Communication 1310: Fundamentals of Human Communication.
Academic Semester/Term: Spring 2021
Course description (from catalog): This course examines the speaking and listening principles and
techniques that are fundamental for every aspect of human communication. The course develops
basic verbal and nonverbal communication skills and knowledge in three specific contexts:
interpersonal, small group and public speaking.
Instructor: Mark Paz
Course section number: COMM 1310 Section 251, ONLINE - Asynchronous
Instructor’s office number: CENT 320
Email: mp53@txstate.edu
Office Hours: T-Th 11:00 a.m. – 12:30 p.m.
Department phone: 512-245-1364
via ZOOM link: https://txstate.zoom.us/j/97973932039
Lab Information: Please note that all lab work will be done online through discussions,
participation assignments, and reading quizzes.
Lab Information:
Section
L01
L02
L03
L04
L05
L06
L07
L08
Instructor
Email
Office Hours
Samantha Perez
slp141@txstate.edu
T/TH 9:00 – 10:30 via ZOOM link:
https://txstate.zoom.us/j/91327991066
Brady Hayes
bnh61@txstate.edu
Tyler Cole
t_c232@txstate.edu
TH 1:00 – 4:00 (or by appointment) via
ZOOM link:
https://txstate.zoom.us/j/94720617071
M 2:00-3:00 via ZOOM link:
https://txstate.zoom.us/j/93925763265
Th 2:30-3:30 via ZOOM link
https://txstate.zoom.us/j/94037009114
General Education Core Curriculum (Code 090)
Component Area Option Communication Foundational Component Outcomes:
Courses in this category focus on developing ideas and expressing them clearly, considering the
effect of the message, fostering understanding, and building the skills needed to communicate
persuasively.
Courses involve the command of oral, aural, written, and visual literacy skills that enable people to
exchange messages appropriate to the subject, occasion, and audience.
Core Objectives/Competencies Outcomes:
• Critical Thinking
o Students will demonstrate creative thinking, innovation, inquiry, and analysis,
evaluation and synthesis of information.
• Communication
o Students will effectively develop, interpret and express ideas through written, oral and
visual communication.
Page 1
•
•
Teamwork
o Students will recognize different points of view and work effectively with others to
support a shared purpose or goal.
Personal Responsibility
o Students will relate choices, actions and consequences to ethical decision-making.
Course Description and General Objectives
According to the authors of your textbook, “human communication is the process of making sense out
of the world and attempting to share that sense with others, through verbal and nonverbal messages.”
This course teaches the principles that are fundamental for every aspect of human communication. In
our study of human communication we will discuss a number of skills, ideas, concepts, and contexts. We
will organize our study around five principles. Together, these five principles provide a framework for
our discussion of the importance and pervasiveness of human communication.
The five principles include:
Principle One: Be aware of how you communicate with others and how others communicate with you.
Principle Two: Effectively use and interpret verbal messages.
Principle Three: Effectively use and interpret nonverbal messages.
Principle Four: Listen and respond thoughtfully to others.
Principle Five: Appropriately adapt messages to others.
We will also examine and apply the five principles to three contexts including Interpersonal, Small
Group, and Presentational Speaking.
After completing COMM 1310, you will:
1. List, describe, and explain the five principles of human communication and identify how they
are integrated into the interpersonal, small group/team, and presentational speaking contexts.
2. Analyze and appropriately manage interpersonal conflict by using the five principles of human
communication.
3. Identify and describe appropriate adaptive messages in intercultural communication situations
and demonstrate appropriate affective responses to intercultural communication interactions.
4. Develop, organize, and deliver an informative presentation integrating the five principles into
your presentation.
5. Describe and demonstrate how to effectively and ethically use the five steps of group problem
solving (reflective thinking) while applying the five principles.
6. Develop, organize, and deliver a persuasive presentation integrating the five principles into your
presentation.
Course Textbook and Guidebook
By being enrolled in this course, you will gain direct access to the electronic course materials through
our course's Canvas page. The cost of your COMM 1310 e-textbook and e-guidebook has already been
rolled into your tuition, so there will be no out of pocket cost to you and you will not need to search the
bookstores to find what you need. The following link will direct you to a video that explains how to
register for and access your learning materials:https://screencast-o-matic.com/watch/cYji2YGlpl. The
campus bookstore has also sent you a welcome email that provides more information about the direct
access program.
The electronic access to the course materials will include the following:
Page 2
Beebe, S. A., Beebe, S. J., & Ivy, D. K. (2018). Communication: Principles for a Lifetime (7th ed.). Boston:
Pearson.
Fundamentals of Human Communication: COMM 1310 Student Guidebook 2019-2020. Boston: Pearson.
Course Grades:
Assignments
Points
Participation
Lesson Assignments
60
Lesson Forums
40
Pre-Post Tests (online)
10
Reading Quizzes OR Final Exam
100
Written Assignment – The Diversity Reflection Paper
30
Informative Presentation
Outline, Turnitin, & Audience Adaptation
Speaking Notes
100
15
5
Group Problem Solving and Ethical Decision Project
Problem Solving Report
