COM 410D-02I: Gender
roles and communication
Semester: Fall 2009
Professor: Melissa
Dietrich (Please address me as either
“Melissa” or “Professor Dietrich”.)
Office: Neff 230 A
Office Hours:
Happily by appointment
Office Phone: (260)
481-5441 mailbox 19061#
Blackboard Vista access:
http://my.ipfw.edu or http://elearning.ipfw.edu
E-Mail: dietmr01@ipfw.edu
Please note: email (either via
Blackboard or the IPFW email account) is the preferred method of contact.
Required text:
Ivy, D. K. & Backlund, P. (2008).
Gender speak: Personal
effectiveness in gender
communication (4th ed.). Boston: Pearson.
·
Internet
·
Blackboard Vista
access (the following browsers are strongly recommended for Blackboard
Vista access; Explorer, Firefox, and/or Safari)
·
Email available via
Blackboard Vista
·
Microsoft Word (2003
or 2007)
If you encounter any technical difficulties consult the following
link: http://elearning.ipfw.edu/troubleshooting/default.shtml
Professor’s commitment:
While we most likely
will not meet face to face, I will make every effort to be available to you
through Blackboard, email, and phone. I will make every effort to grade
assignments promptly, treat you fairly, and offer clear feedback. Grades are earned solely on the basis of
work quality, or the absence thereof.
You should plan on a twenty-four (24) hour wait time for replies to
emails and voicemails. Please note; if
you email and/or phone me on Saturday or Sunday, it is likely you may not receive
a reply until Monday. Furthermore, if
you email and/or phone me over a scheduled university break it is likely you
may not receive a reply until after the break.
Desired commitment from student:
- A willingness to make this class a
priority.
- To seek assistance from the professor as
needed; before assignments are due.
- A commitment to complete all assignments
on time.
- To be resourceful and proactive in the
learning process; which includes being resourceful in teaching yourself how
to navigate and use Blackboard.
- An understanding that this is a time and
effort consuming course due to its content, its structure, and its online
nature. We will move fast and will
be given opportunities to learn a lot.
Course goals:
- To understand the influence of sexist
communication on thoughts and behaviors
- To recognize sexist practices in
interpersonal, family, organizational and mediated contexts
- To
value equality and fairness for men and women
- To
encourage students to respectfully and inquisitively seek and build
commonality with other genders through online discussions
Goals
of Women’s Studies:
- To analyze academic
disciplines from a feminist and anti racist perspective
- To encourage original
scholarship and research about women that takes into consideration gender,
race, class, age and sexual orientation
- To integrate
self-exploration with academic skills
- To provide a non
authoritative learning environment which values student’s ideas and
encourages an open exchange of information and opinion
- To promote an individual and
critical approach to learning
- To promote knowledge of the
diversity of women’s experiences
Tentative course schedule: The course
schedule, assignment descriptions, and/or grading criteria are subject to change
at the professor’s discretion.
Description of course
assignments: The description of course assignments and grading criteria is available
by clicking on highlighted assignment (in the assignment column).
Grading
|
Course assignment
|
Percentage of semester end cumulative points
|
Maximum number of points that may be earned
|
|
Create a web page
|
|
100
|
|
|
15%
|
150
|
|
Unit addition to web page (five additions at 40 points each)
|
20%
|
200
|
|
Unit discussion forum (five discussion forums at 30 points each)
|
15%
|
150
|
|
|
15%
|
150
|
|
|
10%
|
100
|
|
Final exam
|
15%
|
150
|
Semester end cumulative points
|
Semester end cumulative points earned
|
Letter grade earned
|
|
|
A
|
|
Between 900 and 949 points
|
A-
|
|
Between 870 and 899 points
|
B+
|
|
Between 830 and 869 points
|
B
|
|
Between 800 and 829 points
|
B-
|
|
Between 770 and 799 points
|
C+
|
|
Between 730 and 769 points
|
C
|
|
Between 700 and 729 points
|
C-
|
|
Between 670 and 699 points
|
D+
|
|
Between 630 and 669 points
|
D
|
|
Between 600 and 629 points
|
D-
|
|
Below 600 points
|
F
|
Suggestions to help
students achieve success
Based on past experience, students who have often earned the most points on
assignments have done the following; and you are strongly recommended to do the
same…
- Before
beginning any assignment read the assignment description (including directions)
and grading criteria (available via the syllabus).
- Start
early and finish before the due date.
Per the syllabus, no credit may be earned for late assignments.
- Blackboard
is NOT 100% reliable! Therefore,
you are strongly encouraged to complete all assignments outside of
Blackboard (i.e. Microsoft Word, etc.).
- Save
your assignments often!
- Use
proper organization, spelling, grammar, punctuation, etc. (see Writing
Center as needed).
- Thoroughly
and concisely explain all ideas.
- Once
the assignment is complete, copy/paste or attach (as stated in the
directions) your assignment in the proper location.
- Double
check to make sure the assignment can be viewed.
Description of course
requirements and policies
- All
contributions will reflect a respect and understanding towards
others. We will discuss some
(potentially) controversial and emotional topics. As these topics are discussed, it is
very likely you will encounter ideas that challenge your perceptions
and/or beliefs. As these new ideas
and perspectives are raised; you may disagree with the idea(s), NEVER
attack a person/group of people.
Suggestion: adopt
receiver-oriented communication as discussed on pages 38-40 of the
textbook.
