California State University Sacramento Fall 2013
Coms 5 The Communication Experience
Syllabus
Class Meets M/W
Sec 17 ARC 3004, 12-1:15pm
Sec 18 AMD 250, 1:30-2:45pm
Instructor
Course Site
Office Hour
Email
Mailbox
Jacob Guinn
coms5.wikispaces.com
Weds, MND 5033, 3-4:30pm
jg2878@csus.edu Use “Coms 5 Section____” + subject
MND 5014, Coms Office
Catalogue Description: Basic skills and concepts necessary for effective communication in a
variety of settings. Special emphasis is placed on practical experience within groups and
interpersonal relationships; presentation skills are also an important dimension of the course.
Not recommended for Communication Studies majors. 3 Units.
Required* Text and Recommended Materials:
*Wood, J. T. (2014). Communication Mosaics: An introduction to the field of communication (7th
Ed.). Boston: Wadsworth Pub. Co.
*Internet Access
Highly recommended: Publication Manual of the American Psychological Association (6th Ed.).
(2009). Washington, D.C.: American Psychological Association.
Place in the Curriculum: This course is designed to meet the general education communication
requirement Area A1: Oral Communication (3 units). The oral communication requirement is a
response to the insight that communication skills have been and are increasingly important in
the development and maintenance of our societies, locally, nationally and internationally.
Generally speaking, the more skillful and knowledgeable you are about communication, the
better your life may be. The wide applicability of this course in your life makes it an appropriate
general education topic. As part of the GE curriculum, and in order to fulfill the charge of
developing strong oral communication skills, you will engage in a minimum of 22 minutes of
graded oral communication performance.
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General Course Objectives
Identify significant questions about theory or practice of appropriate communication skills, and
procedures in your own life.
Explain the effects of the complexity of communication processes on human relationships in an
increasingly individualistic society.
Explore your personal communication assumptions, habits and styles that facilitate and inhibit
your success as a communicator in a variety of communication contexts.
Analyze the communication contexts in which we regularly operate: interpersonal, small group,
mass communication, and public presentation.
Assess the degree of competence you exhibit as a communicator in interpersonal, small group
and public communication context.
Course Structure For Details See Course Calendar
Part I Introduction to the discipline, foundations for the study of communication, careers for
people with strong communications background and skills.
Part II Six basic processes and skills that are central to a range of communication situations and
goals. (Perceiving and understanding, verbal and non-verbal communication, listening and
responding, creating communication climates, adapting to cultures and social
communities)
Part III How the basic communication cultures introduced in part II function in 7 specific
contexts. (Identity, relationships, groups and teams, organizations, public speaking, mass
communication, digital media)
How Teaching and Learning Will Occur
You will be very involved in the learning process--learning is much more enjoyable
and effective that way. By "effective learning," I mean learning that actually makes a
long-term, positive change in how you understand your world, and how you behave in
it. It means increased competence in whatever area of study you are involved; here,
it's communication.
In this course, effective learning will have occurred when you understand
communication in a way that is more sophisticated than when you began the course;
effective learning will have occurred when you are conscious of communication
choices you are making when communicating interpersonally, in small groups and with
public audiences, and when you adjust your behavior based on what you've learned.
To facilitate this happening you will:
 Carefully read assignments before coming to class
 Prepare written assignments before coming to class
 Be ready to share ideas and argue ideas with colleagues
 Look for connections between ideas and concepts encountered throughout the
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Learning Outcomes and Objectives
Upon completion of this course, the student will be able to:
1. Identify the contexts for human communication as well as various theoretical
perspectives related to interpersonal, small group, and public communication.
2. Utilize verbal and non-verbal communication strategies to increase effectiveness in
interpersonal relationships, group interactions and public presentations.
3. Demonstrate critical listening and effective feedback.
4. Appreciate the benefits of diversity on and the complexity of intercultural
communication within interpersonal, group and public communication contexts.
5. Explain how perception and communication influence each other within the context of
interpersonal communication.
