Transcript CREATING A SYLLABUS



DR. CORY CUNNINGHAM
OVERVIEW
CONTENT
FINAL
THOUGHTS


COURSE
YOU
CLARITY
FONT
FORMAT
 BETWEEN
INSTRUCTOR & STUDENT
 STUDENT
EXPECTATIONS
 INSTRUCTOR
EXPECTATIONS


TITLE
COURSE
NUMBER
DAY/TIME/LOCATION
QUOTATION?
Communication Theory
COMM 3333-01
T/H 1:10
ARHU 181
Theories are important because they provide explanation and
prediction. Explanations allow us to answer the all-important
“Why” question. Without explanation, we operate in the blind
or on the basis of educated guesses. Prediction allows us to
move forward with confidence. A person who knows theory
and available supporting evidence is positioned to make the
best decisions and to justify these decisions to others. In
this sense, command of theory not only undergirds research;
it also is essential to the practitioner. – Dr. Michael Pfau
 NAME
 EMAIL
 PHONE/CELL
 OFFICE
HOURS & LOCATION
 LINK
TO BB
 LINK
TO FACULTY WEBSITE
PROFESSOR:
Dr. Cory Cunningham
OFFICE:
ARHU 146
PHONE:
512-415-9652
EMAIL:
[email protected]
OFFICE HOURS:
T/H 3-4 & By Appt.
FACULTY HOME PAGE:
http://www.utpa.edu/dept/c
omm/facultyStaffProfile.asp
?id=26
FAX:
BLACKBOARD:
http://onlinelearning.utpa.ed
u/webct/entryPageIns.dowe
bct
 BRIEF
DESCRIPTION OF COURSE
 HOW
WILL THIS COURSE HELP
STUDENTS IN THE FUTURE?
 WHAT
WILL STUDENTS KNOW BY THE
END OF THE SEMESTER?
 SELL
IT!!
This course is designed to give you a working map of important theories in
communication, especially those that you will not encounter in-depth in courses with
other faculty. It would be an impossible task to teach you all the theories that
exist in and about communication in the fullest depth in one semester. Instead the
course offers pointers and teaches you to consume theory, and in so doing, it
surveys major theoretical issues and propositions in communication. The course
begins with consideration of the ways in which theories are constructed and have
been broadly applied to human communication and then moves on to consider
specific theories about particular communicative activities and enterprises. As you
read through the materials that are offered for your consideration, keep asking
yourself: why is this important? What would count as evidence? How would evidence
be gathered? What are the underlying assumptions about the nature of the human
being? What values and implications lie behind the surface statements made here?
What is not articulated in the theory that in fact is important to explicate? Don't
despair that there is a lot to read: be satisfied with an acquisition of two things: 1)
a broad atlas of kinds of theory. [Don’t even attempt to believe that you will know
all these theories by the end of this course.] 2) a general compass of questions and
issues to guide you through the theoretical landscape. The course is designed to
give you the chance to acquire these things and provide a basis for later growth and
development of more detail and complexity over your further studies.
 WHY?
 MEASURABLE
 ATTAINABLE
 SPECIFIC
 Upon
successful completion of this course, you will
be able to:
o Explain the similarities and differences between/among
basic communication theories.
o Explain the role of communication theory in empirical
research
o Exhibit an appreciation and tolerance for the culturally
diverse patterns that exist in human communication.
o Demonstrate effective research skills using professional
journal articles, and other academic or substantial,
credible sources.
 PROVIDE
TITLE, AUTHOR,
PUBLISHER, YEAR, & ISBN
 OTHER
READINGS?
Griffin, E. (2009). A first look at communication
theory (8th Ed). New York: McGraw-Hill.
ISBN: 1-234-567890
*Other readings will be posted to BB
 BRIEF
DESCRIPTION OF EACH
ASSIGNMENT
 POINTS


