COMMUNICATION AS CRITICAL INQUIRY (COM 110)
Instructor: Brittany Borella
Office: Fell Hall 053 (basement)
Email: bnborel@ilstu.edu
Classroom: Fell Hall 158
COURS
Office Hours: MW 10-11 a.m.
OR by appt.
Section: 012
Class Time: MWF 9:00-9:50 a.m.
E MATERIALS
Simonds, C. J., Hunt, S. K., & Simonds, B. K. (2013). Communication as Critical Inquiry (5th ed. for
Illinois State University). Boston, MA: Pearson Custom Publishing.
(Access codes available at Barnes and Noble, Alamo II, or directly from Pearson at
http://www.pearsoncustom.com/il/com110_ilstu/—See below).
Simonds, C. J., Hunt, S. K., & Hooker, J. F. (2015). Communication as critical inquiry: Supplementary
materials packet. Champaign, IL: Stipes Publishing.
(Available at the School of Communication Resource Center in Fell 034—See below).
E-Textbook Purchasing Procedures. You are required to have an eText Access code for Com 110,
which will allow you to access the textbook as well as other materials necessary for the completion of the
course. You will register this code with Pearson as well as with your instructor so please do not discard
this access code or your receipt of purchase. Access codes may only be registered once per student and
will go offline once the semester is completed. You may purchase this code directly from Pearson
(http://www.pearsoncustom.com/il/com110_ilstu/) at a reduced cost. Additionally, if you prefer to also
have a hard copy of the text, you may purchase it once you have registered your online access code.
Spiral Workbook Purchasing Procedures. Students will purchase the spiral workbook (Com 110
Communication as Critical Inquiry) through the School of Communication online store using a credit,
debit, or monetary gift card. The website can be found at the following address:
http://tinyurl.com/o8jjxke
The workbook will cost $31 plus tax and will be available for the students to pick up in the
Communication Resource Center located in the basement of Fell Hall, room 34, 1-2 business days after
the online purchase. Students will need to show their ISU ID card and Resource Center workers will
verify they have purchased the book and give it to them at that time. The workbook must be purchased
and picked up during the first two weeks of class.
Communication Resource Center Hours of Operation
1st week hours: Fell 034
2nd week hours: Fell 034
Monday—Thursday 9:00 a.m.-7:00 p.m.
Tuesday—Thursday 9:00 a.m.-7:00 p.m.
Friday—9:00 a.m.-3:00 p.m.
Friday—9:00 a.m.-3:00 p.m.
COMMUNICATION AS CRITICAL INQUIRY (COM 110) COURSE GOALS
Communication as Critical Inquiry (Com 110) seeks to improve students’ abilities to express themselves
and to listen to others in a variety of communication settings. Effective oral communication is viewed as
an essential life skill that every person must possess in order to function in today’s society. The course
emphasizes participation in a variety of communication processes in order to develop, reinforce, and
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evaluate communication skills appropriate for public, small group, and interpersonal settings. The course
content and experiences will enable students to assume their responsibilities as speaker-listener-critic in a
culturally diverse world. In short, the course is designed to make students competent, ethical, critical,
confident, and information literate communicators.
COM 110 addresses the following General Education outcomes:
II. intellectual and practical skills, allowing students to
a. make informed judgments
c. report information effectively and responsibly
e. deliver purposeful presentations that inform attitudes or behaviors
III. personal and social responsibility, allowing students to
a. participate in activities that are both individually life-enriching and socially beneficial to a diverse
community
c. interact competently in a variety of cultural contexts
IV. integrative and applied learning, allowing students to
a. identify and solve problems
b. transfer learning to novel situations
c. work effectively in teams
Primary outcomes are indicated in plain text and secondary outcomes are indicated in italics.
REQUIRED:
 Some mechanism that can record at least 8 minutes of video that can be uploaded to a computer
(smartphone, tablet with video capabilities, laptop with web cam, or a friend/classmate with said
technology).
 A working ISU email account
 A stapler (mini staplers work best and are portable)
 Note cards (4 x 6 or smaller)
 A folder
ASSIGNMENTS:
Format:
-Make your headings for all assignments uniform.
