Gender Issues in Communication

Com 4014
syllabus
Instructor: Susan Collins

0070(15269)

The University of Central Florida

Com 4014 0070(15269)

Instructor: Susan Collins Instructional format: in person Office Hours: Thursday 5:306:00 Phone: 321-544-1684 Class Schedule: January 9 April 29 6:00pm 8:50pm Instructional Methodology: lecture, discussion, multi-media, experiential exercises, small group exercises, and learning projects Class and Office Location: BC 235 Cocoa Campus Email: Susan.Collins@ucf.edu

Course Description
explores the relationship between gender and interpersonal communication encourages critical thinking and engagement on issues like feminist rhetoric, the construction of gender, and theories of gender and communication explores topics like relationships, culture, education, the media, sexual violence etc. designed to help students see the pervasive interconnections between gender and communication

Course Competencies
Think critically about gender and its constructs Analyze and articulate the relationship between gender and communication in a variety of contexts Communicate effectively in written and oral form about gender communication theories and research Demonstrate an understanding of discipline-specific knowledge, concepts, theories, and vocabulary pertaining to gender and communication Communicate effectively as a class member Model ethical and culturally respectful communication traits

Com 4014 0070(15269) Course Learning Objectives

Know basic principles and theories of gender and communication. Evaluate all elements of a communication context and understand how they affect information processing and persuasion, especially as they relate to gender. Recognize scholarly research and cite it properly. Exhibit effective communication skills.

Textbook

Genderspeak: Personal Effectiveness in Gender Communication

Fifth Edition; Pearson Education, Inc. by Diana K. Ivy ISBN-13: 987-0-205-82547-9 ISBN-10: 0-205-82547-8

Communication with the Instructor

Email is the best way to contact me. As of September 28, 2009, Knights E-mail is the only e-mail system for UCF and the only way faculty, staff, and administrators are allowed to communicate with students regarding official university business matters. This includes email regarding course work, advising, answering academic questions, or any correspondence related to their role as a student or our role as faculty, staff, and administrators of UCF. This also means that I cannot reply (with University-related information) to email questions or requests sent from addresses such as yahoo, gmail, hotmail, aol, etc. Also according to privacy laws, I am not allowed to email your grade on any assignment to you, even if you give me permission. For brief inquiries about assignments and other non-grade-related questions, you may text or call me at 321-544-1684. It may take as long as 24 hours before I respond. If you text me on a Friday, you will not hear from me until the following Monday. Be sure to state your name
when you text me so that I will know with whom I am communicating.

Com 4014 0070(15269) Assignments and Grading

Point Earning Opportunities (PEOs): 100 points These are short assignments and quizzes that are meant to test your knowledge of the reading and get you ready for class that day. We will take MORE than 100 points worth of PEOs so it is possible to earn extra credit in this category; for example, you might earn 110/100. Discussion Supplement and Lead: 100 points Each week beginning on week 3, a small group will be in charge of reading extra materials and helping add to the class discussion on the theories we are studying. Each student will only have one week of this assignment. It will include reading journal articles, gathering media and pop culture material, asking discussion questions, and writing a proposition about the materials. Packets of supplemental materials for each week will be posted electronically. We will pick groups and sign up during week 2. Theory Paper/Presentation: 100 points This project will involve writing a paper to explain and illustrate the principles, application, and significance of a theory learned in the class. Substantive research should help you engage the course material in meaningful ways. You will present your paper to the class in a formal presentation lasting five to seven minutes. Topics will be chosen on the second evening of class. Midterm: 100 points An exam/project designed to test your knowledge of the concepts discussed in the textbook and the class. Final: 100 points A comprehensive exam designed to test your knowledge of the concepts of the class and their applications.

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Participation: 100 points This grade will be based both on the quantity and quality of your participation in class discussions. Thus you may earn a high grade in this category by adding meaningful content to our discussions and by participating regularly. You will lose points for texting during class, being off topic during small group discussions, and for being late to class, leaving early from class, or being absent from class. To earn all 100 points just prepare for class and engage during class!

Grading Scale
Letter Grade A B C D F Percentage 90-100% 80-89% 70-79% 60-69% 0-59% 4.0 3.0 2.0 1.0 0.0
Final grade will be based on the number of points earned over the number of points assigned.

Grade Point
Assignments may be increased or decreased.

