Course Syllabus
COMM 1013 Oral Communication ONLINE
3 Credit Hours (undergraduate)
Instructor Information
Dr. David Cochran
Associate Professor of Data Analytics
cochrand@newmanu.edu → The best way to reach me.
918-397-4521 → *Text* me for urgent, time-sensitive needs.
Email (or text) to set up phone calls or Zoom meetings.
Zoom ID: 328 829 6249
Office Hours
Monday: 1-3pm → McNeill 202 or Zoom
Tuesday: 10am-Noon; and 1-3pm → McNeill 202 or Zoom
Wednesday: 10am-Noon → McNeill 202 or Zoom
Other times available by appointment. Email me to set it up!
Course Description
A basic study of the elements contributing to effective oral communication, including such areas as communication theory, intrapersonal, interpersonal, small group and public communication.
Course Objectives
- To familiarize students with the process of human communication.
- To familiarize students with the complexities and challenges of communication within interpersonal relationships.
- To familiarize students with the complexities and challenges of communication in small group settings.
- To familiarize students with the complexities and challenges of communication in formal public settings.
Required Text
Wood, Julia (2019). Communication in our Lives, 8th ed. Cengage Publishing
ISBN: 978-1-305-94954-6
Technology Use & Instruction
Technology used by NU professor during the course: CANVAS LMS, Microsoft Word, Microsoft PowerPoint
Technology used by NU students as part of the course: CANVAS LMS, Microsoft Word, Microsoft PowerPoint
Other requirements
1. Students will need a camera with a microphone to record videos with capabilities to upload onto your computer.
2. Do not send assignments on Google Docs as they sometimes do not open properly. Please use Microsoft Word.
Important Details
- Self-Paced. This course is self-paced although you may be required to comment, critique, or review the work of other students. If you would like to work ahead of schedule, you may do so. Just be sure you meet the deadlines along the way and to remember to go back and complete any assignment if you are required to critique or build upon a class activity. However, while you may work ahead of schedule, I cannot guarantee that your work will be graded until the week it is due.
- Read First. Complete the reading assignment prior to watching any associated lecture/content videos, PowerPoint, etc. The reading will provide the foundation and groundwork so you can better understand and apply the concepts for the week.
- Impress Me. As you complete your assignments and posts, I am looking for references to the weekly readings and videos within your work. To earn a grade of A, you will need to reference, allude to, mention, whisper, or flat out boldly state, information you've learned from your reading and/or video lessons. Use specific terms, phrases, etc. This is how I know you learned something from the material. Then, link the terms, phrases, etc. to specific examples. Show me you can relate the academic information and draw conclusions. Writing in generalities without any examples or references is weak. Show me you know your stuff! Also, pay close attention to your grammar, spelling, word use, and neatness. Poorly written papers with numerous typos, misspellings, poor grammar, etc. will not be considered to earn an A.
- Submission Dates. Because this is an 8-week course, meeting deadlines and a quick turnaround on grounding from your instructor with proper feedback is essential to be successful. Moreover, you will have regular assignments with set due dates. In order to successfully complete this class, you must submit your assignments by the due date/time stated in the syllabus. Late work (unless pre-arranged with your instructor) will be penalized 10% per day, up to a maximum of 7 days after which time no credit will be awarded. It is difficult to catch up and recover if you get behind in an 8-week course. INC grades are only given under extreme situations. The student must have a documented emergency and have completed 50% of the course.
- Save Your Work. Hiccups happen with technology. Systems go down. A bad storm blows through and knocks the power off. Take precautions with your work and retain a copy of all submitted work. If there is a grade in question, it is the student's responsibility to prove the assignment was submitted and on time.
Communication & Questions
Online courses offer you the flexibility of learning anywhere, and anytime you have access to the Internet. These classes are taught using CANVAS to view online lectures, power points, videos, participate in virtual discussions and chats, and even to take exams and practice quizzes. This Course has two announcement boards for in-class communication: A “Course News and Announcements” forum for your instructor’s announcements and a “General Questions” forum where you can seek clarification and raise questions concerning class material. Posting to this area allows your classmates to benefit from the answer. It is your responsibility to read all the posts in to the “Course News and Announcements” in a timely manner. Your response from the instructor may not be instantaneous (24-48 hours is a reasonable response time).
Assessment & Student Evaluation
The types of course assessment used for grading in this class are as follows: forum posts, written assignments and papers, video presentations, and observational analysis.
Forum Posts. This course is driven by sharing of ideas on weekly forum posts. Each week you will be given 1-2 posts to make per chapter. However, you will not be required to respond to posts unless specifically stated in the assignment. Student feedback from other courses indicates that most feel responding to posts is not as beneficial as being able to read what others have posted to gather new insight and perspective--hence I use it as a learning tool. Then, from the course material and postings, students can draw on all of the information and insight from others to respond to written assignments, presentations, and other assessment activities. All forum posts are due before 11:59 p.m. on Sunday and are worth 20 points each unless otherwise marked.
Tying-It-Together. Each week you will have an assignment that brings together all of the concepts learned for the week called, "Tying-It-Together." All Tying it Together assignments are worth 50 points each. Please note the due dates!