Outline, Turnitin, & Audience Adaptation
Speaking Notes
Group Persuasive Oral Presentation
Group Member Assessment
40
15
5
60
20
Extra Credit
Total Points
+
pts. (10 max)
500
447 – 500 = A; 397 – 446 = B; 347 – 396 = C; 297 – 346 = D; and 000 – 296 = F
Grades are determined on your accumulated total rather than a percentage. Also note that it is your
responsibility to complete ALL assignments/examinations in order to obtain a passing grade in this
course. Without credit for all exams/assignments it is impossible to accurately evaluate student
progress, and this will result in a failing grade. There is absolutely no rounding-up even if you are
one point from an A you have earned a B.
Course Requirement Overview
Course Requirement Policy.
Course requirements MUST be submitted on time (by the deadline communicated by your instructor) in
order to be accepted. Thus, we DO NOT accept late work. Any exceptions, determined on a case-bycase basis, will require extremely compelling, well-documented reasons. If you experience dire
circumstances (e.g. accident, hospitalization, family death, etc.) you MUST provide documentation to
your instructor via notification by the Dean of Students office.
Page 3
Attendance.
Because this class is conducted online, there is not a traditional attendance policy. Instead, you will earn
a portion of your grade based on participation. COMM 1310 emphasizes cognitive as well as experiential
learning, so it is important that you participate in every lesson. Each lesson will have participation points
via a reading comprehension quiz, discussion forums, and other small assignments. All quizzes and
participation assignments must be completed individually and in accordance with Texas State’s honor
code policy. Both the quizzes and small assignments will contribute to your overall participation grade in
the following way:
Forums.
You will be required to participate in various discussion forums over the course of the semester. You can
earn up to 40 points for your participation in the forums. Your participation will be assessed in terms of
your initial posts and follow-up posts responding to other students. More information about how your
forum participation will be assessed will be provided on our CANVAS site.
Assignments.
You will be required to complete six participation assignments throughout the course of the semester.
You can earn up to 60 points for your completion of these assignments. More information about how
your participation assignments will be assessed will be provided on our course’s CANVAS sites.
Quizzes.
You will take multiple quizzes throughout the semester that will assess your comprehension of the
weekly readings. Each of the quizzes is multiple-choice and can be found with the Modules tab on our
CANVAS site. The quizzes will add up to 100 points of your course grade. However, you have the choice
of replacing your quiz grades with the optional final exam. If you aren’t happy with your performance on
the quizzes, you may take the comprehensive final exam (worth 100 points) and replace these grades.
Please see the study guide and sample exam items in the student guidebook for study preparation.
Final Exam.
You have the option to take a comprehensive, final exam that will replace the comprehension quiz
grades. If you opt to take the final exam, you will take it online through the Quizzes tab on our CANVAS
site. The items are phrased in a multiple-choice format and are application based. Study guide
questions for each chapter are located in the student Guidebook. The exam includes 50 multiplechoice items and is worth 100 points. The final exam will cover content from Chapters 1-15 and PUGSS.
Extra Credit.
You may earn up to 10 Extra Credit points (Maximum). Pay attention to the dates when they are
announced. It is up to you to take advantage of these EXTRA opportunities to enhance your 1310 grade.
Pre-Post Tests.
You will complete two online assessments in this course. These have been created to determine your
knowledge of communication principles coming into and upon completion of the class. You will be
assigned 10 points for completing BOTH online assessment instruments. You will earn NO points if
you only complete either the pre-test OR the post-test. These assessments are only available in the
modules tab of our course’s CANVAS site.
Diversity Reflection Paper.
You will be expected to participate in an online activity that requires you to engage in a multicultural
Page 4
experience and reflect on this in a paper assignment. This written report is worth 30 points. You will
submit your paper to Turnitin via our course’s CANVAS page. The Similarity Index must be less than
20%, thus indicating that your paper must consist of at least 80% of your original work. If the Similarity
Index is over 20%, you will receive a zero on the assignment. Additionally, in order to submit your
diversity reflection paper, you will first need to participate in the diversity reflection forum (worth 10
points). If you DO NOT participate in the diversity reflection forum, you will NOT be allowed to submit
a diversity reflection paper. Thus, you would earn a zero on this assignment.
Group Problem-Solving and Ethical Decision-Making Assignment.
You will work in teams of 4-6 people to solve a problem affecting the Texas State campus community.
Your group will use the problem-solving steps developed by Dewey (Chapter 10) to complete this
assignment. As part of this problem-solving process, you will work with your group to discuss how your
selected solution will ethically impact your audience. Finally, your group will present a persuasive
speech using Monroe’s Motivated Sequence (discussed in Chapter 15). Turnitin will also be required for
