Fall Semester 2012

COMM-104-001 Communication Skills

Course Description
Study of the human communication process--including a multicultural perspective and the importance of
diversity--focusing on interactions with oneself, with one other person, with a small group, and within public-
speaking situations. Transfer students, juniors, and seniors meet the General Education requirement by taking
one of the following: COMM320, 436, or 456. Communication majors who transfer in take COMM320, 436 or
456.

Course Credit
3.0

Course Pre/Co-requisites

Location
NH 218

Schedule
TR 0800-0915

Instructor
Rhodel C. Kabah attended the University of California, Riverside where she received her BA in English
and a BA in Philosophy. She graduated with a Master of Arts in Communication from Andrews
University. Besides her scholarly work, she received the Ruby Award for Commitment to Community
Service and the Ruby Award for Missionary Excellence in 2001. She was awarded Most Inspirational
and Spirited Staff Member at UC Riverside in 2004 and in 2005. Presently, she heads the Interactive
Media and Communication department at Whirlpool Corporation’s World Headquarters in St. Joseph,
Michigan. She is currently working on her PhD in Leadership with an emphasis in New Media
Communication and is also an adjunct professor of Communication at Andrews University. She and her
husband Kabah live in Berrien Springs, Michigan.

Required Materials
Required Textbook
Lumsden, G & Lumsden, D. Communicating with credibility and confidence. 3rd edition.
Course Objectives
Learning outcomes:
1. To communicate competently with credibility and confidence.

2. To demonstrate sensitivity to the dimension of diversity within a community.

3. To build relationships by working in a team; to apply communication to his or her Major and
worldview.

Teaching Strategies
Communication competence comes from communicating in various contexts. The class provides activities
where each student can practice the skills of communication. Students are expected to be fully engaged in
these activities. Meta-communication means that each student thinks about his/her communication style, the
use of verbal and non-verbal communication, relationships and the role of communication and shares this in
discussion about communication with each other. Group work is important and each group member is expected
to participate for the sake of the success of the group.

Course Requirements
The dimensions of diversity provide a framework for experiential learning. Communication is all about life. The
way in which you communicate tells others a lot about your confidence and credibility. Because we live in a
society that values the way in which a person presents information, it is critical for your success in any field
(think of one that does not require you to communicate) that you practice your communication skills as well as
your speaking skills.

There will be activities that you will participate in as well chapters in the textbooks and handouts to read. You
are expected to read before class discussion so that you can participate. Quizzes are to be completed on
Moodle before class begins. See course schedule.

Course Content
Communicating with credibility and confidence includes the following:
• Understanding the communication processes.
• Creating dialogue.
• Building interpersonal relationships.
• Communicating in groups and teams.
• Speaking to public audiences to inform and persuade.

Course Policies
Speeches: You must deliver your speech on the day specified in the course calendar.
Missed Speeches that are unexcused cannot be rescheduled and the student will receive a failing grade.
Medical documentation will be required in order to excuse a student from a scheduled speech.
Assignments are due at the beginning of class and must be typed, read for clarity, and spell-checked. Excessive
grammatical and spelling errors will result in a reduction of points on written assignments. Various in- and out-
of-class exercises will be required.
Moodle: We will use Moodle to take quizzes, post grade reports and submit assign-
ments as indicated.

Critical Thinking
This freshman experience course is designed to introduce the student to the competencies that higher
education facilitates.t Critical thinking includes thinking about self-improvement and students are encouraged
to transition to a successful life at university. To communicate effectively requires sensitivity towards the needs
of others, an understanding of the context and to solve problems of communication. Learning to present
information and to persuade requires that the student research, understand the audience and adapt to that
audience. Reflecting on various topics helps to develop analytical thinking. Problem solving skills, the ability to
work in a team and developing arguments that are sound and substantiated are important lifeskills.
Communication skills, critical thinking skills and writing skills are three key qualities which most employers
look for in a job seeker.

Schedule/Course Outline
See end of document

Final Exam Schedule

**Tuesday, December 4 and Thursday, December 6, 2012

Attendance Policy
Course Policy: Attendance is mandatory. In an emergency the student must contact the instructor as soon as
possible. You are responsible for obtaining all class materials, assignments and announcements as a result of a
class absence. Only 1 absence will only be dismissed when documentation is supplied (i.e. a Doctor’s note).
Speech days and times cannot be made up. To miss your speech day is to forfeit your grade.

