COMR 1000: Communication & Community
Fall 2011
Welcome to COMR 1000—Communication & Community!
This course will help us build a learning community in COMM RAP. This course is designed to
provide a place where you can (1) learn about the COMM RAP community; (2) develop an
understanding of the importance of communication in building community and shaping society; and
(3) develop a stronger sense of your role as member of the COMM RAP and CU communities. This
course can also help us build community as we get to know one another, talk about interesting ideas
of how society and community are shaped by what we say and do, and work together to think about
how we can influence the communities and society we live in through communication. The course is
split into two conceptual sections:
Section 1: The Contemporary Communication Environment
The first half of the course (weeks 1-7) introduces the idea that society is created and shaped by
the way we communicate with one another. Community develops out of our interactions with
others, and how we experience the world is related to how we communicate. We want students
to consider how cultural expectations, values, social networks, and technology shape experiences
of and expectations for communication.
Section 2: Communication Experiences in Context
In the second half of the semester (weeks 8-15) we consider how we experience communication
in different contexts. Our expectations about communication and the problems we face differ
somewhat in personal relationship as opposed to group/organizations or public discussion.
How does communication define these contexts and how do they differ from one another?
General Classroom Policies
1. All class members are expected to constructively engage in class discussions and to display respect
for one another. Come to class appropriately dressed (no pajamas, please!) and ready to learn.
2. Please turn OFF and put away your cell phone, I-pod, etc.
3. Come prepared (read before coming to class) and be ON TIME.
4. It is important to check your CU email and the CU Learn website on a regular basis. If you
choose not to use your CU email address, I am not responsible for whether you receive class emails
and assignments. See me for a brief tutorial if you are not comfortable using CU Learn.
5. Email and visiting office hours are the best way to reach me.
Course Assignments:
Below is a brief description of each assignment for this course. Further instructions will be given in
class for each assignment.
Reflection Essay 1 (10 points): For this first assignment, you’ll be asked to tell me about yourself
and then to reflect on your expectations for your educational experience and for being part of the
CU community. Your reflection essay should be 2-3 pages in length. It must be typed, doublespaced, and printed in a legible font.
Media Use Reflection (20 points): This is a short reflection paper (approx. 3-4 pages) written in
response to a COMM RAP activity on media and mediated communication. After the activity, you’ll
be asked to reflect on your personal experience as well as speculate on the impact of media and
mediated communication in our lives.
Reading Responses (5 points each x 5 = 25 points): Reading responses are short writing
assignments that will be given to accompany selected course readings. They may include questions
you need to answer from a reading, short papers (~1 page) or similar assignments. They designed to
help you reflect on the reading and prepare for class discussion. Reading responses are due
BEFORE the class in which the reading is discussed.
Final Project (20 points): The final project for this course is a group project. You will work with
others to develop messages and materials that can be used to build community in COMM RAP.
Each group will give a presentation (using Power Point, Prezi, or some other polished format)
during the last two weeks of the semester.
Reflection Essay 2 (10 points): For this first assignment, you’ll be asked to revisit your response to
your reflection essay 1 assignment and reflect on how your expectations for your educational
experience and for being part of the CU community compare to your experience as a first year
student at CU. Your reflection essay should be 2-3 pages in length. It must be typed, double-spaced,
and printed in a legible font.
Participation (15 points): We will use discussion and activities in this class to develop our
understanding of the material. It is important that you come to class ready to be participate. Also,
keep in mind that you can’t participate if you don’t come. This is a small class, so we’ll notice if you
are not here. (And, I’ll send around a sign-in sheet each day as a way to keep track of attendance.)
Grading:
Reflection Essay 1
Media Use Reflection
Reading Responses (5 pts. each)
Final Project/Presentation
Reflection Essay 2
Participation
*Total Points
10 points
20 points
25 points
20 points
10 points
15 points
100 points
Final grade assignment will be determined as follows: 93% and above=A; 90%-92%=A-; 87-89%=B+; 83-86%=B; 8082%=B- 77-79%=C+; 73-76%=C; 70-72%=C-; 67-69% = D+; 63-66%=D; 60-62%=D-; 59% or below = F
Readings:
Readings for this course will be posted on CULearn. You should plan to download readings as we go along in the
course.
Bellah, R.(1995). “Individualism and Commitment: America’s Cultural Conversation: Lecture
given at Portland State University.
Cronon, W. (1998). Only connect...: The goals of a liberal education. The American Scholar, 67 (4), 14.
Gladwell, M. (2010). “Small change: Why the revolution will not be tweeted,” New Yorker (Oct. 4)
Gladwell, M. (2002). The talent myth: Are smart people overrated? New Yorker (July 22)
Morimoto, S. A., & Friedland, L. A. (2011). The lifeworld of youth in the information society.
Youth & Society, 43, 549-567.
Putnam, Robert D. (1995) “Bowling alone: America's declining social capital.” Current, no. 373
(June), pp. 3-10.
Schrage, M. (1995). No more teams!: Mastering the dynamics of creative collaboration (pp. 1-6; 2657). New York: Currency Doubleday.
