CALS 001
Foundations: Communication Methods
Fall 2011 Syllabus
CALS 001: Students go to 1 lecture &
Thomas F. Patterson, Jr.,
1 lab per week
Ph.D.
Lecture A Tuesdays 1:00 – 2:15 pm, B106
Angell
Lecture B Thursdays 1:00 – 2:15 pm, 105
Votey
208D Morrill Hall, UVM
x60042 (w), 658-7496 (h)
tpatters@uvm.edu
Office Hours: Thursday 8:30 10:30 am
Course Description: This course will help you develop skills for college success and
beyond. Here you will become oriented to the College of Agriculture and Life Sciences
(CALS) and UVM, and learn how to give oral presentations that are appropriate for
different purposes and audiences. You will improve your public speaking skills by
conducting research, organizing information and selecting appropriate media to make
dynamic presentations. You will give several presentations and critique many other
student presentations. This class is highly recommended of all first-year students in
CALS, because, regardless of your major, you will need highly developed oral
communication skills to complete your undergraduate degree and become successful
beyond college.
Why is This Course Important? In today’s complex and ever changing world, the
ability to communicate clearly is more important than ever. Although communication
takes on many forms, humans communicate mainly through the written and spoken word.
Graduates of UVM and employers alike, agree that the ability to give a good oral
presentation is an essential and transferable skill that every college graduate should
possess. In fact, oral communication is a core competency for the College of Agriculture
and Life Sciences (CALS). This course will be one of the few opportunities to study, to
learn, to practice, to make mistakes, to critique, and to improve your speaking skills--in
short, to become a better oral communicator.
General Course Goal: The overall goal of CALS 001 Foundations: Communication
Methods course is twofold:
1. To help you discover and learn about what the College of Agriculture and Life
Sciences (CALS) and UVM have to offer, how you fit in here, and how you can make the
transition and develop to the fullest of your potential at UVM and beyond.
2. To help you improve your essential and transferrable oral communication skills.
Course Objectives: You will:
1. Increase your understanding about UVM, its history, mission, organization, rules and
regulations, people, services, resources and opportunities for student development.
2. Increase your understanding about the College of Agriculture and Life Sciences, its
mission, structure, curriculum and opportunities for students.
3. Make a positive adjustment and assimilation into the University and CALS.
4. Develop a positive relationship with your CALS academic advisor.
5. Better understand the developmental changes involved in the transition into and out of
the first year of college.
6. Develop positive student-to-student interactions and become a contributing member of
the CALS and UVM community by joining a club or UVM organization.
7. Develop critical thinking skills through reading, reflection, discussion, oral
presentation and writing.
8. Begin developing a personal career planning process.
9. Learn a set of study and interpersonal skills for succeeding in college.
10. Demonstrate increased confidence in speaking.
11. Understand different types of presentations and different audiences, and be able to
appropriately match the two to meet specific speaking objectives.
12. Be able to critique and learn from another person’s oral presentation.
13. Prepare appropriate media for presentations.
14. Be able to research, construct and present a dynamic and effective speech to an
audience.
15. Understand and utilize small group dynamics and the concept of teamwork both from
a participant and facilitator standpoint.
16. Demonstrate teamwork and group presentation skills as a contributing member of a
team.
Required Texts and Flash Memory Data Stick (USB Thumb-Drive):
Lucas, Stephen E., The Art of Public Speaking, McGraw Hill, New York,
NY: 2001, ISBN 9780077306298. This is the most popular college public
speaking textbook in the US. It is an important resource for public
speaking and provides a rich background for your presentations.
Gelb, Michael J., Present Yourself!, Jalamar Press, Torrance, CA: 1988
ISBN 0915190516. This is a quick and easy-to-read summary of public
speaking that will get you started in developing your presentations. It
provides invaluable information that you should adopt in your public
speaking.
Lawry, John D., College 101, Second Edition, McGraw Hill, Boston: 1999
ISBN 0073131593. This text is for First-Year students to help you make
the transition from high school to college. Reflecting on Blackboard on
the assigned reading in the Lawry text is a critical way for you to learn and
understand the many changes that are taking place as a First-Year student
at UVM. You will note that the Untitled Student Essay (p.179) written by
Amy Corey was an assignment in this former class that author Lawry
included it in the second edition of College 101.
