COMMUNICATION AS CRITICAL INQUIRY (COM 110)
Course Syllabus
"80% of success is showing up."
-Woody Allen
Instructor: Lisa Martin, M.S.
Office Hours: T-Th 2:00 – 4:00 or by appt.
Office: 459 Fell Hall
Meeting time: MWF 8:00-8:50 a.m.
Phone: (309) 438-7727
Classroom: Fell 158
Email: lmmarti@ilstu.edu
Please Note: I will respond to all of your emails as soon as possible. However, please allow
12 hours for a response prior to sending a follow-up email on weekdays (Monday- Friday)
and 36 hours on weekends.
TEXTS:
Simonds, C. J., Hunt, S. K., & Simonds, B. K. (2013). Communication as Critical Inquiry (5th
ed. for Illinois State University). Boston, MA: Pearson Custom Publishing.
(Textbook materials with access codes available at campus bookstores—See below).
Simonds, C. J., & Hunt, S. K. , (2015). Communication as critical inquiry:
Supplementary materials packet. Champaign, IL: Stipes Publishing.
(Available at the School of Communication Resource Center in the Lower Level of Fell—See
below).
COURSE MATERIALS:
COM 110 TEXTBOOK: You are required to have an Ebook Access code which will allow you
to access the textbook for this course. On this website, there is a full electronic copy of the
textbook as well as other materials necessary for the completion of the course. If you would
prefer a hard copy of the textbook in addition to the Ebook, these can be purchased online
through the Ebook site for an additional cost.
Spiral Workbook Purchasing Procedures): Students will purchase the spiral workbook (Com 110
Communication as Critical Inquiry) through the School of Communication online store using a
credit, debit, or monetary gift card. The website can be found at the following address:
http://tinyurl.com/o8jjxke
The workbook will cost $31 plus tax and will be available for the students to pick up in the
Communication Resource Center located in the basement of Fell Hall 1-2 business days after
the online purchase. Students will need to show their ISU ID card and Resource Center workers
will verify they have purchased the book and give it to them at that time.
Communication Resource Center Hours of Operation:
1st week hours: Fell 34
Monday-Thursday 9 a.m.-7 p.m. & Friday 9 a.m.-3 p.m.
2nd week hours: Fell 34
Tuesday-Thursday 9 a.m.-7 p.m. & Friday 9 a.m.-3 p.m.
Also Required:
 A working e-mail account that you check REGURALY. I will e-mail you through your
ILSTU email.
 A 2-pocket folder to turn in speech materials (with your name written on the outside)
Suggested Items:
 A stapler- unstapled assignments will receive a deduction in points. I suggest that you
purchase a stapler to carry in your backpack.
 Notecards
COMMUNICATION AS CRITICAL INQUIRY (COM 110) COURSE GOALS
Communication as Critical Inquiry (Com 110) seeks to improve students’ abilities to express
themselves and to listen to others in a variety of communication settings. Effective oral
communication is viewed as an essential life skill that every person must possess in order to
function in today’s society. The course emphasizes participation in a variety of communication
processes in order to develop, reinforce, and evaluate communication skills appropriate for
public, small group, and interpersonal settings. The course content and experiences will enable
students to assume their responsibilities as speaker-listener-critic in a culturally diverse world. In
short, the course is designed to make students competent, ethical, critical, confident, and
information literate communicators.
COM 110 addresses the following General Education outcomes:
II. Intellectual and practical skills, allowing students to
a. make informed judgments
b. report information effectively and responsibly
c. deliver purposeful presentations that inform attitudes or behaviors
III. Personal and social responsibility, allowing students to
a. participate in activities that are both individually life-enriching and socially beneficial
to a diverse community
b. interact competently in a variety of cultural contexts
IV. Integrative and applied learning, allowing students to
a. identify and solve problems
b. transfer learning to novel situations
c. work effectively in teams
Course Policies I:
Illinois Articulation Initiative. The Illinois Articulation Initiative is designed to allow students
to transfer course credit between institutions. The IAI requires that all Com 110 students present
at least three speaking opportunities that include research and are five minutes, or longer, in
duration.
