Assignments and Grading

Course Assignments and Weight

Assignment Format

All major assignments in this class must be typed and submitted in a Word document. Pages files are not accepted. Your assignments should be:

• Typed using a one-inch margin (1.25 inches is also acceptable because it is the default setting)
• Typed using a 12-point, non-script font (i.e. Times New Roman, Arial, Tahoma)
• Note cards can be handwritten
• Double-spaced (except for formal outlines, which should be single spaced)

*Assignments that do not conform to these expectations will not be accepted.

Participation/Attendance Grading

0 absences       130/100 (This is the extra credit for perfect attendance. Must be in attendance for whole class period each class.)

1 absence         120/100               

2 absences       110/100            

3 absences       105/100

4 absences       100/100

5 absences       80/100

6 absences       40/100

7 or more                      0/100

Exams (4 @ 75 points each)

Students will take four exams, which will consist of 50 multiple choice or true/false questions. These will be taken during class time on paper, using green Scantron forms and a pencil. Ensure you are on time for exam days, as you will be given up to 50 minutes from the beginning of class to take the exam individually and then will complete the test in groups after. Individuals who need accommodations in testing through SAS will need to let me know ahead of time and take the test prior to the class in order to receive the opportunity to take the group exam. All tests will be collected after 50 minutes to allow enough time for the group test.

Self-Reflection Communication Essay
(50 points)

Write a paper of 1-2 pages, double-spaced, Times New Roman font, integrating vocabulary/concepts (at least five underlined and bold-face type vocabulary words) and writing about your personal communication habits. Include your thoughts on your own intrapersonal communication and your communication with others.

Your paper should include the following parts:

1. Three paragraphs, one each on three types of communication. The paragraphs describe your personal examples and analysis of your communication patterns, now and during childhood. The focus should include health topics, but do include intrapersonal communication and two other types of communication.
   1. Paragraph 1: Intrapersonal communication
   2. Paragraphs 2 & 3: Your choice of two: Interpersonal, small group, public speaking, and electronic communication
2. Within the paragraphs, use, explain, and apply at least five vocabulary terms/key phrases/concepts from the book, discussing how they apply to your communication style. Underline and bold the key vocabulary from the text. The vocabulary will not count if it is not bold and underlined, and needs to go beyond the term ‘communication’.
3. You should have eight terms bold and underlined: three communication types and five vocabulary words.
4. Paper must be one to two pages, with one-inch margins, double-spaced, and Times New Roman 12-point font. Any header space will not be included in the page count.

Deliverables: You will upload deliverables into the Blackboard Assignment prior to class on the assignment due date:

1. Paper in a Word document or pdf file.

Active Listening
(50 points)

Practice active listening in interpersonal communication. Students will attend class during the appointed time and have a conversation with a student partner while in the presence of the instructor.

Speaker: 10 points             

There will be a series of four statements the speaker makes by answering the provided prompt questions. After each statement, allow time for the listener to respond to you. Make your statement, and then wait for the listener to respond. Then go to the next prompt.

Listening Evaluation: 30 points

Your active listening should indicate the following:

1. Nonverbal communication during the conversation should be appropriate for active listening.
2. You should make appropriate indications to continue the conversation, like asking questions, responding to questions, or making comments to advance the conversation that indicate you are listening to your partner.
3. You should do two perception checks, two paraphrases, (one for each prompt) and then summarize at the end, showing the partner you’re listening.
4. Minus points for doing things like answering a phone call, tapping pencil, etc.

Student Self Evaluation: 10 points

Identify one of each of the following you used and how you used them: Perception Check, Summary, or Paraphrasing.

Identify two of the following you used and how you used them: Nonverbal communication, active commenting, or questions that promoted active listening: 10 points

Write how you used perception checking, paraphrasing, and summarizing.  Then write how you used nonverbal communication, active commenting, or questions that promoted active listening. Submit in a Word document in the assignment by the end of the day of the assignment.

