Introduction to Communication Studies

Speech Communication 190

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ACCOMMODATION

Every attempt will be made to accommodate qualified students with disabilities. If you are a student with a documented disability, please see me as early in the semester as possible to discuss necessary accommodations and/or contact the Disability Services Office at (507) 389-2825 (v) or 1-800-627-3529 (MRS/TTY).

This document is available in alternative format by calling (507) 389-2213 (v), or 1-800-627-3529 (MRS/TTY).

 

DESCRIPTION

• Introduction to Communication Studies is a required course for all speech communication majors and minors.

• The department highly encourages students to complete the course before taking upper-level (300-400) courses.

• Introduction to Communication Studies is designed to provide the student with an understanding of the history, research and theory, and scholarly writing in the communication discipline, thus, preparing the student for more advanced courses in the Department of Speech Communication.

 

COURSE OBJECTIVES

1.        To gain an overall understanding of the history of the discipline.

2.          To learn how to conduct an effective library/computer research.

3.          To understand the parameters and implications of plagiarism.

4.          To learn the basics of research writing styles—APA and MLA.

5.          To gain a basic understanding of scholarly resources in the discipline.

 

COURSE REQUIREMENTS

Assignments:

                Three history-of-the-discipline exams (50 pts. each) 150 pts.

                Historic Annotations (100 pts. total):

                                • Concepts/Theories/Terms Annotations 25 pts.         

                                • Persons Annotations 25 pts.

                                • Definitions of Rhetoric Annotations 25 pts.

                                • Time-Period Annotations 25 pts.

                Evidence Hunt and Report 100 pts.

                Short paper on a theory, concept, or time period in speech communication                                                       50 pts.

                Research, organize, and write four “perfect” abstracts (50 pts./abstract)                                                            200 pts.

                Extra Credit: PRCA-24 report 10 pts.

               

* Abstract grades are determined by number of times submitted for review:

                One review = 50 pts.            two reviews = 45 pts.           three reviews = 35 pts.

                four reviews = 25 pts.          five reviews = 15 pts.           six reviews = 5 pts.

 

• Standard 10% system for final grades; e.g., 90-100%=A, 80-89%=B, 70-79%=C, etc.