One USB 2Gig or greater Flash Memory Thumb-Drive. The thumbdrive must be brought to each of the three labs when you present your
individual informational, persuasive, and choice presentations. Each
speech will be recorded on a Flip camera and will be transferred to your
personal thumb drive. You must view the recorded presentation on your
thumb drive as part of your reflection document process.
Journal: Keep an electronic journal on BlackBoard (Communications, Groups, and
Group Discussion Board)--reflecting on your readings, class presentations and
discussions and your personal and academic progress at UVM and CALS. Journal
guidelines may be viewed here and read College 101, pp 1-3. Minimum expectations are
two quality and thoughtful discussion/journal entries per week. One of the journal entries
should be a reflection on the Lawry College 101 reading due that week. Selected
appropriate and reflective entries will be posted on the course BlackBoard site for all to
read.
Attendance Policy: Most of your final grade will depend on your active performance,
both as a speaker and as a listener, in class. Attendance will be noted each class. This is
not a class to cut and get notes from someone else . This is a class where you must
come to lecture and lab on time and be ready to participate. Since we have only thirteen
lectures, every class is important. Role will be taken. More than one unexcused absence
is a grounds for a reduction in your grade for each absence. Unexcused lateness or
absences of either lecture or lab will lead to a 1% reduction of your final grade.
No students have earned an A in this course who have had more than two unexcused
absences. Athletes are excused only for Varsity Games (and work is expected to be made
up within one week). If you are late, you will be marked absent. Absences are excused
only in cases of extreme sickness, death in your immediate family, or other extreme
documented circumstances. In such circumstances, notify the CALS Dean’s Office
before missing class (Rose Laba, rlaba@uvm.edu), 656-0289, who will contact me with
an official excuse). Notifications after missing class are not excused.
Make-Up Policy: If you can not make a class, you must notify your instructor before the
class. Ex post facto notification will result in loss of points for that class and
assignment. If you miss a speaking assignment without notifying your instructor before
the class, for any reason, you will earn a zero for that assignment. Only legitimate priornotification absences (death in the family, serious illness, or accident), that the CALS
Dean’s Office has been notified, will be made up. This should be a rare occurrence.
Class Behavior: Your attitude toward learning is part of your final grade. This is a
participatory class that will help you develop invaluable skills to increase your success
throughout college and beyond. In order to facilitate the learning process, it is important
that you demonstrate mutual respect and appropriate behavior toward your instructors
and fellow students alike, as they are both a major part of your learning experience. Not
only do you learn from your instructors, but you also learn from your classmates.
Students are expected to have a positive attitude, to arrive to class a few minutes early, be
in your seat when class time begins, and stay for the entire class time. Talking or texting
on your cell phone or using a computer during lecture or lab is not permitted. Only one
person should be speaking during class at any time. You will be asked to leave the class
and you will lose at least one percent of your course grade each time you: 1. continue to
talk while the recognized speaker is talking, 2. fall asleep during class, 3. read the
newspaper or do other assignments not related to our class, 4. leave the class early
without prior permission of the instructor, 5. text or talk on your cell phone during
class, 6. using a laptop or notebook computer in class, 7. are late for class.
Hurtful or strong negative criticism of others is not appropriate or welcome. Whining or
excessive complaining about this or any other UVM course is not appropriate in class.
You are expected to come to class with a pen, pencil and notebook and to take notes by
hand. It is appropriate and acceptable to raise your hand and ask questions during class.
You may eat food and drink water during class. Laptop or Notebook Computers, cell
phones, or any other electronic devices are not to be used during class!!!
Religious Holidays: Students have the right to practice the religion of their choice. Each
semester students should submit in writing to their instructors by the end of the second
full week of classes any documented religious holiday schedule for the semester.
Written Assignments: All written assignments should be word-processed. Handwritten
work will not be accepted.
Oral Assignments: Since this is a course in oral communication, your oral assignments
are important. It should be no surprise that students who spend lots of time preparing for
their oral presentations do better than students who throw something together at the last
moment or, worse yet, just “wing it.” Studying for this class is not passive (like reading a
textbook or studying for an exam), instead it is active (practicing your speech in front of
friends).
