COM 115
Syllabus
COM 115 – Introduction to Human Communication
Instructor: Russ Ray, MSM ‘06
Email Address: russell.ray at agsfaculty.indwes.edu (daytime)
Phone: (evenings until 9:00)
Web Site: http://iwuruss.wordpress.com
Course Overview
Communication methods are constantly evolving in business. As each new form of technology improves the way we convey information and ideas to others, technology also presents new hurdles, barriers, and challenges.
This course introduces students to the field of communication by stressing how to improve vital communication skills in an increasingly complex, technology-infused world. Students are invited to participate in a journey through classic and contemporary literature. In the process, they learn about the most basic elements of communication from a number of different perspectives. Experiential exercises, both individual and project team, help students apply content to their lives and enable them to be “world-changers”.
IWU/APS Grading Scale
This course will use the standard grading scale used by the Indiana Wesleyan University College of Adult and Professional Studies with a total of 1000 points.
| Grade | GPA | Percentage | Points Required |
|---|---|---|---|
| A | 4.0 | 95-100 | 950-1000 |
| A- | 3.7 | 92-94 | 920-949 |
| B+ | 3.3 | 89-91 | 890-919 |
| B | 3.0 | 85-88 | 850-889 |
| B- | 2.7 | 82-84 | 820-849 |
| C+ | 2.3 | 79-81 | 790-819 |
| C | 2.0 | 75-78 | 750-789 |
| C- | 1.7 | 72-74 | 720-749 |
| D+ | 1.3 | 69-71 | 690-710 |
| D | 1.0 | 65-68 | 650-689 |
| F | 0.0 | 64 and below | 649 and below |
IWU Attendance Policy
This course will use the attendance criteria used by the Indiana Wesleyan University College of Adult and Professional Studies.
If a student must miss more than one workshop in courses with 5 or fewer sessions, an “F” will be recorded. In this case, students should officially withdraw from the course via Student Services prior to the end of the course, and make-up the course with another core group.
Students are expected to be present when class begins and remain the entire workshop. If a student misses a total of one (1) hour or more of a class that is four (4) hours in length, an absence will be recorded.
IWU Academic Honesty Policy
This course will strictly enforce the academic honesty and plagiarism policies used by the Indiana Wesleyan University College of Adult and Professional Studies.
Late Work Policy
All assignments are expected to be completed and turned in to the instructor on the evening of the workshop which they are due. If you know in advance that you will not be able to attend a workshop, you may turn in an assignment via e-mail by the start of that evening’s workshop. An assignment received by email after 6:00 PM of the evening it is due is considered late for a student who is also absent that evening. It is the student’s responsibility to ensure that the assignment is received on time.
Any late assignments will have 20% deducted from the score per day late, and no late assignments will be accepted after being 5 days late (100% deduction).
Weighting of Assignments
| Individual Assignments | Due | Points |
|---|---|---|
| Informative Speech | Workshop 2 | 50 |
| Persuasive Speech | Workshop 3 | 100 |
| Faith Integration Paper | Workshop 4 | 100 |
| Faith Integration Speech | Workshop 4 | 150 |
| Team Teaching Assignment | Workshops 2, 3 or 4 | 200 |
| Team Presentation | Workshop 5 | 200 |
| Class Participation | Workshops 1, 2, 3, 4, and 5 | 10 each (50 total) |
| Team Assignments | Due | Points |
|---|---|---|
| Team Teaching Assignment | Workshops 2, 3, or 4 | 50 |
| Team Presentation | Workshop 5 | 100 |
NOTE: The total grade for the team assignments comprise both an individual component of the grade (up to 2/3) and a team component of the grade.
Course Approach
Because this is a communications class, students will be expected to demonstrate effective skills in both oral and written communication. Oral communication skills will be graded in the final presentation and any other in-class work that requires speech. Written communication skills will be graded in all papers, essays, and other such written assignments. Students are expected to proofread and spellcheck their work, as well as utilize proper grammar, punctuation, mechanics, and style as appropriate for a college-level course. Students should use the Prentice Hall Reference Guide if they have questions regarding these areas.
Wikipedia, Yahoo! Answers, and other open-source information repositories are not allowable APA reference sources in this course. Students may use these web sites to research ideas and to find citations to actual reference materials outside of these sites.
The instructor endeavors to provide as much constructive criticism and feedback on assignments as possible. While most students are surprised at the beginning of the course by what they believe to be harsh grading practices, by the end of the course most (if not all) students demonstrate marked improvement of those skills. Please keep in mind that this is a college course in a Bachelor’s-level program and that work is expected to reflect that. The instructor is happy to clarify and discuss any grades or comments for the purpose of helping students grow and improve.
Above all, please remember that the main purposes of this course are to glorify God and to serve the students in preparation to complete this program and to utilize the skills learned in this class in your current and future professional lives. If at any point the students believe that the subject matter is irrelevant to them at that moment, please let the instructor know. There is no purpose served in wasting what little time we have together in this course on concepts that can’t be applied to even a single person in the class.
