Office:  111 Kennedy  Phone:  927-7794             e-mail:  huffwak@peachnet.campuscwix.net

Office Hours:  Monday 2p.m. to 4 p.m./Wednesday 11a.m. to 12 noon/Thursday 2 p.m. to 4 p.m.

Textbook:  DeFleur, M.L., Kearney, P., & Plax, T.G.  (1998).  Fundamentals of Human Communication (2nd Ed.).
        Mountain View, CA:  Mayfield Publishing Company.

Catalog Course Description:  “An overview of the major concepts and applications of human and mass
        communication theories.  While interpersonal and intercultural communications will be examined, applications of the
        theories and concepts in the mass media will be emphasized.  Prerequisite:  Junior Standing and ENG 1109.”

Course Objective:  The course is designed to acquaint students with some of the major theories and propositions
        articulated for the study, understanding, and application of communication.  The historical development of such theories
        and dominant theorists in the field will be surveyed.  At the end of the course, the student is expected to have acquired
        a general understanding of the evolution of mass communication as an intellectual discipline.

Methods of Instruction:  Several types of activities are planned, including lecture, group discussion, possible guest
        lecture(s), and media exposure (pertinent films, video, and audio tapes).

Attendance:  For group discussion and exams, attendance is mandatory.  Attendance is expected at class lecture.
        (Note:  80% and more of material on exams will be covered in class.)  Students are responsible for all in-class lecture
        material and announcements regarding changes in the class schedule.  Attendance is taken for groups and is counted
        as part of the grading criteria for reports.  Athletes must leave written notice of schedule conflicts at instructor’s office
        during the first week of class.  All phones, beepers, radios, etc. must be turned off before class begins and they will
        remain off throughout class.  No headphones will be allowed during class.

Three Exams:  Each exam will stand on its own.  There is no comprehensive exam covering material from the
        entire course.  Exams ask for objective answers on a pre-printed form and are computer graded.  Exams are designed to
        take less than 50 minutes to complete, but the entire class period is available to you if needed.  BRING TWO
        “NUMBER TWO” PENCILS TO EACH EXAM!  Pencils are not provided. No headphones will be allowed during
        tests.

Exam Make-Ups:  Students who miss an exam or an assigned discussion day must present a legitimate reason in
        advance and as covered under the same policies that govern final exams; for example, serious illness,* or a
        University-sponsored event,** or a death in one’s immediate family.***  For any of these reasons, the student must
        present his/her case to the instructor in person and in written form with pertinent evidence also provided.  For final
        exams, you must give the instructor notice at lease two weeks prior to the last day of class (actual class and not the
        final exam time) so that the instructor can decide if and/or when the substitute test will be given.  Note that the makeup
        will cover the same material, but will take a different and more difficult form than the exam administered to the rest of
        the class.

        * Illness:  The student must contact the instructor prior to the exam.  If you are unable to do so, have a friend or RA do
        so.  Note:  Under most circumstances the make-up must be scheduled prior to the next class period or within the same
        week of the exam.  Note also:  you may not take a makeup without an official medical excuse, then verification still must
        be presented to validate.  The legitimacy and validity of the excuse will be determined by the instructor.

        ** University-sponsored event:  Note:  The student must submit a written request to the instructor no less than two
        weeks prior to the event and must complete arrangements to make up the exam in advance.  As stated above, athletes
        must present a written notice to the instructor during the first week of class.

        *** Family death:  Students must contact the instructor prior to the exam or discussion.  The university typically verifies
        that the student must miss class due to a family death.  At the very least, leave a message with the mass communication
        secretary and see the instructor as soon as possible upon your return.

Reports:  Reports on group discussions are 1-2 pages in length – no more and no less.  All reports are to be typed
        or word-processed and double-spaced or will receive an automatic grade of “zero.”  Refer to the attached guidelines.
        You can only do a report if you go to the group meeting.  If you miss the meeting for any reason, you will receive an
        automatic “zero” for the group report assignment.  You may, however, meet with the instructor in person to discuss your
        absence.  It is possible that an alternative may be reached, but only in rare cases and with proper documentation.  No
        Late Reports will be accepted!  Conditions for each report are specified in this syllabus.  The report must be turned in at
        the beginning of the very next class meeting!  Not at the middle or end or afterward:  NO exceptions!

Audio/Visual and other classroom presentations (ex. guest speaker):  Some questions on exams will be taken from these.
        There will be no opportunity for make-ups on these.  Video and/or audio tapes will be played in class only.  They will not
        be made available outside class!  Obviously, the same goes for any guest speaker who may appear in class.

Grading:  Based on the results of three exams of equal value and group discussions/reports.  Exams ask for objective
        answers on a pre-printed form and are computer graded.  Bring two “number two” pencils to each exam.  The final
        grade will be computed on the following basis:

        Exam I                                30 percent
        Exam II                               30 percent
        Exam III                              30 percent
        Group Participation/Report  10 percent

Grade Scale:  A = 90 to 100 points, B = 80 to 89, C = 70 to 79, D = 60 to 69, F = 59 and Below

Special Notes:

Students who for some reason cannot take an exam as scheduled must notify the instructor in writing no less than
two weeks prior to the exam.  Furthermore, the student must get that reason approved in writing by the instructor.  The same rule applies to group meetings.

Students who have a need for special accommodations due to any type of disability should schedule an appointment
with me within the first week of the class.

Academic dishonesty penalties and definition are adhered to as outlined in the Student Handbook.