COMM 203 Introduction to Human Communication 1

COMM 203 INTRODUCTION TO HUMAN COMMUNICATION

General Course Information –
Prerequisites: This is course has no prerequisites.

Course Description: COMM 203 involves the study of the basic principles
and concepts involved in the human communication
process. The following areas of study will be
addressed: principles and theory; and verbal, non-
verbal, intrapersonal, interpersonal, group,
organizational, public, organizational, mediated, and
intercultural communication modalities. Particular
attention will be given to the practical development of
meaning generated by the audience and the barriers to
effective communication including noise, verbal
connotation, stereotypes, groupthink, and intercultural
differences.

Expectations for the This course is compressed into a span of eight weeks,
Student: therefore, students will need to be proactive regarding
their studies. To be successful, students are expected
to:
• visit the course site a minimum of four days per
calendar week
• complete all assigned readings from text and other
course related documents
• participate in classroom discussions
• use ‘netiquette’ when responding to others in the class
• submit all work in a timely manner
• complete all course work on your own unless otherwise
instructed
• cite/document all non original material as to not
plagiarize others’ work (see section on Academic
Dishonesty).
COMM 203 Introduction to Human Communication 2

Course Materials & Outcomes –

Required Text:

Wood, J. (2010). Communication mosaics – an

introduction to the field of communication, 6th ed.

Boston, MA: Wadsworth-Thomson Learning.

Software: Microsoft Word

Learning Outcomes: At the completion of this course, the student should be

able to

• understand the various theories involved in the

human communication process.
• identify the impediments to effective communication.
• distinguish between the various modes of
communication.
• distinguish between verbal and nonverbal messages
and understand the level of importance humans
place on nonverbal messages.
• adapt one’s own communication in multicultural
situations.
• recognize the dynamics found in group and
organizational communication contexts.
• develop critical listening skills.
• apply critical thinking, logic, and reasoning skills in
written and spoken communication.
• recognize the importance of self-concept and the
human communication process.
• analyze messages presented in a public or mass
(mediated) context for meaning and hidden agendas.
COMM 203 Introduction to Human Communication 3

Course Schedule –
Check the course calendar in Blackboard for specific dates.

Weeks Topic(s) Readings Homework / Quiz

See weekly schedule for info on practice

Read:
Week 1 Communication Overview exercises, discussion questions, and specific
Chapters 1 & 2
homework assignments.

See weekly schedule for info on practice

Meaning & Verbal Read:
Week 2 exercises, discussion questions, and specific
Communication Chapters 3 & 4
homework assignments.

See weekly schedule for info on practice

Nonverbal Read:
Week 3 exercises, discussion questions, and specific
Communication Chapter 5
homework assignments.

Read: See weekly schedule for info on practice

Communication Climates
Week 4 Chapters exercises, discussion questions, and specific
& Communities
6, 7, & 8 homework assignments.

See weekly schedule for info on practice

Self Concept & Read:
Week 5 exercises, discussion questions, and specific
Relationships Chapters 9 & 10
homework assignments.

See weekly schedule for info on practice

Group & Organizational Read:
Week 6 exercises, discussion questions, and specific
Communication Chapters 11 & 12
homework assignments.

Read: See weekly schedule for info on practice

Week 7 One to Many Chapters exercises, discussion questions, and specific
13 & 14 homework assignments.

See weekly schedule for info on practice

Read:
Week 8 Personal & Social Media exercises, discussion questions, and specific
Chapter 15
homework assignments.
COMM 203 Introduction to Human Communication 4

Student Evaluation –
Grade Structure: The student will be evaluated in this course on the
following criteria:

Course Element Points Percentage

Case Study Assignments 15 @ 20 300 37.5%
Discussion Room Posts 16 @ 15 240 30.0%
5 Section Tests (4 highest scores) 160 20.0%
Final Exam 100 12.5%
Total 800 100.0%

Grading Scale: Mountain State University utilizes the following grading

scale:

Percentage Points Letter Grade

90-100 900-1000 A
80–89 800-899 B
70–79 700-799 C
60–69 600-699 D
00–59 000-599 F

Guide for discussion Threaded Discussions are a part of each week's

posts: classroom activities. The following are some guidelines
as you post your questions and responses to the
discussion board.

