CALS 001
Foundations: Communication Methods
Fall 2007 Syllabus
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AGRI 001: Students go to 1 lecture & 1 lab per week |
Professor Thomas F. Patterson, Jr., Ph.D. |
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Lecture A Tuesdays, |
208D Morrill Hall, UVM |
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Lecture B Thursdays, |
x60042 (w), 658-7496 (h) |
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tpatters@uvm.edu |
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Office
Hours: Thursday |
Course Description: This course will help you develop skills for college success and beyond. Here you will become oriented to the College of Agriculture and Life Sciences (CALS) and UVM, and learn how to give oral presentations that are appropriate for different purposes and audiences. You will improve your public speaking skills by conducting research, organizing information and selecting appropriate media to make dynamic presentations. You will give several presentations and critique other student and professional presentations. This class is highly recommended of all first year students in CALS, because, regardless of your major, you will need highly developed oral communication skills to complete your undergraduate degree and become successful beyond college.
Why is This Course Important? In today’s complex and ever
changing world, the ability to communicate clearly is more important than
ever. Although communication takes on many forms, humans communicate
mainly through the written and spoken word. You will have many
opportunities to work on improving your written communication skills during
your college years, but few opportunities exist to help you improve your
speaking skills. Recent graduates of UVM and employers agree that the
ability to speak in public is an essential skill that every college graduate
should possess. In fact, oral communication is a core competency
for the
General Course Goal: The overall goal of Fall Foundations
course is twofold:
1. To help you discover and learn about what the
2. To help you improve your oral communication skills.
Course Objectives: You will:
1. Increase your understanding about UVM, its
history, mission, organization, rules and regulations, people, services,
resources and opportunities for student development.
2. Increase your understanding about the
3. Make a positive adjustment and assimilation into the University and CALS.
4. Develop a positive relationship with your CALS academic advisor.
5. Better understand the developmental changes involved in the transition into
and out of the first year of college.
6. Better understand and utilize the full resources of the library.
7. Develop positive student-to-student interactions and become a contributing
member of the CALS and UVM community by joining a club or UVM organization.
8. Develop critical thinking skills through reading, reflection, discussion,
oral presentation and writing.
9. Begin developing a personal career planning process.
10. Learn a set of study and interpersonal skills for succeeding in college.
11. Demonstrate increased confidence in
speaking.
12. Understand different types of presentations and different audiences, and be
able to appropriately match the two to meet specific speaking objectives.
13. Be able to critique and learn from another
person’s oral presentation.
14. Prepare appropriate media for presentations.
15. Be able to research, construct and present a
dynamic and effective speech to a group.
16. Understand and utilize small group dynamics and the concept of teamwork
both from a participant and facilitator standpoint.
17. Demonstrate teamwork and group presentation skills as a contributing member
of a team.
18. Understand the role and functioning of mass media in our society.
Required Texts and VideoTape :
Lucas, Stephen E., The Art of Public
Speaking,
Gelb, Michael J., Present Yourself!, Jalamar
Press, Torrance, CA: 1988 ISBN 0-915190-51-6
Lawry, John D., College 101, Second Edition, McGraw Hill, Boston:
1999 ISBN 0-07-313159-3
In addition, you must purchase a VHS videotape to be used to tape your
presentations.
Journal: Keep an electronic journal through the WebCT Discussion Board and Email functions--reflecting on your readings, class presentations and discussions and your personal and academic progress at UVM and CALS. Journal guidelines may be viewed here and read College 101, pp 1-3. Minimum expectations are two quality and thoughtful discussion/journal entries per week. At least one of the journal entries should be a reflection on the Lawry reading due that week. Selected appropriate and reflective entries will be posted on the course WebCT site, with the writer’s permission.
Attendance Policy: Most of your final grade will depend on your active performance, both as a speaker and as a listener, in class. Attendance will be noted each class. This is not a class to cut and get notes from someone else . This is a class where you must come to lecture and lab on time and be ready to participate. Since we have only thirteen lectures, every class is important. Role will be taken. More than one unexcused absence is grounds for a reduction in your grade by one letter for each absence.
Make-Up Policy: If you can not make a class, you must notify your instructor before the class. Ex post facto notification will result in loss of points for that class and assignment. If you miss a speaking assignment without notifying your instructor before the class or if you miss a speaking assignment because you weren’t prepared, you will earn a zero for that assignment. Only legitimate prior-notification absences (death in the family, serious illness, or accident) will be made up. This should be a rare occurrence.
Religious
Holidays: Students have the right to practice the religion of
their choice. Each semester students should submit in writing to their
instructors by the end of the second full week of classes their documented
religious holiday schedule for the semester.
Written Assignments: All written assignments should be word-processed. Handwritten work will not be accepted.
