Course Syllabus
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Course Description and Prerequisites | Course Objectives | Course Requisite Technical Skills | Time Expectation | Textbooks and Materials | Course Grading | Course Policies | Student Rights & Responsibilities | Overview of Assignments | Taking Proctored Assessments | Your Email Account | Student Resources | Technical Support | Accommodation Policy and Statements | NOVA Online Policies and Procedures | Course Summary (Assignment Schedule and Critical Dates)
Course Title: CST 110 - Introduction to Communication (3 credits)
Faculty: Dr. Michelle Happer
Contact Information: mhapper@nvcc.edu
Semester: Spring 2021
Print Syllabus: You may use the Print feature of your browser to print out the syllabus or save it as a PDF document.
Course Prerequisites and Description
Course Objectives
Time Expectation
Course Requisite Technical Skills
In order to succeed in this online course, you must be comfortable working with technology. At a minimum, you must possess the following technical skills:
- Ability to use the Internet in an effective and efficient manner, including installation and management of browser plug-ins and add-ons
- Basic knowledge about the operation of a computer, file management, and software installation
- Working knowledge of the Canvas learning management system
- Capable of using Microsoft Office (Word, PowerPoint, etc.)
- Proficient searching the web for information
- Able to download and print information from websites
- Able to download, view, and/or print PDF files
Textbooks and Materials
Acquiring Textbooks and Course Materials
Course Grading
Course Policies:
Attendance Policy
Each student is expected to be active in the course each week. You are required to log into the course site at least three times a week. If I observe that you have not been active during any given week of the course, (this includes discussion participation and assignment submission), you may be dropped from the course.
Discussion and Group Project Policy
Following the due dates and responding promptly is an essential part of your participation in online collaborative activities. Your classmates depend on you to complete these activities. It will take a concerted effort on the part of each student to move discussions and group work forward in a timely manner. Therefore, please make sure to follow the due dates indicated in the Course Summary section of the Syllabus to complete these activities.
It is required that you use the group discussion forum created in Canvas so that the professor can observe your work on the project. Please do not use text messaging or emails to do group work.
Communication Policy
You are required to treat your instructor and classmates with respect. We all have different opinions on issues that may spark emotion. Whatever your opinions are, you MUST respect others' opinions and treat each other professionally and politely in the online course. Comment on opinions, not on the person. This policy applies to all discussion posts and emails for the course. Please follow the communication netiquette in the Welcome/Getting Started module.
E-mail Etiquette
When emailing the instructor use proper English and respectful language. Identify yourself and the class section. Allow the instructor time to respond to your email especially during non-school hours and weekends. Instructor will not respond to emails with rude or unprofessional language or questions whose answers may be found in the course syllabus.
Example E-mail
Subject Heading Line: Jane Doe CST 110 MW 10:30 a.m.
Professor Happer,
I just wanted to let you know I will be absent this Wednesday due to a family emergency but I have left my paper under your office door.
Thank you for your time and consideration,
Jane Doe
Video Policy
For this course, you will be required to video tape yourself giving speeches and then uploading them to Canvas Studio. Canvas Studio is NOT a public service, you do not need to worry about the distribution of your video, or even anyone seeing it that you don't want. Once the assignment has been graded, you are free to delete the video.
The videotaping is an important part of the course, because it is the only way you can give your speech. If you are not comfortable with this, or you are unable to videotape yourself for whatever reason, then it is important that you drop this course and take it in an in-class format where you may be more comfortable.
This policy non-negotiable---do not wait until your speech is due to tell me that you cannot video yourself or don't have access to equipment---it is your responsibility to either make sure you have access or choose a different course.
Participation and Virtual Meetings
Participation is optional in our virtual meeting. It is intended for your benefit. The online meeting is your opportunity to ask questions in real time and get immediate answers. It is also an opportunity for me to explain concepts and assignments more clearly that you may find confusing. If you do miss the meeting, you can go back and listen to the recording at any time.
