COM 121 PROFESSOR JOANNE KOSTIDES

INTRODUCTION TO COMMUNICATION HOLYOKE COMMUNITY COLLEGE

DISTANCE LEARNING WebCT OFFICE: C 226 PHONE: 413-552-2326

PLEASE NOTICE:

YOUR ABILITY TO FOLLOW WRITTEN INSTRUCTIONS IS CRITICAL TO YOUR SUCCESS IN THIS COURSE.

IF THIS IS YOUR FIRST ONLINE COURSE, IT IS IMPERATIVE THAT YOU ATTEND AN ONLINE ORIENTATION. I DO NOT PROVIDE INSTRUCTION ON THE TECHNICAL ASPECTS OF USING WEBCT. 

THIS IS AN ASYNCHRONOUS COURSE. All required assignments must be completed by Sunday midnight; however, it does not matter when you log in. There are no standard meeting times for this course.

COURSE DESCRIPTION

This course introduces students to a variety of perspectives from which human communication may be studied. It focuses on how we communicate with one another, looking specifically at the symbols we use and analyzing how they influence our thinking and behavior. The course will provide students with a conceptual foundation for examining language, nonverbal communication, small group behavior and the impact of mass media on patters of human interaction.

REQUIRED TEXT Communication Mosaics, Julia T. Wood, Wadsworth, 5th edition. AN ACCESS CODE IS REQUIRED FOR THIS COURSE. IF YOU PURCHASE THE TEXTBOOK FROM THE HCC BOOKSTORE, AN ACCESS CODE WILL BE INCLUDED WITH YOUR PURCHASE (COST = $15). YOU CAN ALSO PURCHASE AN ACCESS CODE ON THE "MYWEBCT" HOMEPAGE.

COMMUNICATION

• Since we do not communicate face-to-face in this course, it is important that you carefully read the announcements and/or instructions posted on the homepage.

• I will log in approximately three to four times a week, including weekends, to check emails and discussion postings. Please use the email tool within WebCT for regular contact.

OBJECTIVES

• To understand the various theoretical perspectives from which communication may be studied.

• To understand the communication process in a variety of different contexts.

• To recognize effective communication behaviors.

• To understand what goes into designing and delivering a speech.

• To understand the history of mass communication.

• To know how to communicate more effectively in a range of personal and professional contexts.

COURSE POLICIES

• ATTENDANCE: Your attendance will be monitored. You must log in at least once a week. I reserve the right to drop students from the course due to excessive absences (not logging in for more than one week).

• DEADLINES: To do well in this course you must meet all deadlines. In general you will have one full week to complete homework assignments and quizzes. I do not expect you to understand and remember absolutely everything you read, but you should take advantage of the supplemental learning tools available online to help reinforce each chapter (i.e. crossword puzzles & flashcards).You do not have to complete any other assignments above and beyond what is indicated on the weekly schedule.

• MAKE-UP WORK: There will be NO MAKE-UP quizzes or exams in this course. Please keep up with the course schedule..

• Participation in threaded discussions is required. 

• Course schedule subject to change with notice.

COURSE REQUIREMENTS & METHOD OF EVALUATION

Your final grade will be based on the following criteria:

Weekly Quizzes (10 @ 10 pts. each =100 points) 40%

Participation in Threaded Discussions (4@ 10pts.= 40 pts.) 20%

Final Exam 20%

Communication in Context -- The Truman Show 20%

Homework Assignments and Quizzes: Due on a weekly basis by midnight (12:00am) Sunday of each week.

Participation in Threaded Discussions: You are expected to participate in threaded discussions on a weekly basis. New discussion topics will be posted every Monday. You must contribute your own original responses to the discussion board. You will not receive full credit for a discussion posting if it is pulled from online source. If you incorporate an online source into your discussion, you must include a reference (citation). Plagiarism will not be tolerated whatsoever.

Final Exam: Twenty-five multiple-choice questions worth 25% of your final grade. This is a cumulative final exam. It will cover Chapters 2 - 14.

Communication in Context: Watch the movie The Truman Show starring Jim Carrey. Even if you have already seen this film, you must watch it again. I will post a series of questions for you to answer on the discussion board. These questions will help guide your analysis of the film. If you submit this assignment on time, you will receive full credit for it. There will be no "right or wrong" answers per se. I am more interested in how you relate the film to material covered in this course.