SPEECH LAB - You are encouraged to visit the speech lab at least once during the semester to
practice your speech. If you bring documentation that you gave a speech in the speech lab, I will
award you 5 extra credit points. It is also recommended that you plan a visit to the speech lab at
least one week before your speech so you have enough time to synthesize the feedback received
from the attendant and incorporate it into your speech. Research shows that students who have
utilized the lab receive better grades on their speeches than those who do not.
To schedule time in the speech lab, call 438-4566. The speech lab is located in the second floor
atrium of Fell Hall, room 32. Make an appointment at your earliest convenience since the speech
lab fills up fast. If you need to change or cancel your appointment, you will need to call the
Speech Lab at 438-4566 or stop by in person (room 32 Fell Hall) 24 hours in advance. Please
note- the purpose of the speech lab is not to assist in writing speeches, but rather to provide
feedback on speeches that are presented. So please make sure you bring a speech that is ready to
be delivered.
INFORMATIVE SPEECH: VIRTUAL SPEECH LAB: Your class section has been specially
selected to test a new virtual speech lab for the informative speech. Ultimately, the virtual speech
lab can be a useful tool in improving the quality of your speech and public speaking skills. You
will go to http://speakeazy.co (not .com; this will not get you to the proper site). Once there,
you will login using your ilstu.edu e-mail address. You will then be directed to take a pre-survey
about your feelings about some of your speaking skills. Following this, you will see a virtual
audience on your screen; practice delivering your speech while watching this audience to
simulate a classroom speech. You will want to deliver your speech standing as you would in
the classroom to practice all delivery skills. Following your delivery of the speech, you will click
a link to take a post-survey about your perceptions of your speaking skills after practice. Once
you complete this, you will be able to print a page to turn in to your instructor with your speech
materials on your speech day so you receive credit for completing the virtual speech lab
practice. Please only complete the virtual speech lab for the informative speech; you may go to
the physical speech lab for the group and/or persuasive speeches if you choose.
PROFESSIONAL COURTESY: Professional courtesy includes respecting others' opinions, not
interrupting in class, being respectful to those who are speaking, and working together in a spirit
of cooperation. I expect you to demonstrate these behaviors at all times in this class. With that in
mind, sleeping, reading materials irrelevant to class, using a cell phone (absolutely no texting
while in class), and disrupting the class will not be tolerated and will result in the student being
considered absent for that particular class period.
PRESENTATION ETIQUETTE: On speech days, you have dual responsibilities as a speaker
and an audience member. When you are presenting, you will be expected to dress professionally
(how you dress impacts your credibility as a speaker). When you are an audience member, you
will be attentive and think critically throughout each presenter’s speech. Because most people are
nervous when they give a speech, you will be supportive both verbally and nonverbally. No food
or drink (except water) is allowed in our classroom on speech days. Please do not enter or leave
the room while a speech is in progress and remember to turn off cell phones.
BEHAVIORAL EXPECTATION POLICY: Should any student violate the expectations of
appropriate classroom behavior (as mentioned in the professional courtesy and presentation
etiquette policies above), the instructor will schedule a meeting to discuss these expectations and
develop a behavioral modification plan. If these behaviors persist, you will be at-risk for failing
the course.
UNIVERSITY BEREAVEMENT POLICY: In the event that a student experiences a death of an
immediate family member or relative as defined below, the student will be excused from class
for funeral leave, subsequent bereavement, and/or travel considerations. The student will
provide appropriate documentation and arrange to complete missed classroom work as soon as
possible according to the process outlined below. Upon notification of the absence and proper
documentation, each faculty member shall excuse the student from class according to this policy
and provide an opportunity to complete missed exams, quizzes, and other required
work. Ultimately, the student is responsible for all material covered in class and must work with
each individual professor as soon as they return to complete any required work. Details can be
found at the following website:
http://www.policy.illinoisstate.edu/students/2-1-27.shtml
CHEATING/PLAGIARISM – Students are expected to be honest in all academic work,
consistent with the academic integrity policy as outlined in the Code of Student Conduct. All
work is to be appropriately cited when it is borrowed, directly or indirectly, from another source.