Plagiarism: Students are expected to read the examples of plagiarism and know when to
use quotations and references in writing. A student caught plagiarizing at UVM will
receive an XF for the entire semester class.
Academic Honesty: From Undergraduate Student Handbook & Code of Academic
Integrity
The principle objective of The University of Vermont policy on academic honesty is to
promote an intellectual climate and support the academic integrity of The University of
Vermont. Academic dishonesty or an offense against academic honesty includes acts
which may subvert or compromise the integrity of the educational process at The
University of Vermont. Offenses against the Code of Academic Integrity are deemed
serious and insult the integrity of the entire academic community. Any suspected
deliberate violations of this code are taken very seriously and will be forwarded to the
Center for Student Ethics & Standards for further investigation.
Graded Assignments
%
1. Class Introduction
2.
Present Yourself Quiz (in lecture, the week of Sept 19,
2011)
3.
Impromptu Speech
4. Join UVM club or organization
5. Advisor Meetings
6
Outside Speech Critique. (due in lab, the week of Oct 17,
2011)
7. Group critical analysis presentation and information
evaluation paper
8. Informational presentation
9. Persuasive presentation
10. Choice presentation (informational, persuasive,
entertaining, or combination)
11. Three speech reflection papers
12. Student Critiques/Attendance & Participation/BlackBoard
Discussion Journal/Attitude
13. Midterm exam (week of Oct 31, 2011)
14. Final exam (Dec 13, 2011)
2.5
2.5
TOTAL
100
2.5
2.5
2.5
5
7.5
10
15
20
15
5
5
5
Assignments in Detail: Download Excel Grading Template here .
1. Introduce yourself to the large class (2.5%). Students’ names will be called
randomly throughout the semester to introduce themselves (2 to 3 minutes) to the large
class. Topics to be covered include:
Your Name
Family Background (brief history of Mother, Father, and Siblings)
Where you are from
Why you chose UVM
Academic interests and major
Personal interests & hobbies
Plans after graduating
Something about yourself no one else in the room knows
End your introduction with one of three things to help us understand you as a person:
1. Read any piece of prose (book, poem, magazine, etc.) you wish to share with the class,
or
2. Recite something you have memorized (poem, song lyrics, famous speech, etc.), or
3. Bring something with you to show and discuss with the class
You should demonstrate that you are prepared for this assignment and not just “wing it.”
It will be obvious if you do. Average introductions will earn a C grade. Interesting,
innovative and enthusiastic introductions will receive higher grades. If you are absent
when you name is randomly called, you will earn a zero.
2. Quiz on the book, Present Yourself (2.5%) Individual and group quizzes will be
averaged. The quiz on the booklet Present Yourself is scheduled early in the semester, as
this book contains important tips for public speaking.
3. Impromptu Speech (2.5%) The impromptu speech gets you up in front of your lab
group and is intended to reveal a speaker's ability to develop a point of view on a general
topic and to organize a 2 – 3 minute presentation within a limited preparation time.
Impromptu speech topics will be familiar ground for all speakers. We will look for clarity
of thought, structure (introduction, body, & conclusion) and the effective use of plain
spoken English.
4. Join a UVM Club or Organization (2.5%) To complete this assignment you must
show convincing evidence to your lab Teaching Assistants (TAs) that you have joined
and are an active participant in a UVM club, sport, or organization. You can report this
to your TA anytime during the semester. View the Student Government Association
(SGA) list of clubs.
5. Advisor Meetings: (2.5%). You must meet with your Academic Advisor at least
twice during the Fall semester to discuss speech topic choices, academic concerns, to
select classes for the Spring semester, and just to get to know each other better. Your
advisor must sign and date a form to be turned in to your TA before the end of the
semester.
6. Attend and critique a formal speech given outside of class (5%). Submit a four to
six page paper to your TA. Click here for details. Papers handed in after the due date
will receive 10% reduction the first week, 20% the second week, and no credit, 0% if any
later. Papers need to be edited by a fellow student in your lab. You must hand in the
edited first draft with your editor's signature, along with the final draft of your paper.
7. Be part of a team that gives a group critical analysis presentation and evaluation
paper (7.5%). The world of work that you will be entering consists of teams working
together. You will be assigned to a small group to prepare a 12 - 15 minute critical
analysis presentation and a short paper scheduled at the beginning of the semester.