Late Work Policy
All assignments are due on time. If you have an emergency or illness, contact me immediately. If you are out for an extended period of time, I need documentation of the emergency or illness in order to grant you an extension.
Late assignments are generally not accepted. Instructor reserves the right to review any extenuating circumstances. This will be at the instructor’s discretion. Instructor must be notified of extenuating circumstances, before the assignment due date.
Discussions boards. Please note: The purpose of discussion board post are to facilitate robust discussions with your classmates. Once a discussion ends, it no longer serves that purpose.
Assignment Submission
Please do NOT send any assignments to the instructor’s email. They will be deleted. Assignments are submitted in the assignment submission areas only. No exceptions.
Each week you will have assignments and discussions due. Discussion assignments have a deadline of Friday by 11 pm for initial posts, and Sunday by 11 pm for responses to classmates. The discussion deadlines are to ensure that students are actively participating during the week and not just posting at the last minute. All other assignments have a deadline of Sunday night before 11 pm unless otherwise noted.
You are expected to retain an electronic copy of all work submitted. If transmission of the work fails, you are expected to "resend" the document under our directions. Assignments will be submitted in Canvas either through Discussion Board forum postings, via the Assignment feature, or via the Quiz feature. You are expected to verify your own submission by returning to the appropriate place in Canvas after the work has been posted.
Important Submission Information
All assignments will be submitted in Blackboard either through Discussion Board forum postings, via the Assignment feature, or via the SafeAssign feature.
Prezi and Google docs submissions will NOT be accepted, unless required for the assignment. Submissions are completed using Microsoft Office only. Documents that cannot be opened will not be graded
Grading Turnaround Time
I strive to return assignments to you within a week of submission. It is important for you to get written feedback on your work as the exams and quizzes depend on your correct understanding of the information that is being learned. If you find that an assignment has not been graded, please notify me via e-mail and I will promptly grade it for you with feedback.
Plagiarism Policy
Please review the information in the Plagiarism Policy and Student Rights and Responsibilities section below to understand what plagiarism is.
Detected plagiarism on an assignment will warrant a zero on the assignment. If a second offense occurs, the student will be referred to the dean of students for possible dismissal from the class.
Incompletes
The incomplete grade is used for verifiable unavoidable reasons. If you have made significant progress in your course, your end date is near, and you have reasons that can be documented as unavoidable, you may request a grade of Incomplete. To request a grade of Incomplete for this course, you must:
- Have satisfactorily completed all of the assignments in Modules 1 - 9. Besides, you must have successfully passed the first exam.
- Explain your extenuating circumstances to me in writing.
- Provide a plan for completing the remaining assignments in writing. All work must be completed by the end of the subsequent semester.
- The time you have to complete the course must be agreed upon with your instructor, but will be no more than one additional semester.
Note: It is rare to receive an incomplete for this course. You will not qualify for an incomplete simply because you did not have enough time to complete your assignment or you were confused about a due date. If you feel you are getting behind in the course because of other work or school obligations, then it is your responsibility to withdraw---this is not reason for you to receive an "Incomplete" grade.
Important Discussion Grading Criteria
- Discussion board postings will be graded on a credit/no-credit basis. Ex. credit for a primary post will be 10 points, and responsive posts will be 5 points each. Your reference is 5 points. To receive credit, a post must:
- (a) be timely, (b) be responsive to the question posed (or to the posting being responded to),
(c) reflect an understanding of the reading upon which the post-prompt is based, and(d) be substantive and meaningful. - Support your research and post with references. Properly formatted References must be included at end of your primary discussion post(References may be from textbook or outside scholarly sources)
- ALWAYS - Back up your research and perspectives with References. Backup what you say. This shows credibility.
- A responsive post saying something like, “Nice job!” or “I agree with you” will not receive credit. Responsive postings, like primary postings, must contain substantive discussion of issues.