University Policy: Regular attendance at all classes, laboratories and other academic appointments is required
of each student.
Class Absences. Whenever the number of absences exceeds 20% of the total course appointments, the
teacher may give a failing grade. Merely being absent from campus does not exempt the student from
this policy. Absences recorded because of late registration, suspension, and early/late vacation leaves
are not excused. The class work missed may be made up only if the teacher allows. Two tardies are
equal to one absence.

Academic Dishonesty Policy

Plagiarism is not tolerated. A student caught plagiarizing will automatically receive a failing grade for that as-
signment and risk receiving an "F" for the course.

Honesty in all academic matters is a vital component of personal integrity. Breaches in academic integrity
principles are taken seriously. Acts of academic dishonesty as described in the University Bulletin are subject to
incremental disciplinary penalties with redemptive intent. Such acts are tracked in the office of the Vice
President for Academic Administration. Repeated and/or serious offenses will be referred to the Committee on
Academic Integrity for further recommendations on penalties.
Disability Accommodation
If you qualify for special assistance under the American Disabilities Act, please see the instructor as
soon as possible so that accommodations can be made.

Professionalism
To prepare students for the professional world, certain behaviors/activities are not allowed in the
classroom.

Cell Phones, Personal Laptops, and Recording devices: Cell phones should be turned off before
entering the classroom. Picture-taking during class is not allowed. Recording devices are allowed only
if pre-approved by instructor, and if approved, under no circumstance are recordings—visual or
verbal—to be posted on a public website.

Laptops should not be used during class. This class is an UNPLUGGED class. This class is all about
communication therefore it is disrespectful and unprofessional to use these devices inappropriately
during class. If a student is found using their laptop they will be asked the 1st time to close the device.
Thereafter any use of the laptop will result in a 0 grade for the day’s activities.

• Late Assignments are unacceptable unless prearranged with instructor.

• Tardiness: 2 tardies will equal your 1 day absent.
• Eating in class: Please do not bring food or beverages to class. Water is permitted.

Presentations are important. Your attention to detail, demeanor, and attire factor into how you are
perceived as a professional. Active participation in class discussions and critiques is an essential
part of learning. Without participating and expressing opinions and thoughts, it is impossible to cla-
rify your goals and develop a personal style.

Emergency Protocols
Andrews University takes the safety of its student seriously. Signs identifying emergency protocol are
posted throughout buildings. Instructors will provide guidance and direction to students in the
classroom in the event of an emergency affecting that specific location. It is important that you follow
these instructions and stay with your instructor during any evacuation or sheltering emergency.

Evaluation of Student Performance

Rubrics will be used for 3 speeches. Student peer-evaluation forms will be completed and submitted to the
relevant presenters.
Assessment and Grading Scale
Attendance & Quizzes 20%
Presentations 60%
Midterm & Final 20%
100%

A 94-100% C+ 77-79%
A- 90-93% C 73-76%
B+ 87-89% C- 70-72%
B 83-86% D 66-69%
B- 80-82% F 0-65%

Assignments

Major Assignments:
1.) INTERCULTURAL INTERVIEW
a. Find a person whose culture is different from yours (this cannot be a classmate or someone you al-
ready know).
b. Spend a minimum of 30 minutes talking and interacting with this person. Your goal is to learn
about a different culture, and in particular to learn more about the way people from different cul-
tures communicate. When talking with this person, be sure to ask open-ended questions and lis-
ten carefully to their responses.
c. Prepare a minimum 2-page essay (hard copy), summarizing your interview. You’ll also have the op-
portunity to share what you’ve learned during class with your fellow students. Those who choose
to present their intercultural interviews in class will receive extra credit. Your presentation must in-
clude a visual component and be 5-6 minutes in length. A successful presentation will earn having
your lowest Quiz grade dropped. Please indicate if you are interested in this extra credit opportuni-
ty.

