Introduction to Communication Studies

Student Learning Outcomes, Goals, Objectives:

Students successfully completing this course will be able to:

• Demonstrate appropriate and ethical oral communication messages for given contexts and communicators to increase knowledge, foster understanding, and/or promote change.
• Analyze and evaluate messages according to context, audience, intent, and other principles of oral communication, to contribute to the ongoing development of knowledge and relationships.
• Create persuasive cogent evidence-based arguments for diverse contexts and audiences by effectively using logical reasoning and credible evidence.
• Demonstrate competent communication by identifying and applying ethical and social responsibilities.
• Assess communication skills and develop goals for continuous improvement.
• Identify principles and skills necessary to build and sustain relationships in various contexts.
• Evaluate information before accepting or formulating an opinion or conclusion.

Course Grading Information:

Activity/Performance Measure	Percentage/Points
Introductory Speech	5%
Persuasive Speech	15%
Group Dialogue	15%
Exams	30%
Chapter Assignments, Preparation & Reflection Assignments	25%
Participation & Attendance	10%

Participation & Attendance must meet requirements to pass course. Without minimum requirements, student cannot pass the course.

Grading Scale

Percentage	Letter Grade
93-100	A
90-92	A-
87-89	B+
83-86	B
80-82	B-
77-79	C+
73-76	C
70-72	C-
67-69	D+
63-66	D
60-62	D-
59 and below	F

Attendance/Participation:

As noted above, students enrolled in an in-person section of this course must attend class. They may miss 2-3 classes without academic penalty (depending on the number of classes per semester).

Students meeting this minimum requirement are eligible to earn up to 10% of the class grade (full attendance and participation).

Students that miss 5-7 classes will not pass the class.

Course Materials Purchased by the Students:

Students are required to purchase a digital textbook through Top Hat Publishing. The textbook platform also includes a video recording, viewing, and commenting system to be used during the class. All materials are accessible through UNCG’s First Day Complete Program, or they can be purchased separately.

Digital Textbook: Valenzano, J. M., III, Broeckelman-Post, M. A., & Parcell, E. S. (2024). Communication Pathways. Top Hat.