COMM 2020 Syllabus – Fall 2012 Wang, Z.
Professor: Dr. Zuoming Wang
Email: Office: 309E GAB Phone: 565-4283
Office Hours: Wednesday 10am – 12 noon or by appointment
Lecture Time: Mondays at BLB 055, 12:30-1:50pm
Teaching Assistants:
Recitation 201: Samantha Duque (meet at BLB 050 on Weds)
Recitation 202: Flora Ceka floraceka, (meet at BLB 060 on Weds)
Recitation 203: Kara Brittain (meet BLB073 on Weds)
Recitation 204: Karen Wisdom (meet BLB075 on Weds)
TA office hour: TBA at GAB 322
Course Description
Communication with others is an activity we all do with a fair amount of expertise. The aim of the course is to better understand interpersonal communication situations, and thus to improve the ways we manage them. In this class, we will examine the major communication theories, issues, concepts, and research findings relevant to initiating, developing, maintaining, and terminating relationships (be it romantic relationship, family relationship, friendship, or co-worker relationship) with an eye of the role communication in the process. Lecture, discussion, in-and out-class observations, and “applied” filed research assignments will be used to increase student knowledge and behavioral competence in interpersonal communication.
Course Objectives
1. Develop an awareness of the role communication plays in everyday life.
2. Understand and recognize how communication processes work.
3. Understand the role context plays in communication.
4. Increase both verbal and nonverbal communication skills.
5. Increase communication competence by recognizing communication options.
Required Readings
1. Wood, J. T. (2009). Interpersonal communication: Everyday encounters
(6th ed.). Belmont, CA: Thomson Wadsworth.
Attendance and Participation
Since this course is based on theory as well as application, students must be here to apply the theories discussed. Attendance at every class is expected. To learn better, everyone should prepare in advance for class by giving thoughtful attention to the assigned readings, assuming a constructive role in class discussions, asking questions, thoughtfully attending to the ideas of others, and sharing your own insights. Beyond two absences, 2 percentage points (10 points) per absence will be deducted off your final grade. Absences need never be discussed with the instructor or with teaching assistants unless you are providing a documented note.
Students who do not attend on the first day class may be dropped, so that students who are not enrolled but attend the first day of class can be added to the class.
Late Work Policy
You are responsible for turning work in on time. Late work will not be accepted without a documented “authorized absence” as defined in the UNT Undergraduate Catalog (there will be no exceptions). You cannot make up quizzes under any circumstances. Assignments are always due at the beginning of class. Failure to submit assignment on time results in a zero. Computer failure, printer failure, and the like are not acceptable excuses for turning in work late. If you are unable to attend class on the day an assignment is due, or if there is any remote chance your car might break down, you might get stuck in traffic, etc., you must contact your teaching assistant ahead of time to avoid penalties for lateness. You must talk with your TA with regard to email submission of your assignment.
Acceptable Student Behavior:
Student behavior that interferes with an instructor’s ability to conduct a class or other students' opportunity to learn is unacceptable and disruptive and will not be tolerated in any instructional forum at UNT. Students engaging in unacceptable behavior will be directed to leave the classroom and the instructor may refer the student to the Center for Student Rights and Responsibilities to consider whether the student's conduct violated the Code of Student Conduct. The university's expectations for student conduct apply to all instructional forums, including university and electronic classroom, labs, discussion groups, field trips, etc. The Code of Student Conduct can be found at www.unt.edu/csrr
Punctuality
It is really important that class begins on time every day to guarantee that all of the scheduled information and activities are completed. For every two times you are late, it counts as one absence. It is your responsibility to make sure I know you were late and not absent.
Distractions
Make sure you turn the ringers off on your cell phones prior to the start of class. It is best to shut them off completely. Please do not text message during class.
Academic Integrity
All persons shall adhere to the Code of Student Conduct regarding academic dishonesty, including acts of cheating and plagiarism.
Cheating: The willful giving or receiving of information in an unauthorized manner during an examination, illicitly obtaining examination questions in advance, using someone else’s work or written assignments as if they were your own, or any other dishonest means of attempting to fulfill a requirement of this course.
Plagiarism: The use of an author’s words or ideas as if they were your own without giving proper credit to the source, including but not limited to failure to acknowledge a direct quotation.
The minimum sanction for a violation of the code is a grade of zero for the assignment; a second act of plagiarism warrants a failing grade in the course. The code is available in the Center for Student Rights and Responsibilities.
Access Policy
"The University of North Texas is on record as being committed to both the spirit and letter of federal equal opportunity legislation; reference Public Law 92-112-The Rehabilitation Act of 1973 as amended. With the passage of new federal legislation, entitled Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) pursuant to section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act, there is renewed focus on providing this population with the same opportunities enjoyed by all citizens." We will cooperate fully with the University's Office of Disability Accommodation to provide reasonable accommodation to students who require help. Students who wish to self-identify should register with the ODA no later than the second day of class.
Extra Credit Opportunity
There is no planned extra credit for this course. On occasion, however, graduate students or faculty may provide the opportunity for students to participate in research. IF such opportunities are offered this semester, students are encouraged to take advantage of any extra credit offered. IF offered, each opportunity will count up to 1% of a student's final grade. Note, however, students must be at class when these opportunities are provided. Makeup of extra credit will not be allowed.
Policy on Incompletes
We will award grades of “Incomplete” only in cases where a student has completed 75% of the coursework AND the grade is warranted by a medical or military excuse. Inability to complete coursework in a timely fashion does not constitute an acceptable reason for requesting or receiving an incomplete.
APA Style
Students are expected to produce written work that conforms to APA style and the “Writing Guidelines” that appear on the department website in the “Important Documents” section of both the Undergraduate Program and Graduate Program tabs.
