Instructor:
Thomas Salcido Hobbs
Office: Moulton Center - 217A
Telephone: (714) 532.6047
E-mail Address: thobbs@chapman.edu
HomePage
: Click Here http://www.chapman.edu/comm/comm/faculty/hobbs.html
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OFFICE
HOURS
Monday 1-4 pm;
Tuesdays and Thursdays 1-2 pm
Wednesdays 1-3 pm
-CALL or email for an appointment
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COURSE
DESCRIPTION
You will apply learned persuasive theories in
politics, social action campaigns, commercials, news media coverage, and
sales presentations. You will study the effects of persuasive messages,
source credibility, message variables, image-building and personality factors
involved in the process of persuasion.
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COURSE
REQUIREMENTS
Texts:
Gass, R. H. & Seiter, J.S. Persuasion, Social
Influence and Compliance-Gaining. Allyn & Bacon, 1999
Cialdini, R. B. Influence: The Psychology of
Persuasion Quill Morrow 2000
Required Materials: Current
e-mail address and the skills to use e-mail and the Internet on a weekly
basis.
Assumptions
1. You are already competent as a persuader. You
could never have reached the level of achievement you now enjoy without
this competence. Your competence comes from your willingness to learn.
There is no limit to how competent you can become. The only limits are
those you place upon yourself. You can greatly exceed what you have been
able to do in the past. My job as your professor is to assist you in increasing
your competence.
2. You are responsible. Other people are powerless
over you. I cannot make you learn and neither can anyone else. You will
profit most if you are committed to using the new options presented in
this course before you make a decision as to their value for you.
3. There is no limit to the number of new options
you can learn to use effectively in your communication. And, options are
important, as the person with the most options controls the outcome of
any interaction, business or otherwise.
4. Finally, the most important questions you can
ask in this course are "so what?" and "How can I use this." I invite you
to frequently ask and answer them.
I appreciate and expect all students to e-mail
me with questions, problems and concerns about this course--communication
is very important to success of this course!
Attendance:
You are allowed 9 hours absence for the semester.
After nine hours you will be dropped from the class (NO EXCEPTIONS). You
may use them any way you choose. For illness, flat tires, "mental health"
days, whatever. You need not present excuses for your absences.
Attendance is noted at the beginning of class. Three lates equal one absence.
Exceptions will be made for official university
excused absences (athletics, Dean excused absences) provided that appropriate
documentation is presented; however, those with several university excused
absences are not to interpret the policy as meaning they can add three
"freebies" to their university excused absences.
The goal here is to miss as few classes as possible-"excused"
or not. As this course involves much participation, your attendance
is essential!! Just trying to "read the book and get by" is a waste
of your time and money. Since this class will involve lecture, and classroom
activities, attendance is critical. In accordance with University policy,
miss four classes and you can be dropped from class. More than four absences
will also result in lowering of your final grade.
Presentations
You will prepare and deliver one chapter presentations for the Cialdini
Text.
This is a group assignment and will require developing PowerPoint slides
- No Make-ups
FINAL PRESENTATION
In groups you will prepare a persuasive presentation given during the
last two weeks of the semester. Each presentation will be from 30- 40 minutes
long. Each group will select several communication theories to demonstrate.
Each group will put on an INFOMERCIAL demonstrating and applying the
theoretical concepts. Each group member MUST contribute equally in
the oral presentation.
Papers
There will be one short paper assigned during
the semester. Details will be handed out or posted on the web site.
Late Assignments and Make-Up Exams
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Make-up exams will be given only if a serious, compelling, and verifiable
cause (such as an acute medical emergency) can be demonstrated, and the
student has made every reasonable effort to contact the instructor beforehand.
Such determinations will be made entirely at the instructors discretion.
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Make-up exams will not be given for reasons such as car trouble, work scheduling
conflicts, relationship crises, or non-school related travel plans.
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All assignments will be announced sufficiently in advance to allow for
thorough preparation and timely completion.
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All assignments should be submitted in class, on their scheduled due dates.
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Assignments that are submitted one class meeting late will be docked one
letter grade.
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Assignments that are submitted two class meetings late will be accepted
for half-credit. Assignments will not be accepted two class meetings beyond
their due date.
Class Ethics/Plagiarism:
It is unethical to use as your own work something prepared by another
person without credit. You are encouraged to research material for your
presentations and written assignments, and you must cite
your sources. Plagiarism may be grounds for dismissal from the university.
It is also unethical to interfere with another individual's learning, this
includes disruptive audience behavior.
Classroom Courtesy
Do not enter the class while someone is giving their presentation.
Courtesy, basic to effective business communication, is important in the
classroom as well as in the work place. Disruptive individuals will be
asked to leave the classroom and may be asked to withdraw from the class
should the disruptive behavior continue. Turn off all electronic signaling
devices. Students should either not bring such equipment to class or set
it for inaudible signaling.
Academic Integrity Policy:
The department is committed to the highest standards of ethical
conduct and academic excellence. Any student found guilty of plagiarism,
fabrication, cheating on exams or purchasing papers or other assignments
will receive a failing grade in the course (see University catalog statement
on academic misconduct).
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COURSE
OBJECTIVES
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Course Objectives:
This is a performance class premised on the principles of LEARNING
BY DOING. The goal of this course is to improve your critical thinking
skills. You will have the opportunity, in a supportive environment, to
develop the skills and self-confidence necessary to develop and present
persuasive presentations in front of groups. It is likely that each of
you will be called on at some time in your career to address an audience.
Your ability to adequately prepare and present yourself professionally
will enhance not only your credibility but also your career opportunities.
This class will be highly interactive. My goal is to have discussion-oriented
lectures, complemented with video examples and educational activities.
Consequently, you must keep up with all reading and activities.
The focus in this course is on gaining greater understanding of, and
hence rapport with, people with whom you want to do business. The greatest
idea, product or service in the world will never be used unless someone
becomes convinced of its value. The communication process by which the
perception of value is created is called persuasion.
A major goal for the course is to increase your awareness of how you
use verbal and nonverbal codes to influence others and how others use the
same codes to influence you.
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GRADING
Activity
|
Points |
Exams
2 |
200
|
1 group chapter presentation |
30
|
Attendance (5 pts for each class) |
65
|
Chapter Discussion Questions |
80
|
Quizzes |
125
|
Paper 1 - Theory Research |
50
|
Group Project |
100
|
Total
|
650
|
GRADING
SCALE
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93 - 100% A
90 - 92% A-
87 - 89% B+
83 - 86% B
80 - 82% B-
77 - 79% C+
73 - 76% C |
70 - 72% C-
67 - 69% D+
63 - 66% D
60 - 62% D-
Below 60% F |
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