SPCH 1130 - Interpersonal Communication - Syllabus

This course relies on D2L and, to a lesser extent, email for communicating about course materials and assignments. During this course you will be asked to access materials, submit assignments, take quizzes or tests, and communicate with others through D2L and email. Therefore you should be familiar with D2L and its features as well as your RCTC student email account. You should plan to use your home computer to do this or a computer in an RCTC lab (if you don’t have a computer or if yours is not up to snuff). If you feel that you are unable to competently and reliably use D2L and email, it would be better to take the classroom version of this course or take it at a later date. Always use this link to access D2L:

https://rctc.ims.mnscu.edu/

Be sure to bookmark it now. This is the direct link to D2L. If the RCTC computer network is unavailable, this link will still work. 

Instructions for accessing your RCTC email account are located here:

http://www.rctc.edu/html/email-students.html

If you do not have an RCTC email address or are having difficulty accessing your email after following the directions on the help page listed above, go to the GL 100 helpdesk with your RCTC picture ID.

You can send email to me and other classmates through D2L but you cannot read email through D2L. It is an "outgoing only" mail system. If you already know your email account ID and password, you can access your account at:

http://webmail.roch.edu/

 

• The focus of this class is collaborative and peer-focused learning, not instructor lecture. As your instructor, I am here to help you learn and provide some expertise regarding class content, not to spoon feed material to you for regurgitation. Our learning BEGINS with reading the text and branches out from there in a collaborative nature.

• Because this class is "open" 24-hours a day, seven days a week, there is no "attendance" policy and no need for absence excuses. The bottom line is that you must complete your assignments by the deadlines specified in the course schedule or they will not be accepted, regardless of the reason. This course can be taken in many locations, while you are ill, etc. Special consideration will be given only for the most extreme cases such as you were in a coma, kidnapped, etc. If will be out of town for a period of time, we can arrange for you to complete work ahead of time, however, you must contact me well PRIOR to assignment deadline to arrange accommodations.

• Expect to spend as much or more time working on readings and class assignments as you would in a regular face-to-face class. Most classes involve three hours of classroom time and another 3-5 hours outside of class for reading and homework. Schedule at least that much time to dedicate to this course.

• You should log in to the D2L site for this class most weekdays, or at least every other day. Why? Although your assignments for the week will be posted ahead of time, there are always helpful discussions and materials that will be added as we move through the class. It only takes a couple minutes to check in to see if there is anything new!

• Whenever posting to the D2L site or sending email to the professor, use the SPELL CHECK that is provided. Always use capital letters to begin sentences. Remember, you are typing messages FOR the reader and not just the easiest way possible for yourself. This is the essence of audience-centeredness over self-centeredness.

• Be certain to check your RCTC email at least once per day. This is the official form of communication for the college. If you use an email system other than RCTC's system for this class, you do so at your own risk. If you do decide to use another email system, be competent enough in that email program to ensure that your spam filter does not block messages from your professor or classmates. "Missing" an email is not an excuse for anything.

• You will need to have access to a word processing program. This program should be able to save files as Word Documents (.doc or .docx), Rich Text Files (.rtf) or plain text files (.txt). Do not submit Microsoft WORKS files (.wps). RCTC is participating in the Microsoft Campus Agreement that allows students to have access to Microsoft software without paying full retail price. Office 2007 is available to students for $8.15. To get it, go to GL100 with a student ID and current class schedule, fill out a yellow license agreement form and you will be given a yellow voucher to take to the bookstore.  If you cannot come to campus, print the Student Microsoft Campus Agreement Acceptance PDF form. Fill out the requested information, sign and fax it back to 507-285-7312. Upon receiving it, Computer Services will notify the RCTC Bookstore. Then, contact the Bookstore to obtain these CDs.

College policy with regard to plagiarism and improperly prepared student work is applicable in this course. It is your responsibility to be familiar with that college policy. A student who plagiarizes could receive a zero for that assignment, a lowering of the final grade, and/or failure for the course. Probation, suspension, and/or dismissal from the college are also possible.

Since I realize that many students work very hard at cheating and plagiarizing, I will work just as hard to seek out such offenses and the maximum penalties for them. I have failed students in the past for plagiarizing their papers from library books and web sites, copying work done by other students, and even falsifying absence excuses. I have found evidence of plagiarism in past classes that resulted in students being suspended and ruining their college careers. The benefits of cheating on a paper or a speech probably do no outweigh the risk of ruining your academic career.

Plagiarism and cheating rules also apply to all assignments written or oral. Please see me for any other questions regarding plagiarism as even "unintentional" (the result of ignorance of the rules) plagiarism can result in a failing assignment grade and disciplinary action. Forging official college documents is also considered plagiarism. Again, it is your responsibility to be familiar with RCTC’s plagiarism policy. 

If you are retaking this class it is expected you will submit new and original work for the current semester. Turning in old assignments, or modifying assignments from another class will earn a failing grade.  See the Student Conduct Code for questions.

All grades for this class will be assigned according to college definition only:

A = Superior Achievement (90-100%)
B = Above Average Achievement (80-89.9%)
C = Average Achievement (70-79.9%)
D = Below Average Achievement (60-69.9%)
F = Inadequate Achievement (0-59.9%)

Many students make the mistake of assuming that average work will earn a grade of "B" when in fact college policy dictates a "C" for that attainment. Too many instructors do not assign grades according to the proper definitions and thus students doing average work expect grades of "A" or "B."  To earn above average grades on assignments in this class, your work must meet the requirements of the assignment and show above average mastery of skills, organizational techniques, and use of the English language. In other words, an above average paper or presentation goes beyond simply meeting the basic requirements. You will probably find this to be one of your most time consuming, challenging courses.

