University of Northern Iowa
Department of Communication
Studies
48E:222:06 Seminar: Computer-Mediated Communication Spring 2004
Instructor: Dr. Joyce Chen Office
Hours: TTh 2-3:30 pm
Office: 321 LNG W
1-3 pm
Office Phone: 32574 or
by appointment
Class meeting times: W
6-8:50 pm 212 LNG
Required Textbook:
Barnes, S.B. (2002). Computer-mediated
communication: Human to human communication through the Internet. New York:
Allyn & Bacon
Course
Objectives:
Internet
technology has created an environment of human communication, i.e.,
Computer-Mediated Communication (CMC), in contemporary society where time and
space have become less restricted to communication processes. Based on surveys
of Internet technologies and human-computer interactions (HCI), this course
examines the changes that computer technologies have been bringing to
interpersonal relationships, organizational communication,
community/social/global structures, and the research/development process in
other areas related to human lives. By the end of this semester, students will
gain better understanding in following aspects:
--
the concepts of CMC and HCI, and the terminology of Internet technologies;
--
theories applied to Computer-Mediated Communication (CMC) in communication
disciplines;
--
CMC’s impacts on interpersonal communication, group and organizational
communication, public communication, and business communication, as well as the
concepts of self-presentation and self-identity;
--
social issues related to CMC;
--
how to be a competent CMC communicator; and
--
basic Web page design skills upon the request.
Class Organization:
I
expect two groups of students in this class. One is majoring in communication,
and the other is non-communication major. This composition would help students
achieve best outcomes of the course. My teaching philosophy is to promote
students' learning processes. Therefore, I will accommodate your learning needs
based on your individual background. The course will not be difficult but it
needs substantial work to achieve the objectives mentioned above. The class
time will mainly contribute to lectures, discussions, research activities, and
presentations. Assigned readings, and individual conferences will be emphasized
throughout the semester.
Leading Discussion (20%):
The
leading discussion aims to help students gain better understanding of the
materials provided in the textbook, and to promote class discussions. Each
student will be responsible for presenting one of the chapters in the textbook
and leading the class discussion. It is required to use the materials in the
chapter as the basic content and to search additional up-to-date information
about the development of computer-mediated communication. The detail
requirements will be described in the handout for leading discussions.
"The University of Northern Iowa is an Affirmative Action Equal
Opportunity Institution. Students with
disabilities and other special needs should feel free to contact the professor
privately if there are services or adaptations which can be made to accommodate
specific needs."
Attendance & Participation (10%):
Because computer-mediated
communication is related to your career and daily life, it needs your active
participation in class discussions. You are expected to attend all the classes.
The attendance/participation grade (10%) will be determined according to your
attendance rate, active participation in class discussions and activities, and
respectful listening to other students and the instructor.
Research Paper (30%) & Presentation (15%):
There will be one research
paper (30%) and the final presentation of your research project (15%). The
purpose of the research is to enhance your knowledge and analytical skills of
CMC, and demonstrate your competence communicating in the environment of CMC.
You will get a handout for the research paper and presentation.
Quizzes (15%):
There are two open-notes
quizzes. The quiz questions will be given based on the materials in the
textbook. There will be review guides and review sessions to help students
prepare for the quizzes.
Grading:
All the work turned in to
this class should be your original work for this class. According to University
policy, plagiarism will result in FAILURE
of the course and further DISCIPLINARY
ACTION. Plagiarism includes "borrowing" other student's paper or
other writer's work, and submitting the papers that you wrote for other
courses.
The grading composition is
shown as follows:
Attendance/Participation |
10% |
Response/Critique |
10% |
Leading Discussion |
20% |
Quiz X 2 |
15% |
Research Paper |
30% |
Final Presentation |
15% |
TOTAL |
100% |
The letter grading scales
are shown as follows:
A: >95% A-: 92-94% |
B+: 88-91% B: 85-87% B-: 80-84% |
C+: 77-79% C: 74-76% C-: 70-73% |
D+: 67-69% D: 64-66% D-: 60-73% |
F: < 60% |
The grades will be weighed
by the percentages shown above and combined to result in your final course
grade. Assignments are due at the beginning of class on the due date, unless
otherwise stated. The penalty for a
late assignment is 1 percent deduction for
each day late. Any late
assignment accepted will be graded based on the reduced percentage. Before giving you the final grade I need to
make sure that you achieve the objectives of this course.
Tentative Schedule
1/14 Syllabus and orientation to leading discussion
requirements
Preparation for leading discussion
1/21 Discussion: Research interest, and Preparation
for leading discussion
1/28
Part 1: Overview of Computer-Mediated Communication
Reading: Chapter 1: Computer-mediated
communication
Chapter 2: Characteristics
of computer-mediated communication
Discussion: Research project
topics
2/4
Reading: Chapter
3: Human Computer Interface (HCI) (Eric)
Chapter 4: The Web (Jennifer)
Research Paper &
Presentation Assignment
Discussion: Research project proposals
2/11 Discussion: Research project proposals & individual meetings
2/18 Part 2: Interacting through CMC
Reading: Chapter 5: Language and the Internet (Justin)
Chapter 6: Presenting
oneself online (Patricia)
Chapter 7: Internet
interpersonal relationships (Traci)
Review Part 1 & 2
2/25 Quiz #1
Discussion: Literature review
Research
Methods
3/3 Part 3: CMC and group
communication
Reading: Chapter
8: CMC in organization (Angela)
Chapter 10: Educational
contexts (Liz)
Chapter 11: Virtual
Communities (Jill)
3/10 Part 4: CMC and Society
Reading: Chapter
12: Disruptive online behavior (Jenny)
Chapter
13: Anonymity, privacy and copyright (Nick)
Chapter 14: Democracy and
the Internet (Sarah)
3/17 (Spring Break, No class)
3/24 Due: Draft of Literature
review & Research methods
Reading: Chapter
15: Communicating in the global village
Discussion: Data collection
Individual meetings
3/31 Review Part 3 & 4
4/7 Quiz #2
4/14 Due: Data collection
Discussion: Analyzing Data & Writing up papers
4/21 Research paper draft due
& individual meetings
4/28 Presentation
5/5 Presentation, Research Paper
Due