Unauthorized and unacknowledged collaboration on speech topics and/or the presentation of
someone else’s work warrants plagiarism.
Students found to inadvertently commit acts of dishonesty will receive appropriate penalties
specific to the assignment in question. Students found to commit intentional acts of dishonesty
will receive a failing grade in the course and will be referred for appropriate disciplinary action
through Community Rights and Responsibilities.
SPECIAL NEEDS – Any student needing to arrange a reasonable accommodation for a
documented disability should contact Disability Concerns at 350 Fell Hall, 438-5853 (voice),
438-8620 (TDD).
MENTAL HEALTH RESOURCES:
Life at college can get very complicated. Students sometimes feel overwhelmed, lost, experience
anxiety or depression, struggle with relationship difficulties or diminished self-esteem. However,
many of these issues can be effectively addressed with a little help. Student Counseling Services
(SCS) helps students cope with difficult emotions and life stressors. Student Counseling Services
is staffed by experienced, professional psychologists and counselors, who are attuned to the
needs of college students. The services are FREE and completely confidential. Find out more at
Counseling.IllinoisState.edu or by calling (309) 438-3655.
ASSIGNMENTS:
EXAMS – There will be a midterm exam and a final exam. Exams will assess your
understanding of communication concepts and theories, as well as your application and
integration abilities.
SPEECHES – Each student will present three speeches:
A. Informative Speech (5-7 minutes, no more than 7:15; at least 4 sources)
B. Pop Culture Speech (5-7 minutes, no more than 7:15; at least 6 sources
C. Group Persuasive Speech (25-30 minutes, no more than 30:15; at least 15 sources)
(I will stop speeches when they reach 15 seconds over the time limit to ensure every
speaker is able to deliver on his/her speech day).
ALL SPEECHES MUST BE COMPLETED TO PASS THE COURSE.
Each presentation will be evaluated on content and delivery; specific details will be clearly
outlined in class. Grading criteria for the speeches can be found in your spiral. Typed outlines
and references are required for each speech and MUST be handed in prior to presenting.
You are always welcome to bring a preliminary outline to me for comments prior to your
presentation date. Additionally, if you fail to give your speech on the day it was assigned you
will automatically receive a ZERO for that speech. You are still required to give the speech in
the Speech Lab with a 3-5 person audience (that you provide).
COMMUNICATION IMPROVEMENT PROFILE and CRITICAL THINKING SELF
ASSESSMENT: This is the first major assignment in the class and thus one of the most
important. This assignment is geared to set up and outline students’ individual goals for the
semester and develop a plan of action to achieve these goals. An explanation can be found in the
spiral binder.
CURRENT EVENTS: As communicators it is vital that we keep up to date with the world
around us. The current events connection will involve researching a current local, regional,
national, or world issue in the news. Find an article (from a credible source) on the issue of
your choice. You will be assigned 1 date during the semester to present your findings to the
class. Each current events connection should demonstrate the issue’s importance, its
connection to communication, and at least one higher up question to generate discussion
amongst the class. Current events connections should be 2-3 minutes long. If you miss your
current event day, you will make it up another day, but will receive zero points.
PORTFOLIO – – The portfolio is a collection of your work in this course over the semester. It
will represent your insights, observations, experiences, and reflections that illustrate course
content. Although a detailed assignment will be provided, the end product will consist of your
Communication Improvement Profile (CIP) and Critical Thinking Self-Assessment pretest.
Follow the directions in the spiral when writing your synthesis paper.
PREPARING TO PARTICIPATE (P2P’s) – You will complete the preparing to participate
boxes for 12 of the 18 chapters covered in class (2,3,4,6,7,10,11,13,14,15,16,17) . These
questions are found throughout the chapter and really allow you to reflect on what you are
reading. I HIGHLY encourage you to complete these questions for each chapter that you are
assigned to read. I will collect the assigned P2P’s throughout the course for points. If you are
not in class on the day that I collect them, you will lose out on these points. You cannot make up
these points and late P2P’s will not be accepted. For 5 points of extra credit you may complete
only one of the not assigned chapters; however, you must turn it in on the day we discuss the
material.