Threaded Mountain State University encourages frank and

Discussion insightful dialogue in all of its online courses. Diversity
Netiquette: has many manifestations including diversity of thought,
opinion, and values. We encourage all learners to be
respectful of that diversity and to refrain from
inappropriate commentary.

Comments on the discussion board should be guided by

common sense and basic etiquette. The following are
good guidelines to follow:

• Never post, transmit, promote or distribute content that

is known to be illegal.
• Avoid overtly harassing or embarrassing fellow
learners. If you disagree with someone, respond to the
subject of the discussion, not the person.
COMM 203 Introduction to Human Communication 5

• Refrain from transmitting or distributing content that is

harmful, abusive, racially or ethnically offensive, vulgar,
sexist, or otherwise inappropriate.
• Remember that there are no anonymous postings.
• See NetManners' 10 Common Netiquette Courtesies
Participation: Students are expected to complete assigned readings
early in the week and participate in discussions.
Specifically, students must spend about an hour a day
at least four times a week participating in threaded
discussions. Because it is so critical to your success in
this class, (participation is monitored). Your discussion
replaces an equivalent amount of time spent in
classroom discussion for a traditional, face-to-face, on
campus class.

Each week you will find several different postings as

part of your learning process. You must make an initial
posting and at least one response to one other student’s
posting for each question. You can make multiple
responses to the same question after your initial
response, but it is usually better to engage in discussion
of more than one question. The length of your initial
posting and your responses should seldom exceed one
screen. In general, you should not exceed 5 or 6
postings per discussion session.

5 thoughtful postings are better than 10 mediocre

ones.

Post your initial responses before reading the postings

of others.

Rating Scale: Your instructor will assess the quality of your

contributions to the weekly asynchronous discussions.

Please see the scoring rubric listed below to review the

criteria.
COMM 203 Introduction to Human Communication 6

expected criteria most of the

does not meet the expected

meets the expected criteria.

The student's submission

expected criteria some of

expected criteria at least

The student consistently

The student meets the

The student meets the

The student meets the

Unsatisfactory

Unacceptable
Satisfactory
Excellent

the time.

criteria.
Good

once.
time.
CRITERIA for responses POINTS
The student adequately answered the discussion
4 3 2 1 0
question
The student was consistently coherent, cohesive,
4 3 2 1 0
succinct, and clear

The student actively participated in the discussion 7 5 3 1 0

Total Possible Points: 15

Please note: Posting availability will be completed at the end of each particular topic’s week. Messages submitted after the
deadline will not apply toward meeting the posting requirements. Class members, however, may access previous discussion
threads throughout the term of the course. Failure to participate in a specific topic will result in a 0% grade.
COMM 203 Introduction to Human Communication 7

Section Tests The five section tests, with 40 questions @ 1 point each,
Structure: consist of the following question types:

Multiple Choice,
True & False
Matching
Short Answer

The lowest test score of these five tests will be dropped

and only the four highest scores will be tabulated into
the student’s final grade.

Final Exam The comprehensive final exam, with 100 questions @ 1

Structure: point each, consists of the following question types:

Multiple Choice 80
True & False 20

Student Resources –
Online Homework MSU has teamed with Tutor.com to provide free online
Help: homework for our students and their families. Tutoring
is available for a variety of English, math, science, and
social studies areas. Tutors are available seven days a
week from 6:00 PM to 12 midnight, Eastern Time. To
log in, go to http://www.mountainstate.edu/Tutor.com/

Library Resources: MSU provides a variety of online resources to our

students including those at a distance. Students may
request books from our library. Holdings are listed in the
Cougar Catalog
http://msuathena1.mountainstate.edu/InfoCentre/Library.do