- All assignments are due (correctly
submitted) on time. No
credit may be earned for late assignments, except in extreme cases and/or
with prior approval. All instances
of “extreme cases” are at the discretion of the professor. Furthermore, in the event of an
“extreme case” a student may be required to provide proper
documentation. Please note: a technical difficulty (i.e. computer
crash, unavailable internet service, etc.) is NOT considered an “extreme
case”. Therefore, it is strongly
recommended that you have contingency plans (i.e. create back-up files, have
access to an alternative computer, etc.) for every aspect of this course.
- In
the workplace, attendance and participation often determines your success
(or the lack thereof). This also
is true in a classroom setting:
proper attendance and participation are essential ingredients to
your success in this class.
Students are required to login regularly in this online learning
environment. Furthermore, students are also expected to participate
in all class assignments; participation is expected before the assignments
are due. The professor will use
the tracking feature in Blackboard to monitor student activity.
- Cheating,
plagiarism and/or any form of academic dishonesty will not be tolerated. Cheating,
plagiarism and/or any form of academic dishonesty may result in a failing
grade for the assignment and/or the course. Any instance of
academic dishonesty will be reported to the Dean of Students may result in
expulsion from the University (as explained in IPFW Code of Student
Rights, Responsibilities, and Conduct).
Refer to the student handbook for more information about
academic integrity.
- Most
feedback for assignments will be provided as an attached Microsoft Word document
and will be sent to your Blackboard email account. Please note: the Microsoft Office
package (specifically Microsoft Word) is required to view the feedback. If
you do not have the Microsoft Office package on your computer you have two
options. First, you may view these documents from a computer lab on
campus. Or, you may purchase the Microsoft Office package from Follett's
Bookstore for $27 (plus tax) and load it on your computer. If you choose to purchase the Microsoft
Office package from Follett’s Bookstore, you will need your student
identification and a copy of your current class schedule.
- After
each assignment is graded, students may access their grades earned by
clicking “My grades” link located on the left in “My tools” (found within
the course).
Description of course requirements and policies
(continued)
- All
grades are final, except in the case of an error (i.e. math error). The professor will be happy to discuss
your grade (i.e. why you earned it, how you can improve your work the next
time, etc). The professor will not
change it.
- As
required by IPFW academic regulations, at the end of the semester students
must complete a course evaluation(s) for each course for which they are
enrolled. An online instructional assessment form will be made
available for your confidential use. Please look for the course
evaluation link on the course homepage towards the end of the semester.
Student services
·
The student services listed on this page are just a few
of the many resources IPFW offers students.
For a complete list of student services visit the following website: http://www.ipfw.edu/search/az/services/
·
Center for academic support and advancement (CASA)
provides a variety of support services to help students achieve academic
success. If you would like further
information contact CASA, located in Kettler G23, either by phone
(260-481-6817) or by visiting their website http://www.ipfw.edu/casa/
- Center for Women and
Returning Adults: The Center for Women and Returning Adults
(CWRA) serves as an advocate and support for all women of IPFW as well as
adults returning to school. The center offers assistance with admissions
and financial aid for prospective and current students; career and
personal guidance; childcare referrals; community outreach and referrals;
guest lecture workshops; and a newsletter. Services are offered for
free. If you would further information contact the Center for Women and
Returning Adults, located in Walb 120, either by phone (260-481-6029) or
by visiting their website http://www.ipfw.edu/cwra/
- Computer
Services: If you would like
assistance with any computer application, contact the Information
Technology Services (ITS), located in Kettler 206, at 260-481-6030. Students can also seek assistance in
computer labs located throughout campus, or by visiting their website http://www.its.ipfw.edu/
- International Student
Services: International Student Services recruits, admits, and
counsels international students. The staff also works with academic
offices on campus to advise international students, permanent immigrants,
and aliens. International Student Services acts as a liaison between IPFW
and the community by supporting multicultural events and as a resource
unit for faculty, staff, and students interested in overseas travel or
study. If you would like additional information you may contact
International Student Services by phone (260-481-6034), in person (located
in Kettler 104), or by visiting their website http://www.ipfw.edu/iss/
- Office
of Diversity and Multicultural Affairs:
Diversity and Multicultural Affairs provides a vital support system
for a variety of students. Some
services include networking opportunities, mentoring, The Academic Student
Achievement Program (ASAP!), and various student workshops. If you would like further information
contact the Office of Diversity and Multicultural Affairs, located in Walb
118, either by phone (260-481-6608) or by visiting their website http://www.ipfw.edu/odma/
Student Services (continued)
- Services
for Students with Disabilities (SSD):
If you have a disability and need
assistance, special arrangements can be made to accommodate most needs.
Contact the office of Services for Students with Disabilities,
located in Walb 113, either by phone (260-481-6657) or by visiting their
website http://www.ipfw.edu/ssd/. Once SSD has provided you with a letter attesting
to your needs for modification, bring the letter to your professor.
- Women's
Studies Program: The Women's Studies Program affords you the
opportunity to pursue feminist scholarship on women and gender through a
variety of interdisciplinary courses. For more information about the
Women’s Studies program you may contact the office in person (located in
Classroom Medical 35F), by phone (260-481-6985), or by visiting their
website http://www.ipfw.edu/wost
- Writing
Center: If you would like
assistance with any writing assignment, visit the Writing Center in
Kettler G19. Drop-ins are welcome,
however, appointments are recommended, which may be done over the phone
(260-481-5740), or in person.