right column of the login screen.
    2. You'll be asked to fill in a series of fields that include your user ID, password, e-mail address, location, etc. Fill them in as accurately as you can. Remember your userid and password. You will need them to log in again.
    3. When processing of this page completes you will be sent an e-mail at the address you specify. Open that e-mail and confirm your registration by pressing the confirmation link in the e--mail.
    4. When you submit this page you will enter the moodle environment. If you see a button marked courses, press it. You will see this course (Communication Techniques Fall, 2011) listed. Select the course.
    5. You will be asked for a key. It is "TC1103".
  4. If you are registered for this Moodle, enter your user id and Password and then select "Communication Techniques Fall, 2011".

Course Rules

  1. Attendance is required for all classes, including the final exam period. Punctuality is much desired.
  2. Complete reading assignments, questions, and think assignments prior to coming to class. Be prepared to discuss readings.
  3. Write and present in your own words. Reference the ideas you use to the original sources. Plagiarism and cheating will are unacceptable.
  4. Unexcused late assignments will be penalized 1/2 of a letter grade if one period late and one full grade thereafter.

Attendance Policy

Attendance is mandatory. The Brooklyn College Bulletin states that "Students are expected to attend all scheduled sessions of every class for which they register. Students late for class may be excluded from the room. An instructor may consider attendance and class participation in determining course grade." While I am unlikely to lock the door, I will take account of missed class time in computing grades. You should not, as a general note, ask me for "permission" to miss class. While I will try to be understanding of documented emergencies, the basic reality (which has more to do with your ability to learn when you aren't in class than anything else) is that absences make your grade grow smaller.

Plagiarism and Cheating:

I have caught a number of students attempting to pass off other people's work as their own. Such behavior is unacceptable in any classroom, and I won't accept it in mine. My usual practice will be to zero any assignment on which a student has been found to be cheating and consult with the department chair on what other actions may be appropriate

Examples of cheating include:

  • Duplicate test answers. I cannot prevent students from studying together or comparing notes on a take home exam (should I give any). Test answers should always be in your own words (e.g. not copied out of a book or off of someone else's test paper).
  • Plagiarized term paper content. I encourage you to look at content from a wide variety of sources, but the content of your term paper should be in your own words.
  • Unreferenced term paper content. Where, in the course of writing a term paper, you present the ideas of others, you must indicate where they came from with a reference. This is true even when you have stated the ideas in your own words or if the ideas or their sources seem obvious.

Bottom line: Write in your own words and reference the ideas you use to the sources you read them in.

Late Assignments:

It is your responsibility to ensure that all assignments are submitted by the due date. I will reduce the grade on an assignment by one half letter grade if one period late and one full grade thereafter. As a general rule, it is always best to turn in assignments on time, but not turning in an assignment at all is far worse than turning them in late. A letter grade penalty is far less onerous than a zero.

Good Advice

  1. The reading and writing load for this course is shouldn't be particularly challenging. Readings will average around 30 pages a week. There are three presentations, including a group presentation, but they are linked and will be set up by other assignments. There are, however, lots of little assignments along the way. If you can't keep up with the readings, papers, or other assignments, you may want to drop the course early on.
  2. Keep a copy of any assignment you submit, just in case the original gets lost.
  3. Write your name on the front of any assignment you submit, including questions, think assignments, and papers.
  4. Assuming you work on a computer, maintain backups of your paper in a reliable and convenient format. USB flash drives work on just about all computers now, can be readily obtained for less than $20.00, and are much less likely to fail than diskettes. Assume the worst. Maintain two backups.
  5. If at any time you find yourself confused or have questions, especially in terms of the writing assignmentss, please ask me (either in class or in private) for help. One person's question may help countless others in class. If you can't meet me during my office hours, we can probably find another time.
  6. Please speak with me confidentially if you have a disabling condition that may require some accommodation in class. I'm here to help

Disabling Conditions

Students who have a disabling condition which might interfere with their ability to successfully complete this course are encouraged to speak to me confidentially. I will be happy to cooperate in identifying alternate means of demonstrating such mastery where there is a demonstrable need.

Use of Video Recording Equipment

I plan to record all of the graded speeches you give this semester.  My only purpose in doing this is to be able to review your speeches a second time as I grade them and, to the extent that there is interest or a need, show you excerpts of your speech as if there is a need to go over your grade.  I will delete all of my copies of your speech almost immediately after I To the extent that you have returned the grades for the speeches. 

Note that I will encourage you to record your own speeches (using an iPhone camera or other audio or video recording device).  If you have any questions about how you can do this, please speak to me ASAP.

Questions, Problems and Incomplete's:

If you have a question I encourage you to ask it in class. There are no stupid questions; only answers that didn't need to be. If you don't know the answer to a question it is likely someone else is curious as well. Please ask. The worst that can happen is that I defer my answer to a meeting after class or during office hours.

If you have a problem in the class I encourage you to contact me as quickly as possible. Several means of contact are listed at the top of my Brooklyn College home page, including telephone, e-mail, and instant messenger. I also maintain regular office hours. Note, in particular, that I will not grant an incomplete for the course unless you talk to me about it in advance or I am aware of conditions which would make it impossible for you to do so.