The University of Montana-Missoula
College of Technology
Applied Arts and Sciences Department
Fall 2010, Course Syllabus
Course Number and Title: Com 260S, Survey of Children’s Communication
Semester Credits: 3
Instructor: Kim Reiser, M.A.
E-mail: kim.reiser@umontana.edu
I am most easily reached by e-mail. However, if e-mail is not easily accessible to
you, it is also possible for you to leave messages for me at 243-7839.
Office Location: Main faculty office (HB 02) in the HB building at the College of
Technology
Office Hours: Monday 11-12, Thursday 12:30-1:30, or By Appointment
Course Description
This course provides a survey of communication processes in early childhood through
adolescence. In particular, the course focuses on how children learn to
communicate; the contemporary communication environments of children/
adolescence including interactions in family relationships, friendships, as well as
media; and challenges concerning childhood communication and its affect on later
communication development (e.g. aggression, violence, etc.).
Student Performance Outcomes
1. Trace the development of children’s nonverbal and verbal communication.
2. Identify environmental influences on children and adolescents’
communicative and social development.
3. Observe and analyze patterns of children and adolescents’ communication
with one another.
4. Review and interpret current research on child and adolescent
communication.
Textbooks
Roberts, M. (2000). Horse sense for people. NY: Penguin Books.
Articles on Electronic Reserve (www.lib.umt.edu).
Grading
Exams (2) – 30% of grade
Abstract Paper #1 on Early Childhood Communication – 10% of grade
Abstract Paper #2 on Adolescent Communication – 10% of grade
Assignments – 20% of grade
Research Paper – 20% of grade
Attendance Policy
It is my belief that what you gain from a course is dependent on what you put into
it. Attendance will determine a student’s level of success. If you miss a class, you
will miss a learning opportunity. Students with fewer than two absences during the
semester will see their final grade increased by 5%. Students with more than three
absences may lose their privilege for a makeup should an emergency arise.
*Students who sleep, leave early/come late, or work on other assignments
during class will not be counted as present.
Test Makeup Policy: I believe the classroom setting should be treated like any
other professional setting. Employers and coworkers tend to be forgiving of a
person’s absence for an important meeting or engagement if that person has proven
to be dependable in the past. My policy follows this principle.
If the following conditions are met, you may be given an opportunity to make up a
test:
1.
You must be in good standing in the class. This means no more than three
absences, no late assignments and passing grades on all completed assignments.
2.
You must notify me prior to missing the test that you will be unable to attend
that class period, and provide an explanation for your absence. Personal illness,
family emergencies and unexpected events are acceptable reasons for rescheduling a
test. You may be asked for documentation of verification of your excuse.
3.
Within 24 hours of missing the test, you must schedule an appointment with
me to make up your test.
ASSIGNMENTS TURNED IN A CLASS DAY LATE WILL BE GRADED OUT OF HALF
CREDIT. BEYOND THIS DATE, ASSIGNMENTS WILL NOT BE ACCEPTED.
*COURSE POLICIES ARE APPLIED AT THE DISCRETION OF THE INSTRUCTOR.
Academic Misconduct
All students must practice academic honesty. Academic misconduct is subject to an
academic penalty by the course instructor and/or a disciplinary sanction by the
University.
All students need to be familiar with the Student Conduct Code. The Code is
available for review online at http://www.umt.edu/SAV/VPSA/index.cfm/page/1321.
Drop Policy
“Beginning the thirty-first day of the semester through the last day of instruction
before scheduled final exams, documented justification is required for dropping
courses by petition. Some examples of documented circumstances that may
merit approval are: registration errors, accident or illness, family emergency,
change in work schedule, no assessment of performance in class until after the
deadline, or other circumstances beyond the student’s control” (UM Catalogue).
Failing is not an acceptable reason to drop the course.
Course Calendar
August
31
Introductions
September
2
Roberts, Horse sense for people, Chapter 2
7
Roberts Reading Continued, Chapter 6
9
Video
14
Eliot, Language and the developing brain, pp. 351-390, Electronic Reserve
16
Haslett, Nonverbal communication: Its origins and development, pp. 20-56,
Electronic Reserve
21
Samter & Haslett, Family influences on communicative and social
development, pp. 20-56, Electronic Reserve
23
ABSTRACT 1 (Early Childhood Communication) AND PRESENTATIONS DUE
28
Roberts Reading, chapter TBA
30
Faber & Mazlish, Engaging cooperation, pp. 47-88, Electronic Reserve
October
5
Sunwolf, Peer groups, pp. 53-72, Electronic Reserve
7
Goleman, Emotional intelligence, Electronic Reserve
Guest Speaker, Mindfulness in Early Childhood Education
12
Video
14
Louv, Last child in the woods, Electronic Reserve
Mindful Eating Exercise
19
MID-TERM EXAMINATION
21
Flansburg [Reiser], This is the time out
room…Sometimes you’ll find the teachers in here”: An ethnography of
motivational interviewing techniques in the classroom, Electronic Reserve
26
Kindlon, Raising Cain: Protecting the emotional life of boys, Electronic
Reserve
28
Kindlon reading continued
November
2
Video
4
Video
9
Simmons, Odd girl out, Electronic Reserve
11
Simmons reading continued
16
ABSTRACT 2 (adolescent childhood communication) AND PRESENTATIONS
DUE
18
Faber & Mazlish, How to talk so teens will listen and listen so teens will talk,
Electronic Reserve
23
Austin, Hust, & Kistler, Powerful media tools, Electronic Reserve
24-26
30
THANKSGIVING HOLIDAY, NO CLASSES
Berman, Talking to kids about sex handbook, Electronic Reserve
December
2
Wrap Up
7
RESEARCH PAPERS AND PRESENTATIONS DUE
9
RESEARCH PAPER PRESENTATIONS CONTINUED
14-18 FINALS WEEK; We will meet during our prescribed final time for our final
exam.