UCCA 101   Fall 2012 Office:   Div. N 307 
 Instructor:  Dr. Ken Kirby Office Hours:   M,W,F 8-9, 10:30-11:30 a.m.;  T, H 3-4 p.m., W 1-3
 Phone:  (205)726-4033 rkkirby@samford.edu; http://faculty.samford.edu/~rkkirby

Communication Arts 101

Communication Arts I develops the writing and speaking processes that will empower you as students, as professionals, in your careers, and as citizens in your communities.  The course includes writing four essays that you will revise through multiple drafts and carefully edit before submission.  You will also make at least three oral presentations during the semester.

Course Description
Communication scholars and researchers have increasingly emphasized the importance of four key elements in communication instruction: first-hand experience, addressing real audiences, reflective assessment, and community building within the classroom, the university, and the world.  The individual and group assignments in CA101 will help you develop responsibility for your own learning and personal integrity in both the classroom and the community. As engaged citizens, your writing and speaking can and should make a difference.

Course Objectives
1.  Distinguish between oral and written styles and adapt both oral and written messages for specific audiences and purposes.
2.  Prepare written and oral communication assignments via a process approach through rhetorical invention, drafting or delivering, and revision.
3.  Develop a clear focus in assignments, organize and support ideas effectively, use vivid language, and demonstrate clarity and correctness.
4.  Select, evaluate, and document sources through primary and secondary research.
5.  Interpret and analyze ideas through critical reading and listening.
6.  Demonstrate social and civic responsibility through engagement with critical social issues.

Texts and Materials
Ramage, Bean, and Johnson, Allyn and Bacon Guide to Writing, 6th ed.        
Aaron, The Little, Brown Compact Handbook, 8th ed.
Emmons and Knierim, eds., Communication Arts: A Student's Guide., 4th ed
Laptop computer (if available)

Grading Distribution

Literacy Narrative essay (10%) and speech (10%)
Exploratory essay (10%)
Persuasive essay (20%) and speech (15%)
Revision and Reflection essay (15%) and speech (10%)
Quizzes and activities (10%)
(NOTE: there is no final exam for UCCA101.)

Grading Scale
A = 93-100, A- = 90-92, B+ = 87-89, B = 83-86, B- = 80-82, C+ = 77-79, C = 73-76, C- = 70-71, etc. (you must make C- or above to advance to UCCA102)

Guidelines for Assignment Submission:
All assignments are due at the beginning of the class period on the day specified on the syllabus. Late assignments will  be penalized one letter grade for each class day late. Final essays must be submitted with all preliminary materials (including drafts, peer reviews, copies of pages from sources when required, and any other required materials). You must submit all major papers to me via e-mail attachment and must name your file with your SU e-mail address and LIT, PER, etc. (for example, President Obama would name his Literacy Narrative paper "bhobamaLIT.doc") and e-mail it to me from your Samford e-mail address.  All submissions must be original with sources clearly and correctly documented. All papers must show evidence of text-level revision.  Work previously submitted for other courses is not acceptable. Any student who represents the work of another as his or her own is guilty of plagiarism and will be subject to the penalties outlined in the Student Handbook, including expulsion from the course and the University.  All major assignments must be completed in order to pass the course; unless you make arrangements to receive a grade of Incomplete, all assignments must be submitted before grades are due.

Absences
Since a workshop depends on your active participation, you should try to attend every class meeting. Students who miss more than two weeks of class (four meetings for T,H; six for M,W,F) will receive an "FA" for the course. Students who must be absent due to university business should notify the teacher early in the course. Arriving late or leaving early from a class is disruptive; three tardies/early exits will be considered the equivalent of an absence. Students who come to class unprepared may be dismissed by the teacher, and such dismissal will be counted as an absence.

Samford's Inclement Weather/Emergency Policy:
Inclement weather or other events beyond the control of the University that might cause risk or danger to students, faculty, and staff may occasionally result in changes to normal University operations, including cancellation of classes or events; the calendar schedule may be adjusted.

Inclusive Language
Language—how it is used and what it implies—plays a crucial role in Samford University’s mission to "nurture persons." Because verbal constructions create realities, inclusive language can uphold or affirm those whom we seek to nurture, while exclusive language can damage or defeat them. We therefore actively seek a discourse in our university community that supports the equal dignity and participation of men and women; we seek to avoid verbal constructions that diminish the equal dignity of all persons. It is an affirmative—and affirming—part of our mission to educate students, staff and faculty in the creation of a community of equality and respect through language.

Passing Grades
Students are required to earn a C- or better in order to receive credit for UCCA 101 and 102.

Students with Disabilities
Samford University complies with Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act and the Americans with Disabilities Act.  Students with disabilities who seek accommodations must make their request through Disability Support Services (phone 726-4078)  in room 205 of the Career Development Center in the University Center.  A faculty member will only grant reasonable accommodations upon notification from the Advisor for Students with Disabilities.  Come see me during office hours and we will discuss your accommodations.

Communication Resource Center
The Communication Resource Center offers free tutoring for Samford students in oral, written, and mediated communication, as well as support for developing and improving critical reading skills.  It is located in Brooks Hall 222.  Hours are posted at the start of each semester at http://www.samford.edu/crc/.  Sessions last from 10 to 30 minutes, and appointments are not required.

General Course Policies
UCCA101 complies with all policies in the Samford Student Handbook. You are expected to familiarize yourself with these policies early in the semester. All electronic devices must be turned off during class unless specifically permitted by the professor. It is your responsibility to check your Samford e-mail and other official means of communication to keep yourself informed.