COMS 201 L01
Introduction to Communications Studies
Fall 2008

Lectures Monday and Wednesday 10:00-10:50am ICT 102

Required Tutorials Friday (according to registration)

Instructor:	Dr. Dawn Johnston
Office Location:	SS 234
Office Phone:	403-220-3199
E-Mail:	debjohns@ucalgary.ca
Office Hours:	MW 11:00-11:50 or by appointment

Course Description

In this course, we will explore the question of what we are doing when we ‘communicate.' Are we simply transmitting information? Are we creating meaning? Are we participating in a social process? Are we persuading others? Are we supporting the social status quo? Are we voicing challenges to the ‘system?'  Incorporating examples from popular culture, COMS 201 will facilitate you finding an answer for yourself.

Please be aware that much of this course deals with the artifacts, experiences, and products of popular culture. As such, some of the material we study manifests coarse language, sexuality, and violence. If this is a problem for you, please see the instructor or your TA.

Objectives of the Course

Through readings, lectures, written assignments, and group discussions and activities, COMS 201 will introduce students to the interdisciplinary field of communications. Recognizing the communication is integral to all human activities and interactions, this course explores elements of communications studies which appeal to scholars from a variety of academic disciplines. Through an overview of the key concepts, methodological traditions, and major theoretical currents of the field, students will have an opportunity to experience the cutting-edge diversity that defines communications studies.

Textbooks and Readings:

Wood, Julia T. Communication Theories in Action: An Introduction. Third Edition. Canada: Wadsworth, 2004.*

*Earlier editions of this book may be purchased secondhand, but since the instructor will be teaching from the Third Edition, students are responsible for all of the information in the Third Edition. If you purchase an earlier edition, you must ensure that you obtain copies of any additional chapters that we may cover. You are also responsible for keeping abreast of any relevant pagination differences.

Assignments and Evaluation

Participation: Weekly (10%)

Tutorial Early Test: October 3 (5%)

           
Mid-term Examination: October 20 (20%)

Research Essay:  November 28 (30%)

Final Examination: Registrar Scheduled (35%)

Participation grades will be awarded on the basis of your active involvement in tutorial discussions and activities. In order to receive participation grades, you are expected to be in attendance for tutorials, and contribute to the discussions.

The tutorial early test and midterm exam will be a combination of multiple-choice and definition questions. The final exam will be a combination of multiple choice and short-essay questions.  You will be responsible for all material covered in the textbook as well as lectures and tutorial discussions.

The research essay for this course gives you an opportunity to combine out-of-class research with the topics explored in lectures and discussions. You will be given a choice of several essay topics, and expected to write a 1250-1500 word research paper on that topic. More information on the term paper will be provided in class and on Blackboard.

It is the student's responsibility to keep a copy of each submitted assignment.
Note: Please hand in your essays directly to your tutor or instructor if possible. If it is not possible to do so, a daytime drop box is available in SS110; a date stamp is provided for your use. A night drop box is also available for after-hours submission. Assignments will be removed the following morning, stamped with the previous day's date, and placed in the instructor's mailbox.

Registrar-scheduled Final Examination:  YES

Please note: If your class is held in the evening, the Registrar's Office will make every attempt to schedule the final exam during the evening; however, there is NO guarantee that the exam will NOT be scheduled during the day.

Policy for Late Assignments

Assignments submitted after the deadline may be penalized with the loss of a grade (e.g.: A- to B+) for each day late.

Writing Skills Statement

Faculty policy directs that all written assignments (including, although to a lesser extent, written exam responses) will be assessed at least partly on writing skills. For details see www.comcul.ucalgary.ca/info. Writing skills include not only surface correctness (grammar, punctuation, sentence structure, etc) but also general clarity and organization. Research papers must be properly documented.

If you need help with your writing, you may use the Writing Centre.  Visit the website for more details: www.efwr.ucalgary.ca

Grading System

The following grading system is used in the Faculty of Communication and Culture:

(Revised, effective September 2008)

 

	Grading Scale
A+	96-100
A	90-95.99
A -	85-89.99
B+	80-84.99
B	75-79.99
B-	70-74.99
C+	65-69.99
C	60-64.99
C-	55-59.99
D+	53-54.99
D	50-52.99
F	0-49

 

Where a grade on a particular assignment is expressed as a letter grade, it will normally be converted to a number using the midpoint of the scale.  That is, A- would be converted to 87.5 for calculation purposes.  F will be converted to zero.

 

Plagiarism

Using any source whatsoever without clearly documenting it is a serious academic offense. Consequences include failure on the assignment, failure in the course and possibly suspension or expulsion from the university.

You must document not only direct quotations but also paraphrases and ideas where they appear in your text. A reference list at the end is insufficient by itself. Readers must be able to tell exactly where your words and ideas end and other people's words and ideas begin. This includes assignments submitted in non-traditional formats such as Web pages or visual media, and material taken from such sources.

Please consult your instructor or the Writing Centre (SS 106, efwr.ucalgary.ca) if you have any questions regarding how to document sources.

Students with Disabilities

If you are a student with a disability who may require academic accommodation, it is your responsibility to register with the Disability Resource Centre (220-8237) and discuss your needs with your instructor no later than fourteen (14) days after the start of the course.

Students' Union

For details about the current Students' Union contacts for the Faculty of Communication and Culture see www.comcul.ucalgary.ca/su

"SAFEWALK" Program -- 220-5333

Campus Security will escort individuals day or night -- call 220-5333 for assistance. Use any campus phone, emergency phone or the yellow phone located at most parking lot booths.

Ethics

Whenever you perform research with human participants (i.e. surveys, interviews, observation) as part of your university studies, you are responsible for following university research ethics guidelines.  Your instructor must review and approve of your research plans and supervise your research.  For more information about your research ethics responsibilities, see

The Faculty of Communication and Culture Research Ethics site: http://www.comcul.ucalgary.ca/ethics

or the University of Calgary Research Ethics site: http://www.ucalgary.ca/research/compliance/ethics/info/undergrad/

Schedule of Lectures and Readings

To be posted on Blackboard in the first week of classes