In addition, MSU provides access to a variety of

databases including:

• Proquest,
• Ebscohost,
• Serials Solutions,
• Sirs Mandarin,
• Stat.Ref,
• R2 Library,
COMM 203 Introduction to Human Communication 8

• Net Library,
• Yahoo Finance,
• Britannica Online,
• Newsbank,
• Westlaw, &
• Bates’ Visual Guide to Examination.
The online databases are available at
https://www.mountainstate.edu/current/library/databases/login.aspx

To access these resources, students must have a

Distance Education ID. To apply, go to
https://www.mountainstate.edu/current/library/distancelearning/dl_li
brary_application.aspx

Course Policies/Student Rights and Responsibilities –

Attendance Policy: It is suggested that the student access the course site a
minimum of four days a week in order to receive
assignments, submit assignments, participate in
discussions, and to receive instructor feedback. In
addition, students must actively participate in the
course (submit assignment, take a quiz, or participate in
a course discussion) during the first week of class.
Failure to do so will constitute nonattendance and the
student will be dropped from this class.

Voluntary It is the student’s responsibility to withdraw from a class

Withdrawal or the University and to complete and submit a Class
from Course: Withdrawal Form. Withdrawal forms are available from
the Student Services Offices. To complete this form,
students must consult with the course instructor, the
assigned academic advisor and the Financial Aid Office.
Students may withdraw from a course on, or before the
"Last Day to Withdraw" listed in the Academic Calendar
for the current semester. Students will receive a "W" on
their academic transcript. Failure to begin attending or
ceasing to attend does not constitute official notice of
withdrawal. Students who do not officially
COMM 203 Introduction to Human Communication 9

withdraw from class(es) are required to pay all charges

to their accounts. For more information regarding the
University’s refund policy, contact the Financial Aid
Office or the University Bursar.

Student Code of The MSU Student Code of Conduct found in the Cougar
Conduct Policies: Connection describes various expectations concerning
a student's behavior while participating in classes
(including online). Students should carefully read this
section of the Student Handbook to familiarize
themselves with these expectations, policies and
procedures, and other information. As this is an online
class, it is requested by the instructor that all students
refrain from what may be considered as offensive and/or
sexist language.

Plagiarism Mountain State University values the dignity and effort

& Academic of each student and urges all students and faculty to
Dishonesty: share in the responsibility for removing every situation
that might permit or encourage academic dishonesty.
Cheating in any form, including plagiarism will be
considered a matter of the gravest concern and may
result in disciplinary action. Resulting disciplinary
actions may include, but are not limited to, reduction of
a grade, or suspension, or expulsion from MSU.
Students may appeal disciplinary action taken against
them by following the grievance policy.
Plagiarism is defined here as using and claiming as
one's own the ideas, data, or writing of another, or
presenting as one's own an idea or product derived from
an existing source.
Cheating is defined here as obtaining information during
an examination, unauthorized use of notes, books, or
other sources of information prior to or during an
examination, or using information under false pretenses.

Inclement In the event of cancellation of classes at MSU, this

Weather Policy/ course will not be affected as it is available online.
Connectivity Policy: Since this course is conducted "virtually," MSU may
experience server problems, a loss of power, or a loss
of Internet service. In the event of situations that may
prevent all students in this class from accessing the
material online, deadlines will be adjusted. If a student
has problems with his/her own computer or Internet
Service Provider, the student must contact the instructor
COMM 203 Introduction to Human Communication 10

as soon as possible regarding the difficulty. It is the

student’s responsibility to access the online course and
complete all assignments in a timely manner. If you
experience extended delays (more than two days) you
should consider accessing the course from another
computer. The instructor reserves the right to address
each instance of student line/computer failure on an
individual basis.

Syllabus Policy: MSU reserves the right to change this syllabus at

anytime.

