This course introduces you to theories of communication related to interpersonal relationships, small group interaction and public speaking. The focus of the class is upon developing competencies for becoming a more confident and effective communicator.

If you do well in this course, you will be able to:

• Have a better understanding of theories and concepts about communication.
• Develop critical thinking skills for evaluating the practical and ethical impact of communication choices.
• Weigh communication situations and interactions with others in light of a communication ethic that emphasizes the values of respect for social and cultural diversity, appreciation for ways that people and communities differ in the ways that they communicate, respect for the integrity of ideas and responsibility for participating in social, professional and civic matters.
• Practice skills for becoming a more competent communicator in interpersonal, professional, and public speaking contexts of communication.
  Among the specific skills that you will develop are:
  • Report increased self-confidence
  • Express ideas with verbal fluency
  • Apply knowledge of nonverbal communication in sending and receiving messages
  • Demonstrate critical thinking skills in sending and receiving messages
  • Demonstrate organizational skills
  • Adapt messages and behaviors to different communication contexts
  • Employ listening and responding skills adapted to different communication contexts
• Understand different context of communication and how different channels of interaction affect communication outcomes.
• Acquire and practice competence for using computer-mediated technologies for communicating.

Class attendance for four mandatory meetings is essential for succesful completion of the class. Meetings held at ELI,
8000 Forbes Place, Springfield.

Fall Semester 2009

• SPD 110 E86N Online course. Group meetings will be held at 7:00 pm, 8/27/09, 9/24/09, 11/19/09 and 12/17/09 at ELI, 8000 Forbes Place, Springfield. Starts August 24. Registration closes August 20.
• SPD 110 E87N Online course. Requires attending four eNOVA online group meetings, dates and time TBA, and one group meeting at ELI, 9/2/09, 7:00 pm. Starts August 24. Registration closes August 20.
• SPD 110 E93N Online course. Requires attending four eNOVA online group meetings, dates and time TBA, and one group meeting at ELI, 9/2/09, 7:00 pm. Starts August 24. Registration closes August 20.

The Extended Learning Institute offices are located at 8000 Forbes Place in Springfield, Virginia. It is conveniently located just off the Capital Beltway, I-495, at the Braddock Road Exit, Exit 54A. Specific directions for locating the ELI Center can be found using the link on the Announcements page of our Blackboard website.

As a hybrid class that is web-based, this section of CST 110 will enable us to explore how computer mediated communication and the Internet work as channels for personal and public communication. While a typical class will meet exclusively at a designated time each week and for a fixed duration of time, we will interact in an asynchronous mode. That is, we won't all be communicating with one another at the exact same time.

In a unique way we will be seeing how electronic media of communication work alongside face to face interaction.

Prerequisites
In order to be successful in this class, you will need fluency in Standard American English. It is also recommended that you have proficiency in reading and writing at the ENG 111 level.

Computer skills will also be critical to your success in this class. You should be able to do the following:

• Send and receive e-mail
• Participate in the class discussion board
• Use an Internet browser
• Use interactive features on web pages

Course Requirements
Your grade for the class will be based on completion of the following required elements:

1. Participation in the class meetings.
2. Participation in the class discussion board.
3. Presentation of an informative or persuasive speech for Module Seven.
4. Completing a quiz for each module.

Throughout the semester a point system is used to measure progress. At each of our class sessions, you can access a summary sheet with your points that have been accumulated by going online to the Online Grade Book.

100 points (5 points each) for twenty discussions in Blackboard.
105 points (15 points each) for quizzes
30 points for speech

The grade thresholds for letter grades follow the standard ten percent curve:

I am here to help you succeed in this course. Occasionally questions or problems may arise. Here is how to contact me when they do:

BY EMAIL: tdoyle@nvcc.edu

BY TELEPHONE: (703) 323-3372

1. Use your web browser to connect to http://www.nvcc.edu/bbstart. Follow the directions to determine your email, Blackboard and VIVA account user names and passwords.
2. Access your email account and make sure you know how to use it; you will be required to use this account for all course-related email.
3. Log on to Blackboard at http://learn.vccs.edu.
4. Click on this course under "My Courses." Review the entire course to make sure you understand what will be required of you. Then start completing the assignments.

Please note that account generation takes approximately one week from the time of your paid registration. If you cannot log on after one week, contact the IT Help Desk. If you can log on to Blackboard, but your course isn't listed, please contact ELI or your instructor.