6. Analyze communication behaviors and roles in group interactions and make
recommendations to enhance effectiveness of group communication.
7. Employ a variety of conflict management strategies within interpersonal and group
communication contexts.
8. Construct and deliver oral presentations (including informative, persuasive, and special
occasion) to varying audiences, utilizing and appropriately documenting research from various
sources.
Course Assignments, Point Scale
930-1000
900-929
870-899
830-869
800-829
770-779
A
AB+
B
BC+
730-769
700-729
670-679
630-669
600-629
599-below
C
CD+
D
DF
You will also have some control over what you do in the course. In
order to pass, you will show you have mastered the basic concepts,
and you can choose how far you wish to go beyond that by choosing
other assignments. To receive a grade higher than a B-, you will
need to contract to complete optional assignments of sufficient
value to get you to the target grade you set for yourself. Keep in
mind that only doing the core assignments would require perfection on each in order to score 800
points (B-). See the class website for Assignment Instructions and more about Optional Assignments.
4 Tests 400 pts
My Grade
3 Self Assessments 150 pts
Optional
20%
1 Group Project Presentation
100 pts
5%
1 Poster Presentation 100 pts
Attendance 50 pts
40%
10%
10%
15%
Optional Assignments 200 pts
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Attendance: Showing up for each class session on time and prepared is essential to succeeding
at school or in a career. Ever heard of the saying, “Take care of the days and the years take care
of themselves”? It means success is achieved by the little steps we take and the habits we form
along the way. Dedicating yourself to excellence in all areas of your life including punctuality and
honoring commitments while at the university will reward you with more opportunity,
organization, and even reduced stress. You may miss two classes, for whatever reason, with no
penalty (Exception: Exam days, speaking days, final exam. These days attendance is mandatory!)
Third absence: -10 pts, Fourth Absence: -15 pts, Five or more absences: = Course Grade F
Late more than 5 minutes/Leaving class early: -3pts
24 Hour Grade Discussion Policy: I will not discuss any grades for any assignment on the day I
hand it back to you, nor will I discuss individual grades in the classroom, nor via email. If you
have a dispute about the grading of a particular assignment, please wait 24 hours AFTER the
assignment is returned, and then attend office hours to present your argument. If you wish to
contest a grade, write out your argument clearly, concisely, and completely and bring it with you
to the meeting.
Frequently Asked Questions
Are cellphones, or other electronic devices allowed? No. Keep them tucked away, on silent. If I
need to say something a second time I’ll dismiss you from class for the day, you are welcome to
return next class meeting.
Can I use my laptop in class? If you wish to bring a laptop, please keep it closed until there is
“tops up” time for writing a few notes to yourself or there is a need to do some research online. I
find it hard to connect with students who are focused on a laptop display; some students find
the key clicks and monitor images distracting as well. If I see you gaming, emailing, IMing, surfing
the web or otherwise playing with your laptop during "tops up" time, I will dismiss you from the
class.
Can I turn in assignments late? No. All assignments are due at class time on the date announced
or assigned. Plan ahead—printer glitches, long lines in labs, etc. won't persuade me to change
the policy for you. If you have an emergency, please notify me as soon as possible.
Do I have to type assignments? Every assignment listed in the course syllabus must be typed or
I will not accept it. Please use Times New Roman 12pt font with 1 inch top, bottom and side
margins. The only assignments that may be handwritten are: homework assignments I pass out
in class (data collections, activities to be completed between class sessions, etc).
Can I make up a test if I miss one? No.
When’s the final exam? Section 17 Will be held on 12/18/13 from 10:15-12:15pm
Section 18 Will be held on 12/16/13 from 12:45-2:45pm
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What if I want to drop the course or take an incomplete (I) for the course?
A. I follow the departmental policy on dropping. Be sure you drop by the end of the second
week if you are at all inclined to do so because I will NOT let you drop after that unless
you can provide a substantial argument that I find compelling. I will require
documentation of extenuating circumstances to drop after week two. Make your
decision early if you are shopping.
