Week of November 29 - December 5

Hello Class!

You have three things to complete this week:

*Quiz on Blackboard on Chapters 11 & 13
*Work on Concept Application Paper - due by Friday, December 4th @ 11:59pm
*Work on grading the journal assignments (already emailed to you), due by December 8th @ 11:59pm.


I have purposely not scheduled a discussion week so you can work on the two remaining projects in the course - Grading Journals and the Concept Application Paper. In fact, this is why I have not scheduled discussion for the past two weeks. I know schedules are tight around this time in the semester, and I wanted to make sure you had extra time to get the projects finished for this course. So I figured I would not schedule discussion these last couple of weeks in hopes that you would take advantage of that time to work on the projects in this course.

I emailed out directions about how to complete the grading aspect of the journal assignment. I do not want you to spend a vast amount of time grading the journals, so please simply read over each entry and grade it by using the grading sheets. The grading sheets are pretty self explanatory and shouldn't take too much time to fill out. You have almost 9 days to complete the grading aspect of the journal assignment, which should be more than enough time to read over them and fill out the grading sheets.

In addition to this, I am pleased that so many of you were able to take advantage of the extra credit opportunity! Sending in your Concept Application Paper early really frees you up for the last couple of weeks of the class, and that's a good thing. I understand how busy each person is at the end of the semester, and was pleased with how some of you were able to take advantage of the extra credit opportunity, thus freeing up your schedule.

Please let me know if there are any questions or issues. I'm still here to chat over the phone, through Yahoo Messenger and through email. If you are having any issues at all, please get in contact with me.

Impressed

Hello Class!

If I have received your journals, you should have a confirmation email waiting for you. I will send out additional instructions later today around 5pm or so clarifying the grading process, which should be a simple one for you.

I'm quite impressed with your journals. It looks like the 'applied' part of your journals worked well. This was the goal - to get out there an observe communication in the real world, make connections between the concepts in the text and your observations, then write about them.

Did you find this assignment useful??? You can leave a comment here anonymously if you would like. Just be sure you are not logged into your google account, and you can leave an anonymous comment if you don't want me to be able to identify you. :) Some folks like anonymity when giving feedback, and that's just fine by me.

Quite a few people sent their journals early. I appreciate that!

After my email tonight, please let me know if you have any questions about the grading process. I'm here to help!

Until later........

Clarification about the Journal Assignment submission

Hello Folks,

When you submit your journal assignment, please submit only one document and put the assignments into this order:

Journal #1 - Public Communication
Journal #2 - Nonverbal Communication
Journal #3 - Intercultural Communication
Journal #4 - Interpersonal Communication
Journal #5 - Communication and the Mass Media
Grading Sheets (all 5 at the end of the Journal)

I apologize if there was any confusion.

I hope you all have a wonderful Thanksgiving!

Availability through Thanksgiving

Hello Class!

I will be available through the Thanksgiving break in case you need to contact me for any reason. Yes, this means I will even be available on Thanksgiving through email and phone should something arise. It may take me a bit longer to reply to you since I too, have family gatherings and will be participating in the 'day after Thanksgiving' shopping day.

If I do not talk to you over the Thanksgiving Holiday, I wish you all a wonderful day. Be safe!!!

Grades Posted for 11/15-11/21

I have just posted grades for the discussion week of 11/15-11/21. Please log onto Blackboard and checkout your grade. Email me if you have any questions.

Week of November 22-28

Hello Class! Here is what's listed on the Participation and Schedule pages for this week:

Since this is Thanksgiving week, and we have a couple of semester projects due, you have the entire week to work on those projects. There is no discussion this week! There are no quizzes/tests this week. The only thing you should complete this week is your Concept Application Paper and your Journal Project.

The due dates for the remaining projects in this course are listed in my post below. As a reminder, the all entries for the semester long Journal Project (which you should have been working on all semester) is due this coming Saturday, November 28th by 11:59pm. Please plan ahead, and submit your paper early if you think you may not have time over the Thanksgiving Holiday.

Also, if you submit your Concept Application Paper by November 28th by 11:59pm, you will earn yourself 15 extra credit points! If you think your grade needs a little boost, please take advantage of this opportunity.

I will email out the Concept Application Paper with the attached grading sheet in a few minutes. I will also send out an additional email about the Journal Project!

Extra Credit Opportunity

I have been thinking about how to handle extra credit for a few weeks now (I have never offered extra credit in this class before, so you guys are pretty lucky!) ;) I was going to give an extra assignment, but because this time in the semester is usually quite busy, I don't think I can in good faith, offer another assignment.

So here's what I will offer - each student who turns in their Concept Application Paper by November 28th at 11:59pm will earn 15 points extra credit. This means that you will turn your paper in about a week early (a week from today).

I have not scheduled a discussion week because I count it as a catch up week. You have a couple of assignments due, so for the next couple of weeks (see the Participation Page) you will not have discussion so you can focus on course projects!

Date Reminders

Hello Class!

