DescriptionCOM 114 is a class where we will learn the principles and techniques of successful presentational speaking. Students will be asked to incorporate rhetorical strategies, audience analysis, and visual elements into the preparation of the presentations. Topics that the class will deal with include content construction and organization, rhetorical theory, methods of effective oral communications, and the ability to analyze and assess rhetorical techniques.
Attendance PolicyAttendance is important in this class.
Each unexcused absence affects your participation grade. Since this class meets once a week, two unexcused absences will result in your final grade being lowered by a letter grade. More than three unexcused absences will result in a failing grade for the course. Excused absences may be granted for religious holidays or university-sponsored events, provided you make a written request to me no less than two weeks in advance and that you complete any required work before the due date.
Three 15-minute-or-more tardies count as an unexcused absence. It is your responsibility to keep track of how many absences you have.
Late Work PolicyPop quizzes cannot be made up. Exams can only be made up if a written excuse is provided before the date of the exam. If a serious and unavoidable problem arises that causes you to miss an exam, you should notify me as soon as possible. If you do not contact me within a week of the exam, it cannot be made up.
Late papers will lose 5 points per day (and I don’t mean per class day). If you have some circumstances that cause you to require an extension, I must be informed of them prior to the due date. If you e-mail me your paper because you cannot come to class that day, you must do so by class time. I will send confirmation of receipt that day. If you do not receive confirmation, you must assume I did not receive it; you will have to resend it immediately or you will still lose points for it being late.
Academic Integrity PolicyPurdue students and their instructors are expected to adhere to guidelines set forth by the Dean of Students in An Academic Integrity Guide for Students, which students are encouraged to read. (It can be found online). Academic dishonesty is defined as follows: "Purdue prohibits ‘dishonesty in connection with any University activity. Cheating, plagiarism, or knowingly furnishing false information to the University are examples of dishonesty.’ [University Regulations, Part V, Section III, B, 2, a] Furthermore, the University Senate has stipulated that ‘the commitment of acts of cheating, lying, and deceit in any of their diverse forms (such as the use of substitutes for taking examinations, the use of illegal cribs, plagiarism, and copying during examinations) is dishonest and must not be tolerated. Moreover, knowingly to aid and abet, directly or indirectly, other parties in committing dishonest acts is in itself dishonest.’ [University Senate Document 72-18, December 15, 1972]".
Plagiarism results in a grade of ZERO. If you have any questions about this policy, please ask.
The instructor reserves the right to amend these policies in extraordinary circumstances.
