Description of course:

Purpose for the course:

• To prepare you to become a competent communicator for appropriate small group applications professionally and socially through exposure to relevant theory, personal application, and feedback.
• To help you demonstrate competence in applying the theories and skills of small group communication through your observation, analysis, and application.

Objectives of the course:

Text:

Assignment expectations:

• All typed assignments (papers) are due by 11:59 p.m. of the day indicated on the class schedule. Assignments not turned in to me personally should be e-mailed to David.Bodary@Sinclair.edu.
• E-mail messages must include your name and course in the body of the message and on the attachment. Attachments sent with no information about the sender and course will be deleted. It is the student's responsibility to address email properly.
• Late assignments will receive an automatic grade decrease of one letter grade per class day late. Assignments will not be accepted when more than one week late. It is the student's responsibility to know and meet deadlines.
• Any assignments not completed will result in a "F" (zero points).
• All projects, papers, and exams must be completed to receive course credit. Students not fulfilling responsibilities associated with their group's work will have their final grade lowered and can be failed for the course

Standards of evaluations:

Attendance:

• As a result of the nature of this course, much learning occurs in the classroom. Regular attendance is expected and essential to the successful completion of the course. My expectation is that this course is your job. In the event you can not fulfill the responsibilities of this job you should contact me.
• Call me before class if you are unable to attend class [Voice mail anytime -- 512-2572].
• The attendance grade (50 points of the total grade) will be determined based on the number of full class days attended throughout the term. Twenty-five (12.5) points will be deducted for each absence.
• If a students attends LESS THAN 80% of the total class meetings without medical documentation, failure for the course is automatic. Individuals coming late or leaving early will be considered tardy. Absence with medical documentation will still impact your final grade.
• The student is responsible to identify missed material and be prepared for the next class. Call a classmate for material.
• Late assignments (excluding in-class "Applications" and "group work") are accepted but will be deducted the equivalent of one full letter grade for each class session late. Assignments must be completed within one week of their original due date or before the final day of the term to be accepted for credit. In-class and group-work can not be made up unless arrangements are made prior to the class meeting. Call if you might miss class.

Educational support:

• I will make every effort help students during and after class, additional assistance is available daily during my scheduled office hours Room 2326 and by appointment (Phone: 512-2572).
• Free educational assistance for Sinclair students enrolled for credit is available in room 6221 or call 512-2792.
• Students are responsible for informing the instructor of their learning needs. Student requesting accommodations for learning needs will receive assistance after written support for that need is provided through the Educational Support Services office in room 10-421 and at phone 512-5113.

Participation:

• Research has revealed that the more people are involved in their education the more they get out of it. This means that when students ask questions, and actively engage in classroom discussions they learn more and retain what they learn longer. So ask and answer, you will find the time well spent.
• Because of the importance of practicing our communication skills, your participation, and active involvement, will account for 10% of your grade. Student comments which actively aid in the insights and learning of the group will earn more participation points than students making no comments or who's comments distract, delay or deny opportunities for learning. Behavior that is disruptive to learning is grounds for removal from the classroom. Demonstration of appropriate small group skills during class and in teams will improve your participation score.

Incompletes:

General education:

This course views communication (both oral and written), thinking, information literacy, values, community and citizenship as essential life skills. You will be expected to submit written materials in a professional format, including appropriate consideration toward ethics, organization, punctuation, spelling and critical thinking. Checklists are available to guide you.

Plagiarism:

As a learner in this course you are expected to submit your best work. Any student engaging in plagiarism will be failed for the course. This simply means your work must be your own, take pride in it. Document borrowed material according to appropriate style guides as taught in English composition. It is your responsibility to document borrowed materials when ever and where ever they are used. Papers, outlines, exams, applications and all other assignments must be your own original work and should document appropriately any instances of others' thoughts or words. Citation of sources is a sign of scholarly work and is expected in all written assignments.

Communication Majors:

Students majoring in Communication are required to keep a file of written materials developed in all Communication courses including copies of presentations on videotape. These materials will be used for completing COM 278, the Capstone Course, which is required for all graduating Communication majors. Please remember the Capstone Course is used to demonstrate competency in the area of Communication. Be sure your representative work reflects your competency in the field of Communication.

Campus police and security:

Developed by David Bodary, Comments and Suggestions
Last modified: August 30, 2007