COMM 200: Communication Foundations
Syllabus
Spring 2016
PROFESSOR:
TIME:
LOCATION:
OFFICE:
PHONE:
MAILBOX:
OFFICE HOURS:
E-MAIL:
Dr. Angela M. Jerome
1:50-2:45 MWF
FAC 137
Dr. Jerome, FAC 154
Dr. Jerome, 270-745-3296
Main Communication Office
M and W from 11:45-1:45
angela.jerome@wku.edu
Required Text (it’s actually an App/Web-based product): Thompson, B., Payne, H. J.,
Jerome, A., Mize-Smith, J., Ishii, K., & Chai, S. (2013). Communication Theory App. Copyright
Western Kentucky University. Available only through the WKUStore.
Members of the Department of Communication developed the first textbook App
(as far as we know). We believe the 15 chapters we have written and their accompanying
activities will significantly improve learning in this course as they were written to specifically fit
the needs of this course. If you don’t have a device that supports Apps, that’s OK. There is also
a web-based version of the product. To buy the App you will have to go to WKU’s bookstore and
purchase a code. DO NOT LOSE THE CODE (students usually take a picture of it on their
phone or write it down in their day planner). By purchasing the App, you will also get all updates
we do to it. This feature will come in handy throughout your time as a communication major and
beyond.
ADA Notice-Disability and Accommodations:
In compliance with university policy, students with disabilities who require accommodations
(academic adjustments and/or auxiliary aids or services) for this course must contact the SARC
in DSU 1074. Please DO NOT request accommodations directly from the professor or instructor
without a letter of accommodation from SARC.
Course Description: This course serves as a survey of the communication discipline. It allows
students to understand the breadth and depth of discipline as well as the theoretical frameworks
that guide communication research in a variety of areas. It also serves to teach students how to
use their knowledge of communication theory to analyze and interpret a variety of
communication phenomena. Further, it teaches students how to read academic scholarship and
write for the discipline.
Goals:
Students will:
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Gain a clear understanding of the communication discipline, including its various
definitions and paradigms.
Understand the history and development of communication theory.
Be able to discuss the main components of communication theories.
Familiarize themselves with some of the most practical communication theories.
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Be able to apply theoretical principles to “real world” situations, interactions, and
messages.
Understand the communication process and human relational interaction in
increasingly complex and diverse environments.
Understand multiple theoretical and philosophical perspectives of communication as
reflected in its history.
Understand the role of ethics in communication.
Demonstrate competency in analyzing definitions of communication.
Demonstrate competency in analyzing and interpreting mediated communication
(i.e., CMC, organizations, mass media, politics etc.).
Demonstrate competency in analyzing and interpreting the role of communication
within organizations.
Demonstrate competency in adapting communication across contexts and diverse
communities.
Use library databases to collect academic scholarship.
Be able to understand, analyze, and summarize the contents of academic
scholarship in the communication discipline.
Write and edit an academic literature review in a format consistent with the
communication discipline.
Learn proper APA source citation techniques and paper formatting.
The course will also help students meet the following Colonnade Goals:
1. Write clear and effective prose in several forms, using conventions appropriate to
audience (including academic audiences), purpose, and genre.
2. Find, analyze, evaluate, and cite pertinent primary and secondary sources, including
academic databases, to prepare written texts.
3. Identify, analyze, and evaluate statements, assumptions, and conclusions representing
diverse points of view, and construct informed, sustained, and ethical arguments in
response.
4. Plan, organize, revise, practice, edit, and proofread to improve the development and
clarity of ideas.
5. Distinguish among various kinds of evidence by identifying reliable sources and valid
arguments.
Course Policies
Civility: Because this class works better with interaction, there will be quite a bit of it. We don’t
all have to agree on everything, but please, if you disagree with others, do so in a civil manner.
If someone chooses to use hateful, bigoted, or inappropriate language, he/she may be reported
to Judicial Affairs for further action.
Attendance: You are ADULTS!!! You are responsible for your success in this course and the
likelihood of you being successful without consistent attendance in this course is quite low given
the following policies and the rigor of course assignments. The professor is NOT responsible for
assisting students in obtaining class notes/assignments or for making students aware of
changes to the course schedule/assignments announced during a missed class unless the
student’s absence is both excused and documented.
Late Work Policy: I do not accept late work except under EXTREME circumstances
(DOCUMENTED severe illness, death in the family). Extensions are at the professor’s
discretion. If you feel your circumstance warrants an extension, please don’t assume it will be
granted. I need an email with documentation at least 12 hours PRIOR to the assignment’s
deadline for your request to be considered. Inability to get into the Communication Success
Center or University Writing Center is NOT considered and EXTREME circumstance. Please
make arrangements to utilized these services, if necessary, well in advance of course due
dates.
