XCOM100_CourseSyllabus-1x

Week One

Overview of Communication

Identify historical developments in communication. Describe communication models. Analyze importance of communication. Identify careers in communication.

Course Assignments

1. Course Preparation

Read the course description and objectives. Read the instructor’s biography and post your own.

2. Readings

Read Appendix A regarding the final project requirements. Read Ch. 1.1, 1.2, 1.3, 2.1, 2.2 and Appendix B of Communication. Read this week’s Electronic Reserve Readings.

3. CheckPoint: Communication Careers Paper

Write a 200- to 300-word paper on the following:

o List and briefly describe three communication careers you would like to pursue. o How will your understanding of communication contribute to your success in those particular

fields or positions? o Explain how communication will assist you in other areas of your life; for example, at home,

in your community, and in class.

4. Discussion Questions

How have advances in technology, from computers to cell phones to the Internet, changed your lifestyle and communication with others? Describe the effect that technology has had on your communication with friends, business associates, and others.

Summarize the three communication models discussed in Ch. 1.1 of the text. What do they teach you about communication? How have you used each of these models in your personal life to communicate with others?

Weekly Reminders

Discussion Questions

Discussion question responses will not count towards the class participation requirement and will be evaluated separately.

Only posts in the Main classroom forum will count towards your class participation score.

Summary of Week 1 Deliverables

Assignment Location Due CheckPoint: Communication Careers Paper Individual Forum Day 7

Discussion Questions Main Forum Day 2, Day 3 Participation

Week Two

Self-Concept, Identity, and Communication

Explain how self-awareness impacts communication skills. Identify the relationship between communication and self-esteem. Describe how perception influences communication.

Course Assignments

1. Readings

Read this week’s Electronic Reserve Readings.

2. CheckPoint: Stereotypes Paper

Write a 200- to 300-word paper about the following:

o List two to three negative and positive stereotypes you have heard about a particular group of people. Some examples include athletes, women, Arab Americans, Christians, or other groups.

o How does your perception of this group affect the way you communicate and interact with individuals who are members of this group?

3. Assignment: Self-Esteem Worksheet and Response Paper

Self-esteem is awareness of who you are and how you see yourself through internal and external communication. Your self-concept is influenced by factors such as values, abilities, goals, and actions of other people.

Part One:

o Fill in your response to scenarios shown in the Appendix B Worksheet. Next to each one, write how you would respond to the scenario. If your initial reaction is positive, fill in the Positive Response column; if it is a negative reaction, fill in the Negative Response column.

o Fill in the remaining column to show how you might handle the situation from the opposite perspective. You must be able to predict different outcomes by looking at the same scenario two different ways. Is there a right or wrong way to respond to every situation?

Part Two: o Write short answers to the following questions. Each of your responses must be at least 150

words in length:

Why is self-concept critical to the development of communication skills? Give an example of how this applied to an event in your life.

How does your self-esteem affect your communication with other people? Give an example from your personal life that demonstrates this.

How has the power of positive self-talk helped you get through a difficult or scary situation? Give an example from your personal life and the outcome.

Weekly Reminders





Assignment Location Due CheckPoint: Stereotypes Paper Individual Forum Day 3 Assignment: Self-Esteem Worksheet and Response Paper Individual Forum Day 7

Week Three

Verbal and Nonverbal Communication

Distinguish between verbal and nonverbal messages. Describe how to avoid bias in language. Identify listening styles and strategies.

Course Assignments

1. Readings

Read Ch. 1.3, 1.4, 1.5, 2.1, 2.2 (pp. 40–54) & Appendix A in Communication. Read this week’s Electronic Reserve Readings.

2. CheckPoint: Sitcom Show Paper

Write a 200- to 300-word paper about the following:

o Watch a television sitcom or reality show during which group members experience some type of conflict or problem.

o Observe the communication and interaction among the group. Are the nonverbal cues consistent with the message being delivered verbally? Why or why not?

o Which emotions are revealed through body movements, eye contact, facial expressions, touch, or volume? How do factors such as colors, clothing, and appearance come into play?


