This course satisfies the University System of Georgia Oral Proficiency requirement. As a result, students in the course will meet the course objectives of the E-Core (https://ecore.usg.edu/courses/course-descriptions/human-communication) as quoted below:
1. “Identify and describe the basic components of the communication model, the various types of communication, the role communication plays to satisfy needs, and the difference between communication and communications (information technology, satellite engineering, etc.).
2. Utilize critical thinking skills to create communicative appeals that are coherent and well adapted to the receiver, stylistically appropriate, and substantively complex.
3. Describe the different ways in which language defines and frames situations.
4. Recognize how different language strategies (such as the use of vivid, evasive, and equivocal language) enhance or undermine communication effectiveness.
5. Describe and analyze the basic strategies for reducing communication anxiety.
6. Identify, analyze, and discuss common listening habits that interfere with effective communication and strategies for improving listening skills.
7. Analyze the fundamental dimensions of cultural diversity (demographic, regional, and ideological) as they relate to communication.
8. Discuss the ethical aspects of communication.
9. Identify and explain the major theories of human communication and persuasion in interpersonal, small group, and public communication contexts.
10. Observe, explain, and apply the major concepts used to describe interpersonal processes, including the evolution of the self-concept, relational development, listening, and conflict management.
11. Observe, explain, and apply the major concepts used to describe small group processes, including group characteristics, decision making, roles, and norms of interaction.
12. Observe and utilize the recommended strategies for developing, delivering, and evaluating effective public presentations.
13. Define the field of mass communication.
14. Describe the use of media literacy as it relates to mass communication.”

1. Orientation (including orientation to online learning)
2. Communication Processes and Principles
3. Ethics, Audiences, and Culture
4. Interpersonal Communication
5. Small Group Communication
6. Organizational Communication
7. Addressing Publics
8. Speaking to Inform
9. Speaking to Persuade
10. Mediated Communication

In a staged process that includes peer and instructor feedback, students will prepare and deliver one informative speech and one persuasive speech either through online video or through videotape of a live speech. Students will complete a group project with peer and self-assessment of group processes based on principles of effective group process. Students will participate in exercises designed to enhance interpersonal communication, intercultural communication, organizational communication, and reflective use of media.

“Academic honesty is – defined broadly and simply – the performance of all academic work without cheating, lying, stealing, or receiving assistance from any other person or using any source of information not appropriately authorized or attributed” (From the Preamble to “A Culture of Honesty”). The University, the Department of Speech Communication, and I personally take academic honesty very seriously. Every student at the University of Georgia should be familiar with the booklet, “A Culture of Honesty: Policies and Procedures on Academic Dishonesty.” If you are not, please obtain one of these booklets and read it carefully. This document has a thorough presentation of four types of academic dishonesty, including plagiarism, unauthorized assistance, lying/tampering, and theft, as well as the procedures that are in place to adjudicate alleged incidents of academic dishonesty. The policies and procedures described in “A Culture of Honesty” will be strictly followed.