this assignment. The Similarity Index must be less than 20%; your report must consist of at least 80%
of your original work. You can earn 140 points for this project.
Oral Presentations.
You will develop, organize, and deliver two oral presentations. The first is an individual informative
presentation (worth 120 points) and the second is a group persuasive presentation related to your
problem-solving assignment. Turnitin will also be required for both speeches. The Similarity Index must
be less than 20%; the content of your speech must consist of at least 80% of your original work. You
will not be allowed to speak unless a suitable Originality Report has been turned in with your Initial
Outline. If you are asked to make significant revisions to your Initial Outline, you may be asked to
resubmit a Turnitin Report (This process can take up to 48 hours). We will use Zoom to facilitate the
oral presentations in this class.
According to Division of Information Technology, “Zoom is a web-conferencing tool. Its highly accessible
features allow you to attend video or audio meetings, hold webinars, share presentations and transfer
files, teach and attend online classes in real time, and much more. Meetings can be joined from desktop
computers, laptops, tablets, or smartphones. Sessions can be recorded so those who cannot attend can
still benefit from this tool.” More information about how to use Zoom will be provided on the lecture’s
CANVAS site.
Texas State Student Honor Code
As members of a community dedicated to learning, inquiry, and creation, the students, faculty and
administration of our University live by the principles in this Honor Code. All students enrolled in COMM
1310 will read the principles and sign the University Honor Code located in the course Guidebook. These
principles require all members of this community to be conscientious, respectful, and honest.
We are conscientious. We complete our work on time and make every effort to do it right. We come to
class and meetings prepared and are willing to demonstrate it. We hold ourselves to doing what is
required, embrace rigor, and shun mediocrity, special requests and excuses.
We are respectful. We act civilly toward one another, and we cooperate with each other. We will strive
to create an environment in which people respect and listen to one another, speaking when
appropriate, and permitting other people to participate and express their views.
Page 5
We are honest. We do our own work and are honest with one another in all matters. We understand
how various acts of dishonesty, like plagiarizing, falsifying data, and giving or receiving assistance to
which one is not entitled, conflict as much with academic achievement as with the values of honesty and
integrity.
The Pledge for Students
Students at our University recognize that, to insure honest conduct, more is needed than an expectation
of academic honesty, and we therefore adopt the practice of affixing the following pledge of honesty to
the work we submit for evaluation: “I pledge to uphold the principles of honesty and responsibility at
our University.”
The Pledge for Faculty and Administration
Faculty at our University recognize that the students have rights when accused of academic dishonesty
and will inform the accused of their rights of appeal laid out in the student handbook and inform them
of the process that will take place. “I recognize students’ rights and pledge to uphold the principles of
honesty and responsibility at our University.”
ADDRESSING ACTS OF DISHONESTY
Students accused of dishonest conduct may have their cases heard by the faculty member. The student
may also appeal the faculty member’s decision to the Honor Code Council. Students and faculty will
have the option of having an advocate present to insure their rights. Possible actions that may be taken
range from exoneration to expulsion. http://www.txstate.edu/effective/upps/uppsB07B10B01.html
Course Policies
The complete explanation of policies for this course can be found in the Guidebook. Make sure you have
read and are familiar with the policies covering Academic Honesty, Late Work, and Research
Participation. It is your responsibility to understand and adhere to the policies in the syllabus and
guidebook.
Late Work Policy. We DO NOT accept late assignments. Any exceptions, determined on a case-by-case
basis, will require extremely compelling, well-documented reasons. If you experience dire circumstances
(e.g., accident, hospitalization, or family death) you MUST provide documentation via notification
by the Dean of Students office.
Academic Honesty and Plagiarism. If you are not familiar with the definition or penalties for
plagiarism and other violations of our honor code, please discuss this with me or visit
http://policies.txstate.edu/university- policies/07-10-01.html. Plagiarism includes the appropriation
of another’s work and the inadequately or inappropriately acknowledged incorporation of that work
in one’s own written, oral, visual, or original performative work that is offered for credit. Examples
include:
 submitting an assignment that was written during a prior semester or submitting the same
assignment for more than one class simultaneously to include resubmitting substantial
portions of previously written work for a current assignment, unless instructors in multiples
courses are informed of and approve of the submission. Students should consult with their
instructors if unsure of what work of their own they may use in preparing an assignment
 copying from another student’s paper partially or entirely or from any source without proper
citation such as a book, article, notebook, video, or other source material, whether published
or unpublished
Page 6