Student By submitting an assignment in this class, the student

Submissions: gives MSU tacit approval to utilize the assignment for
the following purposes: (1) as a sample assignment for
the benefit of other students; (2) as an example of
student work to coincide with MSU’s ongoing
assessment of student learning; and (3) to utilize in a
database to help alleviate student plagiarism. MSU
reserves the right post these documents in a digital
format. All student identification will be removed by
MSU prior to use as a student sample or as an
assessment example.
 COMM 203 Introduction to Human Communication 11

Weekly Class Schedules–

Week #1: Communication Overview
Assignment Due Date Specifics
Chapter 1 – A First Look at Communication
Textbook Readings All Week
Chapter 2 – The Field of Communication in
Historical and Contemporary Perspective

Discussion Questions All Week Respond to Week #1 discussion questions.

Podcast All Week Listen to the weekly podcast.

Homework Sunday Do the weekly case study assignments.

Exam Monday – Sunday Take exam 1 covering chapters 1 & 2.

Week #2: Meaning & Verbal Communication

Assignment Due Date Specifics
Chapter 3 – Perceiving & Understanding
Textbook Readings All Week
Chapter 4 – Engaging in Verbal Communication

Discussion Questions All Week Respond to Week #2 discussion questions.

Podcast All Week Listen to the weekly podcast.

Homework Sunday Do the weekly case study assignments.

 COMM 203 Introduction to Human Communication 12

Week #3: Nonverbal Communication

Assignment Due Date Specifics
Chapter 5 – Engaging in Nonverbal
Textbook Readings All Week
Communication

Discussion Questions All Week Respond to Week #3 discussion questions.

Podcast All Week Listen to the weekly podcast.

Homework Sunday Do the weekly case study assignment.

Exam Monday – Sunday Take exam 2 covering chapters 3, 4, & 5.

Week #4: Communication Climates & Communities

Assignment Due Date Specifics
Chapter 6 – Listening and Responding to Others

All Week Chapter 7 – Creating Communication Climates.

Textbook Readings
Chapter 8 – Adapting Communication to Cultures
and Social Communities.

Discussion Questions All Week Respond to Week #4 discussion questions.

Podcast All Week Listen to the weekly podcast.

Homework Sunday Do the weekly case study assignments.

Exam Monday – Sunday Take exam 3 covering chapters 6, 7, & 8.

 COMM 203 Introduction to Human Communication 13

Week #5: Self Concept & Relationships

Assignment Due Date Specifics
Chapter 9 – Communication and Self Concept.
All Week
Textbook Readings
Chapter 10 – Communication in Personal
Relationships.

Discussion Questions All Week Respond to Week #5 discussion questions.

Podcast All Week Listen to the weekly podcast.

Homework Sunday Do the weekly case study assignments.

Exam Monday – Sunday Take exam 4 covering chapters 9 & 10.

Week #6: Group & Organizational Communication

Assignment Due Date Specifics
Chapter 11 – Communication in Groups and
All Week Teams.
Textbook Readings
Chapter 12 – Communication in Organizations.

Discussion Questions All Week Respond to Team Discussion & Week 6’s
discussion posting.

Podcast All Week Listen to the weekly podcast.

Homework Sunday Do the weekly case study assignments.

Exam Monday – Sunday Take exam 5 covering chapters 11 & 12.

 COMM 203 Introduction to Human Communication 14

Week #7: One to Many

Assignment Due Date Specifics
Chapter 13 – Public Communication.
All Week
Textbook Readings
Chapter 14 – Mass Communication.

Discussion Questions All Week Respond to Week #7 discussion questions.

Podcast All Week Listen to the weekly podcast.

Homework Sunday Do the weekly case study assignments.

Week #8: Personal &Social Media

Assignment Due Date Specifics
All Week
Textbook Readings Chapter 15 – Personal & Social Media

Discussion Questions All Week Respond to Week #8 discussion questions.

Homework Sunday Do the weekly case study assignment.

Comprehensive Final Exam with emphasis on

Exam Monday – Sunday
chapters 13, 14 & 15.