Sp 100: Introduction to Communication
Tuesday and Thursday 10-11:50 a.m.
SH 212

REQUIRED TEXTS:

Trenholm, S. (2005). Thinking through communication: An introduction to the study of human communication (4th ed.). Boston, MA: Allyn & Bacon.

Hacker, D. (2002). A writer's reference (5th ed.). New York: Bedford St. Martin.

You will be asked to consult various other texts throughout the term. These texts can be found in the PSU Library. If you are not familiar with academic journals or the PSU Library, you should visit the library during the first week of the term.

COURSE DESCRIPTION:

What do music, winking, advertisements, corporate board meetings, movies, love letters, arguments, smiling, and group projects have in common? They are all ways in which we use communication. Communication is an essential part of our everyday lives and the human experience.

Introduction to Communication is a survey course; it is the sampler platter of the Communication Studies Department. We will look at the various areas of the communication discipline including intercultural, interpersonal, mass media, organizational and group communication contexts. This course focuses on understanding the breadth of the communication field by examining communication concepts, models, theories and applications.

COURSE OBJECTIVES:

By the end of the course, students should be able to:

• 1) Differentiate between five key contexts of human communication (interpersonal, group, organizational, mass media and intercultural)


• 2) Interpret the basic processes, models, functions and systems of human communication and apply those concepts to personally relevant communication scenarios


• 3) Critically analyze theoretical and practical approaches to human communication


• 4) Demonstrate basic academic research and writing skills


• 5) Synthesize acquired knowledge of communication contexts with core concepts

ASSIGNMENTS:

There are 5 graded assignments in this course. The assignments will be evaluated separately, but are interrelated and collaborative.

Communication Log:

Each week you will be assigned a log entry, requiring you to apply the course theories and models to a relevant question or experience. Topics will focus on media analysis, gender structures, interpersonal relationships, verbal and nonverbal communication, and intercultural communication. Every log entry will be worth 10 points. Details will be explained in class. (100 points)

Critical Thinking Questions/Comments:

For each chapter you read, you will write 1-2 critically-minded questions or comments. These questions should not be formulated like test or quiz questions. Questions and comments can be about a topic that you want to further explore with your classmates or teacher, although you should avoid overly simplistic questions and comments (i.e. "what do you think about ~E" or "I really enjoyed the section on ~E"). Questions can also address a topic's relevance to your life or the topic's social implications. Make 2 copies of your questions, as you will turn one copy in at the beginning of class and will reference the other copy during class. Questions must be typed. Each set of questions is worth 5 points. (55 points)

Group Discussions:

You will be divided into assigned discussion groups during the first week of the term. In addition to discussing your individual questions and comments, your group will be given a specific task to complete. The task will result in a progress report you will turn in at the end of class. Further instructions and directions will be given with the tasks and assignments. These tasks will be worth 5 points each. (45 points)

Exams:

There will be two exams during the term. Both tests will be 50 question multiple-choice exams. Tests will occur in the fifth week of the term and the final week of the term. The final exam will be not be cumulative. Study guides will be given in class. (100 points)

GRADING POLICY:

Grades are based on a standard A-F scale.

Total points in the course: 300 points.

Class Calendar and Schedule

• WEEK ONE
  
Tuesday, Sept. 27: Introduction to the class

Read: Syllabus, Chapter 1

Thursday, Sept. 29: Overview of Communication

Read: Chapter 1

Due: Chapter 1 Critical Thinking Questions and Comments

Due: Log #1


• WEEK TWO
  
Tuesday, Oct. 4: Communication Models

Read: Chapter 2

Due: Chapter 2 Critical Thinking Questions and Comments

Thursday, Oct. 6: Models, Con't

Read: Chapter 12


• WEEK THREE
  
Tuesday, Oct. 11: Research

Due: Chapter 12 Critical Thinking Questions and Comments

Thursday, Oct. 13: Critical Thinking and Language

Read: Chapter 4

Due: Chapter 4 Critical Thinking Questions and Comments

Due: Log #3


• WEEK FOUR
  
Tuesday, Oct. 18: Perception and Listening

Read: Chapter 3

Due: Chapter 3 Critical Thinking Questions and Comments

Thursday, Oct. 20: Listening, Con't.

Due: Log #4

** This is the last day to drop classes **


• WEEK FIVE
  
Tuesday, Oct. 25: Nonverbal Communication

Read Chapter 5

Due: Chapter 5 Critical Thinking Questions and Comments

Thursday, Oct. 27 Nonverbal Con't.

Exam #1


• WEEK SIX
  
Tuesday, Nov. 1: Interpersonal Communication

Read: Chapter 6

Due: Chapter 6 Critical Thinking Questions and Comments

Thursday, Nov. 3: Interpersonal, Con't.

Due: Log #6


• WEEK SEVEN
  
Tuesday, Nov. 8: Mass Media

Read: Chapter 10

Due: Chapter 10 Critical Thinking Questions and Comments

Thursday, Nov. 10: Media and Society

Due: Log # 7


• WEEK EIGHT
  
Tuesday, Nov. 15: Communication and Culture

Read: Chapter 11

Due: Chapter 11 Critical Thinking Questions and Comments

Thursday, Nov. 17: Cultural Implications

Due: Log # 8


• WEEK NINE
  
Tuesday, Nov. 22: Group Communication/ Organizational Communication

Read: Chapter 7 and 8

Thursday, Nov. 24: NO CLASS

Thanksgiving Holiday


• WEEK TEN
  
Tuesday, Nov. 29

Study Session

Due: Log #9

Thursday, Dec. 1

Exam #2


• FINALS WEEK
  
TBA

Readings should be completed before the class period for which they are assigned.

This schedule is subject to change as needed.