Communications Syllabus

CM 113: Introduction to Rhetorical Communications

MTWR 12:15 to 2:15

Course Syllabus: Summer 2016: 3 credit hours

Dr. Diana C. Bell/Morton Hall 243

E-mail: diana.bell@uah.edu

Office Hours: Available daily through email or email to set up office appointment

Required Textbook:

Fraleigh, Douglas M. and Joseph S. Tuman. Speak Up! An Illustrated Guide to Public Speaking. New York: St. Martin’s Press, 2009.

Course Objectives

This course is designed to help students become more effective public communicators. Through composition, speaking experiences, and the study of rhetorical theory, students gain the knowledge necessary to actively participate as speakers and listeners in the public forum. Composition will include speech outlines and one or more written essays analyzing speeches. Speaking experiences will include the delivery of formal and informal speeches, participation in small group and class discussions, and individual oral critiques of fellow students’ speeches. Rhetorical theory will be studied through reading the textbook, listening to lectures, and engaging in homework and class work activities. Ideally, students will come away from this course more confident as speakers, more experienced as communicators, and better able to listen critically and constructively, to argue persuasively, and to organize ideas clearly. Towards these ends, each student will give three graded speeches as well as informal presentations, complete informal written assignments, and midterm and final exams. All work is due on the date assigned.

Grading

Assignment requirements for presentations are listed below. Please note that you will be given a grace period of 30 seconds on either side of the time requirement. Anything below 30 seconds of the required time will automatically fail the presentation. At 30 seconds over, you will be asked to stop the presentation. Should you miss class on the day you are assigned to speak, you will lose 2 letter grades. Assignments will be weighted as follows:

Informative Speech (5-6 min.)                          20%                          Exam                                                                              20%

Persuasive Speech (6-7 min.)                           20%                          Homework, class work, class

Real World Speech (7-8 min.)                           20%                          discussions, peer critiques, etc.                         20%

Grading Scale

A+ = 100 pts.	C+ = 78 to 79 pts.
A   = 95 to 99 pts.	C   = 75 to 77 pts.
A-   = 90 to 94 pts.	C-   = 70 to 74 pts.
B+ = 88   to 89 pts.	D+ = 68 to 69 pts.
B   = 85 to 87 pts.	D   = 65 to 67 pts.
B-   = 80 to 84 pts.	D- = 60 to 64pts

  

Student progress towards the course objectives stated above will be assessed through these graded activities. Specifically, speeches will be used to assess student effectiveness in speaking, persuading, organizing ideas, and applying a practical understanding of rhetorical theory. Examinations will assess students’ understanding of rhetorical theory and listening concepts. Effectiveness in listening will be assessed primary through peer critiques of speeches, but also through evaluations of class work, class discussion, and group work. Please note that late work is not accepted.

 Absences

Because this class seeks to improve practical communication skills, regular attendance and active participation are crucial. Therefore, the attendance policy CM 113 is quite strict: After three absences or days of partial attendance, your course grade will be reduced one letter grade for each class you miss or partially attend up to 3 letter grades. There are no "excused absences" in this class—you are allowed three absences on the assumption that illnesses or other problems getting to class may occur. In the event that you have an extended illness or other problem that prevents you from avoiding these penalties, you may consider dropping this class or seeking a retroactive withdrawal if either is warranted under university policies. This strict attendance policy is not a punishment for those who are unavoidably ill, but an acknowledgment that failing to attend this class regularly, for whatever reason, constitutes a failure to complete this class. Students should not skip class lightly since they could become ill later in the term and need to use one of these allowable absences. Whether you are absent on a given day or not, all assignments are due when scheduled and will be accepted late only in extreme cases, with prior permission of the instructor, and typically with significant grade reductions. Students who fail to give all graded speeches will not pass this class. This policy is departmental and additional information about that departmental policy can be found below:

 CM 113 Introduction to Rhetorical Communication

Departmental Attendance Policy

Because this class seeks to improve practical communication skills, regular attendance and active participation are crucial. Therefore, the attendance policy for CM 113 is quite strict:

• After three absences or days of partial attendance, your course grade will be reduced one letter grade for each class you miss or partially attend up to 3 letter grades.
  • If you have an A in the course and have missed five class periods, your final grade would be a D based on this policy.
  • Partial attendance constitutes those days that students may have been in class for a portion of the course, but were not present when the instructor took roll.
• You are allowed three absences on the assumption that illnesses or other problems getting to class may occur, so you should not skip class lightly because illness or life-events may require you to use up an allowed absence.
• In the event that you have an extended illness or other problem that prevents you from avoiding these penalties, you may consider dropping this class or seeking a retroactive withdrawal if either is warranted under university policies.
• This strict attendance policy is not a punishment for those who are unavoidably ill, but an acknowledgment that failing to attend this class regularly, for whatever reason, constitutes a failure to complete this class.
• Whether you are absent on a given day or not, all assignments are due when scheduled and will be accepted late only in extreme cases, with prior permission of the instructor, and typically with significant grade reductions.

 Participation, Activities, Homework and, Collaboration: (20% of final grade—see above) For all information provided below, “class” can be considered as both face-to-face and online classroom environments. This grade will be posted at the end of the semester, after considering all coursework, revisions, peer reviews, and revision.