List and describe the four listening styles mentioned in Chapter 1.5 of the text. Which style do you use the most? What are some techniques you can use to improve your listening skills?

How does bias affect word selection? How can you avoid bias in language? Describe a situation where communication taken out of context caused a cultural misunderstanding. Explain the ramifications of those effects in both business and personal areas.

Weekly Reminders





Assignment Location Due CheckPoint: Sitcom Show Paper Individual Forum Day 7


Week Four

Interpersonal Communication

Recognize types of interpersonal communication. Identify the stages of relationship development. Analyze the impact of technology on interpersonal communication. Identify interviewing skills and techniques.

Course Assignments

1. Readings


2. CheckPoint: Interpersonal Communication Worksheet

Fill in your opinions to the following questions on Appendix C Worksheet:

o What is interpersonal communication? o What types of communication, such as written, electronic, and face-to-face, do you use most

often? o Which type of communication do you consider most effective with friends, family members,

and coworkers? o Do you think technology helps or hinders our ability to communicate with others? o Provide specific examples in the worksheet to illustrate your opinions.

3. Assignment: Collaborative Interview Project

Generate a list of questions you would ask a potential employee during a hiring interview. Develop a list of questions a potential employee must ask the interviewer. Be prepared to share and discuss these questions with your classmates and to evaluate their questions. Check to see that all questions are appropriate and effective.

Interview someone who conducts interviews and makes hiring decisions, such as a human resources director or career counselor. Find out the criteria this person uses to evaluate potential employees. Be sure to also ask the following questions:

o What advice would you give to jobseekers? o How does the level of confidence exhibited by candidates affect your impression of them? o How does communication with candidates evolve as they progress through the selection

process? o What technological tools, if any, does the company use to recruit, evaluate, or communicate

with potential employees? o What are some of the advantages or disadvantages of using technology in the interview

process? Why?

Write a 700- to 1,050-word paper summarizing what you learned about the value or importance of interviews, including interviewing skills, and techniques. Indicate how you will use this information to improve your interviewing and interpersonal communication skills. Include a copy of the questions you developed during the class collaboration with your paper.

Format according to APA guidelines.

Weekly Reminders





Assignment Location Due CheckPoint: Interpersonal Communication Worksheet Individual Forum Day 3

Assignment: Collaborative Interview Project Individual Forum Day 7

Week Five

Small Group and Team Communication

Identify elements of group dynamics. Describe phases of group development. Recognize characteristics of effective teams. Identify problem-solving steps. Explain technology’s effect on small group and team communication.

Course Assignments

1. Readings

Read Ch. 3.1 and 3.2, and Appendix C, in Communication. Read this week’s Electronic Reserve Readings.

2. CheckPoint: Group Member Worksheet

Fill in your response to the following:

Consider your family or another group or team of which you are a member. In Appendix D Worksheet, answer questions regarding dynamics you have experienced in your group.


What are some of the advantages and disadvantages of working in virtual teams? How can you use technology to make your meetings and other interactions effective? What strategies can you use to promote a sense of community, cohesion, communication, and concentrated focus within the online learning or other virtual environments?

Think of a problem you had while on a team. What was the problem and what caused it? Which steps mentioned in Ch. 3.2 of your text did your team take to solve the problem? How would an effective team have prevented the problem in the first place?

Weekly Reminders





Assignment Location Due CheckPoint: Group Member Worksheet Individual Forum Day 7


Week Six

Communication and Conflict

Describe types of conflict. Differentiate between assertive and aggressive communication.

Identify conflict management styles. Explain strategies for improving conflict management skills.

Course Assignments

1. Readings


2. CheckPoint: Conflict Paper

Unless you are alone on a deserted island, you will have interactions and conversations with other people. These conversations can occur in relationships, teams or groups, interviews, and work and recreational situations. Any form of verbal or nonverbal communication can result in conflict. Part of being an effective communicator involves learning how to handle conflict appropriately.

