Oral Communication

COST-1600

Fall 2021  [in-person]  

 

shortcut to Course Calendar (week15) - last updated 12/11/21: 

shortcut to Master list of Assignments & "deliverables"

shortcut to REVISED list of Buddy Assignments

Instructor Information

Instructor: Dr. E. Plummer {College of Communication and the Arts}

Office:  Fahy Hall: rm51

Virtual Office Hours: Mon -&- Weds  11:00-12:00  & by appointment / Fri : 11:00-12:00 by appointment

Phone: 973-275-2791

Email:    evelyn.plummer@shu.edu (alternate: plummeev@shu.edu or via Blackboard)

Professor’s webpage:  http://pirate.shu.edu/~plummeev

 

 

Course Description

A broad study of the speaking and listening experience. Students perform and evaluate their skills. Voice and articulation and the organization and presentation of ideas are covered.

Currently, all versions of this course also address the ways in which the basic competencies are manifested when adapted to non-in person contexts.

The LS version of this course focuses on applying communication concepts to certain leadership themes (e.g. motivational persuasion, nonverbal finesse, speaking image, perspective taking,)  See summary document linked to Professor’s webpage [LS Thematic Summary] [click link] 

 

 

 

Course Learning Objectives (CLOs)

At the end of this course, students will be able to:

CLO 1: Students will be able to construct effective oral-style messages of varying communication purposes, including informing, illustrating and persuading and will be able to adapt their content, organization, language, and delivery to the needs, interests and listening skills of any given listener(s).

 

CLO 2: Students will be able to recognize the components of the basic communication process as they are manifested in public, group, interpersonal, and mass communication contexts.

 

CLO 3:  Students will be able to use the standard performance criteria in other to provide substantive oral and written assessment of their own performance effectiveness as well as that of communicators in any given encounter—including peers.

 

CLO 4:  Students will be able to utilize extemporaneous presentational delivery style, including the “conversational”/expressive vocal delivery mode--whether presenting in-person or into a camera. 

 

CLO 5:  Students will be able to perform appropriate listening behaviors, including the use of attending, processing, and responding techniques and will recognize the role of nonverbal communication cues.

 

CLO 6: Students will be able to recognize how contextual & culture-based dynamics shape all factors in the sending and receiving of messages (both verbal and nonverbal). 

 

Course Materials

►Required:

·         Communicate!  (2017)( 15^th edition/MindTap Learning system:) -  Verderber, et al. 

·           It is planned that everyone will register into the Mindtap course during the class session on 9/1/21.

·         Format: Cengage Publisher /  ISBN-13: 9781337062084

·         You can purchase an access code in advance through the SHU bookstore or go to  https://www.cengage.com/student-training/mindtap/blackboard/ia-no/

·         Link to Cengage Publisher’s Accessibility statement : Accessibility and Usability

·         Link to Cengage Publisher’s Privacy policy: Cengage Privacy Overview

·         All audio / video resources and external resources are located either in Blackboard or within the Communicate!/Mindtap learning system(textbook digital system)  which will be linked to Blackboard.

 

·         Primary proficiencies needed:

a.       Microsoft Office – Word, Powerpoint, Outlook, Teams

b.       Blackboard & Blackboard Collaborate

 

►Supplemental Course Materials:

·         a way to time yourself when presenting (e.g. a count-down timer function on your phone)

·         _

 

Expectations

https://www.shu.edu/student-life/upload/Student-Class-Absence-Student-FAQs.pdf

►Students are expected to:

•      Refer to the Professor’s online course calendar as the central source of information & guidance- (available on pirate.shu.edu/~plummeev & in Blackboard)

·         Use appropriate “Netiquette”-

o   Use their Seton Hall email address when emailing the Instructor and fellow students

o   Use a clearly-phrased subject line

o   Include an explanatory memo within the email section itself when sending attachments

o    

·         Review the ”Begin Here” information located in the course content area in Blackboard- left side menu

·         Complete all Presentations- via synchronous & asynchronous) (including pre-recorded video upload, real time virtual, live-in person recorded)

o   3 mini-speeches

o   3 major individual presentations (including preliminary & final outlines)

o   1 group project/major presentation (including preliminary lists & final agenda)

·         Complete all assigned evaluative assessments: quizzes, tests, and analytic essays-critiques

·         Complete all assigned discussion board postings and Journal/Blog postings

·        In addition to in-person sessions, interact online with instructor and peers both synchronously and asynchronously using Blackboard Collaborate, Microsoft Teams, and campus email. If you experience technical difficulty with SHU items, please see tech information below.  For tech support with Cengage/Mindtap, call 800-354-9706 or use support.cengage.com.