Here is a brief explanation of the graded assignments for this class. These descriptions are to give you a general idea of the types of work involved in this class and are not meant to fully explain the assignments. Full details and requirements will be given in assignments located in the Content Area of our D2L site.

• Quizzes - There are 11 quizzes over textbook readings and assigned articles. These quizzes are designed to motivate you to read each chapter and the assigned articles fully. Each quiz will contain 20 questions and will be timed at 20 minutes. The quizzes are not designed to be difficult if you have done the assigned readings. Although you may use your book and notes during the quiz, there is not enough time to look up all the answers.Therefore it is imperative that you complete the readings BEFORE taking the quizzes.

• Discussion Postings - For each textbook chapter you will make a discussion post that contributes to the class dialogue on the theories and concepts we will study throughout the semester.

• Discussion Replies - These are posts made in response to discussions started by classmates and/or your professor.

• Interpersonal Communication Journals - These guided journal responses allow you to apply specific concepts to your own personal communication situations and experiences. These are shared with the class, but done so anonymously so only your professor knows to whom a journal belongs.

• Group Activities - You will use the D2L Chat Room to collaborate with classmates on various activities.

• Final Project - You will have a choice of different types of projects to complete as a culmination/application of what you have learned in class.

 

Late Work - Late assignments are not be accepted and deadlines are firm. Computer error is not a valid excuse. Prepare your assignments well in advance of the deadline and always give yourself ample time to correct mistakes and manage unforeseen challenges. If you prepare in advance you will be able to overcome any unexpected happenings. A deadline is the LAST time an assignment is accepted, not a suggestion for when to begin working on it or turning it in. The closer you are to submitting something near a deadline, the more risk you introduce into the process and you alone assume this risk.

Extra Credit - There are no extra credit assignments in this class. The scheduled assignments are challenging enough so spend your time, and do your best, on your regular assignments. Asking for extra credit because you did poorly or missed assignments is uncool.

Changes - Although highly unlikely, the instructor reserves the right to change anything contained in this syllabus if deemed necessary. Any changes will be announced on the D2L site for this class.

Copyright Notice - Materials used in connection with this course may be subject to copyright protection. Retention of the materials for longer than the class term, unauthorized further dissemination of the materials, or use of copyrighted materials in any way other than intended for this class is prohibited by Copyright and Teach Act laws.

This course meets the following three Minnesota General Education Transfer Curriculum Goals: 1, 2 and 7. Below is a detailed description of these goals which is required to be in this syllabus. Although these goals shape the larger picture of this class, do not feel as if you must know them. In other words, everything below here is the "fine print" so read only if you so desire...

Goal 1: Written and Oral Communication (CM)

To develop writers and speakers who use the English language effectively and who read, write, speak and listen critically. As a base, all students should complete introductory communication requirements early in their collegiate studies. Writing competency is an ongoing process to be reinforced through writing-intensive courses and writing across the curriculum. Speaking and listening skills need reinforcement through multiple opportunities for interpersonal communication, public speaking, and discussion.

Student competencies:

• Understand/demonstrate the writing and speaking processes through invention, organization, drafting, revision, editing and presentation.
• Participate effectively in groups with emphasis on listening, critical and reflective thinking, and responding.
• Locate, evaluate, and synthesize in a responsible manner material from diverse sources and points of view.
• Select appropriate communication choices for specific audiences.
• Construct logical and coherent arguments.
• Use authority, point-of-view, and individual voice and style in their writing and speaking.
• Employ syntax and usage appropriate to academic disciplines and the professional world.

Goal 2: Critical Thinking (CT)

To develop thinkers who are able to unify factual, creative, rational, and value-sensitive modes of thought. Critical thinking will be taught and used throughout the general education curriculum in order to develop students’ awareness of their own thinking and problem-solving procedures. To integrate new skills into their customary ways of thinking, students must be actively engaged in practicing thinking skills and applying them to open-ended problems.

Student competencies:

• Gather factual information and apply it to a given problem in a manner that is relevant, clear, comprehensive, and conscious of possible bias in the information selected.
• Imagine and seek out a variety of possible goals, assumptions, interpretations, or perspectives which can give alternative meanings or solutions to given situations or problems.
• Analyze the logical connections among the facts, goals, and implicit assumptions relevant to a problem or claim; generate and evaluate implications that follow from them.
• Recognize and articulate the value assumptions which underlie and affect decisions, interpretations, analyses, and evaluations made by ourselves and others.

Goal 7: Human Diversity (HD)

To increase students' understanding of individual and group differences (e.g. race, gender, class) and their knowledge of the traditions and values of various groups in the United States. Students should be able to evaluate the United States' historical and contemporary responses to group differences.

Student competencies: Students will be able to:

• Understand the development of and the changing meanings of group identities in the United States' history and culture.
• Demonstrate an awareness of the individual and institutional dynamics of unequal power relations between groups in contemporary society.
• Analyze their own attitudes, behaviors, concepts and beliefs regarding diversity, racism, and bigotry.
• Describe and discuss the experience and contributions (political, social, economic, etc.) of the many groups that shape American society and culture, in particular those groups that have suffered discrimination and exclusion.
• Demonstrate communication skills necessary for living and working effectively in a society with great population diversity.