SYLLABUS FOR COMM 320-DISCUSSION AND DEBATE

Term: Spring 2004 (January 11-April 19) TF 10:30-12:00 PM

Course Number: COM 320 A

Instructor: Dawn T. Muhammad, M.A., M.S., Ph.D. Candidate

Office: 504

Office Phone: 219-473-4350; (Illinois) 773-721-0202, ext. 350

Cell Phone: 708-785-3296

E-mail: dmuhammad@ccsj.edu

Office Hours: M, R—8:00am-12:00pm

Instructor Biography: My name is Dawn Muhammad. I am currently the Director of the Communication Program here at Calumet College of St. Joseph. Prior to CCSJ, I was the Campus College Chair for General and Professional Studies at the Chicagoland Campuses of the University of Phoenix (UOP) in The Artemis School. Prior to UOP, I worked at a plethora of colleges and universities in an adjunct capacity.

My educational background consists of a B.A. in Communications, an M.A. in Corporate Communications, an M.S. in Human Resource Management and a Graduate Certificate in Training and Development. I am currently working on my Dissertation for my PhD in Industrial and Organizational Psychology. After that, I plan to pursue my J.D. As you can see, I have a passion for lifelong learning and it is my hope to instill that in my students, as well. The wise say the best way to learn is to teach so...

Course Description: This course studies Communication as it is applied to public discourse. It deals with the issues of informal and formal discussion. It also analyzes and applies the theories of logic and reasoning, construction and organization of cases, refutation and rebuttal and delivery of argumentation speech.

Textbook: Rhetorical Argumentation-Christopher W. Tindale

Blackboard Site:

• Log on the Internet; go to CCSJ Blackboard, http://www.ccsj.edu/blackboard/.
  Type in your username:  your first initial and last name.
  Type in your password: your CCSJ ID number. 
• In My Courses, select your site-COM 320 Discussion & Debate

Course Outcomes:

· Compose and deliver confident, well organized, and sufficiently documented written communication documents.

· Adapt message appropriately to target audience(s).

· Give evidence of a clear, identifiable purpose.

· Design a logical, coherent organizational structure.

· Use credible and varied supporting materials.

· List content sources.

· Use appropriate language.

· Deliver the speech confidently and conversationally.

Learning Strategies: Lectures, handouts, individual speeches, group critiques, reading of textbook chapters, quizzes, small and large group activities.

Assessment:

Final Paper 40 % of grade

Class participation/weekly discussion questions/attendance 20 % of grade

Debates 40 % of grade

Grading Scale: A student’s final grade is based on holistic evaluations of the above components; no point system is used. Students will receive letter grades on their assignments based on checklists of specified criteria for content, organization, and delivery. Late assignments are normally docked one letter grade.

Format for Written Assignments: Outlines should be done on standard 8-1/2 by 11 paper. Name, date, and type of speech should be placed in the upper right hand corner; title in upper center; specific purpose below title.

Class Policy on Attendance: Normally, because of the laboratory nature of this course, missing more than two weeks (four sessions) of class will lower a student’s final grade one letter or at the discretion of the instructor. This policy does not distinguish between excused and unexcused absences. A student is responsible for material covered and assignments given in any class missed.

Class Policy on Electronic Devices: Cell phones, beepers, and pagers are to be turned off during class. Exception: unusual circumstances cleared with instructor ahead of time.

Class Date	Assignment
JANUARY 11	INTRODUCTION OF THE COURSE
JANUARY 14	Chapter 1
JANUARY 18
JANUARY 21
JANUARY 25	DEBATE 1: MARIJUANA SHOULD BE LEGALIZED
JANUARY 28	Chapter 2
FEBRUARY 1
FEBRUARY 4
FEBRUARY 8	DEBATE 2: GENETIC ENGINEERING AND THE ENVIRONMENT
FEBRUARY 11	Chapter 3
FEBRUARY 15
FEBRUARY 18
FEBRUARY 22	DEBATE 3: REGISTER ALL GUNS
FEBRUARY 25
MARCH 1
MARCH 4	Chapter 4
MARCH 8	DEBATE 4: END MANDATORY SENTENCING
MARCH 11
MARCH 15	Chapter 5
MARCH 18
MARCH 22	DEBATE 5: ABOLISHT THE DEATH PENALTY
MARCH 25	NO CLASS-EASTER BREAK
MARCH 29	Chapter 6
APRIL 1
APRIL 5	DEBATE 6: TOPIC OF CHOICE
APRIL 8	Chapter 7
APRIL 12
APRIL 15	Chapter 8
APRIL 19	Final Paper Due

 ** Each week you will be required to answer discussion questions based on the Chapter we are currently covering. Detailed information concerning each assignment will be posted regularly.

Participation in Debate: In addition to your contributions to class discussion based on your daily responses to discussion questions, you will engage in a debate Each debate will involve 4-5 students, divided into two groups, one pro and one con. The students involved in a debate must meet with one of the instructors at least three weeks before the scheduled debate in order to decide the issue to be debated. Together they will formulate a specific debatable proposition that deals with a historical matter relating to the appropriate common bloc. Any topic chosen must deal with the issue of justice. Any student who does not participate in this meeting automatically loses one fourth of the credit for this assignment. (See the form for evaluating debate performance.)