inserting a passage from the internet or any computer source into one’s paper without proper
citation
 collaborating, without authorization, with another person during an examination or in
preparing academic work. In some instances, instructors may indicate permitted forms of
collaboration with other students. If the instructor does not indicate that collaboration is
permitted, it should be understood that none is permitted
If you are caught plagiarizing, faculty WILL report the academic dishonesty to the Honor Code
Council. We take plagiarism very seriously. Do NOT do it.
Special Circumstances. If you are a student with a disability who will require an accommodation(s) to
participate in this course, please contact me as soon as possible. You will be asked to provide
documentation from the Office of Disability Services. Failure to contact me in a timely manner may
delay your accommodations. For more information contact ODS by phone (512) 245-3451 or refer to
the Office of Disability Service’s Website: www.ods.txstate.edu. We are happy to work with your
accommodation.
Policy on Fairness. Texas State University is committed to social justice. We concur with that
commitment and expect to maintain a positive learning environment based upon open communication,
mutual respect, and non-discrimination. Texas State does not discriminate on the basis of race, color,
national origin, age, sex, religion, sexual orientation or disability. Any suggestions as to how to further
such a positive and open environment in this course will be appreciated and given serious consideration.
Policy on Civility: To create a basic supportive environment, you are requested to follow some simple
policies to ensure that all students have the opportunity to gain from their time spent in class. Students
are prohibited from engaging in any form of behavior that distracts from the learning experience of
others or disturbs the teaching function in lecture OR lab. Please review examples of classroom
misconduct as outlined in the Guidebook.
Policy on Grades and Attendance: Records on grades and attendance will be available on CANVAS.
There will be a one-week window for discussing any assignment after grades have been returned.
There will NOT be an opportunity to discuss attendance or grades during the last week of the semester
or after the semester is over. Please be PROACTIVE and discuss your concerns with your instructor
within the appropriate time period.
Expectations. It is expected that students will adhere to the policies described in the syllabus. Since this
is a college course, the 1310 teaching team has high expectations about appropriateness of behavior,
level of discourse, the creation of a collaborative and supportive climate, punctuality and attendance,
and respect for persons. We expect that excellent work will be turned in at all times. Superior work will
earn a superior grade, while minimal effort will earn a minimal grade. We encourage students to
address concerns about class procedures and/or assignments so our learning experience together can
be enhanced.
Professionalism. To create an environment of enlightenment and equality, we must all conduct
ourselves in a professional manner. Professionalism includes completing assignments on time, taking
initiative in your own learning, exhibiting a positive attitude and enthusiasm, asking for help when
needed, and working effectively with others. It is our goal that time together is an enjoying and
enriching experience. If you like and enjoy something, please speak up. If you are offended in any way,
please do not remain silent.
Page 7
Course Support Services
CANVAS.
You will be required to use the course CANVAS site. You will use the course CANVAS site for the
following purposes: to retrieve course grades, assignments and evaluation forms, to view lecture power
points, access Pearson textbook material, and send/receive email related to the course. In order to view
all of this from CANVAS, you need to have an active Texas State email account. For those without an
active email account, activate your account online by visiting the following web site:
www.txstate.edu/computing/apps/newuser.html This web site will walk you through the process. When
logging on to CANVAS, go to the University webpage and click on the “CANVAS” link. You will use your
username and password to gain access. Students are encouraged to check their Texas State email and
CANVAS announcements regularly for updates throughout the semester.
Email.
There is important information that will be communicated to you via email or CANVAS. It is imperative
that you check your email and CANVAS daily and respond in a timely manner. Indicating that, “I didn’t
read my email” is NOT an excuse for being unaware of information or feedback coming from your
instructors. All students should take proper steps to protect their password when logging into email or
CANVAS.
Minimum Technical Skills.
This course requires you to be able to navigate CANVAS and the tools located within the site. You will also
need to have basic knowledge of Microsoft Word. This course involves assignments where you need to
upload photos, record a video, and participate in live video-conferencing. Please be ready to use these
skills through the semester.
Withdrawing from the Course.
It is the student's responsibility to withdraw from the course, if necessary. Students should check the
academic calendar for official drop dates. Students with excessive absences will strongly be encouraged
to drop, as a passing grade will be difficult to obtain.
What you can expect from this course and your instructional team:

