COM 395: Communication, Relationships, and Communitiesformerly (and still listed as) Communication and Social CognitionSemester Syllabus - Fall, 2002Monday/Wednesday/Friday - 11:30AM-12:25PM - Lanigan 102ADr. Foulger | ||||
Semester Syllabus | Lecture Notes | Course Bibliography | Approved Department Course Syllabus |
Weight Description Final Exam 24% Classic Question and Answer testing, conducted at the end of the semester. Need I say more. Covers all of the material covered in the course, including classroom material and book material. Mid-Term Exam 12% Classic Question and Answer testing, conducted in the middle of the semester. Covers all of the material up until mid-term. Group Projects 14% Two group projects, each culminating in a group presentation, and worth 7 points each Index Card Reports 10% Index card assignments entail doing a small assignment involving thought or observation, but 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 approximately 20 such assignments, each worth .5. 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. Major Research Paper 30% A Research Paper, expected to be at least ten pages long and to make use of at least ten references. This brief overview of this paper will be presented to the class. The overview should take no more than three minutes. Expect to answer some questions. Participation 10% You get this just for showing up prepared at a rate of about .36 (28/10) 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 Subtraction open Every absence beyond four will result in a net subtraction from your final grade. Effort Bonus Up 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.
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. Attendence 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 4 absences. Any absenses beyond five will result in a net subtraction from your final grade. For most students, however, these absenses will have secondary effects on test scores and other assignments.
Bottom line: Be here.
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. The Oswego Student Handbook discusses cheating and its possible implications. My usual practice will be to zero any assignment on which a student has been found to be cheating and to make a confidential report of the act to the office of the Dean of Liberal Arts. I retain the right to use any punishment for cheating and plagerism, including outright failure of the course or college disciplinary action.
Examples of cheating include:
Bottom line: Write in your own words and reference the ideas you use to the sources you read them in.
Students who have a disabling condition which might interfere with their ability to successfully complete this course are encouraged to speak, confidentially, to the class instructor, or to contact the Office of Disability Services (x3358, 210 Swetman). Grades in this course will be based on mastery of material, but 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.
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 half letter grade for every class period by which it is late.
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 Oswego 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.