(click logo to go to SacCT)ComS 207
Spring 2012
Syllabus (Word doc)
Instructor: Dr. Mark Stoner
Office:
MND 5034
E-Mail: stoner1@csus.edu (best
way to contact me)
URL: www.csus.edu/indiv/s/stonerm
Office Hours:
Monday
Tues.
Main Topics: Syllabus, Assignments, Policies, Course
Calendar, Resources, Optional
Assignments: Week 5; Weeks 6, 7, 8; Weeks 9, 10, 11
Course
Description
Dyadic Communication. Various theoretical
approaches to interpersonal or face-to-face communication. 3 units.
Position
in the curriculum
Dyadic
communication
is relevant all programs of study. Dyadic communication serves a
the foundation of social symbolic interaction. Therefore, dyadic
communication theory can illuminate the dynamics of
communication in all contexts. Methods of study span the
methodological spectrum which provides good knowledge about
dyadic communication. As an
interdisciplinary study, dyadic communication is important for
anyone interested in human social behavior.
Texts
Required
Textbook
Linell,
Per.
(2001) Approaching Dialogue.
Books on
Reserve in Library (click here for short
descriptions)
Buber, M.
(1970). I and Thou.
Berger, P. L.
and Luckmann, T. (1967). The social construction of reality:
A treatise in
the sociology of knowledge. Garden City, NY: Doubleday.
Burkitt,
SAGE Publications.
Davidson, D.
(2001). Subjective, intersubjective, objective.
Goffman, E.
(1971). Relations in public.
Saville-Troike,
M.
(1982). The ethnography of communication.
Park Press.
Required
and Collateral Readings for ComS 207 available
as download via SacCT.
Saclink
account required. If you don't have an account, please
get one immediately. SacCT does not recognize anything but
saclink accounts. If you need an account go to: https://www.saclink.csus.edu/saclink/
Course
objectives
1.
To articulate a well-grounded theoretical approach to dyadic
communication as human symbolic action
2.
To conduct research in the area of dyadic communication
3.
To analyze relevant research literature
4.
To synthesize relevant research literature
Your
personal
objectives for the course:
1.
2.
3.
Conceptual
outline of the course
Unit
1 Foundational concepts and
definitions
Unit
2 Language as action
Unit
3 The dynamics of dialogue
Unit
4 Disentangling contexts
Methods
of instruction
Teaching
methods in this class will include lecture, discussion,
individual and group activities. Also,
I am expecting that you will take initiative in setting the
direction of the work we are doing in the course by bringing to
bear material you’ve discovered, and generating ideas for your
own research and practice through your active participation in
discussion. We are in this
together; I have some perspectives to share with you and you
have to share with me and each other. Ultimately, I see the methods of instruction
converging in the metaphor of "learning collaborative" (rather
than "dispensary").
Course
assignments and their values
Different
students
have
different
approaches
to
learning;
different
content
and
methodological
preferences
and
needs;
different
motives
and
purposes
for
taking
the course. To reflect that, the course is built around some
core assignments and optional assignments.
|
Required |
Optional |
|
Reading
Presentation
10 pts |
Glossary
30 entries = 10; 50 entries = 20 pts |
|
Mid-term
exam
10 pts |
|
|
Final
exam
15 pts |
Insights
from Conversation + presentation (Repeatable X 1)
10 pts |
|
Term
project
25 pts Proposal 5
pts progress report
5 pts rough draft 5 pts |
Reading Presentation 10 pts
|
|
Sub
total: 75 pts |
Extending
Concepts
10 pts |
|
Choose assignments from the list to reach your
target grade (Use the course contract form to organize your
choices) |
Final Grades will be assigned as follows:
A 94‑100
A‑ 90‑93 B+
88‑89 B 84‑87
B‑ 80‑83 C+ 78‑79 C 74‑77
C‑ 70‑73 D+ 68‑69
D 64‑67 D‑
60‑63 F
< 60
Course policies:
cell phone use, laptop use, grade
discussions, attendance, class presentations, due dates, grade of "incomplete",
plagiarism, dropping course
Cell phone use
Please turn off your cell phones while class is in session. If
you must be available for a call or expect to receive a text
message, please put your phone on vibrate and sit near the
classroom door so you can discretely exit and take your call or
text. I expect this will be a rare event.
Laptop use
If you wish to
bring a laptop, please keep it closed until there
is “tops up” time for writing a few notes to yourself or
there is a need to do some research online. I find it hard to
connect with students who are focused on a laptop display; some
students find the key clicks and monitor images distracting as
well. If you have a disability verified by the
Services to Students With Disabilities (SSWD) office and you
wish to discuss academic accommodations relative to laptop use
in class, please talk with me immediately.
I
will not discuss any grade for any assignment on the day I hand
back to you. I've found it is helpful if you take the feedback,
look it over, consider it in light of the relevant rubric before
initiating a discussion that can become tense. If you wish to
discuss a grade, just call or visit me in office hours or make
an appointment. I you wish to contest a grade, I'd
like you to write out your argument clearly, concisely
and completely and bring it with you to the meeting.
Attendance
As a
community of learners, we are responsible to each other to come
prepared and contribute ideas to the class discussions. I
assume everyone has a commitment to coming to every class
session. However, as adults, sometimes emergencies occur
and our presence is required elsewhere. My experience has been
that such circumstances rarely happen more than once a
semester. If you miss more than once, we will need discuss
the situation and your standing in the course. (If you know of a
class you will not be able to attend, please let me know ahead
of time.)
Class
presentations
Due to the lack of free time in the class
schedule, it will not be possible to make up missed
presentations. Plan on doing your presentation even
if
you are not feeling well. In a case like that, you can do
your presentation early in the session and will be excused to go
home. If your doctor orders you to stay at home and consequently
you miss your presentation, you will be excused, of course. If your doctor orders you to stay
home, please let me know prior to class, if possible.
All
assignments are due at class time on the date announced.
As responsible adults, I assume you will make a commitment to
meeting assignment due dates. If you are prevented from meeting
the date, I'd like to discuss the situation with you.
Grade of
“incomplete”
I
don't assign a grade of incomplete unless the requirements and
conditions stipulated by the university for that grade are
met. If you believe you qualify for an incomplete, I'll be happy
to hear your case. That proposal will serve as a starting point
from which we will negotiate a jointly satisfactory plan for
completing the course.
I
will follow the departmental policy on plagiarism. Never give
into the temptation. If you face a situation that tempts you to
do so (overloaded; dealing with problems that are overwhelming,
etc.) please talk to me so we can find a legitimate
solution.
I
will follow the departmental policy on dropping; that is, you
may drop without permission, until the second week.
On-line
Writing Assistance:
APA (American Psychological Association) style guide.
APA
Crib Sheet, 6th ed
Here are two on-line APA style guides to get you started:
University of Wisconsin link: http://www.wisc.edu/writing/Handbook/DocAPA.html
Purdue University link: http://owl.english.purdue.edu/owl/resource/560/01
For a quick
overview of APA and tutorial go to: http://flash1r.apa.org/apastyle/basics/index.htm
I especially
recommend slides 13-26.
International
Encyclopedia of Communication
Encyclopedia
of Communication and Information
Standford Encylopedia of Philosophy
Public Journal of Semiotics (Click "current issues" and "past
issues" buttons on left side of screen)
On-line Research Assistance:
To get to communication studies
journals:
