UCCA 102.09

Communication Arts II--Honors

Fall 1999

 

Instructor:                                 David R. Dedo

Office:                                      DIVINITY N318

Comm. Resource Center:          UCA 308

Office Hours:                            TR 10:00-11:00, and by appointment

Phone:                                      726-2310

CRC:                                       726-2137

e-mail:                                      drdedo@samford.edu

www:                                       http://faculty.samford.edu/~drdedo

 

 

Course Description

                In this course we will emphasize the ability to collect and synthesize information from a variety of sources in order to write and speak persuasively.  We will also become more proficient with computer technology, using it to enhance research skills, logical reasoning, as well as the oral and written discourse we produce this semester.

 

 

Objectives

·  Conduct effective searches of source materials

·  Interpret quantitative and qualitative data

·  Follow ethical guidelines for documenting sources, both traditional and electronic

·  Analyze purposes and practices of the media

·  Develop small group communication skills

·  Develop interpersonal communication skills

·  Employ referential and persuasive communication skills

·  Write an effective resume and application letter

·  Use concrete and vivid language

·  Recognize the principles and techniques of persuasive discourse

·  Make appropriate inferences from a text

·  Avoid logical fallacies

·  Support a claim with appropriate evidence

 

 

Text and Materials

·  Grice and Skinner, Mastering Public Speaking (3rd ed.)

·  Folder with Pockets

·  Diane Hacker, A Writer’s Reference (4th ed.)

·  2 HD diskettes (3.5in)

·  Axelrod & Cooper, Reading Critically, Writing Well (5th ed.)

·  A Student's Guide

 

Grading Distribution:

Evaluation                         10%

Evaluation Speech                             10%

Cause/Effect                      15%

Resume/Cover letter                          10%

Proposal                             15%

Proposal Speech                                10%

Position Essay                  15%

Public Interview                                 10%

Final (timed essay)             5%

 

 

Grading Scale:

A         =      93-100

B         =      83-86

C         =      73-76

D     =      63-66

A-       =      90-92

B-        =      80-82

C-        =      70-72

D-    =      60-62

B+       =      87-89

C+       =      77-79

D+       =      67-69

F      =      below 60

 

 

 

 

 

Guidelines for Assignment Submission:

            All assignments are due at the beginning of the class period on the day specified on the syllabus. Late assignments will be penalized 10% for each business day overdue.  Final essays must be submitted with all preliminary materials (including drafts, peer reviews, and self evaluations) if I request them.  Final drafts of major writing assignments will be submitted electronically.  All submissions must be original with sources clearly and correctly documented. Work previously submitted for other courses is not acceptable. Any student who represents the work of another as his own is guilty of plagiarism and will be subject to the penalties outlined in the Student Handbook, including expulsion from the course and the University.

 

Absences

        Since a workshop depends on your active participation, you should attend every class meeting.  Students who miss more than four classes will receive an FA for the course.  Students who must be absent due to university business should notify me early in the semester.  Arriving late or leaving early from a class is disruptive, so three tardies/early exits will be considered the equivalent of an absence.  Most important:  come to class prepared (or don't come at all!).

 

Inclusive Language

        Language—how it is used and what it implies—plays a crucial role in Samford University's mission to "nurture persons."  Because verbal constructions create realities, inclusive language can uphold or affirm those whom we seek to nurture, while exclusive language can damage or defeat them.  We therefore actively seek a discourse in our university community that supports the equal dignity and participation of men and women; we seek to avoid verbal constructions that diminish the equal dignity of all persons.  It is an affirmative—and affirming—part of our mission to educate students, staff and faculty in the creation of a community of equality and respect through language.

 

Communication Resource Center

        The Communication Resource Center is located in the University Center Annex 308.  The Center is a free service that provides individualized help with all phases of writing and speaking assignments.  Drop in during the posted hours or call ext. 2137 to make an appointment.  I am the Director and regularly tutor as well.  I prefer that my students work with other tutors so you will have the benefit of an additional perspective on your work.

 

Final Exam

        All students in UCCA102 will take a uniform final exam at a uniform exam time:

                                Thursday, December 16, 3:30-5:30, Divinity N302

 

General Course Policies

        A Student’s Guide to Communication Arts explains all of the course policies in more detail. You are expected to familiarize yourself with these policies early in the semester. Both the Guide and the course syllabus are official sources for course requirements.

 


 

Schedule:

Week

Activity

Reading*

Assignment Due*

Week 1

Intro to Course

Evaluative Arguments

RC, Chapter 6**

MPS, Ch. 1-6; 9-11; 13-15

R (“Research Writing”)

SG, Part One

SG, Part Two, Chapter VI.

Impromptu Speaking

Week 2

Drawing Inferences

Forms of Evidence

MPS, Ch. 7-8

M  and A (“Documentation”)

SG, Part Two, Chapters I and VII

Problem-solving groups

Week 3

Analyzing Causes and Effects

RC, Chapter 7

MPS, Ch. 19

SG, Part Two, Chapter 57

Evaluation Essay

Week 4

Speeches

SG, Part Two, Chapter V

Evaluation Speech

Week 5

Analyzing Television News Analyzing Advertising

SG, Part Two, Chapter II

Media log

Week 6

Problem-Solving Methods

RC, Chapter 8

Cause/Effect Essay

Week 7

Resume

SG, Part Two, Chapter IX

 

Week 8

PowerPoint

 

Resume

Week 9

Establishing/Defending Positions

Using Concrete Language

RC, Chapter 9

MPS, Ch. 12; 16-17

E (“Effective Sentences”),

W (“Word Choice”)

Proposal Essay

Week 10

Speeches

 

Proposal Speech

Week 11

Recognizing Logical Fallacies

 

 

Week 12

Editing Skills

 

Position Essay

Week 13

Public Interviews

 

Public Interview

Week 14

Writing Essay Exams

 

 

 

 

 

Final Exam

* Readings and assignments should be completed before the first class of the week unless specified otherwise.

** RC = Reading Critically, Writing Well; MPS = Mastering Public Speaking; SG = A Student’s Guide to Communication Arts; boldface letters indicate sections in A Writer’s Reference