Academic Dishonesty: I expect that all of the assignments you complete for COMM 200 (and
in all of your other courses) are always your own work. Please read the information on
plagiarism and cheating from your student handbook for your own clarification on what
constitutes these offenses. Aside from copying work, plagiarism includes incorrectly citing
sources or presenting someone’s information as your own, without properly crediting the
source (in written or oral form).
YOU ARE RESPONSIBLE for telling your audience or reader whether you are:
1. directly quoting from a source (quotation marks should be used along with a complete
parenthetical citation)
2. paraphrasing closely from a source, which means using significant portions of another
source’s sentences, language, or ideas (requires parenthetical citation)
3. citing a primary source from a secondary source
Western Kentucky University and the Department of Communication are committed to the
highest standards of ethical conduct and academic excellence. Any student found guilty of
plagiarism, fabrication, using the same assignment (or large portions of the same
assignment) in more than one class without the written permission of BOTH professors,
cheating on an exam, or purchasing papers, speeches, or other assignments may receive a
failing grade on the assignment and in the course, and may be reported for disciplinary action.
Falsified medical excuses and presenting another student’s work as your own, or taking and
exam from the classroom also fall within the guidelines of this academic integrity policy.
All assignments will be examined through SafeAssign. SafeAssign confirms that you have
used sources accurately in your assignments and that you have in no way plagiarized anyone
else or your own work from another class (without permission). Assignments submitted to
SafeAssign will be included as source documents in SafeAssign’s restricted access database
solely for detecting plagiarism in such documents. Your professor will provide specific
instructions in class on how to submit your assignments to SafeAssign.
Electronics Policy: Because we will be using an App for this class, cell phones with App
capability, tablets, and laptops will be allowed out during class time, EXCEPT ON EXAM DAYS.
However, if the professor feels you are using the device for purposes other than those of an
educational nature, she WILL ask that your device be put away. If you do not comply, she will
ask you to leave class for the day and you will forfeit all points earned that day. Any student
using an electronic device during an exam will receive a zero on that exam and may be subject
to other university discipline.
Assignment Submission
Writing Assignments: All written work not completed in-App or in-class must be submitted via
blackboard in the appropriate space (unless otherwise noted by the professor). Papers must be
submitted in .doc and .docx file format, or else I can’t open/grade them. Papers not submitted in
one of those file formats will receive a zero grade. Emailed assignments will not be accepted
unless I indicate that is an option. Make sure you take care to submit your final draft and not a
working draft. Also, all written work must follow the APA Publication Manual (6th Ed.) unless
otherwise noted by the professor.
Corrupted Files
A word about “corrupted files”: these are obviously not accepted, nor are they given extensions
to correct, so once you submit your paper, go back and check the paper you submitted to make
sure it is still able to be opened. If it is not, email me a working copy if the one on Blackboard
somehow got corrupted immediately (as in within minutes of your original submission).
Uploading “corrupted files” (which can be downloaded from the Internet) is a technique cheaters
use to get more time on assignments. This is unfair to those that are hard-working, honest
students, and I have no patience for that.
If Blackboard locks or is down when you need to submit….
If Blackboard locks or isn’t available when you are trying to submit, email me the file with that
explanation, and then when you next are able (as in the next day!), upload your file to
Blackboard. You will have 24 hours past the deadline to do this. I won’t grade your paper until a
file is uploaded to Blackboard. This way I know you have it submitted on time, and you don’t
have to panic about Blackboard not playing nice. I will compare the file submitted via email to
the one submitted on Blackboard to make sure you haven’t used this method as a way to get
more time on an assignment. Again, that is not fair to those who were honest and did their work
on time.
Failure of Technology
Problems with Blackboard should be directed toward the IT Help Desk (270-745-7000).
Students should not put off things until the last minute, save often as they write, and keep a
permanent copy of each assignment in more than one place (a hard drive and a flash drive, for
instance—or email it to yourself!). I have no tolerance for “I didn’t save it” or for “I lost it.” If you
have a problem and call the IT Help Desk, forward me a copy of the email they send you
that opened your case if they are not able to resolve it immediately so that I know what’s
going on!
