Instructor: Jennifer Kienzle, Ph.D.

Preferred contact method: Canvas Inbox

Secondary contact method: jkienzle@ccsf.edu

I respond to messages in 24 hours on weekdays, 24-48 hours on weekends (Weekends start at 4pm on Friday)

Make an Appointment with me on Google Calendar! (Links to an external site.)Links to an external site.

Online Office Hours: 

Course Specifics

ADVISE: ENGL 96 or ENGL 88 or ENGL 88B or placement in ENGL 1A

Focus on the impact that communication has on the interaction between individuals in settings including family, friendship, intimate and work situations. Students are expected to demonstrate and apply these skills through individual and group presentations and activities.

UC/CSU transferable

Text Requirement

Wood, J. T. (2015). Interpersonal communication: Everyday encounters (8th ed.). Belmont, CA: Wadsworth Pub.

Additional readings and videos are available on Canvas.

TECHNOLOGY REQUIREMENT

LMS Requirement: Since this is an online course, students are required to access the Learning Management System Canvas  (Links to an external site.)Links to an external site.often in order to view and complete lessons, quizzes, and discussions.

Internet Requirement: Students need to secure reliable access to the internet in order to complete assessments on Canvas. CCSF provides students with free computer use on campus and free WiFi.

Camera Requirement: Students need access to a camera with audio and visual capabilities. Most smartphones and laptops have this capability. We use Flipgrid for all speeches in the class. 

Student Learning Outcomes

After successful completion of this course, students will be able to:

• Outcome 1: Identify and examine the basic elements of the human communication process and how major theoretical positions impact the principles of interpersonal communication.
• Outcome 2: Analyze the significant role that verbal messages, nonverbal communication, self concept and self esteem, emotions, perception, listening, diversity and conflict play in shaping interpersonal communication and relationships.
• Outcome 3: Evaluate the complexity of interpersonal communication in multiple social contexts.
• Outcome 4: Use interpersonal skills to build, maintain and enhance social relationships.
• Outcome 5: Construct and present speeches that explain and apply interpersonal communication theories.

Assignments

 

Assignment	Point Value	Student Learning Outcomes
Quizzes (11 total, lowest quiz dropped)	10 points each 100 points total	1, 2, 3
Discussions (8 total, lowest post dropped)	5-10 points each  75 points total	1, 2, 3, 4, 5
Introduction Speech	10	5
Interpersonal Communication and Technology Speech (includes outline)	50	5
Communication in Current Events Speech (includes outline, responses to peers, topic selection)	65	4, 5
Case Study Responses	50	1, 2, 3
Total	350

Course Policies

Instructor and Student Communication

Primary Contact Method: Canvas message

Secondary Contact Method: jkienzle@ccsf.edu

Office & Tutoring: Please check out my Google Calendar for updated appointment slots and availability. My office is located on Ocean Campus in Cloud 408B.

Instructor Expectation:

I respond to messages within 24 hours starting on Monday at 7am and ending on Friday at 4pm.

My weekend availability is limited. Messages received between Friday (after 4pm) and Sunday will be answered on Monday morning after 7am.

Note: Sometimes I will respond to weekend emails on the weekends. But this does not mean I will always respond to weekend emails in this manner.

Student Expectation:

Since Canvas is used so heavily in this course, I expect students to check their Canvas messages once a day from Monday - Friday. As the instructor, I only message you when there are upcoming assignments, changes to assignments, or anything that is deemed important for the class (e.g., cancellations). You can expect to receive, on average, about 1-2 messages a week from me.

A Note On Canvas Feedback Comments as Communication:

You’ll notice that Canvas allows for some dialogue on the comment section of any assignment. I ask that students do not use this as a way to ask me questions. This function on Canvas is finicky and does not notify me in a timely manner that you responded. Please always use the primary or secondary contact methods when asking a question.

 

Disabled Students Programs and Services (DSPS)

If you are a student with a disability, your involvement with the Disabled Students Programs and Services (DSPS) can be thought of as a partnership between you and the Disabled Students Programs and Services staff. The DSPS staff consists of faculty members, counselors, disability specialists, technology and media specialists, instructional assistants, interpreters, and office staff. They are people you can work with to plan support services that will help you move toward your goals.

