Communication 2 ONLINE
INTERPERSONAL COMMUNICATION
Fall 2012

Instructor: Anna Martinez, M.A.
Office #: Soc 38 (southeast side of campus)
Office hours: Monday 12:30-1:30, Wednesday 11:30-12:30, Friday 12:30-1:30
Phone #: 638-3641 ext. 3680    Email: anna.martinez@reedleycollege.edu
Note: I plan to respond to your emailed questions within 48 hours.  I am usually online evenings around 9pm to 12am.
Class web address: http://blackboard.reedleycollege.edu – find the Comm 2 class listing and click it.
Required Textbook 
Adler, Ronald B. and Russell F. Proctor III. Looking Out Looking In, 13th ed.  Boston:
Wadsworth, 2011. 
You may purchase this book at the bookstore on the Reedley College campus – there are two versions available there: a consumable un-bound one (cheaper, but can’t sell it back at the end of semester) and a traditional, bound one (more expensive but can be sold back).  However, if that is not convenient for you, you will likely find it on various book-selling websites.  Purchase it as soon as possible, or you will fall behind in class rapidly.  There is a copy on reserve in the Reedley College library; it may be available at the Willow, Fresno City, or Madera libraries as well.
Course Advisory
It is recommended that you be eligible to take English 1A (already completed English 125) at the time you take this course.  This course involves substantial reading and writing and requires research and organization skills that will be an incredible challenge for you if you are not eligible for college-level English.                                                
Course Outcomes 
Upon completion of this course, students will be able to:
1.	Identify and apply effective communication strategies within the context of various relationships. 
2.	Construct and deliver dynamic and competent presentations that are adapted to the purpose and audience.
3.	Utilize research materials that incorporate sufficient, credible, and relevant evidence.
4.	Choose appropriate organizational patterns. 
5.	Analyze the effectiveness of communication through constructive critique.
Assignments
(For more details on these assignments, see the Assignments tab in Blackboard.  For due dates, see the Schedule under the Course Information tab in Blackboard.)	
Quizzes (50 points each for a total of 300 points) 
You will take six quizzes containing some mix of short answer and multiple choice questions at various points in the semester.  These will be open-resources quizzes (you may use the book/notes/Blackboard lesson material) that will require you to think beyond traditional memorization of facts.   
Quiz #1 -- Chapter 1 lecture/discussion/handout material -- 50
Quiz #2 -- Chapters 2-3 plus lecture/discussion/handout material -- 50
Quiz #3 -- Chapters 4-5 plus lecture/discussion/handout material -- 50
Quiz #4 -- Chapters 6-7 plus lecture/discussion/handout material -- 50
Quiz #5 -- Chapter 8-9 plus lecture/discussion/handout material -- 50
Quiz #6 -- Chapters 10-11 plus lecture/discussion/handout material -- 50
Quizzes total 300 
Presentations

1.	Old Photo AutoBio (20 points – credit/no credit)
When you come to the orientation meeting during week 1, bring an old photograph of yourself – preferably something from your elementary school days (ages 5-12).  This will be the primary visual aid for a mini-presentation about you.  Don’t panic, this will not be an official “speech,” but more of an informal discussion, perhaps involving question and answer.  During the “presentation,” you will explain two ways you are the same as the child in the picture and two ways you are different.  Avoid looking at physical aspects; instead, focus on your values, beliefs, attitudes, behaviors, likes/dislikes, personality characteristics, etc.  Ideally, bring the picture in electronic format (flash drive, disk, or through your own email) so you can show it to us using the classroom computer and projector screen.