Click on the Gale Opposing Viewpoints in Context website, select a controversial topic
that everyone in your group is interested in, and find a minimum of two information
sources that take opposite viewpoints. Use the Guidelines for a Critical Analysis of an
Article to orally critique each article in your presentation. Discuss the conclusions your
group can make about your chosen topic as a result of this analysis.
In addition, the group needs to write up a short paper in which you evaluate and justify
why you have selected those two information sources. See the Bailey/Howe Library
UVM research guide for your information evaluation assignment
http://researchguides.uvm.edu/cals1. This paper must be handed to your TAs just before
your group presentation,
Your speech grade will be determined by the depth and coherence of critical analysis of
each information source, the quality of the group presentation, the support and interaction
among group members, as well as your personal participation in the group project as
rated by your peers. Click here for the checklist for group critical analysis presentation
grading requirements.
Each team member bears personal responsibility for group participation. If you miss team
meetings and fail to participate fully in the group presentation, then you have not met
objective number 17 for this class and you will be graded accordingly. Every semester a
number of students slack and fail to show up for group meetings and are left behind by
the group. It is your responsibility to make group meetings and fully participate in the
group project. Do not expect your TA to intervene for you or to take mercy on you at the
end of the semester.
8. Give an eight to ten minute informational presentation to an audience of student
peers (10%). You will be given adequate lecture, handout materials and text
assignments to help you prepare for your presentations.
The subject of your informational presentation should be something that you are
interested in (indeed, have a passion for!) and wish to share with others so we can learn
about you as a person. It should be “college level” and “appropriate for your audience.”
If in doubt, ask Professor Patterson or your lab TA. Click here to see the checklist for
grading your informational presentations.
To introduce you to the resources of the UVM library and help you develop background
research for your informational presentation, you must complete the library assignment
booklet and turn it in, along with other required materials, the week after your
informational presentation.
After your presentation, you should read your peer evaluations carefully; watch the
video; then write a 2 to 3 page reflection paper, critically analyzing your presentation.
The paper is to show that you have learned from the speech experience and should have
three sub-headings: 1) the speech I prepared for 2) the speech I gave, and 3) the speech I
wish I had given. See details in #10 below. The week following your presentation, you
need to hand in your notes, the library assignment booklet, mind map or an outline of
your speech, student critiques and visual aids, along with the reflection paper. Please
hand in your materials in a pocket folder with your name prominently displayed on the
outside.
9. Give an eight to ten minute persuasive presentation. (you must dress appropriately,
or be willing to accept a reduction of half a grade on your presentation) (15%). Students
will be expected to have improved from the first presentation. The persuasive
presentation will be graded in part on how much improvement you demonstrate from
your first presentation. This speech will also be videoed to use in writing a reflection
paper to be handed in the following week. For your reflection paper, use the same three
sub-heading format as detailed below.
The subject should be something controversial that you feel strong enough about that you
want to persuade others to understand and/or adopt your viewpoint. Again, we will learn
about you as a person from the subject you chose and from the caliber of your persuasive
speech. Click here to see the checklist for persuasive grading requirements. Remember
to hand in your notes, mind map or outline, with your reflection paper the following
week. Please hand in your materials in a pocket folder with your name prominently
displayed on the outside.
10. Give an eight to ten minute presentation of your choice (informational,
persuasive, or entertaining) (20%). This is your final individual presentation and the
culminating speech to demonstrate your competency in public speaking. You may
choose to give either an informational, persuasive or entertaining presentation, or a
combination, on the subject of your choice. Click here to see the checklist for grading
your choice presentation. Again, after your speech, write a reflection paper based on a
review of the video and student comments and your personal reflection of the
experience. Hand your notes or outline with your reflection paper in a pocket folder the
following week.