We will be present online via email, CANVAS announcements, webinars, mini-lectures, etc. We
will respond to your forums and email questions within 24 business hours.

We will provide clear and detailed instructions, written and/or verbal, about meeting times,
assignments, due dates, participation requirements, and any other expectations of you in this online
course.

We will provide timely (within 2-4 weekdays or sooner when possible), well-informed, constructive
feedback on your course assignments and guidance that is individualized to your needs.

We will provide a thoughtfully designed CANVAS course site that delineates the objectives you are
expected to address and provides guidance on where, when, and how to complete assignments using
the various CANVAS tools available in the site.


We will provide thought-provoking readings and discussions throughout the course.
What we expect from you:
You will complete all assignments, forums, and tasks within each module.
Page 8

You will endeavor to meet all deadlines stated in the syllabus and CANVAS site.

You will provide advanced notice if you see a deadline or other obligation that conflicts with another
professional or personal obligation that you are unable to reschedule.

You will invest the time required to produce high-quality work.

You will actively participate in online discussions by offering your critical analysis of new ideas and
linking them to your own experiences or to other related concepts and principles.

You will carefully attend to my verbal and written instructions before you submitting anything. This
includes double-checking written instructions before asking a question.

You will be open to new ideas and technologies.

You will be patient with technology and willing to solve technical problems proactively by seeking
assistance from me, or when necessary from CANVAS support or ITAC.

You will have access to Microsoft Word.

You will practice appropriate online etiquette, commonly referred to as netiquette.