2.	Cultural Artifact Project (presentation portion) (75 points)
During the second on-campus class meeting, you will bring the artifact on which you base your Cultural Artifact Project paper.  This will be used as the primary visual aid for the speech you will give on this day.  The artifact should be some kind of object that you feel symbolizes you and stands for who you are (see next section discussing the paper portion of this project).  During this speech, you will discuss many of the important points you’ve made in your paper.  However, you should NOT simply read your paper you wrote for this assignment to the class.  We will discuss how to convert your paper into an oral presentation.    
3.	Movie/TV Project Presentation  (180 points)
You will develop an analysis of the interpersonal communication between characters in a movie or TV scene using a chapter from your text. You will present the analysis to the class during the presentation meeting day at the end of the semester. You may construct and present this project with others in the class (2-3 individuals per group) or on your own, whichever you prefer.  If you choose to work with a group, however, you must also present with your group.  You will also show the scene on the classroom DVD, VCR, or Internet when you do your presentation. Each presentation should be 15 total minutes (includes the showing of the movie scene and the analysis by the presenter(s)). Please keep the presentations of the scenes to a minimum of 5 minutes; the analysis is what is being graded, not the movie. A full sentence outline will be handed in at the time of the presentation. Scenes must be approved by the instructor.  If you choose to work on this project with one or two others in the class, group chat rooms and discussion boards will be set up in Blackboard for you to use; you will not have to meet in person with your partners to work on the project.
Presentations total 275
Papers