Write a 300- to 350-word paper describing a conflict that you experienced in a team, small group, personal relationship, or workplace setting. Identify the reason the conflict began and analyze the situation, including answers to the following questions:

o Was the conflict constructive or destructive? Explain. o How was power involved in escalating or resolving the conflict? o Did the parties involved practice assertive or aggressive communication? How did this

approach help or hinder your ability to address the problem? o What style of conflict management was used? Was it effective? Explain. o Based on what you learned in this week’s readings, how would you modify your approach to

the situation? Why?

3. Assignment: Conflict Management Worksheet

Describe how you would use assertive communication to handle the conflict in each situation found in Appendix E. Identify the conflict management style you believe would be most effective in resolving the issue and explain why.

Weekly Reminders





Assignment Location Due CheckPoint: Conflict Paper Individual Forum Day 3

Assignment: Conflict Management Worksheet

Individual Forum Day 7

Week Seven

Power of Presentations

Identify steps in presentation development and organization. Describe elements of an effective presentation. Compare informative and persuasive presentations.

Course Assignments

1. Readings

Read Appendix A. Read Ch. Ch. 4.1, 4.2, 4.3, 4.4, 4.5 & Appendix D in Communication. Read this week’s Electronic Reserve Readings.

2. CheckPoint: Infomercial Microsoft® PowerPoint®

An infomercial on television is like two presentations in one, containing both informative and persuasive elements.

o Watch an infomercial about a specific product.

o Identify the informative and persuasive elements used.

What techniques make the presentation clear, interesting, and memorable? How did the presenter try to motivate the audience? What techniques were used to establish credibility? What organizational pattern was used to persuade?

Prepare a brief, four- to six-slide Microsoft® PowerPoint® presentation as your response.


According to the text, what are four methods of presentation delivery? Identify the one you would prefer to use as a presenter and explain why. What are the strengths and weaknesses of that particular style?

In your opinion, what are the four most important guidelines for preparing a presentation? Based on the criteria you have selected, describe the last presentation you gave and analyze its effectiveness. Be sure to assess the following aspects:

o Purpose o Content o Organization o Physical, verbal, nonverbal and vocal delivery o Audiovisual elements o What you did well and what you could have done better.

Weekly Reminders





Assignment Location Due CheckPoint: Infomercial Microsoft® PowerPoint®

Individual Forum Day 7


Week Eight

Mass Communication

Explain how mass communication influences society. Explain the importance of media literacy. Analyze the role of advertising in society. Analyze the impact of technology on mass media.

Course Assignments

1. Readings


2. CheckPoint: Mass Communication Paper

Write a 200- to 300-word paper on the following:

o What forms of mass communication, such as print, radio, television, or the Internet, do you use most often to obtain information about local and national news stories?

o Why do you use these over other media options?

o Provide examples that describe how each form of mass communication influences society’s opinions about a specific person, event, or place.

o How have advances in technology affected the delivery of news?

o What criteria do you use to determine the credibility and accuracy of your news sources?

3. Assignment: Advertising in Society Paper

Write a paper about the following scenario:

o You are an account executive at an advertising agency. In an effort to identify potential new business, your boss has asked you to prepare a 700- to 1,050-word summary about an existing consumer product, such as sports drink, household product, car, computer, or shoes, you believe is not being marketed effectively. In your summary, be sure to do the following:

Analyze the role of advertising in society. Explain how media literacy is important when selling a product.

Describe the product and the medium, such as television, radio, magazines and or the Internet, currently being used to advertise the product.

Analyze the situation. Explain why you believe the product was being advertised using that method and why it has not been successful in influencing consumers’ buying decisions.

Identify the primary medium you would use to sell the product and explain why. For example, if the product is promoted primarily through magazine advertising, consider how it could be advertised using television commercials and describe how that medium might affect society’s buying decision.