Evaluation:
Informative Speech = 100 pts.
Pop Culture Speech = 100 pts.
Group Persuasive Speech = 100 pts.
Portfolio
= 40 pts.
Current Event
= 20 pts.
P2P’s
= 100 pts.
Midterm Exam
= 100 pts.
Final Exam
= 100 pts.
Activities
= 50 – 100 pts.
(This old bag, syllabus contract, small homework assignments, in-class
activities)
Total Points
TBA (between 710-760 pts.)
The grading scale is a standard ten percentage point scale:
90-100% = A; 80%-89% = B; 70%-79% = C; 60-69% = D; below 60% = F
Course Policies II:
ATTENDENCE/POLICIES1. Be here. The only excused absence accepted is through the university bereavement policy
notice. You are always responsible for all material distributed in your absence. Also note,
any/all materials are handed out only once. If you are not in class to receive them, you should
obtain the information from a fellow student.
2. You need to be here for every speech day for peer evaluations, and if you skip a speech day
when you are not presenting, you will lose 5 points off the grade for your speech. Show up to
class and support your classmates because they will do the same for you. Also, if you are late on
a speech day, NEVER come into the classroom during a speech. Wait outside until you hear
applause and the conclusion of the speech. Tardiness on speech days will result in the loss of 5
points from your speech grade for walking into the classroom during a speech or tardiness on
speech day.
ASSIGNMENT DUE DATES – All speeches, assignments, and exams must be completed on
the date assigned (no late work). If you are unprepared to deliver a speech on your assigned day
or do not come to class on an exam day, you will receive a zero for that assignment unless an
alternate due date has been previously approved or documentation has been provided for extreme
circumstances. However, you will still have to give the speech to an audience in order to
complete the class. Paper assignments must be submitted in 12-point Times New Roman or
Calibri font, double-spaced, and with one inch margins. If you would like to speak with me
regarding a grade you receive, I am happy to do so. I just ask that you please refrain from
coming to see me for 24 hours.
Please Note- Assignments are not accepted via e-mail and I will not discuss grades in class.
Students will need to meet with me during my listed office hours or by appointment.
SCHOOL OF COMMUNICATION RESEARCH POOL WEBPAGE
This website is dedicated to research projects approved by the School of Communication which
students enrolled in communication courses may participate during the semester. Com 110
students are encouraged to participate in research projects found on this website for possible
extra credit points assigned at the discretion of their instructor to facilitate the production of new
knowledge about communication and to learn about the value of research.
PHONES: No. If your phone rings in class, I may or may not answer it and have a delightful
conversation with whoever is on the other end. If I catch you texting in class, I will assume you
have learned that day’s material well enough to instruct the class—and you will be required to
teach the rest of the session. If your phone rings, if you are texting, or if you have any
technology out during someone else’s speech indicating you are not being an attentive audience
member, you will lose 5 points off your own speech grade. If you must have your phone with
you (such as in an emergency), please alert me at the beginning of the semester or class period.
COMPUTERS/IPADS/TECHNOLOGY: You are free to use them during class for COM110
PURPOSES only! If I catch you doing anything other than taking notes on your computer, it will
no longer be allowed in class. Please note: as interesting as I find our material and class, I am
sure it is not “laugh out loud” funny. Therefore, if I see you smiling at your computer, I will
assume it is no longer being used for academic purposes.
PROFESSIONALISM – All work is expected on the date it is due. I want to help you in any way
possible but will not accept less than your full effort. Like most instructors, I am more
understanding if you keep me informed; if you encounter problems, please let me know right
away. Make sure to anticipate those predictable problems so that you can prevent them (i.e. do
not attempt to save and print your speech outline 40 minute before class). Professionalism also
includes respecting others' opinions, not interrupting in class, being respectful to those who are
speaking, and working together in a spirit of cooperation.
