COM 231.H82
Jackson College
Fall 2015
Meets: Monday and Wednesday mornings from 7:48 a.m. until 8:48 a.m. starting
September 14th thru December 16th
Location: Camden-Frontier High School – JC Room
Instructor: Mrs. Tennille A. Fenstermaker
Phone: Camden-Frontier High School – leave a message 517-368-5255
Home 517-254-4620 (please don't call before 7 AM or after 9 PM)
Cell 517-398-0025 (feel free to text)
Email: fenstertennilla@jccmi.edu or request to join our class Facebook page under “JC
COM 231” (*You WILL NEED to join eventually since we upload some of our
speeches to the FB page.)
Course Text:
Human Communication the Basic Course 13th Edition by Joseph A. DeVito
ISBN-13: 978-0-205-94486-6
ISBN-10: 0-205-94486-8
(Available at the JCC Bookstore)
Other Items You Will Need:
Flash drive
ONE two-pocket folder for handouts and your notes (NOTE: Keep EVERYTHING
until the end semester)
A notebook used solely for journaling
-------------------------------------JCC CATALOG DESCRIPTION OF COURSE:
“Communication 231 will introduce students to the basic principles of communication
including interpersonal messages, small group dynamics, and public speaking. In this
course, students will examine basic verbal and nonverbal elements affecting
communication between individuals in family, peer group, and work contexts. Specific
units of discussion include intrapersonal perspective, conflict resolution, selfdisclosure, message generation, intercultural messages, and nonverbal communication.
The course is designed to prepare students to be effective communicators in a diverse
global society.”
COURSE DESCRIPTION:
Welcome to Communication Fundamentals, a three credit – one semester course focused at
strengthening your understanding and utilization of communication skills. No matter if you
are a communication major or if you are taking this class as an elective… you have valid
reasons to be sitting in this classroom. I hope it is a journey that will become a stepping
stone in your continued education at Jackson College - and beyond.
Communication is inevitable – so it is good to learn to do it as effective and efficiently as
possible. Students will learn the basic principles of speech communication including speech
development and delivery, interpersonal messages, non-verbal messages, and small group
dynamics. The course is designed to prepare students to be effective communicators in a
diverse global society.
Student speeches will be evaluated for effectiveness. Delving a bit deeper – we’ll also
cover perception, cultural awareness, conflict resolution, intrapersonal perspective, selfdisclosure, nonverbal communication, and relational dynamics. The course, book,
conversations, and homework will be a guide to explore and learn about how we
communicate. As we learn about where we learned to communicate (the how’s and why’s), it
will help us become more successful as an employee, student, friend, parent, spouse,
citizen, and public speaker.
CLOSURES/CANCELLATION:
Because this class is held at Camden-Frontier High School, we will follow their schedule
for cancellations and closures. Please see the attached calendar for predetermined dates
that class will NOT be held. Also, listen to the local radio station, WCSR 92.1, for
unscheduled cancellations due to weather.
ADOs:
The board of Trustees has determined that all JCC graduates should develop or enhance
certain essential skills while enrolled in the college. Several of these Associate Degree
Outcomes (ADOs) are addressed in this class, including:
ADO 2: Speak clearly, concisely and intelligibly
ADO 9: Work productively with others, recognizing individual
contributions to group success
----------------YOUR RESPONSIBILITIES:
Attendance: Much of this course involves participation. It is vital for you to be a part of
this process. Consider attendance mandatory. Extenuating circumstances and unavoidable
absences should be discussed with me in advance. You are REQUIRED to be present on the
day of exams and on the day of your scheduled speech. Students with perfect attendance
will be awarded extra bonus points towards their final grade. Chronic absenteeism will
result in dismissal from the course.
Assignments: Unless otherwise noted, assignments are due at the beginning of the
class period. That means if you are turning an assignment in online or via email, it needs to
be turned in by the start of class. Late work is unacceptable. Because class time is tightly
scheduled, there are no make-up speeches.
In all speeches, strive for a smooth and compelling delivery. You should practice
effective use of voice and movement throughout the course. Each subsequent speech
should reflect improvement in some fashion.
To prepare for class, you are expected to read the text and other assigned readings; hand
in daily work on time; respond to your classmates’ work and speeches; and actively
participate in group and class discussions.
Quizzes and Exams: Quizzes over the reading assignment are periodically given in class.
Be prepared. Also, there will be a written mid-term exam as well as a written final exam.
Groups: Periodically, you will be assigned to a group. Your group will work together on
assignments, group projects, and occasionally on quizzes. All members of a group are
expected to participate in the successful completion of the assignments and tasks and will
be evaluated by their group concerning their contribution.
Forums: Because this class is a hybrid class (and we only spend two hours per week in
class), we will also complete forums located on JetNet. This is a requirement.