Your name
Section # – Borella
COM 110
Assignment Title
- All assignments are to be typed using 12pt. Times New Roman font and 1 inch margins.
- All assignments are to be double-spaced
- All assignments are to be STAPLED.
- All written assignments must have the binder frills ripped off.
- All references are to be cited using American Psychological Association (APA) Style 6th
edition.
*The ONLY exceptions to this rule are the Preparing to Participate (P2P). I do reserve the right to
request that you type your P2Ps.
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*If you do not meet one or more of these format requirements your assignment will earn an automatic
zero.
MY TEACHING PHILOSPHY:
Two key values that I believe are crucial to a healthy classroom setting are trust and respect. Additionally, in order
to achieve the most comfortable environment for all parties, there should always be a communal feeling rather than
competitive. You are working together, not against each other for grades. As students, we have to rely on each other
to be successful. Public speaking is a scary notion, so having the best information and preparation possible will be
crucial in our short semester together.
I am here to help you and make this class beneficial for all of us. Communication is key in any class or career, and I
want to thoroughly communicate with each of you, so please be sure to communicate with me as much as you may
need. If you would like to earn extra credit, please bring a note card to the first day of class with your full name and
what you are looking forward to accomplishing during your time at ISU. Turn it in before leaving class. If we all
come prepared, eager, and ready to learn we can make this class beneficial, and still have fun!
Please do not hesitate to ask questions, or ask for help, in or out of the classroom. (Unless there is a privacy issue at
stake, in-class is often best, since your classmates may have the same questions or concerns that you do, and then
you are helping them, too.) If you have any special needs that it would help for me to be aware of, please let me
know immediately. I can’t wait for a wonderful semester!
ASSIGNMENTS:
EXAMS: There will be a midterm exam and a final exam. Exams will assess your understanding of
communication concepts and theories, as well as your application and integration abilities. I do not round
up grades at any point during the semester.
SPEECHES: Each student will present three speeches:
Each student will present three speeches:
a. Informative speech (5-7 minutes, no more than 7:30; at least 4 sources)
b. Group presentation (25-30 minutes, no more than 30:30; at least 10 sources)
c. Persuasive speech (5-8 minutes, no more than 8:30; at least 6 sources)
All three speeches must be completed to pass the course. Each presentation will be evaluated on
content and delivery. Specific details will be clearly outlined in class. Typed outlines and references are
required for each (a sample will be provided). You will also be required to submit a preliminary outline to
me for comments prior to your presentation date.
Speech Topics You are allowed to choose your own topics for each speech, but I do reserve the right to reject the topic
that you choose if found inappropriate. I will require approval for all three occasions in a timely fashion.
If your topic is not approved by the date assigned, I will assign you a topic.
End of the Year Portfolio:
The portfolio is a collection of your work in this course over the semester. It will represent your insights,
observation, experiences, and reflections that illustrate course content. Although a detailed handout will be
provided, the end product will consist of your Communication Improvement Profile (CIP) and Critical Thinking Self
Assessment and Ethical Communication Self Assessment Pre-test, copies of your draft and final outlines, self
critiques, and a final communication analysis paper and Critical Thinking Self Assessment and Ethical
Communication Self Assessment Post-test. KEEP ALL COMPLETED WORK THROUGHOUT THE SEMESTER.
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Illinois Articulation Initiative. The Illinois Articulation Initiative is designed to allow students to
transfer course credit between institutions. The IAI requires that all Com 110 students present at least
three speaking opportunities that include research and are five minutes, or longer, in duration.
ADDITIONAL SPEECH RULES:
1. You will receive 0 points if you miss your own speech day or are not prepared on your speech
day. For example, if you are missing any of your speech materials, you will not be able to
present and will receive 0 points. If you fail to give your speech on the assigned day you MUST
complete that speech in the speech lab for an audience of 3-5 people within two weeks of your
original speech day. If you are assigned an alternative assignment for being voted out of your
group speech, the alternative assignment’s instructions will serve as the guideline of when it is
due. If you fail to complete your speech in that time frame you are at risk of not passing this
course.
2. -10 points off your own speech score for each day you miss a peer’s speech.