11. Write three reflection papers (15%, three @ 5% each). Each presentation will
be videoed, and your cumulative grade will depend on your speech as well as a 2 to 3
page reflection paper to be handed in the following week. This reflection paper should be
based on student feedback and your own critical analysis of your presentation and should
follow these three sub-headings :
(1) the speech I prepared for
(2) the speech I gave
(3) the speech I wish I had given
These papers are to show reflection and learning from the three individual speech
experiences. The three papers, two to four pages in length, should be written after
viewing the video of your presentation, reading the student critiques, and honestly
reflecting on your experience. Use the following three headings to frame your paper:
a. The speech I prepared for : Why you chose your topic…what this topic
tells us about you...how your conducted your research…the credibility of
your sources, especially web –based sources…the objectives of your
speech…how you went about constructing the speech…the amount and
type of practice you did…the feedback you received…any other
preparation.
b. The speech I gave : Give details of how your speech
went…comparison of the speech with the one you practiced…what was
going on in your head during the speech…what the video tape
showed…things you did right…things you did wrong…student critique
comments…anything else concerning the actual speech and how it felt to
you
c. The speech I wish I had given : Things you wish you had done differently to
give the ideal speech…what would you have done differently in preparing for and
delivering your speech…what will you do next time to improve…anything else
that you wish you had done and would do in the future.
Your Pocket Folder is due at the beginning of lab the week after you present (if late -10%
the first week, -20% the second week, No credit afterwards).
Hand in your reflection paper in a picket folder with your name, speech title, lab section
(day & time), and date delivered on the front cover. Inside the folder, in the pockets
should be: 1.Your reflection paper (speech I prepared for, speech I gave, the speech I
wish I had given, with page numbers), 2. Completed Mind Map. 3. Objectives
Statement: what you want your audience to know or do because of your talk, how the
audience will be changed by your talk. 4. Research materials (articles, photocopies you
made. 5. Copies of visual aids (images, overheads, etc.) if they will fit in the folder. 6.
Student critiques from those who watched your presentation. Here is a checklist for your
folder.
12. Critique student presentations/Class participation/BlackBoard Reflection
Journal/Attitude (5%) Being a critical listener and being able to give constructive
feedback is an important communication skill and will help you develop as a speaker as
well. You will have the opportunity to give written and oral feedback to your fellow
students. Signed written critiques will be given to the student presenter for feedback.
Your grade will reflect how well you critically analyze and give helpful feedback (both
positive and negative) to your colleagues.
Students will also be graded on their overall participation and attitude toward the class.
Those showing enthusiasm for learning and helping their fellow students to learn will
receive a high score, while those who argue each grade, refuse to participate, regularly
come to class late and/or seem disinterested in the class will fare poorly.
It is important for you to reflect on the changes that are happening in your life and the
learning that is taking place, as a first-year college student. Students are required to make
two BlackBoard reflection postings a week, one on the assigned College 101 reading
for that week, the other reflecting on your experience as a First Year student. All
your weekly reflections throughout the Fall semester will constitute a Reflection Journal.
Journal guidelines may be viewed here and read College 101, pp 1-3. Postings should be
made on the CALS 001 BlackBoard Site (Communications Groups  Individual
Group  Group Discussion Board  Reflection Create Thread), which will include
your lab TAs as well as your lab section group members. More than two discussion
postings a week are encouraged. Selected appropriate and reflective entries will be
posted on the course BlackBoard site for all to read.
What to post on BlackBoard Reflections: Post reflections, thoughts or questions that
the assigned College 101 readings have raised for you. Also write about our class or
other classes or experiences you have had at UVM such as: readings, lab or lecture
material, and resident hall and life experiences that have been provocative and
interesting. Postings about class-related material that is confusing, or makes you think of
connections to other courses or experiences in your life, are welcome. Contact lab mates,
or reply to their postings giving your own opinion or suggestions to questions or
comments they have posted. Organize study sessions or review of our class or other class
material.
What not to post on BlackBoard Reflections: Hurtful thoughts or strong negative
criticism of others in our class are not welcome. Whining or excessive complaining
about this or any other UVM course is not appropriate. Do not post about drinking,
drugs, or sex.
13. Midterm exam (5%). This will cover all readings, labs, and lectures up to the
midterm. To do well, you must come to class, take notes, do all the readings and study.
14. Final exam (5%). This will cover all readings, labs, and lectures of the entire
semester. To do well, you must come to class, take notes, do all the readings and study.
Fall 2011 CALS 001 Schedule
Lab
Date
Week
Starting
Lecture Topic Outline
Lab Topic Outline
Assignment Due
Day of Lab
Aug 29
Welcome to the class. Go over
course structure, syllabus,
materials, grading, BlackBoard.