• Participation and Engaged Learning:

This is an interactive class in which students must actively participate in the learning process.

The following outlines the general requirements:

1. Students will participate by attending and actively participating in each class meeting for the entire class session during general discussion as well as group work. Remember that it is just as important to be a good listener as a speaker in class discussions.
2. Students will come to class having actively read the assignments, taken notes and worked to understand difficult concepts.
3. Students will be responsible for material discussed in class whether that material is delivered in lecture or discussion format.
4. Students will engage in collaborative writing activities both in and out of class

•  Homework, Classwork and Other Assignments:

Throughout the semester, students will be given homework and class assignments. All of these assignments must be completed in the spirit of the assignment with thorough and thoughtful answers.

1. Students will complete a variety of informal writing-to-learn assignments both at home, online, and in the classroom.
2. Students will engage in activities that aid in the generation and revision of writing assignments.
3. Students will come to class with prepared assignments.

• Collaboration and Revision:

Effective learners are those who develop good working relationships with their peers. As such, you will participate in a variety of collaborative groups during the semester. Through these groups, you develop a supportive learning community. All members of the class are responsible for making the community work effectively. Also, students will work to learn effective strategies for drafting and revising, sharing process drafts and working on revision.

1. Students will complete a variety of peer response feedback.
2. Students will learn to provide effective feedback in workshop settings and as homework.
3. When hard copies of drafts are required for the face-to-face classroom environment, please bring at least two or three printed copies to class. If you do not bring your work, you will be asked to leave and will be counted absent.
4. Students are expected to produce and submit full drafts and revised final copies. I will look at the percentage of changes made to drafts to determine your willingness to revise.

Electronic Devices:

Research shows (see Canvas) that students who take notes by hand retain more information and learn the material thoroughly. Consequently, unless specified for an assignment, all electronic devices must be put away during class time. Using electronic devices during class (see me for exceptions based on emergency situations) will result in a lower grade in Participation and Preparedness. Unless distracting, I will not call you out in class, but will make a note of it for grading purposes.

Withdrawals:

Students who choose to withdraw from the course may do so, but they are solely responsible for handling any appropriate paper work. Students who do not follow procedures properly remain on class rosters and receive the appropriate grade.

Academic Honesty

Using the ideas of another person—whether the author of a book or a friend—without giving proper credit for every specific use of that source constitutes academic dishonesty and will be punished severely. Themes and papers the student has prepared for other courses should not be used to fulfill the requirements for this course. Since original work is required, unless otherwise specified by the instructor, no speeches given in this class should consist primarily of a summary of a single source’s information or arguments (even if credit is given). Students are encouraged to consult with the instructor if they have questions on this policy.

Class Procedure:

• Each of you must to come to class prepared to engage in the material intellectually. This means come to class having actively read the assignments. You must have all material prepared.
• Students who come to class unprepared (including presentation drafts) will be counted absent because the student will be unable to complete class assignments.
• Class preparation also means exercising basic courtesy toward me and the other members of the class.
• Be in class, on time, every session. Schedule outside appointments during non-class hours. Let me know at the beginning of the class if you will have to leave.
• Do not complete work for other classes during class.
• No texting or phone calls during class, especially during group work.
• All students in the class must treat others with civility and respect and conduct themselves during class sessions in a way that does not unreasonably interfere with the opportunity of other students to learn.
• See Standards for Practices and Participation (above) for detailed information about grading and class procedure.

Planned Daily Schedule (subject to change)

Day	Topic and Activities	Homework Due
July 5	Introduction to course
July 6	Public speaking as communication; Basics of Developing Speeches. First Presentation Assignment.	Chapters 1, 2, 4, 6 and 11
July 7	Self-introductory Presentations (3 to 4 minutes)	Self-Introductory Presentation Materials
July 11	Ethos and Ethics; Using Language Effectively; Improving Listening and Audience Analysis; Focusing your topic and finding materials; Informative Presentation assignment.	Peer Review—copies to classmates Chapters 3, 5, 7, 8
July 12	Organizing and outlining your speech; introductions and conclusions; Research	Chapters 9, 10, 11, and 12
July 13	Informative Presentations (5 to 6 minutes)	Informative Materials
July 14	Persuasive Assignments; Research Persuasive speaking; Evidence, Proof and Argument	Peer Reviews—copies to classmates Chapters 16, 17
July 18	Workshop/Research Day
July 19	Persuasive Presentations (6 to 7 minutes)	Persuasive Materials
July 20	Persuasive Presentations (6 to 7 minutes)
July 21	Real World Presentation Assignment	Peer Reviews—copies to class
July 25	Exam Day/Interview and Research Day
July 26	Exam Day/Interview and Research Day
July 27	Real World Workshop; Creating Context with Research	Exam Chapter 13 Real World Research/Interview
July 28	Real World Workshop; Developing Presentations
August 1	Real World Small Group and Troubleshooting
August 2	Real World Troubleshooting Course Review
August 3	Real World Presentations (7 to 8 minutes)	Real World Materials
August 4	Real World Presentations (7 to 8 minutes)