ONLINE COMMUNICATION: I use e-mail to communicate directly to you as an individual and
as a class, which you can also access through MyIllinoisState. Please do not use the e-mail
function in ReggieNet (I do not check it regularly). Not checking your e-mail is not grounds for
not doing or doing poorly on an assignment. It’s your responsibility to (1) keep your e-mail
accounts open and up-to-date and (2) monitor your e-mail frequently
Tentative Schedule
Week
Date
Day
Material Covered
1
1/11
M
1/13
W
Review Syllabus, Assign Any Old
Bag Speech
Bag Speech
1/15
F
Introduction to Communication
1/18
1/20
M
W
1/22
F
No Class – MLK Day
Communication Confidence/
Assign CIP Paper
Ethical Communication
1/25
M
1/27
W
1/29
F
Locating and Incorporating Material
2/1
M
2/3
2/5
W
F
2/8
2/10
M
W
Organizing Ideas/ Outlining the
Presentation/Assign Current Event
Speech
In Class Work Day
Beginning and Ending the
Presentation
Current Event
Using Appropriate Language
2/12
F
Designing Presentation Aids
2/15
2/17
M
W
In Class Work Day
Delivering the Presentation
2/19
F
2/22
M
Speech Reminders/Work Day
Assign Speech Order
Informative Speeches
2
3
4
5
6
7
Perception and Self-Concept/
Choosing Topics/ Assign
Informative Speech
Analyzing your Audience/ Speech
Topic Due
Assignment
Due
Show up
Bag Speech
Read Ch. 1/
Syllabus
Contract Due
Read Ch.
2/P2P
Read Ch.
3/P2P
Read Ch. 4
P2P/ Ch. 5
Read Ch.
6/P2P
CIP/CTSA
Due
Read Ch.
7/P2P
Read Ch. 8/9
/P2P
Read Ch. 10
/P2P
Read
Ch.11/P2P
Read
Ch.12/P2P
Read Ch.
13/P2P
Presentations
8
9
10
11
12
13
14
15
17
2/24
2/26
2/29
3/2
W
F
M
W
3/4
3/14
F
M
Informative Speeches
Informative Speeches
Informative Speeches
Review for Midterm Exam/ Assign
Pop Culture speech
Midterm Exam
Communicating in Groups
3/16
3/18
W
F
In Class Work Day
Listening and Critical Thinking
3/21
M
Culture
3/23
W
3/25
3/28
3/30
4/1
F
M
W
F
4/4
M
4/6
4/8
W
F
4/11
4/13
4/15
4/18
4/20
4/22
4/25
4/27
4/30
M
W
F
M
W
F
M
W
F
In Class Work Day/ Assign Speech
Order
Pop Culture Presentations
Pop Culture Presentations
Pop Culture Presentations
Pop Culture Presentations/ Assign
Persuasive Speech
Understanding Persuasive Principles
Part I
Work Day
Understanding Persuasive Principles
Part II/ Speech Topic Due
Building Arguments Part I
Work Day/ Assign Synthesis Paper
Building Arguments Part II
Work Day/ Assign Speech Order
In Class Work Day
Group Persuasive Speeches
Group Persuasive Speeches
Group Persuasive Speeches
Review for the Final/ Synthesis
Paper
Presentations
Presentations
Presentations
Read Ch.
14/P2P
Read Ch. 15/
P2P
In class
material
In class
material
Presentations
Presentations
Presentations
Read Ch. 16
Read Ch. 16
P2Ps
Read Ch. 17
Ch. 17 P2Ps
Presentations
Presentations
Presentations
Collect
Synthesis
Paper
FINAL EXAM – TBA
Syllabus Contract
I have read the syllabus for Lisa Martin’s Com 110 and agree to the terms for required
coursework and acceptable classroom behavior.
Signature:____________________________________________________________
Name (please print)___________________________Date____________________
E-mail:_______________________________________________________________
Major:________________________________________________________________
Please list any public speaking experience, if any.
Please list at least 3 hobbies/extracurricular activities you enjoy.
Please list at least 2 goals you hope to meet through this course.
What job do you want to have in the future?
What is one thing about you that might surprise people who do not know you?