Principles of Speech and Communication

 

Course Information

Course Number: COM 1103

Credit Hours: 3

Prerequisites: NA

Course Description: This course is a study of basic communication theory and history. It focuses specifically on the relevance of communication study today and how different situations and technologies demand the evaluation and application of appropriate communication techniques. Students in the course will apply communication studies to developing applications of communication including business presentations, public speaking, organizational communication, and small group communication. Students will be required to record themselves giving speeches. Some speeches require the student to present in front of no fewer than seven people, either in person or virtually. Failure to complete these assignments will result in an automatic failure of the course. If needed, contact support for assistance in completing this requirement.

Course Outcomes:

• Evaluate the impacts communication has on your life and demonstrate an introduction speech. 
• Analyze the essential focus of communication study and theory, including the communication cycle, verbal and nonverbal communication, and the differences in spoken versus written communication. 
• Analyze the different disciplines within mass communication studies and the personal and global impacts and obligations when considering these disciplines. 
• Analyze the integral aspects of international and intercultural communication as they apply to global and local organizations and individuals working within these organizations.
• Analyze the tenets of intrapersonal and interpersonal communication as they apply to working relationships in organizations as well as other aspects of daily life.
• Demonstrate and apply the essential aspects of organizational and small group communication as they apply to work relationships, leadership, project management, team motivation, and online collaboration.
• Evaluate and apply the fundamentals of professional writing and public speaking to create a business proposal and presentation. 
• Identify and apply communication theory to adapt to your audience.
• Create an informative and persuasive speech.
• Analyze the trends and issues in modern society that impact communication.

Instructional methods utilized in this course include:

• Lessons
• CYKs
• Module Quizzes
• Discussion Posts
• Mastery Assignments
• Midterm and Final Exams 

 

Course Materials

All readings and materials necessary to complete required exercises are provided within the course platform. 

 

Course Length

This is a self-paced course allowing students to learn according to their personal schedules. Overall, it is estimated that the course will take approximately 145 hours to complete.

It is recommended that students work through the course at a comfortable pace that allows regular, incremental (daily and/or weekly) progress. If assistance is needed with scheduling time in this course, students may refer to the weekly schedules provided in the course documents, located on the course page. Please note, there is no penalty for late assignments as this is a self-paced course. However, if a student is enrolled in a course through a school or institution, s/he is required to finish the course according to the academic calendar of the respective school or institution.

Minimum Passing Grade

To earn college credit for this course, students must earn a minimum average grade of 70% or higher. If a high school student receives less than 70% in this course, it is up to the school offering the course to grant high school credit for its completion.

 

Grading Policies

Grade Weighting

• Participation (Check Your Knowledge Quizzes): 10% 
• Module Quizzes: 20%
• Discussion Posts: 10% 
• Mastery Assignments: 30% 
• Course Exams: 30% 

 

Assignment Grading Descriptions 

• Check Your Knowledge - CYK quizzes are located at the end of each lesson.  They are composed of multiple choice, multiple answers and/or true/false questions. These quizzes are auto-graded quizzes designed to help the student test their understanding of the lesson content.  Students may take these quizzes as many times as desired to help prepare for the module and mastery assignment quizzes.  It is required that students earn 100% on each quiz before proceeding to the next lesson in the course. The CYK quizzes can be taken as many times as needed to earn 100%.
• Discussion Posts: Twice in the course, students will be prompted with a case study in which they will have to select the best solution to the given problem. Students will be prompted to defend their selection using evidence from the materials learned in the course and will be asked to analyze and evaluate other solutions developed by their peers. 
• Module Quizzes: Multiple-choice quizzes that are auto-graded. Students may use notes and refer back to lessons using a separate browser or the printable versions of lessons. Quizzes are not timed. Students may take only once.
• Mastery Assignments: 
  • Written Mastery Assignments: Rubric-based assignments that reinforce concepts in the course. Assignments are aligned to course outcomes and require the student to spend extra time developing, reviewing, and revising their assignments prior to submission. Students are encouraged to seek out feedback from peers and experts to fully develop their assignments. Students are also encouraged to self-evaluate their work using the rubrics provided.
• Course Exams: Proctored, multiple-choice exam that is auto-graded. Students may take this only once.  

 

Mastery Assignments

Use the following information to know in which module the Mastery Assignments are located. 

• Mastery Assignment 1: Module 5
• Mastery Assignment 2: Module 11 
• Mastery Assignment 3: Module 12 

 

Grade Discrepancies

Grades are awarded for a student’s individual academic work during each semester based upon the student’s mastery of the content. Students who wish to appeal a grade to the Academic Services Team must submit this form to start the appeals process. Moreover, students caught violating the Academic Integrity Policy must file an appeal if they disagree with the assessment of their actions.

Upon the receipt of the appeal, the following process will be enacted:

1. Grade appeals will be sent to TEL management and the instructor of the course for evaluation. A thorough investigation will take place using all evidence provided from the rubric, assignment instruction, notes from the instructional team member, and other relevant outsourced information.
2. Once evaluated, this result will be communicated to the student.
   1. If the appeal is approved, the grade will be changed, and the student will be notified.
   2. In the case of an academic integrity appeal, the student can either accept the assessment and subsequent action or they can restart the course.

Note: While TEL will endeavor to follow the foregoing appeals process, it retains absolute discretion to deviate from this process when TEL determines such deviation is justified under the circumstances. Nothing contained herein shall be interpreted to create due process or contractual rights for students.

 

Exams

In this course, students will complete a midterm and a final exam, both of which must be proctored. The exams in this course are proctored by HonorLock, which is a browser extension that monitors student performance and progress while taking an exam. Students will be required to bring a form of identification with them when starting the exam. While Honorlock will record the student’s computer webcam, speakers, and desktop, all security and privacy protocols/requirements will be followed.

 

Technical Requirements

This course is delivered 100% online, and students are required to have access to a computer or laptop — along with consistent access to the Internet — to access course material and complete assignments.

Required technology:

• Desktop or portable computer, including Windows PC, Macintosh OS, or Chromebook
  (tablets, cell phones, and iPads are not supported)
• Google Chrome Browser
• Working built-in or external webcam, speakers, and microphone
• Internet speed must be at least 2 Mbps download and 2 Mbps upload. Hot spots are not
  recommended.  Test Internet speed

To access detailed information about the minimum hardware requirements necessary to
take full advantage of TEL courses, visit the course home page.

 

Disability Services Statement

TEL is committed to providing equitable student access to course content and materials by providing reasonable accommodations for all persons with disabilities. TEL also complies with Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 and the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990. Students who need special accommodations must make their requests by contacting the TEL Support Team. TEL’s Support Team will coordinate reasonable accommodations upon registration and before the course begins. Students over the age of 18 taking college-level courses require a 504 for special accommodations.

Any student seeking to request academic accommodations on the basis of a documented disability should contact the TEL Support Team at disabilityservices@tel-education.org to coordinate reasonable accommodations.

 

Additional Information

Please review the following documents before continuing on to the course material. 

• Academic Integrity Policy 
• Accessible PDF of the Course Syllabus

Return to the Syllabus Module

To return to the syllabus information and expectations page, click the link provided here.