READING QUIZZES – There will be four Reading
Quizzes throughout the semester. Prior to each quiz
you will be given a study guide to help focus your
studying. (50 points each)
RATIONALE, THEORY & EVALUATION (RTES) - The
purpose of this assignment is for you to learn more
about ONE communication theory and think creatively
and critically when reading published research
material. This will be the same theory you will use for
the Theoretical Film Analysis. A detailed description
of the assignment will be provided. (25 points each)
 ASSIGNMENTS
 EXAMS
 ATTENDANCE
 TOTAL
 HOW
POINTS
TO CALCULATE FINAL GRADE
COURSE
REQUIREMENTS
POSSIBLE
POINTS
Motivation Score
50
Quizzes (4)
RTEs (4)
Theoretical Film Analysis
Presentation
TOTAL
200
100
150
500
 STUDENTS
MUST COMPLETE ALL
ASSIGNMENTS. FAILURE TO DO SO WILL
RESULT IN A FAILING GRADE.
 COURSE
GRADES WILL BE ADMINISTERED
USING A “TOTAL POIINTS EARNED” APPROACH:
A = 500 — 450; B = 449 — 400; C = 399 — 350;
D = 349 — 300; F = 299 — 000
 ATTENDANCE
 LATE
WORK
 ACADEMIC
 PICK
HONESTY
YOUR BATTLES!

CLASS ATTENDANCE & PARTICIPATION: The nature of
this course is such that your consistent, active
involvement is required. Understanding communication
theory, as well as creating productive interpersonal
relationships within the class, entails your engaging
with the course material, with me, and with other
class members. Thus, you are expected to attend
each class, arriving on time with assigned readings
and preparations for experiential exercises
completed. Please bring your texts to class and be
prepared to discuss course material, pose questions,
and be actively involved in experiential in-class
exercises.

DEADLINES: All work is due in-class on the designated
due date. I do not accept late work. If you know that
you will be absent on a day that an assignment is due,
it is your responsibility to make arrangements with
me prior to the absence. No make-up quizzes will be
given.
 SPECIAL
PROBLEMS
 FAIRNESS
POLICY

SPECIAL PROBLEMS: If you are disabled in any way or have
any type of health issue that may have an impact on either
you or your seminar colleagues, please let me know after
the first class period so accommodations can be
made. Students with disabilities are encouraged to
contact the Disability Services office for a confidential
discussion of their individual needs for academic
accommodation. It is the policy of the University of
Texas-Pan American to provide flexible and individualized
accommodation to students with documented disabilities
that may affect their ability to fully participate in course
activities or to meet course requirements. To receive
accommodation services, students must be registered with
the Disability Services Office, University Center #322,
(956) 665-7005 or [email protected].

FAIRNESS POLICY: The University of Texas-Pan
American is committed to social justice. I concur with
that commitment and expect to maintain a positive
learning environment based upon open communication,
mutual respect, and non-discrimination. Any
suggestions as to how to further such a positive and
open environment in this seminar will be appreciated
and given serious consideration.
 SHOWS
ENTHUSIASM FOR COURSE
 SHOWS
YOUR PERSONALITY
I’m glad you’re a student in COMM 3333! I look forward to
getting to know you and learning more about your life goals
and how I may be able to assist you in reaching these goals.
Please know that I am committed to quality teaching. Our
class time together will be well organized, fully interactive,
relevant, and intellectually stimulating. I am respectful of
your time and ask that you respect my time. I begin and end
each class on time. Please come to class prepared having
completed the reading assignments and all homework
assignments. Thank you in advance for what I know is going
to be an incredibly rewarding semester.
I’m glad you’re here!
~Cory
 KEY
WORD = TENTATIVE
 INCLUDE:
o CLASS DATES
o TOPICS TO BE COVERED IN EACH CLASS
o
o
o
o
MEETING
READINGS TO BE COMPLETED BEFORE EACH
CLASS
ASSIGNMENT DUE DATES
EXAM DATES
HOLIDAYS
CLASS
DAY
CLASS
TOPICS
DUE
Tuesday,
September 1st
Interpersonal
Theories – Part 1
Read
Chapters 10-13
Thursday,
September 3rd
Interpersonal
Theories – Part 1
RTE #1 DUE
Tuesday,
September 7th
Interpersonal
Theories – Part 2
Read
Chapters 14-16


 FIRST
 DO
DAY OF CLASS
NOT READ…JUST COVER
HIGHLIGHTS
 ADMINISTRATIVE
 UPDATE
FOLDER
AS NEEDED
 PROVIDE
STUDENTS WITH THOROUGH
DESCRIPTION OF WHAT THEY WILL KNOW BY
THE END OF THE SEMESTER
 PROVIDE
STUDENTS WITH THOROUGH
DESCRIPTION OF YOUR EXPECTATIONS
 PROVIDE
DOCUMENTATION OF
RULES/POLICIES/CONSEQUENCES TO
ASSIST (IF NEEDED) WITH PROBLEM
STUDENTS