3. -10 points if you are on your cell phone, sleeping or being disruptive during a peer’s speech.
4. -10 points if you are tardy on any speech day.
5. -5 points for every 15 seconds you are over your speech time. I will stop you at 30 seconds over.
6. -5 points for having full sentences on your note cards.
Outlines of Speeches:
Outlines will be required for each speech. To practice proper outline habits, a draft outline will be due for the
informative speech. After the informative speech is finished, you can turn in a draft outline to me to look over, but
final draft outlines will be the only outline required for the group and persuasive speeches.
Assignment Due Dates:
All assignments will be due on the date assigned. No late work will be accepted unless I have previously approved
an alternative due date. NO ASSIGNMENTS WILL BE ACCEPTED VIA EMAIL.
Participation:
To receive full participation points, students are expected to complete all 18 Preparing to Participate
chapter assignments (P2Ps). Each P2P is worth five points. Type all P2P’s and provide elaboration. If
your answers are brief, your grade will be just as small. I expect you to verbally participate as well.
Activity Points:
Activity points are a large part of Com 110. These points include participation in activities, class
discussions, using ethical communication, etc. Final activity points will be released near the final at the
end of the semester since they are tentative to change and vary by day.
EVALUATION:
Any Old Bag Speech
Informative Speech
Group Speech
Persuasive Speech
Portfolio
CIP
Speech Self-Evaluations
Library Day
Synthesis Paper
Portfolio Appearance
Midterm Exam
Final Exam
10 pts
100 pts
100 pts
100 pts
100 pts
30
10
10
40
10
100 pts
100 pts
90-100%
80-89%
70-79%
60-69%
Below 60%
A
B
C
D
F
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Participation
Activity Points
Attendance Points
50 pts
40 pts
50 pts
TOTAL
TBD
COURSE POLICIES:
Attendance:
Regular attendance is expected and I will take attendance every day. Your absence will result in loss of
attendance and activity points. You are always responsible for all material distributed in your absence. Collect this
from your peers or attend my office hours.
Excused absences include University-sanctioned events only. If you are involved in these types of activities
I will need a schedule of days you will miss within the first week of the semester. I will also need a signed note from
your coach or sponsor verifying you are on the team.
I know there will be times when emergencies happen. In case of an emergency, please email me as soon as
possible. I am willing to work with you but I can only do so if you communicate to me what is preventing you from
coming to class. So, please don’t be afraid to reach out immediately. You will lose 5 points for every 2 class periods
missed.
Tardiness:
Tardiness will not be tolerated. You will lose ten points on your own speech if you are late on any speech
day. If you feel that you have a legitimate reason for being tardy, come talk to me the first week of class.
If you are tardy on an exam day, you will not be able to take the exam so please be on time. The third
time you are late to class, you will have to write a one-page paper detailing why you can’t make it here on
time. This will be your assignment for each time a tardy occurs after your third strike. I will not remind
you – points will be automatically deducted from your attendance and activity grade.
Being Successful in my Classroom:
DO NOT THROW AWAY ANY OF YOUR ASSIGNMENTS FOR THIS CLASS. YOU WILL NEED
THEM AT THE END OF THE SEMESTER!
Non-stapled assignments: For any multi-page assignment you are to complete out-of-class, it must be
stapled or else I will give you a 0 for the assignment grade. I recommend purchasing a mini-stapler and
carrying it in your bag with you at all times.
Fringes on papers: Assignments that have the fringes on them will result in a 0 for the assignment. It is
unprofessional to turn in an assignment with the fringes still attached to the paper.
Texting in class: Don’t do it. If your phone rings during someone else’s speeches or you are texting, you
will lose 10% off your OWN speech grade. However, if there is some type of emergency for which you
may need to take a phone call during class, talk to me beforehand and we will work something out.
Electronic Policy: Don’t bring your laptops unless I ask. You won’t need them.
Spirals: Your spirals should come to class with you daily.
Discussing Grades: I am more than willing to discuss any issues or discrepancies with grades but you
must wait a full 24 hours before we do so. Refer to my office hours.
Media Share: All outlines from your speeches will need to be uploaded to Media Share to ensure
plagiarism isn’t taking place.
