Communications Syllabus

COMM 2100 Argumentation And Debate
Fall, 2009

Columbia State Community College
Williamson County Campus in Franklin
Tuesdays and Thursdays from 9:30 a.m. - 10:15 a.m.
 
Daniel L. Johnson
Assistant Professor of Speech Communication
BFA in Theatre…..University Of Southern Mississippi, 1976
Certificate in Recording Engineering, Full Sail Recording Workshop, 1981
MA in Communications, Southwestern, Fort Worth, TX, 1985
Lessons From The School Of Life, 1953 To The Present
 
 
Phone: (615) 790-5987
Office Hours:  Mr. Johnson will meet with students during his office hours
that will be posted on his office door.  To ensure a meeting with him, make
an appointment.
 
COMM 2100 – FA  Argumentation And Debate
Classroom: WCC 105
 
E-mail:

brownbox@bellsouth.net

djohnson74@columbiastate.edu

Websites:
www.columbiastate.edu/djohnson74
www.johnsonmanagementandmedia.com
www.thepearlygates.net
 
 
 
COURSE DESCRIPTION:  An introduction to logical and rhetorical analyses of speech, writing, and thinking.  The greatest emphasis will be in understanding the nature of logical proof, although ethical proof must be considered as well.
 
GENERAL EDUCATIONAL GOAL:  To provide the students with an opportunity to develop effective oral communication skills and critical thinking skills as they are applied in argumentative and debate forums.
 
COURSE OBJECTIVES:
  1. To develop expertise in four primary areas of public speaking
    1. Speech Construction
    2. Speech Delivery
    3. Effective Listening
    4. Critical Thinking
  2. To develop and enhance knowledge of current world affairs.
  3. To develop knowledge and skills in small-group communication.  We will meet these objectives through a combination of lectures, group discussions, exercises, the watching of various videos, classroom performances and other methods.
  4. To develop skills as an effective persuasive speaker and debater.
 
REQUIRED TEXT:

From Critical Thinking To Argument: A Portable Guide

Bedford/St. Martin’s Press  - Sylvan Barnet & Hugo Bedau…Second Edition
 
SCHEDULED HOLIDAYS:
Labor Day: September 7
Fall Break:  October 19-20
Thanksgiving: November 27-28

 
CLASS ATTENDANCE

You will be allowed only two un-excused absences for this semester.  Attendance is mandatory during debate presentation days.  After the second un-excused absence (or for any un-excused absence on debate presentation days), your grade will be reduced by five (5) percentage points for each additional un-excused absence.

 
Excessive un-excused absences can result in course failure.  Excused absences
do not reduce your grade.  Excused absences include: a doctor’s note; well-documented personal reasons; or documented college functions.  Excused absence notices must be given to Mr. Johnson on the day the student returns to class.
 
A daily roll sheet will be taken.  The roll sheet will be passed around at the beginning of the class.  After it is taken by your instructor, no one will be able to sign the roll, and only those whose names are signed on the roll will be counted to be present.  Tardy students who do not sign the roll as it is passed will not have the opportunity to sign it after class.  Therefore, it is imperative that you come to class on time and be ready to participate in the class activities.
 
NOTE:  This aspect of the class has the potential to be the most important
                factor in determining your final grade.
 
GRADING/ASSIGNMENT INFORMATION:
  1. A portion of each class period will be devoted to activities designed to develop the communication skills of the students.  In order to participate, students must attend class and take part in the activities of the day.
  2. As extra credit, students may compile a weekly journal of vocabulary words.  Each week during the semester, the students will list 10 words that are new to them, along with each word’s definition – a total of 150 words.  Then, the student will write a short sentence, properly using the word.  This extra credit will add five (5) percent to the student’s final grade.  Mr. Johnson will inspect these journals on the day of the final exam.
  3. The class will participate in three major class debates that willcount for 60 percent of the students’ grades – 20 percent eachfor each debate..  All students must be present on debate days. Unless non-debating students have a valid, excused absence, if they  miss a class on debate days, five percent will be taken off their final grade.  Two tests will also be given during the semester, covering the information, class handouts and class discussions,
  4. Scheduled Graded Debates
    • First Graded Debate:  ……(20 percent)
    • Second Graded Debate:  ……..(20 percent)
    • Third Graded Debate:   (20 percent)
  5. First Exam:    (20 percent)   Final Exam  -    (20 percent)
  6. Impromptu speeches will be assigned to all students by Mr.Johnson throughout the semester.
 