You will notify your instructors as soon as possible if you require any special accommodations.
Campus Health, Wellness, and Safety
12 Guiding Principles for Health, Safety, and Wellness at Texas State
Mask Up
Cloth face coverings are required in all:
 public indoor spaces
 private indoor spaces when physical distancing is not possible
 outdoor spaces when physical distancing is not possible
The use of two-ply cloth face coverings is the cornerstone of our plan to combat the spread of COVID-19.
Face coverings need to become second nature to all of us. Visit the Face Coverings & Masks page for more
information.
Make Space
Physical distancing of at least 6 feet should be maintained whenever possible indoors and outdoors. TXST has
modified on-campus operations in numerous ways to promote physical distancing:
Learn more on the Physical Distancing page of the Roadmap
Get Tested
COVID-19 testing is critical in our efforts to keep our campuses healthy and safe. COVID-19 testing for
students, faculty and staff consists of three components: testing people with symptoms, testing people with
NO symptoms, and testing people who have been exposed or are close contacts. Find testing locations at TX
COVID-19 Test Collection Sites and Curative, Inc. Testing Sites
Report to Bobcat Trace
If you receive a positive COVID-19 test result, report it to Bobcat Trace as soon as possible. When you do,
you will receive guidance on isolation protocols, and the contact tracing team will begin to identify and notify
close contacts.
Page 9
Wash Up
Practice proper hand hygiene. Frequent hand washing is one of the most important things we must do to
keep our community safe. When hand washing is not possible, hand sanitizer is a good substitute.
 Students will be issued personal hand sanitizer misters.
 Students can refill these personal misters at hand sanitizer refill stations, which will be placed
throughout the campuses by the final weeks of July. These stations will be refilled nightly with hand
sanitizer manufactured by Texas State’s College of Science and Engineering.
Cover Up
Remember to cover your mouth and nose when you cough or sneeze. Review the CDC guidance on covering
your mouth, sneezing and coughing.
Clean Up
Custodial staff have been trained on effective methods and provided protective equipment as needed for
their jobs. LEARN MORE and WATCH A VIDEO about TXST on-campus sanitation and disinfecting practices
 Custodial services will spray classrooms nightly with a hospital-grade sanitizer using an electrostatic
sprayer. The concentration is sufficient to kill the virus but low enough not to damage fabrics or
corrode metal surfaces. The product is approved by the FDA and has long been utilized in hospitals.
 We have extended the classroom electrostatic anti-viral spraying to include shared spaces and private
offices on our campuses on a regular basis.
 Cleaning supplies, including sprayers, cloths, and disposable gloves, will be placed in a container in each
classroom in case there is an immediate need. Custodial services will clean and restock supplies as
needed. The containers will also provide a few masks for those individuals who may have forgotten
their masks that day.
Stay Home
Sick persons must stay home and not come to either university campus or any university events. This includes
anyone exhibiting symptoms who is not yet diagnosed with an illness.
 Students: Conduct a daily self-assessment. Sick persons must stay home. This includes anyone
exhibiting symptoms who is not yet diagnosed with an illness. Notify your instructors as soon as
possible that you'll miss class. Call your doctor or the Student Health Center for medical attention
and COVID-19 testing, if deemed appropriate.
 Employees: Conduct a daily self-assessment. Sick persons must stay home. This includes anyone
exhibiting symptoms who is not yet diagnosed with an illness. Employees must follow appropriate
polices for providing notice when sick. The university provides several leave and benefit options for
our employees, which have been enhanced with the Families First Coronavirus Relief Act provisions.
If an employee shows up to work and is symptomatic, their supervisor must direct them to leave the
workplace immediately and report the incident. Employees who come on university property while
they have been directed to self-isolate or self-quarantine will be subject to discipline.
Check Yourself
Each day, students and employees must conduct a basic self-assessment for symptoms of COVID-19 before
they come to either university campus.
This self-assessment is a critical step every Bobcat must take to keep our community safe. View the selfassessment.
Below are some, though not all, of the university facilities or departments that are requiring mandatory onsite daily assessments, which include COVID-19 symptom and temperature screening, for all staff:
Page
10
 Child Development Center (twice per day on staff and children)
 Student Recreation Center
 All Athletics Facilities (including Bobcat Stadium, exercise rooms, etc.)
 Dining Services Facilities
 University Police Department
Optimize Ventilation
Indoor ventilation is being evaluated and optimized across our campuses. Many university departments are
collaborating with Facilities Operations to evaluate and identify spaces where indoor ventilation
improvements are warranted, following a set of guidelines being used by many large universities across the
country. This optimization involves:
 Maximizing the amount of outside air introduced into our buildings
 Decreasing temperature while maintaining humidity control
 Optimizing space pressurization
 Increasing air changes per hour
 Installing HEPA filtration equipment with ultraviolet light treatment capabilities in all organized
classrooms.
View the university’s HVAC guidelines here.
Set Boundaries
Facilities Operations is leading efforts to place physical barriers, such as plexiglass sneeze guards, in key areas
where there is significant face-to-face interaction. Examples of facilities on-campus where new physical
barriers have been installed include the Alkek Library, the Office of Financial Aid, and the Testing Center.
Request Additional Modifications
Students, faculty and staff at higher risk for complications from COVID-19, as defined by the CDC, can request
additional working or learning modifications.
To request these accommodations, visit these resources:
 Employee Special Request for Additional Workplace Modifications
 Student Special Request for Additional Academic Modifications
BOBCAT PLEDGE
Being part of our Bobcat community means we respect each other and commit to helping create a healthy
and safe learning and working campus environment. Every student, faculty and staff member must take
responsibility for practicing healthy behaviors and following the health and safety guidelines established by
Texas State to prevent the spread of COVID-19 on campus and in the surrounding community.
As a member of the Bobcat community, I PLEDGE TO:
1. RESPECT OTHERS
 Wear a face covering in all indoor public spaces
 Maintain physical distancing of at least 6 feet where possible
 Wear a face covering outdoors when physical distancing is not possible
 Stay home if sick, or if I have symptoms of COVID-19, or if I have had prolonged direct contact with
someone who has tested positive for COVID-19
Page
11
2. RESPECT MYSELF
 Wash my hands often with soap and water and use hand sanitizer frequently
 Complete a daily self-assessment to check for COVID-19 symptoms
 Seek medical evaluation if I am sick, or if I have symptoms of COVID-19, or if I have had prolonged direct
contact with someone who has tested positive for COVID-19
 Avoid crowded activities or social gatherings where physical distancing is not possible or where others
are not wearing face coverings
3. RESPECT OUR TXST COMMUNITY
 If I test positive for COVID-19, or have had prolonged direct contact with someone who has tested
positive, I will notify the Student Health Center
 Follow CDC and university guidance on testing, contact-tracing, self-isolation and quarantine when
appropriate
 Practice these health and safety measures all the time, whether I am on campus, in the community, or
at home
Please visit the Student Roadmap for more information on students’ return to campus.
Statement on Civility and Compliance in the Classroom
Civility in the classroom is very important for the educational process and it is everyone’s responsibility. If
you have questions about appropriate behavior in a particular class, please address them with your instructor
first. Disciplinary procedures may be implemented for refusing to follow an instructor’s directive, refusing to
leave the classroom, not following the university’s requirement to wear a cloth face covering, not complying
with social distancing or sneeze and cough etiquette, and refusing to implement other health and safety
measures as required by the university. Additionally, the instructor, in consultation with the department
chair/school director, may refer the student to the Office of the Dean of Students for further disciplinary
review. Such reviews may result in consequences ranging from warnings to sanctions from the
university. For more information regarding conduct in the classroom, please review the following policies
at AA/PPS 02.03.02, Section 03: Courteous and Civil Learning Environment, and Code of Student Conduct,
number II, Responsibilities of Students, Section 02.02: Conduct Prohibited.
A Personal Note your Instructor:
I’m looking forward to having you in class and getting to know you as we work through our semester
together. COMM 1310 is one of my favorite courses to teach. Please know that we are committed to
quality teaching. If you have any questions about the course while you’re on CANVAS, the best place to
start is by reaching out to me or your lab instructor. Feel free to ask us anything, and we will do our
best to support you. If you ever need any extra help in this class, please come to my office (if you’re in
San Marcos) or shoot me or your lab instructor an email and we’d love to help you out with whatever
you need. Thanks for being here!
Please see the following pages for your course daily schedule. Please read it carefully and follow it for
every class lesson. Please also know that it is subject to change
Page
12
COURSE SCHEDULE
The following course schedule is subject to change. Make sure you complete each task listed next to the
boxes by the date indicated. Assignments are due 11:59 pm unless otherwise noted.
MODULE
Introduction
Foundations of
Human
Communication
Self-Awareness
and Perception
Verbal
Communication
Nonverbal
Communication
Listening and
Responding
Adapting to
Others
TO-DO LIST
