Deliverables:

You will upload deliverables into the Blackboard Assignment after you complete the assignment:

1. Turn in your Student Self-Evaluation paragraph in assignment comments or in a Word document on the day of the assignment immediately after you are done with both conversations, while it’s fresh in your mind.

Breaking the Norms of Communication OR Health History Interpersonal Project
(175 points)

This assignment is two-fold. You will need to conduct an interpersonal communication interaction with someone of your choosing. You will write a 3-4 page paper on the interaction, and then present your findings to the class.

Choice 1: Breaking the Norms of Communication: You will need to conduct an interpersonal communication interaction with someone of your choosing. You will write a 3-4 page paper on the interaction, including five underlined and bold vocabulary words from Chapters 1-9 of our text (up to and including the interpersonal communication chapters) within the context of your paper. The words must be underlined and bold in order to count.

Paper: 150 points

Your paper should include the following parts:

1. Description of the interaction: Who, what, when, where? Tell us the context of the interaction, both physical and relational. (1 page)
2. Describe rules you were observing/breaking (½ page)
3. What happened in the interaction? What was the reaction? Why do you think it happened? (½-1 page)
4. Write a section using vocabulary from the text about interpersonal communication from this assignment. Use concepts from the text. (½-1 page)
5. How will you apply what you learned from this assignment in your interpersonal communication in your everyday life and professional life? (½ page)

Choice 2: Health History Interpersonal Project: You will need to conduct an interpersonal communication interaction with someone of your choosing regarding health communication in that person’s life (or your own life). Either way, this person needs to be comfortable talking with you about this topic, so choose well. You will write a 3-4 page paper on the interaction, including five underlined and bold vocabulary words from Chapters 1-9 of our text (up to and including the interpersonal communication chapters) within the context of your paper. The words must be underlined and bold in order to count.

Paper: 150 points

Your paper should include the following parts:

1. Description of the interaction: Who, what, when, where? Tell us the context of the interaction, both physical and relational. (1 page)
2. Describe the self disclosure that happened within the conversation regarding health communication, from your perspective. (½ page)
3. What were your strengths and weaknesses within this interpersonal communication? (½-1 page)
4. What did you learn about interpersonal communication, and specifically, health communication from this assignment? Use concepts from the text. (½-1 page)
5. How will what you learned change how you approach your health communication in your family life, social life, and future professional life? (½ page)

For both choices:

Presentation: 25 points

Length: 3-4 minutes.
In-class presentation: Present your findings to the class. You should have an interesting attention-getting introduction, body, and a conclusion. No outline required for this assignment, as you will have turned in the paper. DO NOT just read your paper. Use the extemporaneous speaking style. Note cards should be 3 x 5, and should only include short key terms/phrases.

Deliverables:

You will upload deliverables into the Blackboard Assignment prior to class on the assignment due date:

• Paper in a Word document or pdf file.
• You will turn in the note cards in class. The note cards need to be on actual index cards.

Group Communication – Problem Solving Activity in class
(100 points)

Your group communication assignment will be to conduct a problem solving group during class. Your deliverables will be hand-written for this assignment. There will be four groups that do this assignment during class. Each group will have 25-30 minutes to discuss the problem, and come up with possible solutions. You should use the entire time to discuss the problem and probable solutions. You need to use the reflective decision-making process we will discuss in class.

Deliverables:

You will upload deliverables into the Blackboard Assignment before AND after you complete the assignment:

1. BEFORE MEETING: Group leader submits the meeting agenda. The agenda must be typed and submitted as a Word document or a pdf file. Also submit a paper copy to instructor.
2. AFTER MEETING: Note taker submits meeting notes, which may be handwritten or typed, and should include all steps in the process as solutions, and should be turned in as a jpg file, a Word document, OR a pdf file immediately after the meeting.

