Comm 1715 2022
Comm 1715 2022
Comm 1715 2022
Prepared by
First Name Last Name Email
Christine Conacher christine.conacher@durhamcollege.ca
The PLAR application process is outlined in http://www.durhamcollege.ca/plar. Full-time and part-time students must
adhere to all deadline dates. Please email: PLAR@durhamcollege.ca for details.
PLAR Eligibility
Yes No X
Assignment
Exam
Portfolio
Other
Student receiving a credit for this course will have This course will contribute to the achievement of
reliably demonstrated their ability to: the following Essential Employability Skills:
CLO1 Apply knowledge of standard language X EES 1. Communicate clearly, concisely and
conventions through proofreading and editing correctly in the written, spoken, and visual form that
written work by correcting errors, refining fulfills the purpose and meets the needs of the
expression, and improving the clarity of the audience.
intended meaning.
X EES 2. Respond to written, spoken, or visual
CLO2 Revise spelling, grammar, mechanics, and messages in a manner that ensures effective
syntax in students' writing to enhance clarity of communication.
written work.
EES 3. Execute mathematical operations accurately.
CLO3 Analyze the form and content of published
writing to enhance writing organization and EES 4. Apply a systematic approach to solve
reading comprehension skills. problems.
CLO4 Compose correct and clear sentences in unified EES 5. Use a variety of thinking skills to anticipate
and well-organized written work for an intended and solve problems.
purpose and audience.
X EES 6. Locate, select, organize, and document
information using appropriate technology and
information systems.
Total 100%
Notes:
1. The Peer Scholar Activity (worth 5%) must be completed in its entirety for the student to submit his/her Writing
Evaluation Assignment (worth 15%) for evaluation. As such, a student who does not complete the Peer Scholar
Activity will not be permitted to submit his/her Writing Evaluation Assignment for grading.
2. All assignments, quizzes, and tests are to be completed independently. As such, there are no group or paired
assignments/assessments.
3. All evaluations must be completed, in full, in order to demonstrate the learning outcomes and receive a credit for
this course.
4. Assignments are to be submitted electronically on the due date unless otherwise directed by the professor.
Assignments must be submitted in accessible files that can be opened and read; as such, Google docs, .jpg,
and web addresses (.html) etc. are not acceptable forms for assignment submission and will result in a mark of
"0". For online submission, please refer to the assignment due date posted under the "Activities" tab under
"Assignments".
5. A detailed document outlining expectations and evaluation criteria will be distributed for the Writing Evaluation
Assignment.
6. In-class activities occur in the classroom and will only be given once. They cannot be made up or
supplemented. Any missed in-class activities will be assigned a mark of "0". (Not applicable to online
***Any questions about technical requirements / issues should be directed to the respective professor as soon
as possible***
2. Norton, Sarah, Brian Green, Nell Waldman. Workbook for the Bare Essentials. Ninth Edition. U.S.A.: Nelson
Education Limited, 2016. ISBN 9780176725051
3. TECHNOLOGY REQUIREMENTS:
- Webcam
- Microphone
- Microsoft Word (Microsoft Word for Mac)
- Adobe (free download)
- Skype (free download)
IN-CLASS EXPECTATIONS
CELL PHONES/ELECTRONIC DEVICES: Electronic communication devices will be turned off and not used in the
classroom unless part of the objectives or learning activities of a course or lesson. Students who disrupt a class to the
detriment of the other members of the class will be asked to leave.
ATTENDANCE: Attendance is closely linked to student success. Regular attendance is strongly encouraged as it
has been shown to be the best predictor of student success. This course is designed to build on skills previously
learned and applied in class. A student missing topics will be less able to complete subsequent assignments. If a
student is absent from class, it is their responsibility to learn what was missed prior to the next class.
It is the student's responsibility to attend all classes, labs, evaluations etc. In the event that the student cannot fulfill
this obligation, it is the student's responsibility to notify the faculty, as required. The faculty may require
documentation to substantiate an absence. Each student is responsible for any missed materials and instruction as a
result of the absence. In addition, it is the student's responsibility to complete all assignments and to be aware of
announcements made. It is the student's responsibility to arrive early, review notes, readings, and other requirements
prior to class.
This course has been developed to enhance skills that students need to be successful in college and the workplace,
and as such, some of the writing assignments have been designed to take place in the classroom with peer and
faculty support. Students should ensure that they are available in class to complete required work. Attendance must
be regular. It is critical to successful completion of the course. Information is supplied during class hours via lectures
and hands-on practical application of new procedures. It is impossible to makeup the experience of a class critiquing
session or environment.
