CST 105-01: Introduction to Communication Studies/Mass Media

Spring 2015
Course Meeting Times & Location: T, Th 9:00-10:50 A.M., Curry 303
The University of North Carolina at Greensboro
Instructor: Chantel L. Moore
Office Location: Curry 202
Office Hours: T/Th 11:00-2:00, and by appointment.
Office Phone: 919.221.2086
Email: chntlmre@gmail.com

Required Textbooks and Materials:

Schwartzman, R.J. (2014) Fundamentals of Oral Communication. Dubuque, IA: Kendall Hunt Publishing.
ISBN 97814655254573
Supplemental readings (will be posted on Blackboard for student access):
Berger, A.A. (2014). Messages: An Introduction to Communication. Walnut Creek, CA: Left Coast Press. ISBN
9781611329001
Vivian, J. (2013). The Media of Mass Communication. Upper Saddle River, NJ: Pearson Education. ISBN
9780205029587

Course Description: 1
This course is designed to address issues and needs of educators and trainers by focusing on the
use of communication to enhance learning. Through readings and activities from Fundamentals of Oral
Communication: Third Edition (Schwartzman, 2014), Messages (Berger, 2014), and The Media of Mass
Communication (Vivian, 2013), along with film analysis, case studies, and personal reflection, this course
will allow students to discover who they are on a personal level while gaining basic interpersonal
communication, group communication, and public speaking skills while applying mass media concepts
to material. The purpose of this course is to teach involving communication and your competence in
applying them using active learning and self-discovery strategies. The course will be conducted as a
collaborative learning experience, allowing students to actively engage in course lessons through
various forms of experiential learning (learning through action).

Course Prerequisites: None

Number of Credits: 3

What is a Speaking Intensive Course?

UNCG students are required to take two speaking-intensive courses. All sections of CST 105 are
approved for speaking-intensive (SI) credit. The purpose of a speaking-intensive course is to help you
to speak clearly, coherently, and effectively as well as to adapt modes of communication to ones
audience. Because a speaking-intensive course focuses on learning through active engagement in oral
communication, the class will be interactive. You will be encouraged to share ideas, argue viewpoints,
and engage in meaningful discussion. Individual improvement is a key component in the course. You

1 *Pedagogical note: Parts of course description are based on Joyce Fergusons CST 105 Syllabus, (Fall 2007).

CST 105: Introduction to Communication Studies/Mass Media

will learn to analyze and evaluate your skills and set goals for improvement. You will receive
constructive feedback from your instructor and peers..

Teaching Style/Course Expectations:

Through a combination of lecture and experiential learning methods, this course will allow
students to practice various methods of retaining information in a manner which is comfortable for
each individual and compatible with their learning style. The framework of this course will consist of
mass media communication and principles of basic communication skills such as interpersonal, group
communication, and public speaking.
I expect each student to come into class prepared with an active mindset, ready to learn. This
course is designed to have a very positive mental reward by the time the student reaches the end of the
course. Following completion of the course, students should also be able to
Learning ones personality skills are crucial to understanding who/how you really are as a
learner. If you are more of a quiet student, there are still many ways that you can still participate in the
classroom that will make you feel included in each and every class period. The goal of this course is to
have all students actively engaged in course material, collaborating through various participation
methods. If you are more of an active student, you also reap the benefit of being able to work with like
minded individuals, allowing both personality types to work with each other to gain confidence in
ones learning abilities. Every student will be evaluated on equal terms, meaning that I expect the same
level of participation from everyone.
I look forward to working with you all this semester. Lets aim for a bright and productive one!
-Ms. Moore

Objectives:

To help students have a better idea of who they are as a student AND learner, therefore
enhancing ones cognitive skills, delving away from most structured methods of teaching.
To promote greater awareness and understanding of ones own thought processes.
To empower students and promote a view of higher education that will allow them to see the
learning process from more of a broad perspective that can help alleviate the stress that is
usually associated with classroom learning.

