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SYLLABUS
Introduction to Communication—Comm 1010
07-MWF 2:00-2:50; 09—MWF 12:00-12:50
Spring 2014
Dr. Patricia Paystrup
Office: CN 213-I
Office Phone: 865-8074
Office Hours: MWF 10-11; 3-4 (other times by appointment)
paystrup@suu.edu
Course Description: The student learns aspects of human communication that include the
principles and theories of interpersonal—including building relationships and working in
groups—and professional communication—focusing on how to research and organize speeches
and presentations.
Course Objectives and Assessments:
1. Students will be able to research, organize and present informative and persuasive
speeches. (Presentation of a speech of introduction, an epidictic speech, an informative
speech and a persuasive speech—with full-sentence outlines)
2. Students will be able to execute the strategies that facilitate effective group dynamics
(Group activities and group presentations)
3. Students will be able to identify the theories and concepts related to understanding
interpersonal and professional communication. (Exercises and examinations)
Required Text: The Communication Age (Edwards, et al) ISBN: 978-1-4129-7759-3*
*Bundled with Speech Planner and ebook
Major Assignments:
*interview classmate and give speech of introduction
*speech to praise or give tribute with outline and visuals
*informative speech with outline and visuals
*persuasive speech with outline and visuals
*various in-class exercises and assignments
*peer-speaker critiques and active audience participation
*active group participation and collaboration
Attendance and Participation: Expect class to start with a quiz or “application exercise.” The
quizzes and application exercises will be added into the “participation and preparation”
component of the grade, which will also include the peer-speaker critiques, other exercises, and
daily attendance check. The “participation and preparation” grade will be expressed as the earned
percentage of the possible points and tallied into the final grade as being equal the “100” points
of an exam or major assignment. Bottom Line: You need to be in class. Period.
And PLEASE be on time!
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Exams and Quizzes: There will be a two exams—a midterm and a final. Exams will be worth
100 points each. On-line quizzes at the end of each textbook chapter will be totaled and
expressed as a percentage of the possible points and added to the results of the two exams when
final grades are calculated.
Grades: Final grades reflect the percentage of total points earned: A’s=90’s; B’s=80’s, etc.
Points for the major assignments include: 100 points—speech of introduction, speech to praise or
give tribute, informative speech, persuasive speech and research/reflection paper; 50 points—
full-sentence outline for tribute, informative and persuasive speeches.
Tips, warnings and pep talk: Class time will be devoted to applying and clarifying the material
from your text and associated material. I prefer collaborative activities to “lecturing” and you
are expected to come to class with the material read and with any questions you might have. The
key terms and concepts you will be expected to know are highlighted in the text. The
accompanying student web site had excellent resources. Study guides before the tests will
refocus your studies. The quizzes will be previews of the types of items to expect on tests.
The most challenging assignments will be the speeches. The Speech Planner program bundled
with your textbook will help step you through the process. You need to get going on selecting
your topic, researching, outlining, planning, practicing, etc. We will have “workshop” days and I
you will be required to email me outlines and I may want to see copies of your research. We will
also discuss intellectual integrity and ways to make sure that you avoid plagiarism. WARNING:
DO NOT PROCRASTINATE if you want to do well on these assignments. I will give extra
credit for using the Speech and Presentation Center as you prepare your speeches.
Other housekeeping matters: If you are ill and cannot attend class, e-mail me and I will be
willing to work with you. If you have a family emergency, e-mail me and I will be willing to
work with you. I want you to be successful. I am willing to work with people with legitimate
problems, but I have little patience for students who disappear (or appear only on rare occasions)
and then come begging for breaks at the end of the semester.
Please put it in writing: As a sort of ADA accommodation, I need to ask you to put special
communication (about illness or emergencies), requests, agreements, etc. in writing. When I was
younger, I had a fantastic memory: Now, not so much. If you are talking to me and others are
too, I may not have actively processed and stored your information—so, put it in writing for me.
Please, please, please disconnect: No cell phones. No texting. No web surfing. No Facebook.
No iPods. I prefer that you not use your laptop to take notes. But, if you do and your laptop
usage becomes distracting, I will ask you to close it. If I have to “talk” to you about
disrupting devices, I will “cancel” your attendance for that day.