ASSIGNMENTS
ASSIGNMENT
Exams (3)
POINTS POSSIBLE
225 Points (75 points each)
Writing Assignments:
Application Papers (3@25 points each)
Comprehensive Writing Project
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Research Report (25 points)
75 Points
175 Points
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Abbreviated Literature Review (50 points)
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Final Literature Review (100 points)
In-Class and In-App Activities
150 Points
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3 Peer Review Sessions (10 points each)
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10 App Activities (10 points each)
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Other (20 points)
GRADING SCALE:
A=90% & Up
B= 80-89%
C= 70-79%
D= 60-69%
F= 0-59%
Assignment Descriptions
Exams: The make-up of course exams will be discussed in-class.
Application Papers: During the course of the semester, the professor will pose application
topics/questions. For each application, students must provide a thoughtful, typed, doublespaced, 1 ½-2 page paper on the topic/question posed (All that needs to be on the paper is your
name; don’t take up ¼ of the first page with identifying information; Also, you do not need a title
page for these assignments). In some instances, more than one topic will be offered, allowing
each student to pick the topic/question that most significantly resonates with his/her own
experiences/thoughts.
In-Class Activities, In-App Activities: In-App Activities that are marked due BEFORE
CLASS are due by 1:30 pm on the date listed on the course schedule. At 1:30 pm the
professor will check the App. All students not completing the activity by that time will be given a
zero for the activity. In-App Activities that are scheduled to be completed during class will only
count toward your grade if you attend class and participate in the activity on the day(s) the
activity takes place. The same goes for any other in-class activities for which the professor
assigns points whether they appear on the course schedule or not. In-class activities CAN NOT
be made up, but if an excused absence is accrued the day of the activity, the professor will
consider that when calculating final grades.
Comprehensive Writing Project: Each student will select a communication context, concept,
or theory that they are interested in studying further throughout the course of the semester. The
professor will provide a list of topics from which you may choose. No more than two
persons may write about the same topic unless approved by your professor. A topic “lottery” will
take place during class on a specified date. A list of potential topics will be provided on
blackboard prior to the “lottery” date. There are THREE parts to this project:
Research Report (25 points):
In one-two paragraphs, state what your topic is, why you selected your topic, and explain why
the study of your topic is important from a communication perspective. Make an argument!
This argument should incorporate at least one ACADEMIC SOURCE (complete with
appropriate APA citation). In addition, you will provide an APA-formatted reference list which is
to include at least 10 potential ACADEMIC SOURCES you could use in an academic literature
review. For the purposes of this course, ACADEMIC SOURCES refers to essays in peerreviewed, scholarly communication journals or academic books. There may be instances
where valuable information lies in the content of peer-reviewed scholarly journals or
academic books of fields related to communication (e.g., public relations, leadership,
sociology, psychology). Those are fine to use so long as the concepts discussed in them
are clearly communication-related. This process will allow your professors to suggest other
sources which may be relevant to your paper.
Abbreviated Literature Review (50 points, 2-3 pages):
Using your knowledge of literature review writing learned in class, you will begin your final
project by explaining why your topic represents an important area of study or is important to the
understanding of the communication discipline (cite at least one academic source to back up
your claim). Then, you will be summarizing the major/most interesting findings/criticisms on your
topic that you uncovered from at least TWO ACADEMIC SOURCES in a literature review
format, using APA formatting and source citation (complete with title and reference pages). One
of your sources MUST be a primary research study.
***Papers which are turned in without the proper number/type of sources, in-text
citations, a reference page, and/or without a primary research study cited within the
paper may start with a 70%!
Final Literature Review (100 points):
Your final literature review will be an expansion of your abbreviated literature review, consisting
of at least 5 total sources (the two from your abbreviated literature review may be used in this
count unless instructed otherwise by your professor) and must be 5-6 pages in length. First, fix
any mistakes noted by your professor on your abbreviated literature review. Then, expand it by
integrating at least three additional sources. Two of the new sources must be from ACADEMIC
SOURCES. One source may be from a credible popular press source (e.g., Advertising Age,
Communication World, Broadcasting and Cable, PR WEEK). Your textbook does NOT count...
A grading rubric for the paper will be posted on Blackboard later in the semester. The
conclusion of your Final Literature Review should make an argument for future research in the
area (your professor will discuss this in detail as the semester gets underway).
Note: If you are instructed by the professors to change one or more of the sources used in your
abbreviated literature review or if you choose to change one or more of the sources you used in
the abbreviated literature review for some reason, please make sure your final literature
review still contains 5 total sources, at least 4 from ACADEMIC SOURCES (at least one of
which is a primary research study).
***Papers which are turned in without the proper number/type of sources, in-text
citations, a reference page, and/or without a primary research study cited within the
paper may start with a 70%!