Note: Towards the end of the term, there may be some assignments with an earlier due date so as to provide opportunity for students to comment. It is the student's responsibility to know the due dates.
Presentations. You will have several presentations in this course that you will record and upload: Self-introduction I (20 points), Informative Demonstration (100 points), Persuasive (100 points), Self-introduction II (30 points) and some Forum Posts will ask for you to record as well.
Outlines. For your Informative Demonstration and Persuasive speeches, you will be required to submit a full-sentence outline with bibliography attached. Each outline is worth 50 points. You will submit this at the same time you submit your videos. Just be sure to attach both!
Critiques. You will have four student speech critiques to complete--two are self-critiques and you will critique two students in class.
Scroll to the bottom of this Course Syllabus to see a list of all assignments and due dates.
Instructor Policies
Newman Email & Course Announcements: It is the policy of the university that it is the student’s responsibility to check his/her email for information regarding class updates, school information, etc. Not staying current on your email or course announcements will not be an acceptable excuse for missing important class or university information.
Reading and Written Assignments. Please complete the assignments in the order presented on our Canvas website. The assignments have been organized in a fashion that will take the student from general introduction of the subject, followed by topical information in both written and video format, to application of the material learned.
Group/Partner Expectations. In this online course, there may be assignments that require you to communicate in a timely fashion with other students in the class. Failure to participate or “leave your partner hanging” will result in a failing assignment grade unless arrangements have been made immediately. If you are unable to participate –for any reason—you must contact the instructor ASAP, as well as the student(s) you are working with so alternate arrangements can be made for those who can continue with the coursework. Otherwise, it is the responsibility of those participating in the assignment to coordinate times to complete the assignment.
Emergencies/Illness/Incomplete Grades. Life happens. Jobs get transferred. Babies arrive early. Long-term family illness can unfortunately develop. If you find you are unable to participate in class, please notify me immediately. A grade of Incomplete may be allowed only for the following reasons:
- Over 50% of the course assignments have been completed
- A documented emergency has been verified.
Dress Code for Oral Presentations: Yes! You will have oral presentations that you will record or present in front of others. When recording yourself, please wear standard proper attire for formal speaking presentations. Unless otherwise specified, you are to wear conservative clothing deemed appropriate for a work, church, or synagogue environment.
Grading: You will be given a list of criteria and an evaluation form for all written and oral assignments. Please review them carefully. Your grade will be based on these requirements. If you do not understand an assignment, it is your responsibility to contact me so we can discuss it. Call. Email. FaceTime. FB Messenger. Zoom. Or, if you are in the Wichita area and want to pop by my office, let’s set an appointment. I want everyone to succeed in this class so do not hesitate to contact me. I know some of you are new to online learning so if you are at all confused, reach out to me any time! I am here to teach you.
Professionalism: In addition to teaching the fundamentals of oral communication, a high importance is also placed on professionalism. Attention to details matters and includes, attention to grammar, spelling, punctuation, sentence structure, neatness and proper formatting. Sloppy and unprofessional work will result in a lower grade.
Plagiarism: You must do your own work on all assignments. All student speeches should be the original work done by the student for this class. Use of work that is not credited to the original source or use of someone else’s speech or material is a serious academic offense and will not be tolerated. Any assignment that is plagiarized will receive a grade of zero and may be reported to Newman University Academic Affairs office.
Attendance Policy
- All students are expected to check in each Monday to review the assignment for the week.
- All assignments (unless otherwise posted) are due before 12:00 midnight on Sunday night.
- If a course has not yet begun and a student anticipates missing more than one class session, it is the student’s responsibility to request a drop/withdraw from their academic advisor. Automatic drops by the instructor are not permitted.
- If a student anticipates missing a class, s/he must contact the professor in advance to make arrangements to submit missed materials.
- If a long term illness or personal emergency occurs, please notify your instructor immediately. A grade of incomplete is up to the discretion of your instructor and the student must have completed 50% of the course.
Referral Policy
The Newman University community is committed to your academic success. As part of that commitment, you may be referred to an early intervention program, Project Care, if your engagement in this class alters (examples, absenteeism, falling behind on your assignments, or a drastic change in your work.) The Project Care Coordinator will contact you to determine if assistance is needed. AT ANY TIME THAT YOU FEEL A NEED, YOU MAY ALSO ACCESS ANY OF THE FOLLOWING SUPPORT SERVICES DIRECTLY:
Runway Learning Center, 301 SHH, Ext. 2318
- Resources such as software, calculators, reference manuals, etc.
- Math & Writing -- assistance with writing and/or math assignments.
- Tutoring is available 24/7/365 to students through an online format. Contact the Runway Learning Center with questions.
- Disability Services assists students requesting accommodations through the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA/Section 504).
For career development (career/major exploration, current job opportunities, job shadowing, cooperative education, internships) contact the Career Services Center, 301 SHH, Ext. 2234.
If you know another student who is having difficulty with their courses, please refer them in confidence to Project Care, 301 SHH, Ext. 2234.
If you are experiencing personal problems, you can get a referral for up to 6 counseling sessions per year from Personal Counseling, 301 SHH, Ext. 2234 or 2318.
To make an appointment to take a make-up exam, contact Testing Services, 301 SHH, Make your appointment online at newmanu.mywconline.com
Course Summary:
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