Crisis Contingency
In the event of the university closing for weather-related reasons or illness outbreak, e.g. flu, please visit the course website on Blackboard. I will provide instructions on how to turn in assignments and how the class will proceed utilizing Blackboard's Announcements function.
SETE Course Evaluation
The SETE course evaluation period is from November 19 to December 8. During this period, please go to my.unt.edu to complete the course evaluation. Once the completion rate is above 90%, students will receive 5 extra credit points for the final grade as reward.
Copier Use Statement
Students conducting research in the Communication Studies Library associated with departmental coursework have access to a printer/photocopier located in the office adjacent to the library. We encourage students to make use of this resource to print research accessed online in the library or to copy essays from any of the department’s holdings. Students may not use this resource for other purposes, such as printing courses assignments, class notes, scripts, etc. Students who use the copier for uses other than those outlined above will lose copying privileges.
Disclaimer
This syllabus should not be construed as a binding contract on the part of the instructor or teaching assistants. We reserve the right to change any aspect of the course without notice.
Grading scale:
A: (excellent, clearly outstanding) 450-500 90-100%
B: (very good, impressive) 400-449 80-89%
C: (average college level) 350-399 70-79%
D: (below average, barely passing) 300-349 60-69%
F: (failing) below 300 59% and below
Assignments
Identity Paper and Presentation: (100 points)
What and who shapes our identities? How does communication function to create our self-concepts and the way we act in our relationships? Write a 4-5 page paper explaining the three communication concepts and/or theories that you believe most influence our identities. This paper will provide you the opportunity to examine interpersonal communication topics in more depth. You can research attachment styles, cultural differences, communication between siblings, friendships, etc. Your TA will provide a list of possible topics for this assignment. In general, you should go beyond the information presented in the text and include additional information about the topic. You should use a minimum of 6 academic sources to support your arguments. Internet sources such as web pages, unless used to access academic libraries, journals and research, should not be used. Although you are welcome to use the readings for this class for your paper, they do not count as outside sources. Your paper should be typed, well written, proofread, and submitted through turnitin.com.
Favorite Interpersonal Theory Research Paper: (100 points)
This is a time for your creativity. You will select your favorite interpersonal theory from the topics we have covered in the textbook and write a 4-5 page paper describing the theory within a specific context. For instance: attachment styles and romantic relationships; reflected appraisal and friendship, social identity theory and gender, etc. You should include examples from the research that you find, and NOT personal examples. Your research paper should put the theory in the context. You must NOT use the theory that you have used in the Identity Paper. The paper needs to be typed, well written, proofread, and include at least 6 academic sources to add depth and insight to your description. Your sources should consist of academic journal articles that review actual research on relationships, and/or communication, much like the research overviewed by Wood in the textbook and that is covered in lecture. Internet sources such as web pages, unless used to access academic libraries, journals and research, should not be used. Although you are welcome to use the readings for this class for your paper, they do not count as outside sources. Your paper should be typed, well written, proofread, and submitted through turnitin.com.
Short Response Papers for Video Clips (5 X 10 points = 50 points)
Some video clips will be shown in lecture during the semester. For each video clip, you need to write a 1-2 page essay (typed, double space) that applies an interpersonal theory/concept from the text to analyze the video clip. The point of this assignment is to illustrate that you have incorporated what you learn from the book to the scenarios shown in the video clips. The short response paper should follow APA style. There is no make-up for this assignment.
Reading Quizzes: (10 X 5 points = 50 points)
You will have many opportunities this semester to demonstrate your superior understanding of the course material and readings through unannounced quizzes over the readings. Questions will cover readings of the current day and may include information covered in the lecture. The point of the quiz is to let your TA know that you have read the textbook and understand the concept. In order to demonstrate it, you need to write substantially (e.g., put down everything you remember from the textbook within the given time, provide an example). Quizzes are given to make sure you are keeping up with the reading: as long as you read carefully, you should excel. Quizzes cannot be made up. If you are late to class and miss the quiz, that quiz cannot be made up. Quizzes could be administered in lecture or recitation, either at the beginning of class or at the end of class. Most quizzes will consist of short answer questions, but could potentially include multiple-choice questions.
Exams: (4 X 50 points = 200 points)
The four exams each consist of 50 multiple-choice questions. You are responsible for all material covered in the text and all material covered in lecture. If you would like to contribute questions, please email the questions to me 3-4 days before the exam for consideration. Always bring pencils to the exam.
Schedule
This is a tentative schedule for the semester. We may fall behind or move ahead from time to time, so revisions will be announced in class and on the course web site. You are responsible to keep up on announced revisions.
You should read all assignments prior to class.
We will meet in lecture on Mondays and recitation on Wednesdays.
Exams are always administered in recitation rooms. Please bring pencils to all exams.
August
M (lecture) W (recitation)
29Introduction; syllabus overview, Ch. 1
Interpersonal communication foundations
September
M (lecture) W (recitation)
3Labor Day – No Class / 5
Introduction & Get to know each other
Ch. 1
Interpersonal communication foundations
10
Ch. 2
Self and communication / 12
Ch. 2
Self and communication
17
Ch. 3
Perception and communication / 19
Ch. 3
Perception and communication
24 Exam 1
Chs. 1-3, lecture
Meet in recitation room / 26
Ch. 4
Verbal communication
October
M (lecture) W (recitation)
1Ch. 4
Verbal communication / 3
Ch. 5
Nonverbal Communication
8
Ch. 5
Nonverbal communication
/ 10Identity Paper Due
15
Ch. 6
Listening / 17
Ch. 6
Listening
22 Exam 2Chs. 4-6, lecture
Meet in recitation room
/ 24Ch. 7
Communicating emotions
29
Ch. 7
Communicating emotions / 31
Ch. 8
Communication climate
November
M (lecture) W (recitation)