UNIVERSITY OF GUAM

COURSE OUTLINE

 

 

COURSE NUMBER:  CO491                                                                   COLLEGE:  Liberal Arts and Social Sciences

 

COURSE TITLE:  Current issues in Communication and Society.

 

CREDIT HOURS:  3

 

DATE OF APPROVAL:                                                                           SEMESTER OFFERED:  Spring

 

COURSE COUNTS AS                                              general education requirement

                                                                      X           part of Communication major program

                                                                      X           elective

 

 

1.             CATALOG DESCRIPTION

 

This seminar examines appropriate communication behavior.  The discussions explore the need for ethical guidelines in all venues of communication with particular emphasis on conflict resolution, consensus-reaching, and team-building.  The seminar offers alternatives to the Western model of “Communication, as a Contest.”  This course is a capstone for Communication majors in that it integrates key concepts from other courses as well as skills learned through the general education program.  Prerequisite:  CO210.  Senior-level status.

 

 

2.             COURSE CONTENT

 

This course is divided into four units.

 

The purpose of the first unit is to bone critical thinking skills while exploring the issue of civility.

                               

The second unit focuses on how to be a critically thinking and empathetic participant in a group and includes exercises in team-building and consensus-reaching.

 

The third unit examines questions of ethics and law in the communication process.

 

The final unit focuses on developing students’ abilities to present their own critically thought-through positions orally and in writing.

 

 

3.             RATIONALE FOR THE COURSE

 

A capstone course such as this helps to integrate what students have learned in the various major courses as well as the skills developed in the General Education program.  The concept of a capstone course is also part of the WASC recommendations.

 

4.             SKILLS AND BACKGROUND REQUIRED OR EXPECTED

 

Students should be at senior level and be competent in reading, writing, speaking, listening, and research skills.

 

5.             TEACHING MEHTODOLOGIES AND ANTICIPATED CLASS SIZE

               

Anticipated class size is 15-20 students.  As a seminar course, group discussion will be a primary teaching technique as well as oral presentations, critiques and written papers.

 

6.             ADDITIONAL COURSE DESCRIPTORS

 

7.             LEARNING OBJECTIVES FOR STUDENTS

 

Students will demonstrate:

 

1.             The ability to read, write, speak, and listen carefully.

 

2.             Interaction skills, public speaking, mass media analysis and intercultural sensitivity.

 

3.             Awareness, knowledge, and personal perspective about a family of issues concerning communicative conduct.

 

4.             An understanding of current law and ethical codes pertaining especially to communication activities and professions.

 

5.             An ability to apply all of the above skills in communicating about current local, regional and international issues.

8.             METHODS OF EVALUATION

 

Methods of evaluation may be based on:

 

A.            Participation

 

B.             Written homework

 

C.             Exams

 

D.            Group-Led Class Discussion

 

E.             Short Issue Analysis Paper

 

F.             Personal Standpoint Presentation

 

G.            Written Position Paper

 

9.             REQUIRED AND RECOMMENDED TEXTS AND/OR STUDY GUIDES

 

Browne, M.N., & Keeley, S.M. (1998). Asking the Right Questions: A Guide to Critical Thinking (Fifth Edition). Upper Saddle Rivera, NJ: Prentice Hall.

 

Carter, S.L. (1998). Civility: Manners, Morals and the etiquette of democracy. NY: Basic. Ballantine.

 

Fish, S. (1992). There’s no such thing as free speech and it’s a good thing, too. NY: Oxford University Press.

 

10.           SUBSEQUENT COURSES

 

                The skills in this course may be applied in graduate programs in almost every academic field.

 

 

 

CLASS/CURRICULUM COMMITTEE

COURSE OUTLINE ADDENDUM

 

 

1. Substantiate the compelling need for the new course

 

A capstone course such as this will help to integrate what students have learned in the various major courses as well the skills developed in the General Education program. The concept of a capstone course is also part of the WASC recommendations.

 

2. Document indications that the course will meet its projected size.

 

Projected size: 15-20. This will be a required course for all Communication graduates. The enrollment estimate is based on the average enrollment of other such courses offered once per year.

 

3. State how the new course will be covered by existing faculty.

 

The four members of the new Communications faculty will team-teach the course and alternate the FTE. Adjunct professors, colleagues from other disciplines and community professionals will also be invited to participate.