The pro group of students will argue in favor of the proposition, marshalling evidence and arguments to support it; the con group will find evidence and formulate arguments to dispute it. Each group will divide its own labor, deciding for itself who will make the initial arguments and who will rebut the arguments of the opposing side. If the group has an odd number of participants, one person may function as moderator; such a moderator must be prepared to define the debate, explain its historical context, keep the debaters to their time periods, and lead the discussion that follows the debate. We presume that each student in a group will make an equal contribution to the debate effort.

Each side in a debate must submit sentence outlines of the initial arguments to the instructor AND to the opposing side at least two class meetings before the scheduled debate. Debaters should use these outlines to formulate their rebuttals.

its initial arguments. Each side will then have about five minutes for rebuttal. Two minutes will be allowed each side for final remarks. Debaters must then engage the class (the audience) in a discussion of the issues during the time remaining in the class meeting.

Each student in the class not involved in the debate will complete a peer review form, analyzing the participants on each side of the debate. This peer review will function as the daily assignment for that class meeting.

In the class meeting after a debate, each student who participated in the debate will be provided with a brief evaluation of his or her performance.

####The above schedule is subject to change, with notice given in class. ####

Classroom Decorum: Students should act toward each other in a cooperative, constructive, respectful manner. Personal or derogatory remarks are out of place. One person talks at a time. Sleeping and socializing are out of place during class.

Students are expected to come to class on time. Leaving and re-entering the room during class is not permitted except in unusual circumstances. Food is not allowed in the classroom except for use in Demonstration speeches.

The instructor first gives a student who engages in any inappropriate behavior a verbal warning. If the behavior continues, the instructor may ask the student to leave the class. To be allowed back in, the student must first meet with the instructor, acknowledge that the behavior is inappropriate, and agree not to engage in it again. If the student continues to exhibit offending behavior, the instructor may request an administrative withdrawal, which requires approval by the Academic Dean.

Center for Academic Excellence:

Tutoring assistance is free to all students of Calumet College of St. Joseph. Call the Center for Academic Excellence (CAE), to make an appointment at 473-4287. The Center has experienced and well-trained tutors in most subject areas to help students who are struggling in a course or who are doing well and would like to do better. Regular weekly tutoring sessions are likely to improve your grade.

Statement of Plagiarism:

If an instructor or other Calumet College of St. Joseph personnel find that a student has plagiarized or been involved in another form of academic dishonesty, the instructor or other personnel may elect to bring the matter up for judicial review. The maximum penalty for any form of academic dishonesty is dismissal from the College. The procedures for judicial review are listed under the section of CCSJ handbook that addresses student grievances.

Please note: Calumet College of St. Joseph subscribes to Turnitin.com and all papers can and may be submitted for checks on plagiarism from the Internet/Electronic sources/Databases.

Citation Guidelines:

Calumet College of St. Joseph adheres to citation guidelines as prescribed by the particular discipline (i.e., MLA, APA, and Chicago Manual of Style or Turabian). My preference, of course is APA. All of these guidelines are available in the Calumet College of St. Joseph library or bookstore. These texts outline how to cite references from a variety of sources, including electronic media.

Withdrawal from Classes Policy:

After the last day for class changes has passed (see College calendar), students may withdraw from a course in which they are registered with permission from the faculty member conducting the course. A written request detailing the reason(s) for the withdrawal must be filed with the Registrar. The Registrar must

receive written request for withdrawal by the last day of classes prior to the final examination dates specified in the catalogue. Written requests may be mailed to the Registrar or faxed to the College fax number 219-473-4259. Students are to make note of the refund schedule when withdrawing from courses. The request is forwarded to the faculty member, who makes the final determination to accept or deny the request. If the request is honored, the student will receive notification of official withdrawal; if denied, the notification will indicate why the withdrawal is disallowed.

“I” (“Incomplete”) grades: “I” grades because of missing assignments are not automatic but must be requested. Requests should include the reason for the missing work and the plan to make it up.

Statement of Plagiarism:

If an instructor or other Calumet College of St. Joseph personnel find that a student has plagiarized or been involved in another form of academic dishonesty, the instructor or other personnel may elect to bring the matter up for judicial review. The maximum penalty for any form of academic dishonesty is dismissal from the College. The procedures for judicial review are listed under the section of CCSJ handbook that addresses student grievances.

Calumet College of St. Joseph adheres to citation guidelines as written in the Publication Manual of the American Psychological Association, Fourth Edition. A copy is available from the Calumet College of St. Joseph bookstore. This text outlines how to cite references from a variety of sources, including electronic media.

Administrative Withdrawal

To protect a student from failing a course, a faculty member may initiate an administrative withdrawal of a student who misses two or more consecutive weeks of classes.

Academic Alerts

In an effort to keep you informed of serious problems affecting your ability to pass this course, students who are in jeopardy of not passing may receive an Academic Alert to notify them of the situation and the remedial actions they should take to put them in good academic standing.

School Closing Information:

Internet: http://www.ccsj.edu

http://www.EmergencyClosings.com

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