GRADING STANDARDS:
Letter grades will be given to each student at the completion of the course.  The following general standards will be applied to the student’s work.
 
GRADE: A
Exceptionally well-prepared and executed completion of assigned work indicating effort, individualized style, and demonstrating a thorough grasp of large portions of the course material.
 
GRADE: B
Creative, well-prepared work, demonstrating unusual effort, talent, or grasp of the material that is distinctly superior to an “average” effort.
 
GRADE: C
Satisfactory completion of assigned work at a level of effort and competency normally expected of the majority of students (basic completion, average performance, and reasonable effort).
 
GRADE: D
Unsatisfactory completion of work indicating  misperceived objective or failure to grasp key concepts, but with reasonable effort.
 
GRADE: F
Failure to complete assigned work through lack of reasonable effort, or failure to attain a passing average on either exams or assignments.
 
CLASSROOM CONDUCT:
  1. College students are expected to conduct themselves in respectful ways with their instructor and with other students.  Excessively rude or violent behavior will not be tolerated.  Students that exhibit such behavior will be asked to leave.
  2. Students are asked to turn off electronic devices before entering the classroom; i.e. cell phones; walkmans; etc.  If a student’s electronic device rings/buzzes and interrupts a class period, that student will automatically lose 10 points on the next scheduled exam.
ACADEMIC HONESTY:
Don’t cheat or plagiarize!  Academic dishonesty will result in a grade of “F” on the relevant assignment.  (NOTE: When Mr. Johnson explains this syllabus, he will specifically explain how plagiarism applies to speech research.  You will responsible for this information).
 
EMERGENCY PLANS:
In case of an on-campus emergency, students are asked to follow the instructions of their teachers.
 
DISABILITY SERVICES:
In compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act, students are encouraged to register with the Counseling and Disability Services office for possible assistance with accommodations.  It is the student’s responsibility to voluntarily and confidentially provide appropriate documentation regarding the nature and extent of a disability.  Students requesting special
accommodation are encouraged to contact Counseling and Disability Services (931-540-2572) at the beginning of the semester.

WEEKLY SCHEDULE:  A POWERFUL SEMESTER

Week 1 -  Sept. 1  -  The Power Of The Shifting World
Sept. 3  -  The Power Of People
Week 2 -  September 8/10   The Power Of People
Week 3  - September 15/17  -  The Power Of Words
Week 4  - September 22/24  -  The Power Of Thoughts
Week 5  - September 29/Oct. 1 -  The Power Of Truth
(First Graded Debates: Sept. 29; Oct. 1; Oct. 6)
Week 6 -  October 6/8  -   The Power Of Facts
Week 7  - October 13/15  -  The Power Of  Reasoning
Week 8  - October 19-20  -  The Power Of Fall  Break
Week 8 -  October 22  - The Power Of Persuasion
Week 9 - Oct. 27/29  -  The Power Of Persuasion
Week 10  -  November 3/5  -  The Power Of Performance
Week 11  -  November 10/12  -  The Power Of Politics
Week 12  - November 17/19  The Power Of The Print Media
Week 13  -  November 24  -  The Power Of The Broadcast Media
Week 13  -  November 26  -  The Power Of Thanksgiving Break
Week 14 -    December 1/3  -  The Power Of Return
Week 15 -    December 8/10  -  The Power Of Completion
Week 16  -   December 17  -   The Power Of A Final Exam (9:30 a.m.)