Download Communication 633

COMM 2020 Syllabus – Spring 2012
Wang, Z.
Professor: Dr. Zuoming Wang
Email: [email protected]
Office: 309E GAB Phone: 565-4283
Office Hours: Tuesday 10-11m, 3:30-4:30pm, or by appointment
Teaching Assistants:
Recitation 201: Hannah Novak
Recitation 202: Dianne Gravley
Recitation 203: Miranda Chesson
Recitation 204: Samantha Duque
[email protected] (meet at LANG 301 on Thurs)
[email protected] (meet at LANG 304 on Thurs)
[email protected] (meet LANG 305 on Thurs)
[email protected] (meet LANG 318 on Thurs)
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.
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
Course Objectives
Develop an awareness of the role communication plays in everyday life.
Understand and recognize how communication processes work.
Understand the role context plays in communication.
Increase both verbal and nonverbal communication skills.
Increase communication competence by recognizing communication options.
Required Readings
1. Wood, J. T. (2010). 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.
University of North Texas
page 1
COMM 2020 Syllabus – Spring 2012
Wang, Z.
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
We cooperate fully with the University’s Office of Disability Accommodation to provide
reasonable accommodation to students who require it. Students who wish to self-identity should
register with the ODA no later than the second day of class.
University of North Texas
page 2
COMM 2020 Syllabus – Spring 2012
Wang, Z.
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 April 23 to May 11. 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)
B: (very good, impressive)
C: (average college level)
D: (below average, barely passing)
F: (failing)
University of North Texas
450-500
400-449
350-399
300-349
below 300
90-100%
80-89%
70-79%
60-69%
59% and below
page 3
COMM 2020 Syllabus – Spring 2012
Wang, Z.
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.
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 11 unannounced quizzes over the readings, of which
you will drop one. 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.
University of North Texas
page 4
COMM 2020 Syllabus – Spring 2012
Wang, Z.
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.
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, except Jan 20.
Exams are always administered in recitation rooms.
January
Tu (lecture)
Th (recitation)
17
Introduction; syllabus overview
19
Get to know each other in recitation
24
Ch. 1
Interpersonal communication foundations
31
Ch. 2
Self and communication
26
Ch. 1
Interpersonal communication foundations
February
Tu (lecture)
7
Ch. 3
Perception and communication
14
Exam 1
Chs. 1-3
Meet in recitation room
21
Ch. 4
Verbal communication
28
Ch. 5
Nonverbal communication
University of North Texas
Th (recitation)
2
Ch. 2
Self and communication
9
Ch. 3
Perception and communication
16
Ch. 4
Verbal communication
23
Ch. 5
Nonverbal Communication
page 5
COMM 2020 Syllabus – Spring 2012
Wang, Z.
March
Tu (lecture)
6
Ch. 6
Listening
13 Exam2
Chs. 4-6
Meet in recitation room
27
Ch. 7
Communicating emotions
Th (recitation)
1
Identity Paper Due
8
Ch. 6
Listening
15
Ch. 7
Communicating emotions
29
Ch. 8
Communication climate
April
Tu (lecture)
3
Ch. 8
Communication climate
10
Ch. 9
Conflict and communication
17
Exam 3
Chs. 7-9
24
Ch. 10
Friendships
Th (recitation)
5
Interpersonal Concept/Theory Paper
Due
12
Ch. 9
Conflict and communication
19
Ch. 10
Friendships
26
Ch. 11
Romantic relationships
May
Tu (lecture)
1
Ch. 11
Romantic relationships
Th (recitation)
3
Final review
10
Final Exam 10:30a.m. -12:30p.m.
Chs. 10-12
University of North Texas
page 6