2.) TEAM PRESENTATION

a. Working in teams of 4-6 people, prepare an informative presentation about a topic on diversity.
Communicate the similarities and differences that are expressed in the specific cultural ma-
keup/background of each individual on your team. This will help you to understand the importance
of the richness of diversity that you will discover as you research and work together.
• This presentation must be between 10-12 minutes in length.
• At least 5 sources must be integrated into your presentation.
• Prepare an outline of your presentation.
• This presentation must include visual aids.
• Your grade for this presentation will take into consideration the group presentation per-
formance, your evaluation of the roles, and the climate and functioning of your group.

The Outline for the Team Presentation

Submit a written assignment that describes your group’s presentation. Make sure that it includes the 5
sources you integrated into the presentation. These sources must be listed in the “Works Cited” sec-
tion of your outline. The outline is due the day your team makes its presentation. Only one copy from
the group needs to be handed in for evaluation.
 Team Presentation Evaluation Paper
Each member will submit a 2-page evaluation (hard copy) of your team’s presentation and an overall
assessment of how your group worked together. You will provide feedback on the different members
in your group and the role/s they played.

3.) RESUME/JOB INTERVIEW

a. Research a specific entry level position that you feel you are qualified for.
b. Develop a professional resume for this position.
c. Ask a professional (preferably within the field) to conduct a mock interview of you. You will submit
the name of your interviewer to me for approval.
d. Prepare for a mock interview. Your interviewer will interview you and securely submit your evalua-
tion to me.

Job Interview Evaluation Paper

Submit your own online evaluation of your mock interview.

4.) INFORMATIVE SPEECH

a. Choose a subject that you know enough about to consider yourself an expert. Prepare a speech to
inform the class about an object, process, event, or concept.
b. This presentation must be between 3-5 minutes in length.
c. Integrate at least 2 sources into your presentation, in addition to explaining what qualifies you to
speak on your chosen subject.
d. Prepare an outline of your presentation.

Outline of Informative Speech

a. A written assignment that describes the presentation you plan to execute.
b. Make sure that you include at least 2 sources. These sources must be listed in the “Works
Cited” section of your outline.
c. The outline is due the day of your presentation and must be turned in before you deliver
your speech.

Informative Speech Evaluation Paper

Submit an online evaluation of your informative speech.

5.) MOTIVATED SPEECH (DEBATE)

a. This presentation must be between 4-6 minutes in length.
b. Follow the format for Monroe’s Motivated Sequence. It must include the following steps: Attention,
Need, Satisfaction, Visualization, Action, Conclusion.
c. Integrate at least 4 sources into your presentation, in addition to yourself.
d. Prepare an outline of your presentation that follows the Monroe Motivated Sequence.

Outline of Motivated Speech/Debate

Your presentation must include the following steps:
i. Attention Step: Get the attention of your audience. This can be done with a detailed story,
shocking example, dramatic statistic, quote, etc. This is part of your introduction (in addition
to stating your thesis, giving a preview of your main points, and telling your audience why
the topic is of concern to them.)
ii. Need Step: Show them the problem exists, that it is a significant problem, and that it won’t
go away by itself. (Or refute the problem with sufficient evidence to support your state-
 ment). Document your statements with statistics, examples, etc.
iii. Satisfaction Step: Offer solutions for the problem you presented in the Need Step. These
are solutions that the government of society as a whole can implement. You must satisfy
the need.
iv. Visualization Step: Tell us what will happen if we don’t do something about the problem.
v. Action Step: Offer alternatives to your audience that they can do personally to help solve
the problem you have shown exists. Again, be very specific and very realistic.
vi. Conclusion: Motivate us to get out and do something! Reinforce your central idea, sum-
marize, and make your final words such that we will remember the cause and act!
a. Make sure that your outline includes 5 sources. These sources must be listed in the “Works Cited”
section of your outline.
b. The final outline is due the day of your presentation and must be turned in before you present your
speech.

6.) Documentary (Final)

a. Working in teams of 4-6 people create a 5-10 min documentary about your journey through the
course this semester.
b. Remember, documentaries attempt to represent reality rather than tell a fictional story. Documen-
taries are essentially non-fiction film.
c. Look back on everything we’ve done in class (discussions, presentations, group projects, inter-
views, etc) and make a list of the high points of the semester (what were the parts of the course
that stick out in your mind). This list will help in determining the direction of your documentary.
d. The following roles need to be fulfilled by one of more members of the group:
• Directors
• Editors (most students have access to iMovie or Windows Movie Maker)
• Writers
• Camerapersons
• Musical Director
e. Each team will present their documentary on the final day of class.
f. Plan accordingly project may take 10-20 hours to complete.
**All quizzes are due by 11:59 PM that day on Moodle.

