Listen . Speak . Engage

San José State University
Communication Studies

COMM 199C - 01: SENIOR SEMINAR IN COMMUNICATION STUDIES
with Community Engagement Component (Engagement Unit). Area: Foundations; 4 Units

Spring 2012

Section 01: MW 1:30-2:45 PM; HGH 225; LEC #: 23604

Faculty Web Page and MYSJSU Messaging

Copies of the course materials such as the syllabus, major assignment handouts, etc. may be found on my faculty web page accessible through: www.sjsu.edu/faculty/fvarona. You are responsible for regularly checking with the messaging system through MySJSU (or other communication system as indicated by the instructor).

Catalog Description

Capstone overview of the contemporary field of Communication Studies that builds on basic theory and skills learned in COMM 101. Discussion of communication literature, resources and methods of inquiry in relation to democracy, diversity, globalization and technology. Students will complete their major portfolios.

Succeeding in a Four-Unit Course

At SJSU, students are expected to spend two hours outside of class for every one hour of class time. Because this is a four unit class, you can expect to spend a minimum of eight hours per week in addition to time spent in class and on scheduled tutorials or activities. Special projects or assignments may require additional work for the course. Careful time management will help you keep up with readings and assignments and enable you to be successful in all of your courses.

You should strive for five qualities in your writing:  (1) your writing should be COMPELLING (i.e., it should articulate a claim, make a point, be purposeful), (2) your writing should be COMPLETE (i.e., it should address all aspects of the assignment, it should be sufficiently developed), (3) your writing should be COHERENT (i.e., your argument should logically progress from one paragraph to the next), (4) your writing should be CONCISE (i.e., it should be richly developed, but not meandering or repetitive), and (5) your writing should be CORRECT (i.e., it should be free of grammatical, typographical and source citation errors, as well as fallacious reasoning).  I will look to these five criteria as I read and respond to your written work in this course.

Foundations, Inquiry, PRACTICE

Each course in the Department of Communication Studies primarily focuses on one of three areas: Foundations (theoretical underpinnings of the discipline), Inquiry (research in the discipline), or Practice (application of communication theories and concepts to real world contexts). COMM 199F is a Practice course. Although the course addresses theory (foundations), and research (inquiry), the primary purpose of COMM 199F is to provide a capstone experience for each Communication Studies major.

Practice Area Objectives

This course satisfies the PRACTICE area of Communication Studies learning objectives. All PRACTICE courses, including COMM 199C, share these learning objectives.

• Theory  Applications: Demonstrate the ability to apply communication theory and research  in practical contexts.
   
  
  1. Communication Competence: Demonstrate the ability to communicate competently in a variety of contexts, such as interpersonal, small group, organizational, intercultural, mediated, and public communication.
  2. Social Responsibility: Demonstrate social responsibility and community engagement as obligations of democratic citizens.
  3. Ethics: Demonstrate understanding of ethical responsibilities in communicating with others in interpersonal, organizational, small group, intercultural, mediated, and public settings.

Course Goals

This course is designed to provide a capstone experience for each Communication Studies major. Students will use the ePortfolio tool to collect, organize, rework, and reflect on evidence of their learning and practice throughout the major. This course is organized around the learning objectives of the Communication Studies major. Students will assess and document how they have met each of the learning objectives. Students will also identify areas that require reworking. In addition, students will develop, revise, and refine their resume for future job searches. 

Program Learning Objectives (PLO)

1.   Foundations: Students will be able to demonstrate knowledge of theories, and conceptual frameworks for understanding communication and an appreciation of the significance of ethics and social responsibility as they engage in communication.

1. Theories of Communication: Demonstrate understanding of the major theories that have shaped the field of communication, including historical developments and current trends.
2. Ethics: Demonstrate understanding of ethical and social responsibilities in communicating with others in interpersonal, organizational, intercultural, mediated, and public contexts.

2.   Inquiry. Students will be able to demonstrate competency in methods of communication inquiry.

1. Research Methods: Demonstrate an understanding of methods of communication research and analysis such as rhetorical, critical, interpretative, performative and social scientific approaches.
2. Research Application and Critique: Develop and apply analytical skills for understanding, conducting, and evaluating communication research studies.

3.   Practice. Students will be able to demonstrate application of conceptual foundations and research methods in practical contexts.

1. Communication Competence: Demonstrate the ability to communicate competently in a variety of contexts, such as interpersonal, small group, organizational, intercultural, mediated, and public communication.
   
2. Social Responsibility: Demonstrate social responsibility and community engagement as obligations of democratic citizens.