In order to simplify the end of the semester projects, here are a list of dates to remember:

November 28th - Completed Journal is due by 11:59pm. Since you have been working on these journal entries all semester, this date should come as no surprise. Furthermore, your journal should be almost completed since you have been working on it and making entries for the last two to three months. I made the last journal entry a fairly simple 'reflection' paper to make the process a bit easier for you as the end of the semester nears.

December 4th - Concept Application Paper is due by 11:59pm. You are more than welcome to submit this assignment early so you are not working on two assignments (grading your classmates journals) at the same time. In fact, I encourage it!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I suggest you work on this assignment during Thanksgiving week and turn it in early if possible. I may offer extra credit for turning in the Concept Application Paper early!!! So keep a look out for that post!

December 8th - Graded Journals are due by 11:59pm. I would love to extend this deadline, but unfortunately due to Dead Day, and the final exam schedule, I am unable to do so. Grading the journals should be a simple process. You will read over two to three journals from your classmates and rate them in 4 different areas on a scale from 1-5. See the grading sheet posted on Blackboard to review the grading criteria. You will also provide a sentence or two of feedback. Grading each journal should not take too long, and you have approximately a week to complete your portion of the grading. (Remember, your journal is worth 100 points, and your participation in the grading process is worth 25 points. This means that your classmates will grade you on the 100 point portion of the assignment, and I will grade you on the 25 point portion of the assignment. Of course I will look over each journal to make sure that the grading is consistent and correct. More detail to come over the weekend.)

December 10-11 - Final Exam. This exam is open book and open notes. You are more than welcome to use any notes, chapter outlines, powerpoint presentations and of course your text. However, you are not allowed to share answers with each other, or distribute the questions per the academic integrity policy. You will have a person over 21 (any person not associated with this course) proctor your final exam for you. This simply means that the person watches you take your final exam to make sure you are not violating the academic integrity policy in any way. They will fill out their portion of the proctor form, then you will fill out your portion and either email (scan it into the computer and email it to me), fax it to the Comm. Dept., or send it through snail mail.

In order to ease your load a bit as the semester winds down, this week was the second to last discussion week. The final discussion week in this course is fairly simple and should require very little effort. I may change the questions for the last discussion week to make it even easier for you to complete, so stay tuned for that post as the time comes closer.

Journal Assignment Clarification

Hello Class!

When you put together your journal, please include the assignments in this order:

Journal #1 - Public Communication
Journal #2 - Nonverbal Communication
Journal #3 - Intercultural Communication
Journal #4 - Interpersonal Communication
Journal #5 - Communication and the Mass Media
Grading Sheets

I will email out the grading sheet in a word document over the weekend with additional instructions. You will be able to copy and paste the grading sheet right into your final journal at then end.

I hope this helps!

Journal Assignment

I have posted the grading sheet for the Journal Assignment. It is located on the "Projects" page for your review. Please use this grading sheet to get a better idea about how your classmates will be evaluating your work. I will send it out in a Microsoft Word document so you can attach it to the end of your journal before turning it in.

As a reminder, your completed Journal Assignment with all 5 journal entries is due by November 28th by 11:59pm. Since Nov. 28th is right after Thanksgiving, it is highly suggested that you plan around your holiday schedule.

I will send out more instructions as the time gets closer, but the first step is to complete all journal assignments and submit all 5 in ONE SINGLE word document by Nov. 28th. This means that you put your journals in order of occurrence into one single Microsoft Word document.

Let me know if you have questions about this. I'm here to help!

What's the point?

Hello Folks! There have been numerous objectives to be met in this course. To reiterate the point of the assignments: Blogging weekly, quizzes, readings, Cultural Event Paper, Concept Application Paper, Journal Assignment, etc..... I have listed out some ideas for your review answering the question WHY? Why are we writing papers? Why do we blog every week? Why do we interact so much with our classmates? Why do I have to do so much reading? It all comes down to the goals of the course, and the goals/requirements of the University. Expanding diversity on multiple levels within this class is a big goal. Read the list below and let me know if the purpose and goals of these assignments are still ambiguous. As you can see, each objective is aligned with University goals. So this list should answer the "WHY?" question.

1). These objectives give you opportunity to see what other folks in the class are writing about and discussing.

2). Some of these assignments allows you to give your opinion about your colleagues writing.

3). The journal assignment will diversify your grading as the instructor is not the only one evaluating your work. This is a positive thing, you'll see!

4). Each of these assignments are intellectually challenging.

5). The assignments increases diversity in the class on multiple levels.

6). Each assignment provides meaningful feedback, not only from the instructor, but from others in the class, thus diversifying grading, and understanding!

7). The assignments establish an atmosphere of community and enhanced learning.

8). Reinforces relevant course material from a number of different perspectives.

9). Helps you analyze complex and abstract ideas as presented by others relating to course material/content.

10). Applies course content in a real-world setting.

As always, I am available to chat with you over email, Yahoo Messenger, and my personal favorite - over the phone! I am committed to each student in this class, so if you need some extra help, please contact me ASAP.

