Communication Studies 350 | Professional Communication for the Designer

Monday/Wednesday 12:30-1:20 PM | Remainder Online

Room C167 | Spring, 2013

 

Instructor:           Jen Anderson

Phone:                (425) 564-4185

Email:                   jeanders@bellevuecollege.edu or Canvas email

Office Hours:      Before or after class or by appointment

Text:                     Adler, R. and Elmhorst, J. (2013). Communicating at Work, 11th Edition

 

Course Website:  Go to http://bc.instructure.com then log into Canvas.  Your Username and Password are the same as your BC Network account.  If you are using a PC, FireFox or Google Chrome are compatible browsers with Canvas.  If you are using a Mac, Safari is compatible. 

 

Please Note: This is a HYBRID course.  We meet twice a week in class and the remainder of the course will be completed online in Canvas.  It’s imperative that you understand that the online component of this class is required.  You should login to Canvas every weekday this quarter. You cannot successfully complete this course by missing online deadlines or by participating only minimally in the online environment. 

COURSE INFORMATION

The purpose of this course is to provide you with the knowledge and skills necessary for quality communication in the workplace. This objective will be accomplished through the study and application of interpersonal communication, small group, and public speaking theory and concepts.

Course Learning Outcomes:

Course Format and Expectations: This course is designed to provide multiple ways for you to enhance your professional communication skills and develop a more comprehensive understanding of the communication processes therein. The objectives will be met through the use of mini-lectures, readings, film analysis, class discussion, personal reflection, online discussions, an individual speech, and a group project.  Three quizzes will be administered throughout the quarter, assessing your understanding of, and ability to apply, communication concepts covered in the reading and in class. Given this format, this course is highly interactive - students need to commit to being active participants both in class and online. In addition, this area of study contains complex theories and difficult social science jargon. I will do my best to assist you, but a college reading level and college writing level in English is needed to succeed in this course.

COURSE GRADING AND ASSIGNMENTS

Grading System: In order to allow for flexibility, I may omit some assignments and add others during the quarter. I will keep you posted if changes occur and how those changes will alter the following:

Assigned Reading: You will be assigned reading each week and it is your responsibility to come to class prepared to participate in class discussions regarding that reading. While many of the concepts covered in the reading will be discussed in class, there will not be enough time to cover every concept. All concepts covered in the readings are fair game for the quizzes, so it is imperative that you keep up with the reading and have an understanding of the communication concepts therein.

Online Discussion Posts: You will participate in a variety of online discussions throughout the quarter. These discussions can be accessed through the Discussion Tab in the menu on the class website. You will answer one question and respond to at least one of your classmates’ posts almost every week. Please be sure to read “Posting a Good Discussion” in the Getting Started module on our Canvas website.

Design Presentation: Create a 5-7 minute presentation detailing a design challenge you tackled in a previous design project (i.e. lighting, acoustics, space planning, etc).  This assignment will require you to try different presentation styles than you might be used to using – please be open to learning these styles.

Presentation Self-Critique:  You will have the opportunity to evaluate your organization and delivery of your design presentation in a two-page critique. 

Small Group Analysis Paper:  You will have the opportunity to participate in a small group over the course of the quarter and analyze your communication in that group or another group in which you’ve been actively involved. 

COURSE POLICIES

 

Couse Assignment Expectations and Late Work:  All written work will be turned in on time in order to receive full credit.  Most assignments for this course will be due by 11:59 PM on the due date.  The decision to accept late assignments will be made on an individual basis, taking into account the specific situation.  All late work will receive a deduction in points.  No late assignments will be accepted after the last day of instruction.  College-level standards of grammar, spelling and punctuation are expected.  Please type and proofread all written work.

 

Attendance and Participation: Your attendance and participation are an integral part of making this class, and especially your group, work effectively.  As stated previously, most of the work that makes up this class involves group discussion and class exercises that emphasize lecture material.  If you are not in class, you are unable to participate in these discussions and group exercises.  If you are absent on any day, you are responsible for obtaining materials and information you missed from other class members. Please be on time for class.

 

In lieu of taking attendance each day, I will administer pop quizzes over the course of the quarter that can only be taken on the day assigned.  Therefore, if you are not in class on that day, you will forfeit the available points.  Your participation in class will also factor into your overall attendance/participation grade for the quarter.  This participation includes active engagement in small group activities and discussions as well as larger class discussions.  In order to receive full points, you need to be an active participant in class each day.

I understand that many students have important responsibilities outside of the classroom…families, work, sports, etc. I am sensitive to these issues and will do all that I can to assist with scheduling conflicts as they relate to class activities. I ask that you let me know ahead of time of any conflict you might have with scheduled class time, and we will try to work things out. Please realize though, while I am flexible, that flexibility only goes so far. Please be respectful of your group members and my time as we will be of your time.

Cell Phone/Laptop Use: No texting, surfing the web, or checking personal email in class.  Please keep your phones on vibrate/mute or off during class time and keep them in your bag or pocket during class – I do not want to see them out.  You are able to use your laptop to take notes.  I reserve the right to restrict use of laptops in class if students are found to be checking email/facebook/youtube/etc. during class.  Please be respectful of your classmates and me.

Grade Appeals:  You have the opportunity to appeal any grade that you are given in this class.  All grade appeals must be typed, stating your reason for appeal.  If you so choose, I will accept appeals via e-mail.  Grade appeals must be submitted no sooner than 24 hours after the grade has been issued...I will not discuss any grade on the day the grade is administered. All grade appeals must be submitted within 2 weeks of me handing back the assignment.

 

Academic Honesty:  Plagiarism, or academic dishonesty, is the act of using another writer’s words or ideas as your own. According to the Bellevue College Arts & Humanities website, plagiarism “may take many forms, including, but not limited to, using a paper written by someone else, using printed sources word-for-word without proper documentation, and paraphrasing or summarizing the ideas of others without acknowledging the source.  Plagiarism can also occur when non-written ideas are taken without documentation--using someone else's design or performance idea, for example.  In short, plagiarism is passing off someone else's ideas, words, or images as your own; it amounts to intellectual theft--whether or not it was your intention to steal.” In this class, any student who plagiarizes fails the course automatically. I have no tolerance for this behavior.

 

Instructor Availability:  One of my favorite things about hybrid classes is the inherent flexibility that comes with the online component of the class.  I do appreciate the fact that we can communicate both in class and online on a regular basis.  With that in mind though, it is important to set up some parameters in terms of communication.  I will reply to emails within 24 hours.  I will be available Monday – Friday, but will not regularly check the site on weekends.  So, if you email me late on Friday or on the weekend, you can expect to hear back from me on Monday. 

 

CAMPUS RESOURCES

 

Adaptations or Special Accommodations Alert: The Disability Resource Center serves students with a wide array of learning challenges and disabilities. If you are a student who has a disability or learning challenge for which you have documentation or have seen someone for treatment and if you feel you may need accommodations in order to be successful in college, please contact the DRC as soon as possible. The DRC office is located in B 132 or you can call the reception desk at 425.564.2498.

 

Bellevue College E-mail:   All students registered for classes at Bellevue College are entitled to a network and e-mail account. Your student network account can be used to access your student e-mail, log in to computers in labs and classrooms and connect to the BC wireless network. To create your account, go to:  https://bellevuecollege.edu/sam BC offers a wide variety of computer and learning labs to enhance learning and student success.

 

Computer Issues:  If you experience any technical computer issues anytime throughout the quarter, you should contact the BC help desk at 425.564.HELP or submit a Request Center ticket at http://depts.bellevuecollege.edu/ir/submit-a-ticket/ .  You can also contact Distance Education: 425.564.2438 or www.bellevuecollege.edu/distance, Room A140, disted@bellevuecollege.edu.

 


 

Canvas Resources:  If you are new to using Canvas or have never taken an online (or hybrid) class before, I strongly encourage you to go to http://bellevuecollege.edu/distance/Canvas_classroom.asp and review the online tutorial for Canvas.  You should also watch the Canvas Student Orientations well as review steps for logging in to Canvas at http://depts.bellevuecollege.edu/ir/students/studentguide/class-sites/.

FINAL NOTE

I am excited to work with you this quarter and delve into the many concepts that surround communication in the workplace. I look forward to learning more about your personal and professional goals. Some concepts covered in class may be sensitive topics for discussion. Please remember to keep others’ feelings and dignity in mind when choosing to comment on an issue or prior statement made by one of your classmates or me. Any comments that denigrate the worth of an individual because of his/her race, religion, background, lifestyle, or gender are inappropriate and unacceptable in my class. I look forward to getting to know you this quarter! I look forward to learning from you as I believe that you have a great deal to teach your classmates and me. You can count on me to put a great deal of time into making this class both educational and enjoyable. I will rely on you to assist in making the class fun and educational and firmly believe that you will get out of this class as much as you put into it. Good luck!

Tentative Schedule (Subject to Change)

Week One                                                                                                                                                  Reading

4/1         Welcome/Syllabus                                                                                                                    Chapter One

4/2         (1) Introduction/Technology Plan Due by 11:59 PM

4/3         BARNGA

 

Week Two

4/8         Communication Principles/Networking                                                                                Chapter One

4/9         (2) Chapter One Discussion Due

4/10       Elevator Speeches

4/11       Chapter One Response Due

 

Week Three

4/15       Cultural Values                                                                                                                           Chapter Two

4/16       (3) Chapter Two/Three Discussion Due

4/17       Listening                                                                                                                                      Chapter Three

4/18       Chapter Two/Three Response Due

4/19       Quiz One Available (Friday, 4/19 through midnight on Monday, 4/22)

 

Week Four

4/22       Overview of Public Speaking                                                                                                   Chapters Nine – Eleven

4/23       (4) Topic Worksheet Due Online

4/24       Audience Analysis/Communication Apprehension

4/25       Topic Responses Due

 

Week Five

4/29       Organization/Research/Outlining                                                                                          Chapters Nine - Eleven

4/30       (5) Chapters Nine-Eleven Discussion Due

5/1         Delivery/Visuals

5/2         Chapters Nine-Eleven Response Due

 

Week Six

5/6         Future Goal Speeches                                                                                                              Chapters Nine - Eleven

5/7         Prepare for Gallery Walk/Delivery Workshop

5/8         Gallery Walk /Delivery Workshop

 

Week Seven

5/13       Speeches

5/15       Speeches

 

Week Eight

5/20       Job Search                                                                                                                                   Chapter Six

5/21       (6) Reflection on Guest Speaker

5/22       Small Group Communication                                                                                                  Chapters Seven/Eight

 

Week Nine

5/27       No Class – Happy Memorial Day!

5/28       (7) Personality Reflection and Group Roles

5/29       Small Group Communication

5/30       Personality Response

5/31       Quiz Two Available (Friday, 5/31 through midnight on Monday, 6/3)

 

Week Ten

6/3         Language                                                                                                                                     Chapter Four

6/4         (8) Chapters Four/Five Discussion Due

6/5         Nonverbal

6/6         Chapters Four/Five Response Due

 

Week Eleven

6/10       Conflict                                                                                                                                        Chapter Five

6/11       (9) Final Discussion Due

6/12       Quiz Three Available (Monday, 6/10 – midnight on Wednesday, 6/12)

6/13       Small Group Analysis Paper Due by midnight