COURSE SCHEDULE
T: Aug 28 08:00-9:15 Introduction & Overview
Communication
Th: Aug 30 08:00-9:15 Chapter 1 Quiz
Dynamics

Credibility and
T: Sept 4 08:00-9:15 Chapter 2 Quiz
Confidence
Communication and
Th: Sept 6 08:00-9:15 Moodle chapter
Culture

Chapter 3 Quiz
Perception and Thought/
T: Sept 11 08:00-9:15 (Your intercultural interviews
Listening & Questioning
are Due on Thursday)
Chapter 4 Quiz
Listening & Questioning
Intercultural Interview essays
Th: Sept 13 08:00-9:15 /Intercultural Interview
Due today by 8:00 AM before
Presentations**
class on Moodle

Nonverbal
T: Sept 18
08:00-9:15 Communication Chapter 5 Quiz

Th: Sept 20 08:00-9:15 Verbal Communication Chapter 6 Quiz

Relationship Climates/ Chapter 7 Quiz

T: Sept 25 08:00-9:15
Personal Relationships Chapter 8 Quiz
Chapter 9 Quiz
Professional
Th: Sept 27 08:00-9:15 Resume & Job Posting Due
Relationships /
today by 11:59 PM on Moodle

Chapter 10 Quiz/
Mock Interview evaluations
DUE from your Interviewer
*AND* your personal
T: Oct 2 08:00-9:15 Groups and Teams
evaluation

Due today by 11:59 PM on

Moodle
Group Dynamics/
Chapter 11
Th: Oct 4 08:00-9:15 Problem Solving and
Quiz
Decision Making

T: Oct 9 08:00-9:15 NO CLASS NO CLASS

R & D: Creating Public

Th: Oct 11 08:00-9:15 Chapter 12 Quiz
Speeches
 Chapter 13 Quiz
Rehearsal & Delivery: (Meet for the final time in your
T: Oct 16 08:00-9:15
Speaking to Audiences groups. Presentations due on
Thursday)
MIDTERM
Outline Due today by 8:00 AM
Th: Oct 18 08:00-9:15 TEAM PRESENTATIONS
before class on Moodle
(Groups 1 & 2)

MIDTERM
Outline Due by 8:00 AM before
T: Oct 23 08:00-9:15 TEAM PRESENTATIONS
class on Moodle
(Groups 3 & 4)
Th: Oct 25 08:00-9:15 Speaking to Inform Chapter 14 Quiz

Past, Present, Future

(Work on your informative
Speeches
T: Oct 30 08:00-9:15 speech. Speeches Due on
What the best public
Thursday)
speakers do!
Informative Speeches Outline Due by 8:00 AM before
Th: Nov 1 08:00-9:15
(Group 4 & 3) class on Moodle

Informative Speeches Outline Due by 8:00 AM before

T: Nov 6 08:00-9:15
(Group 2 &1 ) class on Moodle
Th: Nov 8 08:00-9:15 Speaking to Persuade Chapter 15 Quiz

(Work on your
T: Nov 13 08:00-9:15 Speaking to Persuade persuasive/motivated Speech.
Speeches Due on Thursday)
Persuasive Outline Due today by 8:00 AM
Th: Nov 15 08:00-9:15
Speech/Debates before class on Moodle

NO CLASS
T: Nov 20 08:00-9:15 Thanksgiving Break (Work on your Documentaries.
They are due SOON)
NO CLASS
Th: Nov 22 08:00-9:15 Thanksgiving Break (Work on your Documentaries.
They are due SOON)

Persuasive Outline Due today by 8:00 AM

T: Nov 27 08:00-9:15
Speech/Debates before class on Moodle
Persuasive Outline Due today by 8:00 AM
Th: Nov 29 08:00-9:15
Speech/Debates before class on Moodle

**Documentary Viewing Final Exam: All Documentaries

T: Dec 4 08:00-9:15
Day** Due
**Documentary Viewing
Th: Dec 6 08:00-9:15 Final Exam
Day**