Weekly Reminders





Assignment Location Due CheckPoint: Mass Communication Paper Individual Forum Day 3

Assignment: Advertising in Society Paper Individual Forum Day 7

Week Nine

Special Issues in Communication

Explain how diversity affects communication. Describe the role of ethics in communication.

Course Assignments

1. Readings

Read Ch. 1.6 in Communication. Read this week’s Electronic Reserve Readings.

2. Capstone Discussion Question

We are always communicating with others. As technology expands, our world becomes increasingly global, providing us with the opportunity to interact with people of all ages, ethnicities, and religions. Select a magazine advertisement, a television commercial, and a Web site selling a product. Discuss truth in advertising and taste and decency in all three mediums. What steps can you take to ensure that a communication environment addresses any negative biases against any culture? Is it possible to communicate in such a generic manner that no one will be offended? Explain your answer.

3. Capstone Ethics in Communications Paper

Advances in technology such as personal digital assistants, e-mail, and laptops make many employees accessible 24 hours a day, seven days a week.

Discuss in a 200- to 300- word paper the role ethics and diversity play in the development of policies related to e-mail and text messages and use of company equipment, including telephones, computers, copiers, and so on.

Provide specific examples that illustrate the need for organizations to set guidelines. Also, share your thoughts about whether you believe it is ethical for companies to monitor employees’ usage of equipment without their knowledge.

4. Final Project: Career Center Interview Presentation

Review the final project criteria in Appendix A.

Develop a Microsoft® PowerPoint® presentation and a paper based on the following scenario:

o You are a counselor at a college career center. You have been asked to develop a presentation on interviewing skills for seniors about to graduate from college who are seeking employment in the communications field. You may provide a general information presentation or select a specific communications field, such as advertising, public relations, and journalism to highlight. The college career center will use the presentation during career planning programs.

Microsoft® PowerPoint® Presentation:

o Your presentation must include a minimum of 10 slides and provide students with tips, tools,

and techniques for being successful during job interviews. Be sure to address the following:

The types of questions candidates must expect in an interview. The questions candidates must ask potential employers. How candidates must dress and look. Resources to help candidates prepare for an interview. Visit http://www.collegegrad.com/intv/ for ideas. Be creative and remember to keep

your audience (college students) in mind.

Presentation Paper:

o A paper must accompany your Microsoft® PowerPoint® presentation. It must be 1,400- to 1,750- words in length. Students highlighting specific communication fields must include information directly relating to their chosen communication field. Use material from the course readings and the University Library to support your ideas and opinions. Be sure to include appropriate in-text citations and references. Address the following areas in your paper:

Indicate whether your presentation is persuasive or informative.

Explain why you thought this approach would be most effective.

Identify the various types of communication that might take place during interviews. For example, most interviews are one-on-one and involve interpersonal communication; however, in some instances, candidates may be asked to participate in group or team activities as part of the interview process.

Discuss the effect organizational communication might have on the interview process.

What must prospective employees learn and understand about the corporate culture, norms, and values?

How will this knowledge help prepare candidates for the interview? Where might candidates locate this type of information?

Consider interviews that do not take place in a face-to-face setting; for example, some organizations may use phone or video interviews, written assessments or online surveys as part of the process. What must students be mindful of in these types of situations?

Analyze the effect of diversity on the interview process. What might candidates need to consider when interviewing with foreign owned companies or for positions outside of their native country?

Examine the importance of nonverbal communication.

What nonverbal signals emit confidence and professionalism?

What types of nonverbal communication must be avoided?

Explain why oral communication and listening skills are important during an interview.

Describe how technology has affected the interview process.

What must students consider now that potential employers can gather background information on the Internet?

How can candidates use technology to help sell themselves to employers? How have technological advances affected how people search for jobs?


Technology

XCOM100_CourseSyllabus-1x