Informative Speech (5-7 minutes)

(225 points)

Delivery: 100 points

Outline: 50 points

Visual: 25 points

Audience evaluation: 50 points

• Visual Aid required
• Outline required

Students may choose a preferred topic for this presentation, with prior approval from the instructor. Topics need to be health communication related: Possible topics include social health customs/rituals, health insurance, history of a disease, diagnosis and what it means, mental health subjects, history of medical tools, a medical profession, disability, explain a significant aspect of their own health communication culture, etc. Students will choose topics prior to the presentation so topics are not repeated. Library research is required for this assignment. All paperwork is due PRIOR to the first in-class presentation day. You will turn in a preparation outline (which includes a list of at least three sources-two library-based and one can be a different type of credible source) along with note cards and a visual. A visual is required for this presentation.

Deliverables:

You will upload deliverables into the Blackboard Assignment before AND after you complete the assignment:

1. ON OUTLINE WORKSHOP DAY: Submit draft in Word or pdf format in the separate Outline Draft assignment.
2. BEFORE FIRST Presentation Day: Outline with sources in Word or pdf format.
3. BEFORE FIRST Presentation Day: Note cards in jpg, pdf, or inserted into a Word document.
4. BEFORE FIRST Presentation Day: Visual PowerPoint or Google Slide Show (as a PowerPoint file).
5. AFTER: Turn in your peer evaluation immediately after the presentation for several students. You’ll end up completing several handwritten evaluations in class. The instructor will hand out forms in class. Expect to evaluate every other or every third student.

Grading Policy/Schema

If you have concerns regarding a grade given on an assignment, consider waiting 24 hours before contacting me. During that time, encourage please review the assignment and grading criteria, contemplate the feedback given on the work, and then contact me if you still have questions about the grade given on the assignment. Don’t wait too long however. Grades are only open for discussion for a period of two weeks after the due date, whether you were present that day or not.  Please track your points/grade throughout the semester.

Assignment Points Tracking Table

Course Textbook & Supplies

Understanding Human Communication, 15th ed., by Adler, Ronald B., Rodman, George, & du Pré, Athena. ISBN 9780197615676

This course is designated First Day Access, which means your book is available directly from Blackboard.

• Computer access for Blackboard (Bb) quizzes and word processing.
• Note cards (3x5 or 4x6).

Course Calendar

(Tentative, and Subject to Change)
Please note that schedule changes may occur during the semester. Any changes will be announced in class and/or posted as a Blackboard Announcement and sent as an email.

General Education Outcomes

Civic and Cultural Awareness

Analyzing and critiquing competing perspectives in a democratic society; comparing, contrasting, and interpreting differences and commonalities among peoples, ideas, aesthetic traditions, and cultural practices.

Critical Thinking

Gathering, analyzing, synthesizing, evaluating and applying information.

Personal Responsibility

Identifying and applying ethical principles and practices; demonstrating effective learning, creative thinking, and personal responsibility.

Interpersonal Skills

Interacting collaboratively to achieve common goals.

Written, Oral, and Visual Communication

Communicating effectively, adapting to purpose, structure, audience, and medium.

Student Learning Outcomes

1. Foundations of Human Communication
   1. Apply the techniques of communication competency in a variety of settings.
   2. Develop skills in selecting and using a variety of communication strategies and responses based on situational contexts, goals, and human needs.
   3. Integrate self-monitoring strategies to increase personal communication competence.
   4. Analyze the role of perception in communication and employ various perception checking methods to enhance competency.
   5. Recognize the power of verbal and nonverbal messages and adapt messages effectively.
   6. Evaluate listening habits and practice effective listening skills.
   7. Identify the dimensions of cultural diversity and their influence on communication.
   8. Examine the influence of using communication technologies on human interaction.
2. Interpersonal Communication
   1. Identify, analyze, and apply effective interpersonal communication skills.
   2. Recognize personal conflict style and demonstrate effective conflict management.
3. Small Group Communication
   1. Engage in and evaluate the dynamics of small group communication.
4. Public Speaking
   1. Develop, research, organize, and deliver an effective formal public speech.