THE UNIVERSITY OF NORTH CAROLINA AT GREENSBORO

        DEPARTMENT OF COMMUNICATION

 

CST 105          INTRODUCTION TO COMMUNICATION STUDIES   Fall 2007

 

Course Objectives

 

The mission of the Department of Communication Studies is “We research, teach, and practice communication to cultivate the ethical voices of people that speak in critical, constructive, and transformative ways to identities, relationships, and communities.”

 

This course is designed to help you become a competent communicator in a variety of contexts.  You will be introduced to the principles and basic skills of interpersonal communication, small group and team communication, and public communication.  Your work will be constructively evaluated to enhance growth.  Upon completion of the course, you should be able to

 

1- identify the principles of human communication

2- articulate specific goals for oral messages

3- organize oral messages in a clear, coherent manner

4- provide appropriate supporting material based on the audience and occasion

5- provide good reasons and evidence for persuasive messages

6 –interpret and evaluate persuasive arguments

7- identify criteria for effective oral communication

8- evaluate and improve your oral communication skills

9 - understand your ethical responsibilities to others in communication transactions

 

Speaking Intensive Course

UNCG students are required to take two speaking-intensive courses.  All sections of CST 105 are approved for speaking-intensive credit. The purpose of a speaking-intensive course is to help you to “speak clearly, coherently, and effectively as well as to adapt modes of communication to one’s audience.”  Because a speaking-intensive course focuses on learning of content through active engagement in oral communication, the class will be interactive. You will be encouraged to share ideas, argue viewpoints, and engage in meaningful discussion. Individual improvement is a key component in the course.  You will learn to analyze and evaluate your skills and set goals for improvement. You will receive constructive feedback from your instructor and peers.

 

University Speaking Center

The University Speaking Center is designed to help you improve your oral communication skills.  You have the opportunity to practice your individual or group presentations and to work with a trained consultant. To schedule an appointment, call  (336) 256-1346.

 Hours: M –W 10 am-8 pm.

             Thursday 10 am-6pm

             Friday  9 am-noon

Two locations: 3211 HHRA, third floor of the new Hall for Humanities and Research Administration building or 22 McIver Building, ground level.

Textbook and materials

 

Instructors:

 

Ms. Cherie Avent                                             202 Curry building

Ms. Ellen Bateman                                            202 Curry Building

Ms. Kristina Bell                                               202 Curry Building

Mr. William Bryant                                           202 Curry Building

Ms. Sarah Dunning                                           202 Curry Building

Ms. Christen Hanley                                         202 Curry Building

Ms. Elizabeth Jeter                                           202 Curry Building

Ms. Natalie Jones                                             202 Curry Building

Ms. Megan Morrissey                                      202 Curry Building

Ms. Christina Poteet                                         202 Curry Building

Mr. Armond Towns                                          202 Curry Building

                                                           

Office telephone                                             334-5855

                                   

Ms. Joyce Ferguson

Basic Course Director  and Supervising Instructor of Record                

Office                                                               116 Ferguson Bldg.

Telephone                                                        334-3838

E-mail                                                              jgfergus@uncg.edu

 

Department of Communication              102 Ferguson Bldg.

Department telephone                                       334-5297

 

Evaluation criteria

This course combines theory and performance.  Evaluation consists of both oral and written components.

“Any Old Bag” speech  5%

Group presentation                   15% (10% group grade; 5% individual analysis)

Informative speech                    15%

Persuasive speech                     20%

Exams: 3 @ 10%                     30%

Quizzes, additional assignments,

   participation                           15%

 

Grading scale: A- =90-92, A=93-96, A+ = 97-100; B- = 80-82, B= 83- 86, B+ = 87-89;

C-= 70-72, C= 73-76, C+ = 77-79, etc.

 

Attendance policy

This course is participation-intensive, which requires regular attendance. There are no scheduled days for make-up exams or speeches. If you are absent on days on which you are assigned to speak or to take an exam, you will receive a zero for that assignment.

The attendance policy takes care of emergencies.  Do not ask to be excused!  The cuts without penalty are to be used for sickness and emergencies.

 

You may miss a total of 3 classes not coinciding with an exam or assigned speech without a penalty.  Beginning with the fourth absence two points will be subtracted from your overall average for each absence.  If you miss seven classes, you will be dropped from the course with an F.  Save your cuts for illness/emergencies, doctors’ appointments.

 

Tardiness

Class begins on time.  Two tardies will be considered an absence.

 

Assignments

As with the nature of any course, there will be both written and oral assignments.  You should take seriously the responsibility of completing work on time.  Late papers and assignments will not be accepted.

 

You should also properly cite sources in your research.   Plagiarism will not be tolerated.  If there are any questions about properly citing sources please ask.

 

 Participation

This course is participation-intensive.  Here are some guidelines:

 

1 – Be in class on time and stay the entire class.

2 - Communicate your support for classmates by being in class and attentive when they are giving speeches

3 - Be prepared with speeches/assignments on due dates

4 - Be prepared and willing to participate in class by having the reading/other assignments completed before class

5 - Respect and listen to others - practice ethical communication.

 

Procedure for speech presentations

All presentations will be accompanied by a typed outline.  The detailed, complete sentence outline will be counted as a part of the speech grade. On your speech day, bring your videotape.  Look professional on your assigned speech day.

 

Honor Code

You are expected to know and to abide by the UNCG Honor Code guidelines.