SPE 3: Techniques of Communication (Introduction to Speech Communication)

Semester Syllabus - Fall, 2004

Sunday - 9:00AM-NOON
Boylan 3412

Class Schedule and Assignments / Lecture Notes

Course Description

Techniques of Communication is a practical introduction to Human Communication. During the course we will explore the the structure and practice of the process of human communication. We will, during the semester, explore the art of presentation, the skill of listening, the nature of language, the value of nonverbal communication, the impact of the communication of others in shaping who we are, the dynamics of group interaction, and the ways in which we can build and maintain better relationships. That's a lot of ground, but this is an introductory course and we won't go too deeply into any of these areas. You will have the opportunity, as you complete your college education, to take entire courses dedicated to these individual subjects.

Our approach here will be very hands on. You will give speeches, interview and be interviewed by people, participate in group projects, attempt to distinguish truth from lies, and explore your personal relationships. You will have some sort of assignment due almost every week and we will do a variety of in class exercises as well.

Text

Adler, R. and Rodman, G. Understanding Human Communication, 8th Edition. Oxford University Press, 2003.

Lecture Notes

My usual practice is to make my lecture notes directly available to the class via the Internet. I will, to the extent that it is possible to do so, display those lecture notes during class. You can print them out later. You may be able to print them out before class, but I don't guarantee that you will. I often change my lecture notes right up to the beginning of class (and sometimes during class). The version posted at the end of class can generally be considered to be reliable.

E-mail Discussion Group

This class will have a class discussion group. You must participate in it. Details will be announced early in the semester.

Grading:

 WeightDescription
Mid-term20%Classic Question and Answer testing, conducted in the middle of the semester. Covers all of the material covered in first half of the course, including classroom discussion and textbooks
Final25%Classic Question and Answer testing, conducted at the end of the semester. Covers all of the material covered in the course, including lectures, classroom discussion, and textbooks. Even the content of your speeches might be used in a test question if it seems relevant.
Index Card Assignments10%Index card assignments entail doing a small assignment involving thought or observation, but usually with the restriction that the output of the assignment (your answer or observation) must fit on one side of a 3x5 card. There will be between 10 and 20 such assignments, each worth about .66 (10/15). These will not be graded. Simply turning them in on time nets the points, but deductions will be taken if it is obvious that a particular assignment wasn't taken seriously. Index Card Assignments will frequently be used in the course of class discussions.
Informative Speech10%A short (approximately 5 minute) speech in which you teach the class about a medium of communication that you have done research on. You will be expected to turn in a speech outline and a reference list (in APA format) when you give your speech.
Persuasive/Motivational Speech10%A short (approximately 8 minute) speech in which you attempt to persuade the class to of something or motivate them to do something. You will be expected to turn in a speech outline and a reference list (in APA format) when you give your speech.
Group Project10%A project in which which can only be completed through your participation in a group to which you will be assigned.
Interpersonal Resume5%A longer (at least six pages; at least 10 pages for an A) research paper applying the methodologies of your choice to your selected content.
Participation10%You get this just for showing up prepared at a rate of about .36 (10/28) per class. I will deduct if it is obvious that you were not prepared (e.g. had not done the reading or completed the assignment) on a given day.
Total Grade (based on above)100% 
Attendance SubtractionopenEvery absence beyond four will result in a net subtraction from your final grade.
Effort BonusUp to 10%An optional addition, based on good and enthusiastic participation, interest in subject matter, etc. There is no guarantee I will give any of these points to anyone.

Attendance:

There are several layers of content associated with this course, including:

All of these elements contribute to the overall learning experience of this class, and you will necessary miss out on these layers if you miss class. Attendance counts as a part of the course grade in at least two ways. It will not be possible to receive an A in this class with more than 2 absences. Any absence's beyond two will result in a net subtraction from your final grade. For most students these absences will have additional secondary effects on test scores and other assignments.

Bottom line: Be here.

Plagiarism and Cheating:

I have caught a number of students attempting to pass off other people's work as their own. Such behavior is unacceptable in any classroom, and I won't accept it in mine. My usual practice will be to zero any assignment on which a student has been found to be cheating and consult with the department chair on what other actions may be appropriate

Examples of cheating include:

Bottom line: Write in your own words and reference the ideas you use to the sources you read them in.

Disabling Conditions

Students who have a disabling condition which might interfere with their ability to successfully complete this course are encouraged to speak to me confidentially. I will be happy to cooperate in identifying alternate means of demonstrating such mastery where there is a demonstrable need.

Bottom line: I'm here to help.

Late Assignments:

It is your responsibility to ensure that all assignments are submitted by the due date. I will reduce the grade on an assignment by one letter grade for every class period by which it is late.

Questions, Problems and Incompletes:

If you have a question I encourage you to ask it in class. There are no stupid questions; only answers that didn't need to be. If you don't know the answer to a question it is likely someone else is curious as well. Please ask. The worst that can happen is that I defer my answer to a meeting after class or during office hours.

If you have a problem in the class I encourage you to contact me as quickly as possible. Several means of contact are listed at the top of my Brooklyn College home page, including telephone, e-mail, and instant messenger. I also maintain regular office hours. Note, in particular, that I will not grant an incomplete for the course unless you talk to me about it in advance or I am aware of conditions which would make it impossible for you to do so.