I hope this list of objectives clarifies the "WHY?" question! Some folks go through classes while never truly understanding the point of their assignments. I will post this list a few more times before the end of the semester, just as a reminder of 'what it's all about'.

I hope you each have a fabulously happy Wednesday evening!

Concept Application Paper

Hello All!

I just emailed out the revised version of the Concept Application Paper. I did not change the assignment at all, I merely attached the grading sheet to the assignment itself, so there is no confusion about how I will grade the paper.

It is my hope that each student earns an "A" on this assignment.

Please email me if you have any questions.

Week of November 15-21

Hello Class! I hope today finds you well. Here is what's on the Schedule and Participation Pages for this week:

*Read Chapter 11 - Communication and the Mass Media

*Participate in Week 13 discussion

*Start working on your final project in this course: The Concept Application Paper. Please review the grading rubric associated with this assignment before starting your paper. Your final paper is due on December 4th by 11:59pm.

*Complete your final Journal Entry. Your completed journal is due by Saturday, November 28th at 11:59pm. I will email out more direction about the Journal Assignment this week.

Class Discussion: Answer one in each of your three posts, at least 12 hours apart:

1). Have you made friendships that exist exclusively in cyberspace? If so, how are they different from f2f relationships? If you have not formed cyber relationships, why not?

2). Do you agree with Marshall McLuhan that the medium is the message, i.e. that the format or logic of a medium is as important as its content and, in fact, determines what content will be broadcast through that channel? Evaluate his idea that television is a cool medium.

3). Pick one concept from the assigned reading, that we have not already discussed, that you found useful or interesting and discuss it.

Remember to post 3 responses to your colleagues blogs during this discussion week.

REMINDER: Thursday, November 19th is a furlough day. I will not hold office hours online on this day. However, I will be on campus and will be available to meet in person. If you would like to meet with me on Nov. 19th, please email me so we can schedule a time to chat. I would love to meet with each and every one of you, if you have time! :)

Returning Papers

Hello Class!

I am working to finish the last group of papers today. I am racing against the clock to get them done tonight, before the looming furlough days coming up. You should expect to receive your papers (if you haven't already), late tonight.

If there are any questions or concerns about your paper/grade, please let me know. We can schedule a phone conference, chat over Yahoo Messenger or through email. I am very open to chatting with you about the assignments in this course. My goal is open communication, and this being the first paper returned to you since the first paper was canceled, you may have some questions. Please DO NOT hesitate to ask if there is any ambiguity or confusion.

We're all in this together! :)

Week of November 8-14

Hello Class! Here is what's on the Schedule and Participation Pages for this week:

*Read Chapter 8 - Organizational Communication.
*Discussion for this week is canceled due to furloughs.
*There is a quiz this week on Chapters 6 & 8, so please log onto Blackboard to take the quiz. Remember, you have 20 minutes to complete your quiz.

Reminders:
1). There are two furlough days this week - November 12th and 13th. I will not be conducting University business on those two days.

2). Your papers will be returned mid-week. I will start returning them on Monday, and continue to return them through Wednesday. If furloughs interfere with returning the papers I will notify you through email.

Grades Posted for 10/18-10/24

Hello All!

I have posted grades for the week of October 18th-24th. Please look at your score and email me if you have any questions.

I really enjoyed reading the posts for that week. Some folks had some very insightful thoughts. I also really enjoyed reading the comments for that week. It seems like the class is interacting well with agreeing, disagreeing and adding to the thoughts and opinions of others. This is exciting for me because you are all highlighting your diversity, yet interacting with each other respectfully. There is a certain richness that comes from interacting with each other, rather than just the instructor.

Good job!!!! :)

Early Bird Posts

Hello All! Here is a list of folks who have blogged already this week. Go ahead and stop by their blog to get a start on your comments for the week.

1986dman
Rena
addicted2shopping
Katla
Chivista
Tulip's Blog
Ibirapuera
marikamania

Let's congratulate these folks for getting an early start! Good job!!!!!

Week of November 1-7

Hello Class! Here is what's on the Schedule and Participation Pages for this week:

*Read Chapter 6, Interpersonal Communication.
*Participate in Week 13 discussion.
*Complete Journal #4.

Discussion: Answer one in each of your three posts, at least 12 hours apart:
1). Which pattern (rigid complementarity, competitive symmetry, or submissive symmetry) do you think would be the most difficult to change? Why? Which would be the most damaging to a relationship? Which would be the most potentially damaging to the self-esteem of the individuals involved?

2). Think about the filters you use to eliminate people from consideration as potential romantic partners. What characteristics or behaviours lead you to judge others as unattractive? Does Duck's theory make sense to you? Have you ever eliminated someone by using a sociological or pre-interaction cue only to reconsider them based on interaction and cognitive cues?

3). Pick one concept from the assigned reading, that we have no already discussed, that you found useful or interesting, and discuss it.

***Remember to post 3 responses to your colleagues blogs.

REMINDER: November 5th is a furlough day. I will not be conducting any University business on this day.