Finally, PLEASE, PLEASE, PLEASE come and talk to me if you do not understand
something or you need help with the material or assignments.
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ACADEMIC INTEGRITY: Scholastic dishonesty will not be tolerated and will be prosecuted to the fullest extent.
You are expected to have read and understood the current issue of the student handbook (published by Student
Services) regarding student responsibilities and rights, and the intellectual property policy, for information about
what constitutes acceptable on-campus behavior.
SANS NOTIFICATION: Southern Utah University has created an early academic alert program (SANS) designed
to provide tutoring and other resources to students who instructors believe would benefit from additional resources.
If you receive a SANS notification, please take advantage of the support services available and offered.
ADA STATEMENT: Students with medical, psychological, learning or other disabilities desiring academic
adjustments, accommodations or auxiliary aids will need to contact the Southern Utah University Coordinator of
Services for Students with Disabilities (SSD), in Room 206F of the Sharwan Smith Center, or by phone (435) 8658022. SSD determines eligibility for and authorizes the provision of services.
EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT: In case of an emergency, the University’s Emergency Notification System
(ENS) will be activated. Students are encouraged to maintain updated contact information using the link on the
homepage of the mySUU portal. In addition, students are encouraged to familiarize themselves with the Emergency
Response Protocols posted in each classroom. Detailed information about the University’s emergency management
plan can be found at http://www.suu.edu/emergency.
HEOA: The sharing of copyrighted material through peer-to-peer (P2P) file sharing, except as provided under U.S.
copyright law, is prohibited by law. See http://www.suu.edu/it/p2p-student-notice.html.
NOTE: Information contained in this syllabus—other than the formula for grading—may be
subject to change with advanced notice—as deemed necessary by the instructor.
The readings and other assignments and scheduled activities will be posted on the Canvas web
site. For now, the following is a rough outline of the major elements in this course:
Overview of Major Segments—Check Course Web Site for Specific Assignments/Schedule:
Weeks 1& 2
1-6/1-17
Overviews and Introductions to Colleagues and Communication Process
Text: Chpt 1, 2 and 5
Assignment: Speech of introduction with simple outline
On-line quizzes for Chpts 1, 2 and 5
Weeks 3 & 4
1-20/1-31
Nuts and Bolts of Putting a Speech Together
Text: Chpts 11, 12, 13, 14
Assignment: “Research and Reflection” paper
On-line quizzes for chpts 11-14
Week 5
2-3/2-7
Standing and Delivering—Speeches to Praise or Give Tribute
Assignment: Speech with full-sentence outline and visuals
Midterm—Chpts 1, 2, 5, 11, 12, 13, 14
Weeks 6 & 7
2-10/2-21
Shaping and Sharing Meaning
Text: Chpt first 6, then 3 and 4
Assignment: in-class exercises and discussions
On-line quizzes 6, 3, 4
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Week 8
2-24/2-28
Purpose--Informative and Persuasive Speeches
Text: Chpts 15 and 16
Assignment: Start researching informative speech
On-line quizzes, 15 and 16
Week 9
3-3/3-7
Approaching Relationships—Interpersonal, Group
Text: Chpts 7 and 8
Assignment: in-class exercises and discussions
On-line quizzes, 7 and 8
Week 10 & 11
3-17/3-28
Informative Speeches
Assignment: Informative with full-sentence outline and visuals
Week 12 & 13
3-31/4-11
Career and Professional Communication
Text: Chapter 9 and Appendix; Chpt 10
Assignment: in-class exercises, discussions
One-line quiz, 9 and 10
Week 14 & 15
4-14/4-23
Persuasive Speeches
Assignment: Persuasive with full-sentence outline and visuals
FINAL EXAM—Chpts 3, 4, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 15, 16
Final Exam: 12:00 section—Tuesday, April 29—11:00
2:00 section—Thursday, May1—1:00
For help with your speeches:
Speech and Presentation Center (located in Leadership Engagement Center)
Call for an appointment (preferred) 586-5452
For help with any types of writing:
Writing Center (located in Braithwaite Center, 204)
Call for an appointment (preferred) 865-8176