Required Texts/Readings

Textbooks:

Library Liaison

Crystal Goldman is the library liaison for Communication Studies. Contact her at crystal.goldman@sjsu.edu with questions you may have as you research the topics for your presentations.

Classroom Protocol

Regular attendance is important because: a) students participation in the discussion of the issues provides the multicultural perspective that is expected from a course of this nature; b) participation in-class exercises helps students to develop the necessary skills for more effective communication in small Teams and teamwork projects in the organizational context; and c) some information is provided in class which is not in the text.
NO ABSENCES WILL BE EXCUSED ON TEST DAYS. Absences on these days will be examined on a case-by-case basis.
To help foster a productive learning environment, let's all work to do the following: a) Interact respectfully with others; b) Embrace diverse perspectives and viewpoints; c) Arrive to class on time; d) Use laptop only to take notes; e) Set mobile phones to vibrate or silent; f)and wait until class has ended to get ready to leave.
Please feel free to come into my office to discuss assignments and other class related issues. If my office hours are not convenient, we can arrange another time to meet. So many problems can be solved or avoided entirely by a little communication! Remember to call and leave a message at 924-5392 or email me at: federico.varona@directv.net if you need to contact me during the day or at night.

Dropping and Adding

Students are responsible for understanding the policies and procedures about add/drops, academic renewal, etc. Information on add/drops are available at http://info.sjsu.edu/web-dbgen/narr/soc-fall/rec-298.html. Information about late drop is available at http://www.sjsu.edu/sac/advising/latedrops/policy/ . Students should be aware of the current deadlines and penalties for adding and dropping classes.
Detailed information about each assignment is available on the class Blackboard site [URL TBA].

Assignments and Grading Policy

Assignments:

1. SHARING YOUR MOST MEANINGFUL LEARNING COMMUNICATION EXPERIENCE IN THE MAJOR -Oral Presentation. (10 points)

The purpose of this oral presentation is first, to share with your classmates one of the most meaningful (life-giving) communication experience (during your Communication Studies Program). Second, to enhance your presentational communication skills, that are critical to succeed in the work place as a communication major. On the other hand, this assignment is designed to emphasize that our different and distinctive learning experiences do account as legitimate and valued sources of knowledge, and that we can learn from each other.
Specific instructions for this assignment are available on this link:  Sharing your Learning Communication. Experience

2. COURSE MAPPING AND ANNOTATION (15 points)

The purpose of this assignment is to develop awareness of your course work in the major and how they relate to the 6 student learning objectives and the three major content areas (Foundation, Inquiry, and Practice). See Major Learning Objectives (LOs) in Syllabus. Specifically, the purpose of this assigment is to conduct course mapping and annotation.
Specific instructions for this assignment are available on this link:  Course Mapping and Annotation.

3. REFLECTION AND APPLICATION (15 points)

The purpose of this assignment is first, to reflect on the meaning (your understanding) of the 6 student learning objectives for the areas of Foundation (theory), Inquiry, and Practices. Second, to identify the three major learnigs from each learning objective and name the classes in which you learned them. Third, to reflect on how you have applied and plan to apply what you learned in your personal and professional lives. See Specific instructions for this assignment are available on this link: Reflection and Application.

4. PAPER REWORK (15 points)

The purpose of this assignment is to improve your writing skills by identifying a piece of coursework under one of the learning objectives in the Areas of Foundations (theory), Inquiry or Practice that requires reworking. See Major Learning Objectives (LOs) in Syllabus.
Specific instructions for this assignment are available on this link: Paper Rework.

5. COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT TEAM PROJECT Engagement Unit (25 points

The purpose of this assignment is to provide you with the opportunity of integrating theory, research and practice through community engagemente and reflection. Therefore, you goal as a team is first to offer a meaningful service to a community organization and second to learn how to conduct applied communication research. The process entails the following tasks: community engagemente, gathering/analyzing and interpreting data, and developing an action plan to improve communication and promote institutional change. 

Specific instructions for this assignment are available on this link: Community Engagment Team Project.

• Download Content Analysis Instructions.
• Download Instructions for Table of Content of the written report
  

6. PORTFOLIO (10 points)

The purpose of this assignment is to create a ePortfolio tool to organize, reflect on, and present evidence of your learning and practice throughout the major. The ePortfolio project provides a capstone experience. Development of an ePortfolio facilitates deep learning. Deep learning takes place when students are given the opportunity to derive meaning from their experiences in courses through reflections. The e Portfolio increases student self-awareness of course materials and help student make explicit connections.

(Specific instructions for this assignment are available on this link: Portfolio Project

7. EXIT INTERVIEW (10 points)

The purpose of this assignment is first, to conduct an exit interview on another group about the Communication Studies program. Interview questions will be given in class.