Read: Syllabus
Watch: Course Introduction Video
Quiz: Syllabus Quiz (6 points)
Assignments: Pre-Test
Discussion 1: Introductions
1. Initial Post (2 points)
2. Response Post (2 points)
Read: Chapter 1
Watch: Chapter 1 Mini-Lecture
Quiz: Chapter 1 Quiz (6 points)
Assignment: Models of Communication (10 points)
Read: Chapter 2
Watch: Chapter 2 Mini-Lecture
Quiz: Chapter 2 (6 points)
Discussion: Perception Checking
1. Initial Post (3 points)
2. Response Post (3 points)
Read: Chapters 3
Watch: Chapter 3 Mini-Lecture
Quiz: Chapter 3 (6 points)
Assignment: Descriptive Language (10 points)
Read: Chapter 4
Watch: Chapter 4 Mini-Lecture
Quiz: Chapter 4 (6 points)
Discussion: Micro-Expressions
1. Initial Post (2 points)
2. Response Post (2 points)
Read: Chapter 5
Watch: Chapter 5 Mini-Lecture
Quiz: Chapter 5 (6 points)
Discussion: Listening Quiz
1. Initial Post (2 points)
2. Response Post (2 points)
Read: Chapter 6
Watch: Chapter 6 Mini-Lecture
Quiz: Chapter 6 (7 points)
Watch: Diversity Reflection Paper Assignment Video
Discussion: Diversity Reflection Activity
1. Initial Post (5 points)
2. Response Post (5 points)
Assignment: Diversity Reflection Paper
Read: Chapters 7 & 8
DUE DATE
1/21
1/21
1/21
1/21
1/21
1/25
1/25
1/25
1/25
1/25
1/28
1/28
1/28
1/28
2/1
2/1
2/1
2/1
2/1
2/4
2/4
2/4
2/4
2/8
2/8
2/8
2/8
2/8
2/11
2/11
2/11
2/11
2/15
2/15
2/18
2/22
2/25
Page
13
Interpersonal
Communication
Managing
Conflict/ PUGSS
Developing an
Informative
Presentation
Organizing and
Outlining a
Presentation
Delivering a
Presentation
Informative
Presentations
Small Group
Communication