Make-up Work
Make-up Exams/Quizzes/Papers/Presentations: Make up work is allowed only in the most extraordinary of circumstances. If you know you will be missing an exam/assignment, you should let me know as far in advance as possible so that we can work out a solution. If there is an emergency on an exam day you should plan on having to document your absence. You should also let me know (preferably via email or text) you will be missing the exam as soon as possible. I will determine what documentation is necessary and the penalty for missed exams on a case-by-case basis. If you fail to contact me in a timely manner and/or fail to provide proper documentation, I will not allow you to make up the exam. Once the exam is handed back it is too late to make up the exam. Additionally, if you provide falsified documentation (i.e. a fake doctors note) of any kind, I will consider this academic misconduct and it will be treated as such. Late Work: As stated above, late work will not be accepted. An assignment is considered late if it is not turned in either by the deadline established online or when I ask for it in class. If you have extraordinary circumstances, I will consider allowing you to make-up an assignment or turn it in late. Points will be deducted ( between 10% and 50%) depending on the circumstances.

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Attendance: Since this class meets only once a week, missing any single class can have a significant impact on your success. Attendance will be taken daily. If you miss MORE than 5 classes you will automatically fail the course. Without exception, all excused absences will require documentation. Notify me in advance if you will be missing a class during which there is an assignment or exam due. If you miss a class, please contact a fellow student to determine what you have missed and then ask me if you have questions about the material.

UCF Uniform Policies

INCOMPLETE GRADES: The current university policy concerning incomplete grades will be followed in this course. Incomplete grades are given only in situations where unexpected emergencies prevent a student from completing the course and the remaining work can be completed the next semester. Your instructor is the final authority on whether you qualify for an incomplete. Incomplete work must be finished by the end of the subsequent semester or the I will automatically be recorded as an F on your transcript. Academic Conduct/ Z-Grade: Original work is expected from you during this class. Plagiarism, cheating, or other academic misconduct will be taken very seriously. If you use an outline or speech written (in whole or in part) by someone else and represent it as your own work, you have violated the UCF Code of Student Conduct. If you use statements from any source without citing that source orally and in writing, you have violated the UCF Code of Student Conduct. A breech of ethical conduct as described in the UCF Catalog under Academic Behavior could result in a grade of zero for the assignment, failure in the class, and/or dismissal from the university. In the event of academic dishonesty, the instructor may assign a Z in front of a final course grade on your academic record. For further information regarding the addition, removal and appeals process of the Z designation, please go to http://z.ucf.edu/ If you are in doubt as to the definition of plagiarism, academic dishonesty or cheating, go to http://www.goldenrule.sdes.ucf.edu/ and read Rules of Conduct. The UCF Grade Appeal Process is described at http://regulations.ucf.edu/~regs/pdf/notices/5.016StuAcademicAppeals_newJul09_000.pdf DISABILITY ACCESS: Students with disabilities who need accommodations in this course must contact the professor at the beginning of the semester to discuss needed accommodations. No accommodations will be provided until the student has met with the professor. The student must be registered with Student Disability Services before requesting accommodations from the professor. A note to students from Mrs. Collins regarding learning differences: All students have strengths and weaknesses. If you have a learning difference (often referred to as a disability), please let me know how I can work with you to support you in your effort to conform to and succeed in my class. Even if you are not registered with Student Disability Services, I would like to hear from you about any parts of the class which may make it more difficult for you to show mastery of the course material. Likewise, I love to hear about the aspects of the class which maybe particularly helpful. Students with learning differences can enrich a classroom with their unique perspectives! I am happy to brainstorm with you on success strategies.

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January 2014
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February 2014
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March 2014
M T W T F S 1 3 10 17 24 31 4 11 18 25 5 12 19 26 6 13 20 27 7 14 21 28 8 15 22 29 S 2 9 16 23 30

April 2014
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Class
PEOs/small assignments/ discussions

Paper/Presentation Exam Holiday

Com 4014 0070(15269) Weekly Schedule

January 9 Prologue January 16 Chapter 1 January 23 Chapter 2 January 30 Chapter 3 February 6 Chapter 4 February 13 Chapter 5 February 20 Exam February 27 Chapter 6 March 6 - HOLIDAY March 13 Chapter 7 March 20 Chapter 8 March 27 Chapter 9 April 3 Chapter 10 April 10 Paper/Presentations April 17 Critiques April 24 Final Exam

March 13 Chapter 7 March 20 Chapter 8 March 27 Chapter 9 April 3 Chapter 10 April 10 Paper/Presentations April 17 Critiques April 24 Final Exam