Specific instructions for this assignment are available on this link: Exit Interview

The assignments in this class are designed to achieve course goals. All assignments must be completed on the date assigned. If you turn in a paper late you will penalized for that assignment, unless an alternate due date has PREVIOUSLY been approved.

Grading Scale

Attendance per se shall not be used as a criterion for grading according to Academic Policy F-69-24. )

University Policies

Academic integrity

Students should know that the University’s Academic Integrity Policy is availabe at http://www.sa.sjsu.edu/download/judicial_affairs/Academic_Integrity_Policy_S07-2.pdf. Your own commitment to learning, as evidenced by your enrollment at San Jose State University and the University’s integrity policy, require you to be honest in all your academic course work. Faculty members are required to report all infractions to the office of Student Conduct and Ethical Development. The website for Student Conduct and Ethical Development is available at http://www.sa.sjsu.edu/judicial_affairs/index.html.
Instances of academic dishonesty will not be tolerated. Cheating on exams or plagiarism (presenting the work of another as your own, or the use of another person’s ideas without giving proper credit) will result in a failing grade and sanctions by the University. For this class, all assignments are to be completed by the individual student unless otherwise specified. If you would like to include in your assignment any material you have submitted, or plan to submit for another class, please note that SJSU’s Academic Policy F06-1 requires approval of instructors.

Campus Policy in Compliance with the American Disabilities Act

If you need course adaptations or accommodations because of a disability, or if you need to make special arrangements in case the building must be evacuated, please make an appointment with me as soon as possible, or see me during office hours. Presidential Directive 97-03 requires that students with disabilities requesting accommodations must register with the DRC (Disability Resource Center) to establish a record of their disability.

Student Technology Resources

Computer labs for student use are available in the Academic Success Center located on the first floor of Clark Hall and on the 2nd floor of the Student Union. Additional computer labs may be available in your department/college. Computers are also available in the Martin Luther King Library.
A wide variety of audio-visual equipment is available for student checkout from Media Services located in IRC 112. These items include digital and VHS camcorders, VHS and Beta video players, 16 mm, slide, overhead, DVD, CD, and audiotape players, sound systems, wireless microphones, projection screens and monitors.

Learning Assistance Resource Center

The Learning Assistance Resource Center (LARC) is located in Room 600 in the Student Services Center. It is designed to assist students in the development of their full academic potential and to motivate them to become self-directed learners. The center provides support services, such as skills assessment, individual or group tutorials, subject advising, learning assistance, summer academic preparation and basic skills development. The LARC website is located at http:/www.sjsu.edu/larc/.

Communication Center

The Communication Center is newly located in Hugh Gillis Hall 229. The Center provides support for all
students interested in developing their personal and professional communication skills, and offers
specialized support for those enrolled in Communication Studies courses. Services include in-person
workshops and self-paced online modules via D2L. Upper-division Communication Studies students staff the Center and are trained in coaching students on a variety of topics related to our department courses. Enrollment in COMM 80 provides support for the Center. More information can be found through the department website http://www.sjsu.edu/comm/.COMM Lab

Learning Assistance Resource Center

The Learning Assistance Resource Center (LARC) is located in Room 600 in the Student Services Center. It is designed to assist students in the development of their full academic potential and to motivate them to become self-directed learners. The center provides support services, such as skills assessment, individual or group tutorials, subject advising, learning assistance, summer academic preparation and basic skills development. The LARC website is located at http:/www.sjsu.edu/larc/.

SJSU Writing Center

The SJSU Writing Center is located in Room 126 in Clark Hall.  It is staffed by professional instructors and upper-division or graduate-level writing specialists from each of the seven SJSU colleges. Our writing specialists have met a rigorous GPA requirement, and they are well trained to assist all students at all levels within all disciplines to become better writers. The Writing Center website is located at http://www.sjsu.edu/writingcenter/about/staff//.

Peer Mentor Center

The Peer Mentor Center is located on the 1st floor of Clark Hall in the Academic Success Center. The Peer Mentor Center is staffed with Peer Mentors who excel in helping students manage university life, tackling problems that range from academic challenges to interpersonal struggles. On the road to graduation, Peer Mentors are navigators, offering “roadside assistance” to peers who feel a bit lost or simply need help mapping out the locations of campus resources. Peer Mentor services are free and available on a drop –in basis, no reservation required. Website of Peer Mentor Center is located at http://www.sjsu.edu/muse/peermentor/ .

Course Number / Title, Semester, Course Schedule

List the agenda for the semester including when and where the final exam will be held. Indicate the schedule is subject to change with fair notice and how the notice will be made available.

COMM 199F Spring 2012 Class Tentative Schedule