Wilmot, W. (2009). Communication spirals, paradoxes, and conundrums. In J. Stewart (Ed.), Bridges
not walls (pp. 450-466). Boston: McGraw-Hill.
University Policies:
On Disabilities
If you qualify for accommodations because of a disability, please submit to me a letter from Disability Services in a
timely manner so that your needs be addressed. Disability Services determines accommodations based on documented
disabilities. Contact: 303-492-8671, Willard 322, and http://www.Colorado.EDU/disabilityservices
If you have a temporary medical condition or injury, see guidelines at:
http://www.colorado.edu/disabilityservices/go.cgi?select=temporary.html
Disability Services' letters for students with disabilities indicate legally mandated reasonable accommodations. The
syllabus statements and answers to Frequently Asked Questions can be found at:
http://www.colorado.edu/disabilityservices
On Religious Observances
Campus policy regarding religious observances requires that faculty make every effort to deal
reasonably and fairly with all students who, because of religious obligations, have conflicts with
scheduled exams, assignments or required attendance. See full details at:
http://www.colorado.edu/policies/fac_relig.html
In this class, please let the instructors know about religious commitments that interfere with course
deadlines within the first 2 weeks of class.
On Classroom Behavior
Students and faculty each have responsibility for maintaining an appropriate learning environment.
Those who fail to adhere to such behavioral standards may be subject to discipline. Professional
courtesy and sensitivity are especially important with respect to individuals and topics dealing with
differences of race, culture, religion, politics, sexual orientation, gender, gender variance, and
nationalities. Class rosters are provided to the instructor with the student's legal name. I will gladly
honor your request to address you by an alternate name or gender pronoun. Please advise me of this
preference early in the semester so that I may make appropriate changes to my records. See policies at:
http://www.colorado.edu/policies/classbehavior.html and at:
http://www.colorado.edu/studentaffairs/judicialaffairs/code.html#student_code
On Discrimination and Sexual Harassment
The University of Colorado at Boulder policy on Discrimination and Harassment, the University of
Colorado policy on Sexual Harassment and the University of Colorado policy on Amorous
Relationships apply to all students, staff and faculty. Any student, staff or faculty member who
believes s/he has been the subject of sexual harassment or discrimination or harassment based upon
race, color, national origin, sex, age, disability, creed, religion, sexual orientation, or veteran status
should contact the Office of Discrimination and Harassment (ODH) at 303-492-2127 or the Office of
Judicial Affairs at 303-492-5550. Information about the ODH, the above referenced policies and the
campus resources available to assist individuals regarding discrimination or harassment can be obtained
at: http://www.colorado.edu/odh
On the Honor Code
All students of the University of Colorado at Boulder are responsible for knowing and adhering to the
academic integrity policy of this institution. Violations of this policy may include: cheating, plagiarism,
aid of academic dishonesty, fabrication, lying, bribery, and threatening behavior. All incidents of
academic misconduct shall be reported to the Honor Code Council (honor@colorado.edu; 303-7352273). Students who are found to be in violation of the academic integrity policy will be subject to both
academic sanctions from the faculty member and non-academic sanctions (including but not limited to
university probation, suspension, or expulsion). Other information on the Honor Code can be found
at: http://www.colorado.edu/policies/honor.html and at:
http://www.colorado.edu/academics/honorcode/
Schedule:
Dates
Topics
Reading
Assignment Due
Introduction
Week 1
8/22-8/26
Week 2
8/29-9/2
Week 3
9/5-9/9
Week 4
9/12-9/16
Week 5
9/19-9/23
Week 6
9/26-9/30
Week 7
10/3-10/7
Week 8
10/10-10/14
Week 9
10/17-10/21
Week 10
10/24-10/28
Week 11
10/31-11/4
Week 12
11/7-11/11
Communication in Cronon, “Only Connect...”: The
a Research
Goals for a Liberal Education
University
Gladwell, The Talent Myth: Are
Smart People Overrated?
Contemporary
Putnam, Bowling Alone Summary
Communication in
Society
Technology,
Gladwell, Small Change—The
Globalization and Revolution Will Not Tweeted
the “New”
Communication
Environment
The Experience of
Media
Reflection 1 DUE
Media Life Worlds Morimoto & Friedland, The
Lifeworld of Youth in the
Information Society
Reading Response DUE
Reading Response DUE
Media Use Reflection DUE
Communicating
Effectively
Communication ,
the Self , &
Relationships
Wilmot , Communication Spirals,
Paradoxes, and Conundrums
Reading Response DUE
Group/
Organizational
Communication
Processes
Communication
Ideals/Values in
Society
Communication in
OUR Community
Schrage, Why Collaborate? &
Collaboration
Reading Response DUE
Bellah, Lecture—Individualism and Reading Response DUE
Commitment: America’s Cultural
Conversation
TBD
Communication & TBD
Community
Week 13
11/14-11/18
Collaborative Skills
Fall Break
11/21-11/25
Week 14
11/28-12/2
Presentations
Presentations
Week 15
12/5-9
Final Exams
12/10-12/15
No final exam: Reflective Essay 2 DUE on first day of finals