Additional University Policies:
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Speech Lab. You are encouraged to visit the speech lab at least once during the semester to practice your
speech. It is also recommended that you plan a visit to the speech lab at least one week before your
speech so you have enough time to synthesize the feedback received from the attendant and incorporate it
into your speech. Ultimately, the speech lab can be a useful tool in improving the quality of your speech
and public speaking skills. To schedule time in the speech lab, call call 438-4566 or come to Fell 032 and
schedule an appointment in person. If you wish to video-record your presentation, please tell the
attendant when booking your appointment. Remember to book your appointment early, as there are a
great number of students trying to make appointments. You must schedule an appointment at least 24
hours before the date you are scheduled to deliver your speech in class, or you will not be able to
use the speech lab. If you need to change or cancel your appointment, you will need to call the
Speech Lab at 438-4566 or stop by in person (Fell Hall 032) 24 hours in advance. If you fail to
cancel your appointment 24 hours in advance you will not be allowed to use the speech lab again.
Cheating/Plagiarism. Students are expected to be honest in all academic work, consistent with the
academic integrity policy as outlined in the Code of Student Conduct. All work is to be appropriately cited
when it is borrowed, directly or indirectly, from another source. Unauthorized and unacknowledged
collaboration on speech topics and/or the presentation of someone else’s work warrants plagiarism.
Students found to inadvertently commit acts of dishonesty will receive appropriate penalties specific to
the assignment in question. Students found to commit intentional acts of dishonesty will receive a failing
grade in the course and will be referred for appropriate disciplinary action through Student Conduct and
Conflict Resolution Office
Special Needs. Any student needing to arrange a reasonable accommodation for a documented disability
should contact Disability Concerns at 350 Fell Hall, 438-5853
(voice), 438-8620 (TDD).
Mental Health Resources. Life at college can get very complicated. Students sometimes feel
overwhelmed, lost, experience anxiety or depression, struggle with relationship difficulties or diminished
self-esteem. However, many of these issues can be effectively addressed with a little help. Student
Counseling Services (SCS) helps students cope with difficult emotions and life stressors. Student
Counseling Services is staffed by experienced, professional psychologists and counselors, who are
attuned to the needs of college students. The services are FREE and completely confidential. Find out
more at Counseling.IllinoisState.edu or by calling (309) 438-3655.
Illinois State University Bereavement Policy. In the event that a student experiences a death of an
immediate family member or relative as defined below, the student will be excused from class for funeral
leave, subsequent bereavement, and/or travel considerations. The student will provide appropriate
documentation and arrange to complete missed classroom work as soon as possible according to the
process outlined below.
Upon notification of the absence and proper documentation, each faculty member shall excuse the student
from class according to this policy and provide an opportunity to complete missed exams, quizzes, and
other required work. Ultimately, the student is responsible for all material covered in class and must
work with each individual professor as soon as they return to complete any required work. Details can be
found at the following website: http://policy.illinoisstate.edu/students/2-1-27.shtml
Behavioral Expectations Policies and Procedures.
Professional Courtesy. Professional courtesy includes respecting others' opinions, not
interrupting in class, being respectful to those who are speaking, and working together in a spirit of
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cooperation. I expect you to demonstrate these behaviors at all times in this class. With that in
mind, sleeping, reading materials irrelevant to class purposes, texting, or disrupting the class will
not be tolerated and will result in the student being considered absent for that particular class
period.
Presentation Etiquette. On presentation days, you have dual responsibilities as a speaker and an
audience member. When you are presenting, you will dress appropriately. When you are an
audience member, you will be attentive and ask challenging but constructive questions when the
presentation is finished. Because most people are nervous when they present, you will be
supportive both verbally and nonverbally. You will never enter or leave the room while a
presentation is in progress.
Behavioral Expectation Policy. Should any student violate the expectations of appropriate
classroom behavior (as mentioned in the professional courtesy and presentation etiquette policies
above), the instructor will schedule a meeting to discuss these expectations and develop a
behavioral modification plan. If these behaviors persist, you will be at-risk for failing the course.
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TENTATIVE SCHEDULE
**Note: At any point throughout the duration of this course I reserve the right to change the syllabus
details. Of course, I will inform you of these changes.