·         Review and follow the course calendar- ( available on pirate.shu.edu/~plummeev & in Blackboard)

·         Submit assignments by the specified deadline. Drop off locations will vary but will be specified in corresponding assignment pagre.

►The instructor generally will:

·         Respond to discussion boards, blogs, and journal postings within [4-6 days of deadline]. Responses may be summaries and/or generalized.

·         Respond to emails/messages within [1-2 days]

·         Grade assignments within [3-4 days] of the assignment deadline. Major assignments may take up to [1 week+].

 

Attendance Policy for in-person, remote & HyFlex sections

https://www.shu.edu/student-life/upload/Student-Class-Absence-Student-FAQs.pdf

     

.  Regular attendance and participation in class  & class activities- whatever the format [in-person/ remote/HyFlex/ Asynchronous]. Attendance, Punctuality, and Quality of Classroom Engagement all are  considered for the tabulation of the grades.

.  Due to the participatory nature of this course, it is necessary to attend each session. If you are absent more than 2 times you cannot get more than a B in the course; more than 3-4 times, no more than a C;  5 times, no more than a D; if you are absent 6 or more times, you will not pass. Only absences which are accompanied by doctor notes, university letters, or similar documentation will be considered "excused".  Additionally, 3 tardies (coming in late) = 1 absence!  Please be aware, if you are present in the room, but are otherwise distracted or disengaged, classwork points will be deducted. 

Discussion Forums Overview

·         The approximate length of a forum post should be 150-200 words (i.e.  12-20 lines).  For video and/or image-based posts, length specifications will be given.

·        Each forum will be assigned via an assignment document which will specify whether the post needs to be an original statement or a reaction to a previous post in that forum made by another person.

·         Learners are expected to post at least once to each assigned forum.

·         Student moderators will be assigned for several of the forums.

·         The deadline for all posts is by 11:59pm Eastern Time on the specified date.  Periods of availability usually will be for a 5-7 day time window, and as back up, the posting deadlines will be listed in the Course Calendar, in Blackboard and in the specific forum assignment page.

·         Any updates will be notated in Blackboard as the semester progresses.

·         Postings will be graded using these criteria:  originality of insight, clarity of the applications to the course unit being studied, and quality (eloquence) of student’s comments. See attached /enclosed Criteria & Rubrics page.

·         Postings can include video or audio clips but should not include emoji.

·         The instructor will read, assess and score each posting. All postings will receive 0 – 10 points.  However, each posting will not necessarily receive an extended written response.

o    Rather than making extended responses to each student's post, whenever possible,  within four-six days of the  end of the posting window, the instructor will post an analytical written or audio response, summarizing the themes & patterns of class participation-- mentioning postings which are particularly enlightening to our study in that topic area.

o   If needed the Instructor will insert a special post to clarify and/or redirect the original prompt.

·         SAMPLE FORUM TOPICS:

o   “ZOOM Fatigue- How does the Communication Process help explain How the Communication Of Course through the eyes of Communication Studies” --Apply at least 3 specific Communication process details from Chapter 1.

o   _”Enduring Lessons from Koko, the Gorilla" 

o   _My time at home in these past several months has been _____ (a gift? A challenge? Both? )

o   _What's your best example of the need for nuance for an effective oral communicator?

o   _

·         _

 

 Listening Reflection Journals Overview

·         This journal constitutes a part of themulti-part Listening Unit which will exist as a self-paced, “background“ assignment throughout the last few weeks of the semester. This journal will consist of a minimum of four and a maximum of five entries.  The information for the Full Listening Module Unit is explained on a separate assignment page to be linked in Course Calendar and in the Journal section of Blackboard ( page pending).

·        The approximate length of a Reflection entry = 100-150 words (i.e. 10-15 lines).

·         Each journal entry should apply different, specified listening-related topics to one’s own listening habits and skills. Specific prompts will be given.

·          Throughout this listening module, new topical prompts will be listed each Monday with the submission deadline of Sunday at 11:59pm ET.