Student Learning Outcomes:2

Upon completion of this course, students will be able to:
Approach instructional activities and tasks with a high degree of confidence that they can
succeed, along with a good idea of how they will complete them.
Understand that learning and studying are two separate entities, which students have full
control over.
Know when they understand new information, and whenever they do not, in which they will
effectively seek help through available in-class and on-campus resources.
Improve their ability to research and convey information accurately while adapting it to a
specific audience.
Develop more confidence in delivering oral presentations.
Function more efficiently and in greater harmony with colleagues in group settings.
Recognize and employ the principles of effective and fulfilling interpersonal interactions.
2

Pedagogical note: Some outcomes are based on McKeachies Teaching Tips (Svinicki & McKeachie, 2011), others are based on
Fundamentals of Oral Communication, Third Edition (Schwartzman, 2014; Instructors Manual)

CST 105: Introduction to Communication Studies/Mass Media

Course Policies:
Assignment:
Attendance/Participation
Course Exams #1-3
TV Show Analysis Activity
Final Course Presentation
Homework
Case Studies #1-2

Weight:
10%
30% (10% per exam)
15%
25%
10%
10% (two at 5% each)
Total: 100%

Grading Scale for final course grade:

A= 90-100%, B=80-89%, C=70-79%, D=60-69%, F=59% and below
Attendance:
Absence Policy/Tardies
Class attendance is mandatory for each and every student. However, situations vary from student to
student and in respect of that, students are permitted class absences on a prorated basis of absences
and/OR tardies:
Absences
1
2
3

Tardies3
3
2
1

Common Courtesies and Policies:

*Students, you are more than welcome to contact me if you are in need of anything, having trouble with the course
or any particular assignments. Please feel free to contact me if you have any concerns.
Late work
If an assignment is submitted late, students have a maximum of three calendar days to turn in the
assignment, following a 10% deduction for every day late, up to 4 days. (Example: Todd turns in his
history assignment two days late. His maximum grade for that particular assignment is now an 80 (100%-10%
(day 1)-10% (day 2)).
Makeup work
Makeup assignments for students are assigned on an occasional basis, depending on the need of the
student. If you know that you will be missing class for any excusable reason (conference, athletic game,
religious observance, etc.) you MUST notify me no later than two weeks in advance, depending on the
nature of the event. All students are REQUIRED to send notices via e-mail ONLY, to guarantee accurate
records of notifications.
Honor Violations4
Honor violations include cheating, stealing, alteration of records, and other academic dishonesty as
defined by the University. Your undergraduate academic catalog specifies the definition and
consequences of honor violations.
3

Each student is permitted a five minute grace period before their arrival constitutes a tardy, but it is also dependent on other
factors such as student participation, grades, and behavior. This will be reviewed on a holistic basis for each and every student,
giving equal consideration to everyone.
4
Pedagogical note: The Honor Violations section was adopted from Fundamentals of Oral Communication (Schwartzman, 2014;
Instructors Manual)

CST 105: Introduction to Communication Studies/Mass Media

Plagiarism5
Plagiarism is the improperly acknowledged and/or unauthorized appropriation of someone
elses ideas or words as your own. All proven cases of plagiarism will be penalized to the fullest extent
of university regulations. For a full description of plagiarism, see: Joseph Gibaldi, MLA Handbook for
Writers of Research Papers, 4th ed. (New York: Modern Language Association of America, 1995), pp. 26-29.
Note that merely changing a few words or rearranging the material still constitutes plagiarism.
All direct or indirect borrowings should be acknowledged appropriately. Plagiarism applies to written,
spoken, or electronic materials (e.g., computerized databases). A helpful general practice would be to:
(1) cite any material that gave you knowledge you did not have before conducting the research, AND (2)
cite sources for any material that could not be considered common knowledge for your audience.
Academic Honesty Statement:6
Please type the following information on all formal assignments that are submitted for course grades:
I HAVE ABIDED BY THE UNCG Academic Integrity Policy ON THIS ASSIGNMENT.
Students Signature ___________________________________ Date __________
Class Resources:
University Speaking Center
The University Speaking Center is designed to help you improve your oral communication skills. You
have the opportunity to practice your individual or group presentations and to work with a trained
consultant. To schedule an appointment, call (336) 256-1346. The Speaking Center is located at 3211
MHRA.
University Writing Center
The University Writing center is designed to help you improve your writing skills. In these sessions,
you will have the chance to bring writing assignments in for further revision, in which the assistant
will help you with corrections on your assignment. To schedule an appointment, call (336)-334-3125.
The Writing Center is located at 3211 MHRA.

Pedagogical note: The Plagiarism section was adopted from Fundamentals of Oral Communication (Schwartzman, 2014; Instructors
Manual)
6
Students should recognize their responsibility to uphold the Academic Integrity Policy and to report apparent violations to the
appropriate persons. Students who do not understand the policy or its application to a particular assignment are responsible
for raising such questions with a professor.

CST 105: Introduction to Communication Studies/Mass Media