Persuasive
Speaking





Watch: Chapters 7 & 8 Lectures
Quiz: Chapter 7 & Chapter 8 (6 points each)
Assignment: Relational Development (10 points)
Read: PUGSS reading in Guidebook
Watch: PUGSS Mini-Lecture
Quiz: PUGSS (6 points)
Discussion: PUGSS
1. Initial Post (3 points)
2. Response Post (3 points)
Read: Chapters 11 & 14
Watch: Chapter 11 & 14 Mini- Lecture
Quiz: Chapter 11 & 14 (7 points)
Watch: Informative Speech Assignment Video
Assignment: Topic Selection (10 points)
Speech Sign-Up
Read: Chapter 12
Watch: Chapter 12 Mini-Lecture
Quiz: Chapter 12 (6 points)
Discussion: Audience Adaptation Plan
1. Initial Post (2 points)
2. Response Post (2 points)
3. Follow-Up Post (2 points)
Assignment: Informative Preparation Outline
Read: Chapter 13
Watch: Chapter 13 Mini-Lecture
Quiz: Chapter 13 (6 points)
Assignment: Speech Analysis (10 points)
Assignment: Informative Speaking Notes
Watch Group Presentation Assignment Video
Sign Up for a Group
Give Your Presentation (via Zoom)
Read: Chapters 9 &10
Watch: Chapter 9 & 10 Lectures
Quiz: Chapter 9 (6 points) & Chapter 10 (7 points)
Assignment: Group Topic Selection Worksheet –
Submit ONE per group (10 points)
Assignment: Group Process Report – Submit ONE per
group
Read: Chapter 15
Watch: Chapter 15 Mini-Lecture
Quiz: Chapter 15 (7 points)
Assignment: Group Preparation Outline – Submit ONE
per group
Assignment: Group Persuasive Speaking Notes
2/25
2/25
2/25
3/1
3/1
3/1
3/1
3/4
3/4
3/4
3/4
3/8
3/8
3/8
3/11
3/11
3/11
3/11
3/22
3/22
3/25
3/29
3/29
3/29
3/29
4/1
4/1
4/1
4/5-4/9
(Various
Times)
4/12
4/12
4/12
4/12
4/15
4/22
4/22
4/22
4/22
4/26
Page
14
Group Persuasive
Presentations
Course Wrap-Up
*Optional Final
Exam
 Give Your Group Persuasive Presentation
 Assignment: Group Member Assessment Form
 Complete Post-Test
Comprehensive: Chapters 1-15 and PUGSS
4/29-5/3
(Various
Times)
5/3
5/3
TBA
Page
15