·         All journals will be submitted through Blackboard Collaborate

·         As back up, the posting deadlines will be listed in the Course Calendar, in Blackboard and in the specific Learning Unit assignment page.

·         Entries will be graded using these criteria: originality of insight, clarity of the applications to the course unit being studied, and quality (eloquence) of student’s comments. See attached/ enclosed Criteria & Rubrics page.

·         The instructor will read, assess and score each entry. All entries will receive 0 – 10 points.  As self-reflections, these entries function more as tools for self development, within five days of the  end of the posting window, each entry will receive a brief response – in either written or oral format. Longer responses will be used as necessary for guidance or correction.

·         SAMPLE PLANNED REFLECTION PROMPTS (more will be added):

o   Write a one(1) paragraph reflection on your listening skills

o   Listen to  “  __________  “ podcast (International Listening Association) , Then write one(1) paragraph  in which you reflect on the difference between empathic listening and  common ground listening. How would you rate your own abilities in these types of interpersonal listening?

o   Active listening and the challenge of the screes (Zoom, Teams, Collaborate, FaceTime, Skype, etc.)

o   After observing the listening behaviors in the world around me for the last year or so, my biggest insight about listening is…

o    

·         Any updates will be notated in Blackboard as the semester progresses.

 

Quizzes and Tests Overview

·         There are three different forms of testing that are possible this semester.

o   Online Quizzes for each chapter are built into Mindtap and will be completed, submitted and automatically graded through that digital system.

o   One-Two Instructor-created compilation quizzes will be delivered within Blackboard. These longer quizzes will contain a variety of question types and will serve to  review a broader range  of assigned material.   If used, they will serve as pre-Midterm & Pre Final review.

o   Traditional written tests will be given 1-2 times in the semester. If not administered in person, in the classroom, the format may utilize the university’s HonorLock test proctoring system.  In that instance, you would need to use a computer set up with a camera, picture ID, and a visible workspace.

·         All deadlines will be indicated for Eastern Time.

·         _

 

Assignments/Activities Overview

·         All deadlines will be indicated for Eastern Time.

·         Bibliographies/Source Citations should be done using either A.P.A. or M.L.A. formatting. Minimum listing = Internet source citations must list at the very least, the [1] URL, [2] the Title of the particular Webpage you used, [3] the Date that you accessed the page & [4] (If available) the last date that the page itself was updated. It is not sufficient to just list "web" or to just list a URL.  

·         The “Buddy System” - During the first week of class, you will have an opportunity to match up with another member(s) of the class, so that you can serve as each other’s “support buddies” throughout the semester. Some of your collaborations will be specified within the directions of a given assignment but you are encouraged to consult with each other on your own. 

·         Oral Assignments

o   {Q} There will be at least 3 “Quick” presentations which are short, less formal talks (usually 1-3 minutes), prepared in advance, but no submitted outline is required. At least two will be delivered virtually but in real time. Counts toward classwork points).  Included in this category: Introduce-a-Classmate, Show & Tell, Children’s Story Telling. Details for each will be located in the ”Presentations” folder within the Course Documents section of Blackboard.

o   {M} There will be four “Major” Presentations. Details for each will be specified in a formal, comprehensive assignment sheet [located online] which specifies the various applicable details (topic, purpose, time length, visual aids, etc.).  All Major presentations require the student to submit a hardcopy organizational document: either a speech outline /or/an analysis paper (and some presentations will also require a preliminary submission).  The quality and correctness of this outline/analysis paper contribute to the grading for that presentation.  Also see the linked Criteria & Rubrics page. First two major presentations = up to 100 points each;  the last two=  up to 125 points each.   Included in this category are:  Informative Presentation, Persuasive Presentation, Team Project, and one to be selected from these types: Oral Interpretation of Narrative/Article Commentary, Combo Presentation, Demonstration Speech, Special Occasion, Social Justice.  Details for each will be located in the ”Presentations” folder within the Course Documents section of Blackboard.

o   In most cases, deadlines for Asynchronous , uploaded presentations will be 11:59pmET. Peer Review postings will be due by Sunday 11:59pmET.

·         Participatory Activities

o   Several units will be covered in class through student readings & work that prepared in advance to be discussed and/or applied in class (for example, brainstorming, discussion board posting, search for samples, field observation, etc.)

