SYLLABUS FOR COM 200-INTRODUCTION TO COMMUNICATION

 

 

Term:  Spring 2006 (January 9, 2006-April 17, 2006) M-7:00-10:00 PM

Course Number: COM 200X

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

Office:  504

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

E-mail: dmuhammad@ccsj.edu                               

Office Hours:  M--9:00 AM-12:00 PM; T—12:00 PM-3:00 PM;

 W, R, F by Appointment Only

 

 

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.

 

Course Description: Students are introduced to the study of communication from a cultural perspective.  The communication process will be examined so that students will understand that communication operates in a global process.  Students will survey a variety of communication disciplines, including, mass communication from a print and broadcast perspective, interpersonal communication, group communication, and the emerging role of the Internet.

Prerequisite: ENG 103, MFA 150

 

Textbook:  Communicate! (11th Edition)

 

Learning Strategies: Online discussion forum, PowerPoint presentations, reading of textbook chapters, quizzes, small and large group activities.

 

Assessment:

Exams (Midterm, Final, Quizzes)                                                       30 % of grade

Class participation/collaboration/attendance/assignments*             40 % of grade

Online discussion forum                                                                     30 % of grade

 

*Class participation/collaboration/attendance/assignments include:

 

1.              Assignments

2.              Listening and participation in critiques and other class activities

3.              Additional duties and activities as needed.

 

 

Grading Scale:  A student’s final grade is based on holistic evaluations of the above components; no point system is used. 

 

Format for Type Written Assignments:  APA Format

 

 

 

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.

 

Blackboard: Electronic communication has become the new standard in many environments.  As such, we will supplement our course with blackboard and email.  As a CCSJ Student, you have an email account but you have to activate it in order to use it. If you have not done so already, click on http://www.ccsj.edu/library/email.shtml to view instructions on how to activate your e-mail account.

 

Students may activate their e-mail account at the Whiting campus or activate/manage the email account online. 

 

On the days that we meet online in lieu of class, you are to complete the respective assignment AND post your answer to a discussion question.  In addition to posting your response to the question…you need to respond to two of your other classmates’ postings in order to fulfill this requirement.  All discussion board forums will open on Monday at noon and close on Sunday at midnight.

 

 

DATE

FACE TO FACE (ROOM 273)

BLACKBOARD (www.ccsj.edu)

January 9

ICEBREAKERS

INTRODUCTION OF THE COURSE

BLACKBOARD ORIENTATION

 

-ACTIVATE YOUR EMAIL ACCOUNT

-UPDATE YOUR EMAIL ACCOUNT IN BLACKBOARD

READ CHAPTER 1

EMAIL CHAPTER 1 QUIZ

January 16

 

READ CHAPTERS 2&3

EMAIL CHAPTER 2 & 3 QUIZZES

LAST DAY TO REGISTER AND/OR CHANGE CLASSES

January 23

 

READ CHAPTERS 4 & 5

EMAIL CHAPTERS 4 & 5 QUIZZES

January 30

 

READ CHAPTERS 6& 7

EMAIL CHAPTERS 6 & 7 QUIZZES

February 6

 

READ CHAPTER 8

EMAIL CHAPTER 8  QUIZ

February 13

 

READ CHAPTER 9

EMAIL CHAPTER 9 QUIZ

February 20

 

 

READ CHAPTER 10

EMAIL CHAPTER 10 QUIZ

 LAST DAY TO WITHDRAW

February 27

MIDTERM EXAMINATION (1-10)

 

March 6

 

READ CHAPTERS 11& 12

EMAIL CHAPTERS 11 & 12 QUIZZES

March 13

 

READ CHAPTER 13

EMAIL CHAPTER 13 QUIZ

March 20

IN LONDON

READ CHAPTERS 14 & 15

EMAIL CHAPTERS 14 & 15 QUIZZES

March 27

 

READ CHAPTER 16

EMAIL CHAPTERS 16 QUIZ

April 3

 

READ CHAPTER 17

EMAIL CHAPTERS 17 QUIZ

April 10

 

READ CHAPTER 18

EMAIL CHAPTERS 18 QUIZ

April 17

FINAL CLASS

REFLECTION PAPER DUE

 

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.  This rule not only applies to instructor and student presentations but also to discussions and critiques.  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. 

 

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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