-----------------------------MY RESPONSIBILTIES: As your professor, I will do everything I can to assist you in
improving your speaking ability. I’ll listen and respond to your speeches and ideas. I will
introduce concepts that may help you become a better speaker, lead class discussions,
form groups, share speeches with you, and most importantly, encourage you.
-----------------------------GRADING: Your final grade will be totaled as follows:
40% Speeches: The speeches you turn in MUST be accompanied by some form of writing
(outline, formally written out, etc.). This writing is expected to contain correct grammar
and mechanics. When giving speeches, you will be graded on content, both verbal and nonverbal criteria, as well as time.
30% Daily writings, class assignments, journal entries, forums: The in-class work and
activities have specific purposes. They are practice pieces and ways to generate ideas.
Your daily work helps me better understand your thoughts and reactions to the text, the
class, and your peers. Also, your journal entries are CRUCIAL to your success in this class.
You’ll be expected to complete a variety of topics and evaluate how communication plays a
role in your daily life and record your findings in your journal.
20% Attendance and Participation: Participation in class discussions and groups are vital
for the success of this class. If you are continually absent, this course is invaluable. As
your instructor, I need your help, your experience, and your voice to make this class work.
I understand that emergencies and occasional conflicts arise. If you miss a class, it is
your responsibility to find out what you missed and how you can make up the work. First,
check with another student to see what you missed then approach me. Also, contact me by
phone if you anticipate missing a class so I can plan accordingly. Multiple absences will
lower your grade.
In order to fully participate in class, you must come prepared. That means both reading
and writing the assigned tasks. Many of the planned activities will not work if students
come to class unprepared.
I strongly believe that students learn from each other, that I learn from students, and
that your contributions to class are essential. The success and liveliness of this class
depends on your willingness to speak up, share thoughts and ideas, and to help others.
Therefore, part of your grade is based on attendance and participation.
10% Quizzes/Exam: Occasionally, I will give a pop quiz over the assigned readings. Please
be prepared to answer the comprehension questions. We will have a written mid-term exam
and a written final exam, primarily over the assigned readings.
Grading Scale:
4.0 = 100% - 95% = A
3.0 = 84% - 80% = B
2.0 = 74% - 70% = C
1.0 = 64% - 60% = D
0= 54% - 0%= E
3.5 = 94% - 85% = B+
2.5 = 79% - 75% = C+
1.5 = 69% - 65% = D+
.5 = 59% - 55% = D-
A Final Note:
I truly hope you learn more about communication and, more importantly, learn more
about yourself through this course. I want you to feel as though you have something to
offer...because you genuinely do have something to offer. And I want you to share that
through your speaking.
My ultimate goal, as a professor, is to assist you in becoming a better, more
confident speaker. Please don’t hesitate to call if you have questions or concerns. Good
luck!
READINGS ARE DUE ON MONDAY OF THE WEEK LISTED (with the exception of the first
week of classes).
JOURNALS ARE DUE ON WEDNESDAY OF THE WEEK LISTED.
FORUMS ARE DUE ON SUNDAY PM BY MIDNIGHT OF THE WEEK LISTED.
------------------------------ ------------------------------------------ ----------------------------------Week #1 September 14, 16 – CH 1: Human Communication
Week #2 September 21, 23 - CH 2: Culture & Communication; CH 3: The Self & Perception & CH
4: Listening in Human Communication; Journal #1; Forum #1
Week #3 September 28 (no class), 30 – CH 4: Listening in Human Communication; & Journal #2
Week #4 October 5, 7 - CH 5: Verbal Messages & CH 6: Non-verbal Messages & Journal #3;
Forum #2
Week #5 October 12, 14 – CH 6 (con’t) & CH 7: Interpersonal Communication Conversation & CH
8: Interpersonal Relationship Stages and Theories & CH 9: Friends, Lovers, Families & Journal #4
Week #6 October 19, 21 – CH 7- 9 (con’t) & CH 10: Small Group Communication & CH 11:
Members & Leaders & CH 12: Human Communication in Workplace & CH 13: Interpersonal,
Group, & Workplace Conflict & Journal #5; Forum #3
Week #7 October 26, 28 - CH 14: Public Speaking Topics, Audiences, & Research & CH 16: Style
and Delivery in Public Speaking & Journal #6
Week #8 November 2, 4 – CH 16 (con’t) & Group Speech Intro & Mid-term & NO JOURNAL;
Forum #4
Week #9 November 9, 11 – Group Speech & No journal.
Week #10 November 16, 18 – CH 15: Supporting and Organizing your Speech & CH 18: The
Persuasive Speech & Group Speech Delivery & Persuasive Speech & Journal #7; Forum #5
Week #11 November 23, 25 (no class) – Persuasive Speech & Journal #8 & NO CLASS 11/25
Week #12 November 30, December 2 – Persuasive Speech Delivery & Journal #9 & #10; Forum #6
Week #13 December 7, 9 – Community Concern Speech & Journal #11.
Week #14 December 14, 16 – Community Concern Speech & Final Paper; Forum #7