·         Written assignments  {details,  submission specifications, and grading rubrics  will be available in the respective assignment pages which will be located in the ”Presentations” folder within the Course Documents section of Blackboard as well as linked within the calendar below.  Here is an overview of the types of written assignments.

o   Speech Outlines  -Generally, two for each major presentation: (preliminary – submitted via Blackboard assignment drop) & final versions – submitted in advance via Blackboard assignment drop for synchronous presentations or submitted via Mindtap video upload tool  for asynchronous presentations).

o   Self-Critiques – three will be required; one will be optional. Each will follow different specifications to be provided via separate assignment pages. The required self-critiques include (1) a beginning-of-course skill self-assessment, (2) a personal postmortem of a designated major presentation and (3) completion of a point-by-point self-critique form. The optional self-analysis is an end-of-the-semester essay evaluating the degree & type of personal progress you have made. One of these can be done as an oral submission.

o   Peer Reviews – These are opportunities to give feedback to your classmates. Three formats will be used-based on the presentation context. (1) Filling in a presentation-specific rating sheet provided by the professor (2) brief reaction statements to 1-2 classmates’ video-recorded presentation ( via the Mindtap system) (3) Oral spontaneous  open ended commentary on strengths, & areas for improvement.

 

Grading Policies

Depending upon the given Instructor, either a point aggregate system or a percentage assessment system will be used to compute the semester grade.

i.e. roughly 55% for “oral” work & 45% for “written” work

Example: point aggregate system                                                                                                                                                 Example: percentage system for semester computation

Grading Scale for individual items  [SAMPLE: ] 4 Major Presentations ---------450 pts Classwork & Participation----200 pts Compilation Quizzes ----------100 pts Critical Analysis Midterm Essay-100 pts Final Exam --------------------150 pts --------------------------------------------

900-1000 = A         700-740 = C 880-890 = A-          680-690 = C- 850-870 = B+         650-670 = D+ 800-840 = B           600-640 = D 780-790 = B-          580-590 = D- 750-770 = C+           0- 570 = F

                                                              

                     Grading Range [for Quizzes/Semester aggregate]

 

Adapted from Table 1: Grade Scale (TLTC)

 

Late work policy: Please be aware of Assignments’ deadlines since there will be little or no opportunity for late work (case-by-case basis/documentation necessary).

 

 “Extra credit” policy:  Case-by-case basis. Generally, the points for completing Optional items will be added to the Classwork/Participation category. Usually = 5 points per instance.

 

♦ ACADEMIC INTEGRITY:

Cheating and plagiarism in any form will not be tolerated in any Communication and the Arts course and will be dealt with severely. Cheating on any test, paper, or other project will, at the discretion of the instructor, result in failure for that assignment, no-credit [ zero] for that assignment, failure for the course, and/or further disciplinary action at the program, College, and/or University levels. Such further action may include expulsion from the College of Communication and the Arts after review. 

The College of Communication and the Arts' policy defines academic dishonesty as including, "but not limited to, cheating on tests and other course assignments and providing or receiving information without acknowledging the source. Cheating by plagiarism includes, but is not limited to, copying of text or research assignments, using another person's papers, research or assignments without citation, and representing work as the student's own, which is, in actuality, another's work."

Web material which is not fully credited is considered plagiarized. 

The College of Communication and the Arts' policy says: "Record of failure of a course because of cheating or plagiarism will be kept on file by the Dean's Office. Subsequent cheating or plagiarism will result in a recommendation of expulsion from the University."

 

 

 Statement on Students with Disabilities

It is the policy and practice of Seton Hall University to promote inclusive learning environments. If you have a documented disability (physical, medical, learning or psychiatric—either temporary or permanent)  you may be eligible for reasonable accommodations in compliance with University policy, the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act, and/or the New Jersey Law against Discrimination. Please note, students are not permitted to negotiate accommodations directly with professors. To request accommodations or assistance, please self-identify with the Office for Disability Support Services (DSS) at the beginning of the semester to provide appropriate documentation and collaborate with the development of an accommodation plan. For more information or to register for services, contact DSS at (973) 313-6003 or by e-mail at DSS@shu.edu or refer to website: https://www.shu.edu/disability-support-services

Additional Course Policies

      Also refer to additional relevant documents linked to the Professor’s webpage: (concerning  plagiarism (Academic Integrity),  grading criteria & rubrics ,  source citations style sheet, Professor's commonly used abbreviations; etc.)