Counselors have specific expertise in disabilities, including disability entitlements. These entitlements include accommodations, which are designed to give students an equal opportunity in the college setting (e.g., extended time for tests, a quiet testing environment, Braille, or electronic text).

After verifying a student's disability, the counselor will recommend appropriate accommodations. Counselors also help students identify their academic and career goals and develop necessary coping strategies. Besides English, counseling is provided in Russian, Chinese, Spanish, and American Sign Language.

For more information, please contact us at:

(415) 452-5481 Voice - Ocean Campus
(415) 452-5451 TDD (Telecommunication Device for the Deaf) - Ocean Campus

Drop Policy

To Complete within the First Seven Days of Class:

In order to demonstrate your intent to complete the course, you must participate in academic work during the first week of class. This is demonstrated through our first speech assignment: Introduction Speeches. If you do not submit an introduction speech, you risk being dropped from the class. 

Failure to complete this assignment within the first seven days of the course will result in being dropped from the course. See Canvas for exact due date/time.

Communication Studies Department Drop Policy:

The professor reserves the right to drop a student if no academic work is completed for two full weeks of the course. Students who are falling behind in the course are encouraged to communicate with the professor to avoid being dropped. 

Assignment Expectations

I utilize step by step guidelines for nearly all assignments. I ask that students read through each step carefully before asking me questions.

 

Written Papers:

Written assignments such as outlines and papers will need to be written in Word or the final submission must be formatted as a doc, docx, or PDF.

Note: CCSF offers free Microsoft Word for students and it is available on all campus computers.

I will not accept a Google Doc, pages, or any other file other than doc, docx, or PDF.

Online Presentations:

Online presentations use Flipgrid, a free Canvas tool allowing for asynchronous communication in video form. You must use Flipgrid in order to complete speeches. YouTube videos or sending videos through Canvas message/Google Drive are not allowed and will not be graded.

Online speeches must also adhere to the filming guidelines in the assignment page unless prior accommodations have been made between the instructor and student.

Academic Integrity

CCSF Code of Student Conduct defines plagiarism as " the unauthorized use of the written language and thought of another author without proper quoting or citing and representing him/her as one’s own." Whether intentional or unintentional, student plagiarism can evoke discipline such as verbal or written warnings or reprimands, failing assignment grades, failing test grades, or failing class grades, or disciplinary probation.”

 

Tutoring & Labs

Communication Lab
The Communication Lab provides CCSF students with academic support in researching, writing and delivering speeches for an audience. The Lab offers one-on-one tutoring, workshops and study groups. Students may receive assistance with the following:

• selecting the right topic for the right speech
  • crafting a clear thesis statement that fits the purpose of the speech
  • organizing and developing a speech outline
  • writing the most effective introductions and conclusions
  • creating and using visual aids • researching a speech topic
  • practicing all aspects of delivery from eye contact to the use of note cards
• providing proofreading and editing for research papers

The Communication Lab is located on the Ocean Avenue Campus in Cloud Hall, Room 208 B. Please call 239-3390 for lab hours or to confirm availability.

Writing Lab
The English department has a robust writing and tutoring center if you need additional help with writing for all your classes. There are weekly drop-in hours, in addition to a website full of tools:
http://www.ccsf.edu/en/educational-programs/school-and-departments/school-of-english-foreign-languages/english/EnglishLab.html

Late Submissions

Canvas displays the exact minute that an assignment is due. Students are encouraged to give themselves a buffer for uploading and potentially clearing up any technical issues before the due date and time. If an assignment is due at 11:59pm, the file must be uploaded PRIOR to 11:59pm. This means its more like 11:58pm. Again, I ask that students give themselves a buffer -- at least 10 minutes prior to the due date/time.

Canvas will display an “available until” date, which provides you the late window allowed.

Written Papers:

All written NON COLLABORATIVE papers will be allowed a 48 hour grace period with percent point penalty:

First 24 hours late: 10% penalty

24-48 hours late: 20% penalty

For example, a 30 point paper turned in 5 hours late will be marked down 3 points. If the 30 point paper is turned in 27 hours late, it will be marked down 6 points.