Oral Assignments:
Since this is a course in oral communication, your oral assignments are
important. It should be no surprise that students who spend lots of time
preparing for their oral presentations do better than students who throw
something together at the last moment or, worse yet, just “ wing
it.” Studying for this class is not passive (like reading a
textbook or studying for an exam), instead it is
active (practicing your speech in front of friends).
Student Dress and Demeanor: Students are expected to dress and behave appropriately for the assigned audience. For example, introducing yourself to your peers will call for regular everyday dress, while you will need to wear business attire (which includes slacks, skirts, ties, dress shirts and dress shoes) when speaking to persuade an audience. If in doubt on what to wear, ask. If you do not wear suitable attire, your score will be reduced a minimum of half a grade.
Class Rules: Attendance is mandatory and will be taken
every class. You should take notes in
class, as there is a final at the end of the semester on everything that is
covered in class and in the readings.
It’s OK to eat in class, but you must clean up after yourself
(unless your mother works here). All
cell phones and IPods must be turned off during the
entire class. If they are used during
class, the instructor has the right to confiscate them. You can take notes in class using a laptop,
but there is no web surfing, IMing or anything else
having to do with the internet which will take your mind off class. There is no sleeping in class. If you close your eyes and drift off, I will
stop class and embarrass you. Hats are permissible, including Yankee hats which were once were
banned. Finally, no talking when
I’m talking.
Plagiarism: Students are expected to read the examples of plagiarism and know when to use quotations and references in writing.
Academic Honesty: From Cats
Tale – Student Handbook
The principle objective
of The University of Vermont policy on academic honesty is to promote an
intellectual climate and support the academic integrity of The University of
Vermont. Academic dishonesty or an
offense against academic honesty includes acts which may subvert or compromise
the integrity of the educational process at The University of Vermont. Such
acts are serious offenses, which insult the integrity of the entire academic
community of the University.
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Graded Assignments |
% |
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1. Class Introduction |
2.5 |
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2. Present Yourself Quiz (in lecture, the week of September 24) |
2.5 |
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3. Impromptu Speech |
2.5 |
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4. Join UVM club or organization |
2.5 |
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5. Library Exercise |
2.5 |
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6. Advisor Meetings |
2.5 |
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7. |
5 |
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8. Informational presentation |
10 |
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9. Persuasive presentation |
15 |
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10. Choice presentation (informational, persuasive, entertaining, or combination) |
20 |
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11. Three speech reflection papers |
15 |
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12. Group critical analysis presentation |
10 |
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13. Student Critiques/Attendance
& Participation/WebCT Discussion
Journal/Attitude |
5 |
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14. Final written exam |
5 |
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TOTAL |
100 |
Assignments in Detail: Download Excel Grading Template Here .
1. Introduce yourself to the large class (2.5%). Students’ names will be called randomly throughout the semester to introduce themselves (1 to 2 minutes) to the large class. Topics to be covered include:
Name
Family Background
Where you are from and Why you chose UVM
Academic interests and major
Interests/Hobbies
Plans after graduating
Something about yourself no one else in the room knows
You should demonstrate that you are prepared for this assignment and not just “wing it.” It will be obvious if you do. Average introductions will earn a C grade. Interesting, innovative and enthusiastic introductions will receive higher grades. If you are absent when you name is randomly called, you will earn an F.
2. Quiz on the book, Present
Yourself (2.5%) Individual and group quizzes will be
averaged. The quiz on the booklet Present
Yourself is scheduled early in the semester, as this book contains
important tips for public speaking.
3. Impromptu Speech (2.5%) The impromptu speech gets you up in front of your
lab group and is intended to reveal a speaker's ability to develop a point of
view on a general topic and to organize a 2 – 3 minute presentation
within a limited preparation time.
Impromptu speech topics will be familiar ground for all speakers. We
will look for clarity of thought, structure (introduction, body, &
conclusion) and the effective use of plain spoken English.
4.
Join a UVM Club or Organization (2.5%) To
complete this assignment you must show convincing evidence to your lab Teaching
Assistants (TAs) that you have joined and are an active participant in a UVM
club, sport, or organization. You can report this to your TA anytime
during the semester. View the Student Government Association (SGA) list of clubs.
5. Library Exercise (2.5%) This
exercise is to introduce you to the UVM Bailey-Howe Library and to help you
develop background research for your informational presentation topic. This exercise must be handed in with your
reflection document and other required materials in a pocket folder, the week
after you give your informational presentation.
6. Advisor Meetings: (2.5%). You must meet with your Academic Advisor at least twice during the Fall 2005 semester to discuss speech topic choices, academic concerns and just to get to know each other better. Your advisor must sign and date a form to be turned in to your TA before the end of the semester.
7. Attend and critique a formal speech given outside of class (5%). Submit a four to six page paper to your TA. Click here for details. Papers handed in after the due date will receive 10% reduction the first week, 20% the second week, and no credit, 0% if any later. Papers need to be edited by a fellow student in your lab. You must hand in the edited first draft with your editor's signature, along with the final draft of your paper.