- Since not everyone will see things identically, students are to review one another’s postings in order to further their insight and learning. This is an important benefit of dialogue. Responses to other students’ posts may be stated in fewer than 150 words, but those posts should meet the same requirements for credit as primary posts.
- Two to three sentence replies are NOT a discussion- initial posts must be a minimum of 200 words, and responsive posts must be a minimum of 100 words.
Withdrawal from the Course
For the specific course dates described below, refer to the Quick Start Syllabus mailed to you by NOVA Online. For additional information, see Critical Course Deadlines.
- Your Options for Withdrawing: (You must use myNOVA to complete a withdrawal)
- Refund Date: If you withdraw before this date, you will receive a refund and there will be no record of your enrollment.
- Last Withdrawal Date without F:
- If you withdraw after the refund date but before your Last Withdrawal Date, you will receive no refund and a grade of W.
- If you withdraw after your last withdrawal date, you will receive no refund and a grade of F.
- Instructor-Initiated Withdrawal
-
First Assignment Due Date:
You must submit any one assignment before the date specified by your Critical Course Deadlines or you will be administratively deleted without a refund. Check the Course Summary section of the Syllabus for specific requirements. -
Additional Withdrawal Dates:
If you are not making satisfactory progress toward completion of the course, some faculty will withdraw you at other times during the semester. Check the Course Summary section of the Syllabus for specific requirements.
Video Policy
For this course, you will be required to video tape yourself giving speeches and then uploading them to Canvas Studio. Canvas Studio is NOT a public service, you do not need to worry about the distribution of your video, or even anyone seeing it that you don't want. Once the assignment has been graded, you are free to delete the video.
The videotaping is an important part of the course, because it is the only way you can give your speech. If you are not comfortable with this, or you are unable to videotape yourself for whatever reason, then it is important that you drop this course and take it in an in-class format where you may be more comfortable.
This policy non-negotiable---do not wait until your speech is due to tell me that you cannot video yourself or don't have access to equipment---it is your responsibility to either make sure you have access or choose a different course.
Participation and Virtual Meeting
Participation is mandatory in our virtual meeting. It is intended for your benefit. The online meeting is your opportunity to ask questions in real time and get immediate answers. It is also an opportunity for me to explain concepts and assignments more clearly that you may find confusing.
Grading Turnaround Time:
All completed assignments will be graded no later than seven days after the due date, and sooner when possible.
Incompletes
The incomplete grade is used for verifiable unavoidable reasons. If you have made significant progress in your course, your end date is near, and you have reasons that can be documented as unavoidable, you may request a grade of Incomplete. To request a grade of Incomplete for this course, you must:
- Have satisfactorily completed [VCCS policy specifies it must be more than 60%] of the assignments.
- Explain your extenuating circumstances to me in writing.
- Provide a plan for completing the remaining assignments in writing. All work must be completed by the end of the subsequent semester.
- The time you have to complete the course must be agreed upon with your instructor, but will be no more than one additional semester.
Note: It is rare to receive an incomplete for this course. You will not qualify for an incomplete simply because you did not have enough time to complete your assignment or you were confused about a due date. If you feel you are getting behind in the course because of other work or school obligations, then it is your responsibility to withdraw---this is not reason for you to receive an "Incomplete" grade.
Withdraw from the Course
Student Rights & Responsibilities
Overview of Assignments
Taking Proctored Assessments
Your Email Account
Student Resources
Technical Support
For technical assistance, please visit the NOVA Online IT Support website for contact information and support resources.
Accommodation Policy and Statements
External Tools Used in the Course
All of the links below are set up to open in new tabs or in new windows.
YouTube
Accessibility statement is not available on YouTube's website. Here is the link to the instructions on how to use YouTube with a screen reader.
You can find the transcript of a YouTube video by clicking More and then select Transcript.
NOVA Online Policies and Procedures
Course Summary:
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