Study/Time management
suggestions. Learning styles
Introduction to lab.
Diads, introductions.
10 things I wish I knew None
when I was a first year
student
Sept 5
Print out and
carefully read the
Syllabus.
The Art of Public
What you should know about
Speaking: Chpts .
UVM and CALS. The "mustGo over lab schedule
1, 2, 4, plus
knows" of public speaking.
and speech date
“impromptu
Propaganda, and public speaking. assignments, correct lab speaking,” p. 246
roster. Impromptu
(10th edition)
Speeches.
Present Yourself!:
Stages of Team Growth Power
Chpts. 1-3
Point Presentation. Group
Check out the
presentations overview
CALS Web Site
Min. two Journal
entries on
BlackBoard
Informational speech grading
sheet. Informational Power Point Finish Impromptu
Sept 12
Speeches
Presentation. Example of Poor
informational speech.
The Art of Public
Speaking: Chpts.
6, 7, 10
Present Yourself!:
Chpts. 4-6
College 101: “The
Journal,” pgs 1-6
Min. two Journal
entries on
BlackBoard
The Art of Public
Speaking: Chpts.
Group Critical Analysis 8, 9, 14
Present Yourself! Quiz. Visual Presentations
Present Yourself!:
Sept 19 Aids. Example of a good student
Chpts. 7-10
informational speech. .
College 101:
“Community,”
pgs. 115-129
Min. two Journal
entries on
BlackBoard
Sept 26
Informational speech example.
Introductions.
The Art of Public
Speaking: Chpts.
11, 12, 13
Group Critical Analysis College 101:
“Family Ties,”
Presentations
pgs. 177–206
Min. two Journal
entries on
BlackBoard
The Art of Public
Speaking: Chpts.
15, 16
College 101:
“Identity,” pgs.
207-234
Min. two Journal
entries on
BlackBoard
Oct 3
Stylistic Language Devices. The
best speech of the 20th Century.
Introductions.
Oct 10
Persuasive v. Informational
Speaking PP Presentation.
Persuasive speech grading sheet.
Persuasive speech examples.
Introductions.
Informational
Presentations
College 101:
“Students and
Teachers,” pgs.
57-88
Min. two Journal
entries on
BlackBoard
Persuasive speech examples.
Introductions.
Finish Informational
Presentations
Outside speech
critique and edited
draft due in lab this
week.
College 101:
“Conflict,” pgs.
131-161
Min. two Journal
entries on
BlackBoard
Oct 17
Oct 24
Oct 31
Choice presentations grading
sheet, Choice speech example.
Introductions
Midterm Exam
Informational
Presentations.
Persuasive
Presentations
Persuasive
Presentations
College 101:
“Friendship and
Romance,” pgs.
89-114
Min. two Journal
entries on
BlackBoard
College 101:
“Resources,” pgs.
163-176
Min. two Journal
entries on
BlackBoard
Nov 7
Choice Speech example. Group
Critical Analysis overview.
Introductions
Finish Persuasive
Presentations
Nov 14 Plagiarism activity. Introductions. Choice Presentations
Nov 21
Nov 28
Dec 5
Thanksgiving Recess
View Final Exam Study Guide.
Foundations Survey. Final
Introductions. View Final Exam
Study Guide.
No classes this week.
Choice Presentations
Final Introductions, Class
Evaluations, & Student
Convocation speech example.
Finish Choice
View Final Exam Study Guide.
Presentations
Advisor meeting forms and UVM
club/org due to lab TAs before
noon Dec 9..
UVM Final Exam Schedule for
Fall 2011
The final exams are on the same
day and time:
07:30 AM - 10:15 AM, Tuesday
Dec, 13 2011; ANGELL B106
07:30 AM - 10:15 AM, Tuesday
College 101:
Academic
Concerns,” pgs. 956
Min. two Journal
entries on
BlackBoard
College 101:
“Spiritual Quest,”
pgs. 235-264
Min. two Journal
entries on
BlackBoard
Enjoy the Turkey!
View the Video:
Land for Learning:
Justin Morrill and
America's Land
Grant Colleges (on
reserve at the
Bailey-Howe
Library Media
Center)
Min. two Journal
entries on
BlackBoard
None
Study for final
exam
Dec, 13 2011; VOTEY 105