8. Give an eight to ten minute informational presentation to an audience of student peers (10%). You will be given adequate lecture, handout materials and text assignments to help you prepare for your presentations.
The subject of your informational
presentation should be something that you are interested in (indeed, have a
passion for!) and wish to share with others so we can learn about you as a
person. It should be “college level” and “appropriate
for your audience.” If in doubt, ask Professor Patterson or your
lab TA. Click here
to see the checklist for grading your informational presentations.
To introduce you to the resources of the
UVM library and help you develop background research for your informational
presentation, you must complete the library
assignment booklet and turn it in, along with other required materials, the
week after your informational presentation.
After your presentation, you should read
your peer evaluations carefully; watch the videotape; then write a
9. Give an eight to ten minute persuasive presentation to a business audience (you must dress appropriately, or be willing to accept a reduction of half a grade on your presentation) (15%). Students will be expected to have improved from the first presentation. The persuasive presentation will be graded in part on how much improvement you demonstrate from your first presentation. This speech will also be videotaped to use in writing a reflection paper to be handed in the following week. For your reflection paper, use the same three sub-heading format as detailed below.
The subject should be something controversial that you feel strong enough about that you want to persuade others to understand and/or adopt your viewpoint. Again, we will learn about you as a person from the subject you chose and from the caliber of your persuasive speech. Click here to see the checklist for persuasive grading requirements. Remember to hand in your notes, mind map or outline, with your reflection paper the following week. Please hand in your materials in a pocket folder with your name prominently displayed on the outside.
10. Give an eight to ten minute presentation of your choice (informational, persuasive, entertaining) (20%). This is your final individual presentation and the culminating speech to demonstrate your competency in public speaking. You may choose to give either an informational, persuasive or entertaining presentation, or a combination, on the subject of your choice. Click here to see the checklist for grading your choice presentation. Again, after your speech, write a reflection paper based on a review of the videotape and student comments and your personal reflection of the experience. Hand your notes or outline with your reflection paper in a pocket folder the following week.
11. Write three reflection papers(15%, three @ 5% each). Each presentation will be
videotaped, and your cumulative grade will depend on your speech as well as a
(1)
the speech I prepared for
(2) the speech I gave
(3) the speech I wish I had given
These papers are to show reflection and learning from the three individual speech experiences. The three papers, two to four pages in length, should be written after viewing the videotape of your presentation, reading the student critiques and honestly reflecting on your experience. Use the following three headings to frame your paper:
a. The speech I prepared for : Why you chose your topic…what this topic tells us about you...how your conducted your research…the credibility of your sources, especially web –based sources…the objectives of your speech…how you went about constructing the speech…the amount and type of practice you did…the feedback you received…any other preparation.
b. The speech I gave : Give details of how your speech went…comparison of the speech with the one you practiced…what was going on in your head during the speech…what the video tape showed…things you did right…things you did wrong…student critique comments…anything else concerning the actual speech and how it felt to you
c. The speech I wish I had given : Things you wish you had done differently to give the ideal speech…what would you have done differently in preparing for and delivering your speech…what will you do next time to improve…anything else that you wish you had done and would do in the future.
12. Be part of a team that gives a group critical analysis presentation (10%) . The world of work that you will be entering consists of teams working together. You will be assigned to a small group during the semester to prepare a 12 - 15 minute critical analysis presentation scheduled for the last two labs of the semester.
Your group needs to select a controversial topic that everyone is interested in. Find a minimum of two articles (in journals, newspaper, magazines, books, or the web) that take opposite viewpoints and use the Guidelines for a Critical Analysis of an Article to orally critique each article in your presentation. Discuss the conclusions your group can make about your chosen topic as a result of this analysis.
Your grade will be determined by the depth and coherence of critical analysis of each article, the quality of the group presentation, the support and interaction among group members, as well as your personal participation in the group project as rated by your peers. Click here for the checklist for group critical analysis presentation grading requirements.
Each team member bears personal responsibility for group participation. If you miss team meetings and fail to participate fully in the group presentation, then you have not met objective number 17 for this class and you will be graded accordingly. Every semester a number of students slack and fail to show up for group meetings and are left behind by the group. It is your responsibility to make group meetings and fully participate in the group project. Do not expect your TA to intervene for you or to take mercy on you at the end of the semester.
13. Critique student presentations/Class participation/WebCT Discussion Journal/Attitude (5%) Being a critical listener and being able to give constructive feedback is an important communication skill and will help you develop as a speaker as well. You will have the opportunity to give written and oral feedback to your fellow students. Signed written critiques will be given to the student presenter for feedback. Your grade will reflect how well you critically analyze and give helpful feedback (both positive and negative) to your colleagues.