B. I will not assign an “incomplete” unless the requirements and conditions stipulated by
the university are met. “Incomplete” is not routinely assigned if you are slow in getting
your work done; if you have not been responsible in managing your time, or if you are
achieving a low grade. As is the case with dropping the course, you must present me
with substantial and compelling documentation that persuades me that your case meets
the requirements for assignment of incomplete. You must also present to me, at the
same time, a clear and coherent plan and time line for completion of the course, then
we’ll negotiate the final version of the plan. See university policy:
http://aaweb.csus.edu/catalog/current/First%20100%20Pages/academicpolicies.asp#Incomplete
Academic Misconduct I follow the departmental policy on plagiarism. Cheating on any
assignment will result in an "F" on the assignment and I will report the incident to the Dean of
Students for further possible action. If you not know what plagiarism is, go to
http://library.csus.edu/plagiarism for an explanation. In short, plagiarism is acting as if someone
else's words or ideas are yours. To avoid a charge of plagiarism, simply give credit for words or
ideas to the authors.
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Resources
Writing Resources
If you need help with your writing, please visit the Writing Center in Room 128 of Calaveras Hall,
just west of Mendocino Hall between Douglas and Alpine halls. The hours are: Monday through
Thursday, from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m., and Fridays from 9 a.m. to 12 p.m. Students may sign up for
tutoring once per week and appointments must be scheduled in person. For more information
visit: www.asn.csus.edu/writing/default.html or call 916-278-6955.
Disabilities
If you have a disability that requires assistance, please inform me as soon as possible so that we
may accommodate your needs. Also, for information about resources available, please visit the
Office of Services to Students with Disabilities in Lassen Hall 1008, visit the web site at:
http://www.csus.edu/sswd/ or call 916-278-6955.
University Support Services
Various services are available on campus to support to your academic career, including
counseling, tutoring and career advisement. For more information, please visit the Student
Affairs web site at: http://saweb.csus.edu/students/ or call 916-278-6060.
Library Databases
A multitude of periodical databases are available via the library web site to help you with your
academic career. You will find “Communication & Mass Media Complete” especially helpful for
any Communication Studies courses you take (especially this one!). Please visit the library to
learn more or the website: http://db.lib.csus.edu/databases/
Changes
I reserve the right to make changes to this syllabus to improve our classroom.
Name
Classmates in Coms 5
Phone Number
Email
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California State University Sacramento Fall 2013
Coms 5 The Communication Experience
Class Schedule
Wednesday
Monday
Wednesday
Monday
9/4
9/9
9/11
9/16
Subject
Syllabus
A First Look at Communication
Perceiving and Understanding
Wednesday 9/18
Monday
9/23
Listening and Responding to Others
Wednesday 9/25
Test 1
Monday
9/30 Engaging in Non-Verbal Communication
Wednesday 10/2
Engaging in Verbal Communication
Monday
10/7 Communication and Personal Identity
Wednesday 10/9
Test 2
Monday
10/14
Creating Communication Climates
Wednesday 10/16 Communication in Personal Relationships
Monday
10/21
Wednesday
Monday
Wednesday
Monday
Wednesday
Monday
Wednesday
Wednesday
Monday
Wednesday
10/23
10/28
10/30
11/4
11/6
11/11
11/13
11/18
11/20
11/25
Monday
11/27
Wednesday 12/4
Monday
12/9
Wednesday 12/11
Communication in Groups and Teams
Communication in Organizations
Test 3
Detail
Contracts Due
*Self-Perceived
Communication
Competence Scale (SPCC)
Due*
Review
Form 882-E
Review
Form 882-E
*Interpersonal
Communication Inventory
Due*
Review
Form 882-E
Mass Communication
Veteran’s Day
Digital Media and the Online World
Public Communication
*Personal Report of Public
Speaking Anxiety Due*
Thanksgiving
Group Presentations
Group Presentations
Group Presentations
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