Week
Date
Day
CHAP.
1
1/11
M
Syllabus Review; Interview as Biography; Assign Any Old
Bag
Print Syllabus
1/13
W
Any Old Bag
Any Old Bag
Speech
1/15
F
1
Material Covered
Assign CIP and CTSA; Provide an Overview of Portfolio
Assignment; Introduction into Communication
Assignment Due
Syllabus Contract
P2P Ch. 1
2
3
NO SCHOOL – MLK DAY
1/18
M
1/20
W
2
Communication Apprehension
P2P Ch. 2
1/22
F
3
Ethical Communication
P2P Ch. 3
1/25
M
4
Perception and Self Concept
P2P Ch. 4
1/27
W
5
Choosing Topics, Assign Informative Speech
P2P Ch. 5
1/29
F
6
Analyzing Your Audience
CIP & CTSA
Due
P2P Ch. 6
4
2/1
M
10
Beginning and Ending Presentations
Sign up for
presentation time
P2P Ch. 10
2/3
W
7, 12
Integrating Support Material, Visual Aids
Librarian “visit”
Informative Topic
Due
P2P Ch. 7 & 12 –
not due. Just read.
Library
Assignment
5
2/5
F
8, 9
Organization; Outlining
2/8
M
11
Language-The Social Construction of Reality
2/10
W
P2P Ch 8 & 9
P2P CH 11
Review Outline/Speeches
8
6
2/12
F
**MIDTERM REVIEW**
2/15
M
**MIDTERM**
2/17
W
13
Group Presentation Assigned
Bring Spirals
P2P Ch. 13
7
8
2/19
F
Informative Speeches
Presentations
2/22
M
Informative Speeches
Presentations
2/24
W
Informative Speeches
Presentations
2/26
F
Informative Speeches
Presentations
2/29
M
Communicating in Groups; Group & Managing Conflict
Bring Spiral
14 &
PP
P2P Ch. 14
9
10
11
12
14 &
PP
3/2
W
3/4
F
Library Day/ Library Day Assignment
3/7
M
SPRING BREAK
3/9
W
SPRING BREAK
3/11
F
SPRING BREAK
3/14
M
Group Speech Work Day
3/16
W
3/18
F
Group Speech Work Day
3/21
M
Group Speeches
Presentations
3/23
W
Group Speeches
Presentations
3/25
F
Review/Assign Portfolios; Assign Synthesis Paper;
Assign 2nd CTSA; Assign Portfolio
3/28
M
15
16
Culture
Listening & Critical Thinking
Building Arguments / Assign Persuasive Speech
Group Preliminary
Outline Due
P2P Ch. 15
P2P CH 16 & bring
spiral
9
13
3/30
W
16
Building Arguments
4/1
F
16
Building Arguments
4/4
M
17
Discuss Fact, Value, and Policy
Persuasive Topic
Due
P2P CH 17
14
15
Discuss Fact, Value, and Policy
4/6
W
4/8
F
Review Persuasion- Refuting Counterarguments/ Audience
Analysis
4/11
M
Persuasive Work Day
4/13
W
Persuasive Presentations
Presentations
4/15
F
Persuasive Presentations
Presentations
4/18
M
Persuasive Presentations
Presentations
4/20
W
Persuasive Presentations
Presentations
4/22
F
Work day
4/25
M
4/27
W
Course Evaluation / Action Day
4/29
F
Review for final
17
18
Time Communicating in the 21st Century
16
Portfolio Due!
Good Deed activity TBD
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Syllabus Contract
I have read the syllabus for Brittany Borella’s Com 110 and agree to the terms for required coursework
and acceptable classroom behavior.
Signature:
_____________________________________________________________
Name (please print): ___________________________
What is your Major?
Date:_______________________
_______________________________________________________
Public Speaking experience? (If none, just write none) _____________________________________
__________________________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________________________
What do you do in your free time? ______________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________________________
What are you most looking forward to in college/this year? _________________________________
__________________________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________________________
What did you do over Winter Break? _____________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________________________
Favorites:
Movie: _________________________________________
Song: __________________________________________
TV show: _______________________________________
Book: __________________________________
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