1.  Cultural Artifact Project (paper portion) (50 points) 
You will write a 2-3 page, double-spaced paper (about 800-1200 words) explaining: (1) how important your artifact is in describing who you are; (2) how it symbolizes your culture; and (3) what significance it has in your culture.  This paper will be the basis of a speech you will give during the second on-campus meeting of the semester (see previous section discussing the presentation portion of this assignment).  This paper will be turned in via the Cultural Artifact Project folder under Assignments in Blackboard.   
2.  Journals (150 points) 
You will write several one-page “journal” entries of your interpersonal experiences at home, work, school, etc.  You will benefit more from these writings if you analyze the interaction, instead of simply reporting what happened. You can also write on your reflections of the online class discussions and exercises. You MUST cite at least one quote from the book in each entry to supplement your writing (including the page number) – relate the quote to your interpersonal experience.  There will be a total of six (6) different entries due at various times during the semester. You will turn these in to me in the Journal section of the Assignments category in Blackboard.  Each entry is worth 25 points and should be one complete page in length, double-spaced (about 400 words).  You will turn them in under the Journals folder via the Assignments section in Blackboard.  
3.  Term Research Paper (125 points) 
This is a 5-6 page, double-spaced research paper (about 2000-2400 words) applying some aspect of interpersonal communication to a relationship/situation in your life. A minimum of 4 references is needed. References include books, journal articles, magazines, credible websites, etc. Topics must be approved by the instructor.  I consider this paper to be the culmination of what you will have learned up to the due date for this assignment (and in some cases, an exploration beyond into what we have not yet covered) so I expect it to be thorough.  You will turn this paper in under the Term Paper folder via the Assignments section in Blackboard.
Papers total 325
  Participation  (100 points) 
To reap the benefits of this class, “attendance” online on a regular basis as well as making it to the three on-campus meetings is essential.  You will likely need to login to the class at least 3-5 days each week and spend a good amount of time in discussions, lessons, and activities.  Therefore: 
•	If the student misses any of the on-campus meetings, he/she will lose 13-14 points for each meeting as well as the points they would’ve earned on the presentation during that meeting.  My informal statistics on student performance show that it is unlikely you will pass this class if you miss even one of these meetings.  If a student misses both the second and third meetings, he/she forfeits eligibility to do an extra credit assignment.
•	On days when we meet on campus, students are expected to be on time and stay for the entire period. Attendance will be taken at the beginning of class.  Tardiness or leaving early will also make it difficult for you to gain points in this area.
•	Students are expected to participate in classroom learning activities as assigned and participate in class discussion forums.  Specifics on how and how often you should be posting to the discussion forum are under “Participation” when you click the Assignments button in Blackboard. 
•	Students are expected to read other students’ forum postings and class work as appropriate.   
•	Rude online behavior is unacceptable.  Any student who engages in “flaming” (online name-calling, hate speech, etc.) toward the instructor or another student will find this behavior has a detrimental effect on your participation grade, as well as your right to remain in this class.  Opinions are welcome, but they must be posited appropriately. 
•	Students are required to adequately complete all assigned readings, exercises, assignments, and discussions. 
Participation total 100
Additional points  (Optional – Max. total of 50)						
You will be given the opportunity to do an additional point assignment for your grade.  Several assignment options will be given to you, and you may choose any one of them.  The assignment will be due at the end of the semester.  Additional points are privileges given to students by instructors, not rights.  WARNING:  Your eligibility to do one of these assignments will be revoked if you miss both the second and third mandatory on-campus meetings.
Grade Distribution 
Final grades will be based on the following scale:
900 & above=A, 899-800=B, 799-700=C, 699-600=D, 599 & below=F.
You will always be able to check your current grade in the class on the Blackboard website. 
Late Assignments
	MY LATE ASSIGNMENT POLICY IS A STRICT ONE!  I do not waste valuable time dealing with reasons or excuses for late work.  Good news: I will accept late work within a certain time frame.  Bad news: Regardless of reason, late work will be given a penalty.  In other words: even if your computer or internet connection stops working, you are sick, on a college-sponsored trip, or dealing with hard times at work or home, you WILL receive a penalty if any of your work is late.  If you find yourself turning in a few late assignments this semester, I advise you to take advantage of the additional point assignment.  Specifically:
o	All presentations must be given on the day scheduled.  NO late presentations will be allowed.  Individuals who are part of a group TV/Movie presentation will receive no credit for the assignment, regardless of reason (and your team members must go on without you). Because of the nature of the class, there is simply no way to make these up.
o	Some assignments (such as quizzes) will be “locked” after a certain amount of time forbidding you from posting to or accessing them.  If you do not complete the assignment in the given amount of time, there will be no other chances for you to do so, and you will miss out on these points.
o	I grant a grace period of one week (with a 10% reduction in grade for the assignment) for written items such as journal entries and written papers (artifact project paper or term paper).  If these assignments are not turned in before this grace period is over, there will be no chance to earn these points.  
Since most online students do their work on the weekends, most of your assignments will be due on Sunday evenings.  I will always let you know on the website specifically when your work is due, and you can check all of the dates anytime by looking at your Schedule document under the Course Information tab in Blackboard.
Drop Policy
	If you fail to post your introduction message to the discussion forum by the end of the first week of class, I will drop you from the course and add someone from the waitlist.  Additionally, within the first nine weeks, if you do not access the website for more than two consecutive weeks of class without notifying me that you still desire to be in the class, I will drop you from the course.  
Advice
The college’s policies regarding student conduct in classes, including cheating and plagiarism, are located in the college catalogue and the schedule of courses.  You should be aware of these policies and abide by them.  Be aware that I may run your paper through anti-plagiarism software (e.g. Turnitin.com, SafeAssign, Google) if I suspect plagiarism.  If plagiarism is detected, I may also go back to re-evaluate work you have previously submitted for the course.  
Students with disabilities are reminded that it is your responsibility to identify yourself to the Reedley College Disabled Students Services and to your instructor(s) so reasonable accommodation for learning and evaluation within the course can be made.
Extra help 
Please feel free to visit our Writing Center online.  The nice thing about it is that the tutors offer online assistance – you won’t even have to go in!  Their website is: http://www.reedleycollege.edu/index.aspx?page=500. 
Also, if you find yourself needing help with Blackboard, they have a 24-hour telephone help line.  The phone number is in the top header always present in Blackboard: 1-866-401-7784.
A Note on My Teaching Style
In an online class, I expect students to assume total responsibility for informing themselves on announcements, lessons, and assignments.  It is also your responsibility to monitor your progress in this class.  I do not email students individually to inform them of their grades or hound them to turn in late work — I expect that they are checking their grades and upcoming assignments themselves.  It is a good idea to keep all graded assignments that I send back to you as proof of your status, at least until you receive your final grade at the end of the semester (that’s good advice for all of your classes).

Let’s become better communicators!