Students will also be graded on their overall participation and attitude toward the class. Those showing enthusiasm for learning and helping their fellow students to learn will receive a high score, while those who argue each grade, refuse to participate, regularly come to class late and/or seem disinterested in the class will fare poorly.
It is important for you to reflect on
the changes that are happening in your life and the learning that is taking
place, as a first-year college student. Students are required to make two
WebCT discussion posting a week, one on the assigned College 101 reading for that
week. Click here for journal
guidelines. Postings should be made to the WebCT
communication lab Discussion list, which will include your lab TAs as well as
your lab section group members. More
than two discussion postings a week is encouraged.
What
to post on WebCT Discussions: Post
reflections, thoughts or questions that the assigned College 101 readings have raised for you. Also write about our class or other classes
or experiences you have had at UVM such as: readings, lab or lecture material,
and resident hall and life experiences that have been provocative and interesting.
Postings about class-related material that is confusing, or makes you
think of connections to other courses or experiences in your life, are
welcome. Contact lab mates, or reply to
their postings giving your own opinion or suggestions to questions or comments
they have posted. Organize study sessions or review of our class or other
class material. Constructive criticisms or suggestions for future labs
are welcome.
What not to post on WebCT
Discussions: Hurtful thoughts or strong negative criticism of others
in our class are not welcome. Whining or excessive complaining about this
or any other UVM course is not appropriate. Do not post about drinking,
drugs, or sex.
14. Final written exam (5%). This will cover all readings, labs, lectures, and guest speakers. To do well, you must come to class, take notes, do all the readings and study.
Fall 2007 CALS 001
Schedule
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Lab Date |
Lecture Topic Outline |
Lab Topic Outline |
Assignment Due Day of Lab |
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Aug 27 |
Welcome to the class. Go over course structure, syllabus, materials, grading, WebCT. Study/Time management suggestions. Kolb-Lewin Learning styles |
Introduction to lab. Diads, introductions. 10 things I wish I knew when I was a first year student |
None |
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Sept 3 |
Foundations
Quiz Answers : What you should know about UVM
and CALS. Visual Aids. |
Go over lab schedule
and speech date assignments, correct lab roster. Go over |
Print out and carefully read the Syllabus. |
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Sept 10 |
The "must-knows" of public speaking. Example of a good student informational speech. Informational speech grading sheet. |
Finish Impromptu Speeches. |
The Art of Public Speaking: Chpts.
8-14 |
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Sept 17 |
Stylistic Language Devices. The best speech of the 20th Century. Introductions. |
Informational Presentations. |
The Art of Public Speaking: Chpts.
2, 4, 5, Appendix A7 |
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Sept 24 |
Persuasive v. Informational Speaking PP Presentation.
Persuasive speech grading
sheet. |
Informational Presentations |
Present Yourself: Chpts.
7-10 |
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Oct 1 |
Persusasive speech examples. Introductions. |
Finish Informational Presentations |
The Art of Public
Speaking: Chpts. 15, 16 |
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Oct 8 |
Cat's Tale. Plagiarism activity. Example of a good student persuasive speech. |
Persuasive Presentations |
College 101: Students
and Teachers section, pgs. 57-88. |
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Oct 15 |
Choice presentations grading sheet, Introductions |
Persuasive Presentations |
College 101: Conflict section, pgs. 131-164. |
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Oct 22 |
Mass Media PP Presentation, Propaganda, and public speaking . Choice speech example . Introductions |
Finish Persuasive
Presentations |
College 101: Friendship and Romance section:
pgs. 89-114. |
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Oct 29 |
UVM Police Chief Gary Margolis visit. Introductions |
Choice Presentations |
College 101: Resources
Section pgs. 163-176. |
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Nov 5 |
Choice Speech example. Group Critical Analysis overview. Stages of Team Growth , Functional Leadership Theory, Introductions |
Choice Presentations |
College 101: Academic Concerns section pgs.
9-56. |
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Nov 12 |
Career Services visit. Student Speech examples, Introductions. View Final Exam Study Guide . |
Finish Choice Presentations, |
The Art of Public Speaking: Chpt.
18 |
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Nov 19 |
Thanksgiving Recess |
No classes this week. |
Enjoy the |
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Nov 26 |
Interviewing , Foundations Survey. Final Introductions. View Final Exam Study Guide. |
Finish Group Critical
Analysis Presentations |
View the Video: Land for Learning: Justin
Morrill and College 101: Spiritual Quest section pgs.
235-271 |
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Dec 3 |
Final Introductions, Class Evaluations, & Student Convocation speech example. View Final Exam Study Guide. |
Labs complete any unfinished business |
None |
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Dec 12 |
UVM Final Exam
Schedule for Fall 2007 Tuesday lecture section Final Exam is at |
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Study for final exam |