Online Presentations:

Online presentations receive a 24 hour grace period with a percent point penalty of 20%. For example, if your 30 point speech is turned in 3 hours late, you will receive a 6 point penalty.

Presentations turned in after 24 hours will automatically earn a 0.

Remember that online presentations require peer-to-peer contact and so late presentations are not encouraged for this reason.

Missed Work

I do not accept super late work at any point in the semester, especially at the end of the semester. Please look at each assignment to see if you can still turn it in (e.g., a written paper most likely will get a 48 hour grace period.)

 

Student inquires about making up work will most likely result in a firm no.

 

Note: Some assignments can be dropped depending on the type of assignment. Check your class for specifics.

Extra Credit

I will offer extra credit throughout the semester. Extra credit is offered as a way to give you a grade buffer/bump and is not intended to replace any assignment.

 

You can expect about 3% of your total grade for extra credit.

 

Extra credit will have hard deadlines and requirements. If you miss the opportunity, it will not come back. I also grade extra credit (usually on a credit/no credit basis).

Grade Inquires

I don’t do automatic grade bumps or curves. Canvas adds up your earned points and calculates a percentage based on the total number of allocated points.

If after all assignments have been turned in and you are only 1 percentage point away from another letter grade (e.g., 89%), you can participate in a grade bump extra credit assignment. This assignment will be available on Canvas and only for a very limited period of time since it is only for grade bumping purposes.

 

If you are concerned about a recent grade you received on a single assignment, please read this:

 

I follow the 24/7 policy when it comes to grade inquires. The 24/7 policy asks students to wait a full 24 hours after receiving a grade on an assignment before contacting the instructor. This is considered a cooling off period for reflection.

If after the 24 hours, the student desires to inquire about a graded assignment, they have 7 days (M-F, not counting CCSF holidays) to initiate contact with the instructor concerning the grade.

 

Grade inquiries must follow this process:

1. Wait 24 hours before contacting the instructor and make some form of communication (ideally on Canvas message) about the grade within 7 business days.
2. Make an in-person appointment with the instructor OR a phone conversation.
3. Prior to the appointment, the student should highlight areas of their assignment that they believed should be scored in a different category on the rubric. Students have full access to the rubric and are encouraged to be specific such as, “In this area of my paper, I believe I earned a developed grade because…”

Note: Underprepared students will not be able to have a grade meeting.

 

I take your grade very seriously and I believe in full transparency. Documentation by both the instructor and student are critical in grade inquiries.

Collaborative or Group Work

Online Classes

In online classes there are several collaborative assignments that require peer-to-peer contact such as discussion forums. I do not allow any extensions or late work for collaborative work because of the peer-to-peer contact required for these assignments.

Extensions

I do not provide extensions. I do allow Late Submissions for certain assignments and with a point penalty.

Extenuating Circumstances

If you are having an extenuating circumstance (e.g., personal or professional crisis), you can message me to see if any accommodations can be made. Unfortunately, I cannot guarantee you that you will receive any accommodation because every situation (and timing) is so different. Sometimes I can help a student out, but only prior to a due date.

 

You do not need to disclose personal details to me. You can simply say “extenuating circumstance” in your message.

Instructor Feedback on Assignments

I use detailed rubrics on Canvas for nearly all graded assignments. Rubrics are available prior to the due date to allow students to see exactly how they are graded (two exceptions are quizzes and the Case Study Responses).

In addition to rubrics, I also utilize the assignment comment function on some assignments. I normally provide more assignment comments on earlier assignments in the semester. This allows students to understand what they are doing good on, but also areas that they might need to refine. Assignment comments generally decrease as the semester goes on because assignments are very redundant in nature so that students can get in a good rhythm (e.g., All quizzes and outlines follow the same guidelines).

If you have a concern about instructor feedback, please refer to the grade inquires policy and do not respond to the assignment comment in Canvas. Comments can get lost easily. Please message me directly for questions or concerns.

Login Requirements

Online classes:

Students who do not login to Canvas and demonstrate academic work (e.g., discussion forums, quizzes) for 2 weeks or more (Mon-Sun) will be dropped from the class.