LATE ARRIVAL: Faculty recognize that there may be legitimate reasons for late arrivals. If you arrive late for class,
please enter the classroom as quietly as possible and/or wait until there is a formal break in the class to minimize
disruption to students who arrived on time. If you disturb the class upon your arrival, you will be asked to leave the
class. If you arrive late on a regular basis and disturb a class already in progress, the faculty has the right to prohibit
entry to the classroom until a suitable break occurs.
During classes in which a guest speaker is scheduled or when student peers are making a presentation, late arrival
may not be permitted. (Special circumstances may be presented to the faculty in advance of the class for
consideration). Students who arrive late on the day of a test will not be given any additional time to complete the test.
No late arrivals will be permitted after the first 20 minutes of the test start time.
MISSED CLASS: A student who misses class time is responsible for catching up on missed work. This is not the
instructor's responsibility. Waiting until the next class to discover what was missed (such as in-class assignments) is
not wise.
To be consistent with workplace practices, students are expected to contact their professor by email or phone prior to
the scheduled class time they are unable to attend class.
DISRUPTIONS: Any disruptive behaviour in the classroom may result in the student(s) being asked to leave.
Students causing disturbances or creating noise, including talking and ambient noise from headphones, will be cited
and face disciplinary actions, according to the Policies and Procedures outlined in the Student Handbook.
For the online course, accessing the online course content and resources regularly is expected and necessary for the
successful completion of this course. This course should be approached like any other course, meaning that students
must plan for, and commit time to lectures/online activities, as well as time for practicing concepts, completing online
assignments, and studying for the formal evaluations.
The course is administered using the college learning management system called 'DC Connect'. Therefore, it is critical
that students familiarize themselves with access to, and all the features of, DC Connect as soon as possible at the
beginning of the course.
A number of tasks will be assigned throughout the semester such as quizzes, discussion posts, and assignments.
There are no make-up opportunities for these activities if the due dates are missed. It is suggested that students log in
every Monday or Tuesday to begin each week's tasks. Unless otherwise noted, activities/assignments are due by
11:59 p.m. on the Sunday of the week indicated in the Learning Plan.
Should a student have a login and/or performance issue with DC Connect/MyCampus, it is his/her responsibility to
report the issue(s) to the IT Help Desk by calling 905-721-3333 or visiting the Computer Commons room.
It is the student's responsibility to keep the faculty informed about any circumstances which may be interfering with
the student's success in the course. The faculty cannot provide support and assistance if they are not aware that a
problem exists.
If a student has a concern about an individual course, the first line of solution should be a discussion with his/her
faculty. If the issue cannot be solved through collaboration, the student is advised to make an appointment with the
Student Advisor of the School of Interdisciplinary Studies.
RESPECT: Students must conduct themselves with consideration for their classmates, inside and outside scheduled
class hours. All students are entitled to enjoy a quiet working environment free of careless distractions and
disturbances.
WRITTEN ASSIGNMENTS: All written papers are to be submitted to the faculty through the college learning
management system (DC Connect) by the specified date and time. Unless otherwise directed by the faculty,
submissions made by other means (including, but not limited to e-mail or hard copy) will not be accepted and will result
in a "0" grade for the assignment.
Late assignments:
- Late Assignment: This is an assignment that has been submitted late, and there has not been a written contractual
agreement between the student and the faculty to extend the time for the assignment to be submitted. This
assignment is considered late and will be assigned a grade of "0".
- Negotiated Late Assignment: Faculty are under no obligation to accept or negotiate a late assignment.
A negotiated late assignment is an assignment that has been submitted late with the written permission of the faculty.
It is the responsibility of the student to request permission to negotiate a late assignment no later than 48 hours prior to
the submission date.
If the faculty has granted permission to the student to negotiate a late assignment, the faculty and student will have
mutually agreed on the time/extension that the student will receive to submit the assignment. The negotiated due date
cannot extend more than 3 days past the original due date of the assignment. At a minimum, the student's grade will
be penalized at the rate of 10% per day (including the due date of assignment) for each extra negotiated day (including
weekends). For example, if a late assignment received one day late earned a mark of 8/10, the student's recorded
mark will be 7.2/10 (10 percent of 8 is 0.8)
- Extenuating Circumstances: The faculty may consider individually (rare extenuating circumstances) that which could
possibly cause an assignment to be late. The student must provide appropriate documentation (e.g. note from doctor,
dentist, lawyer, etc.) within 24 hours of the missed due date to validate the absence and secure permission for the
assignment to be submitted at a later time and/or date. A mark of zero (0) will be entered as a grade until the
appropriate documentation is presented and accepted by the faculty.
IN-CLASS TEST EXPECTATIONS AND PROCEDURES - Test writing is taken seriously and is conducted under
structured circumstances. In an attempt to ensure academic integrity, the following procedures will be followed for all
tests and exams:
1. Check the test time carefully. Ensure awareness of the time and place that the test is being written. No time
extensions will be granted for late arrivals. No late arrivals will be permitted after the first 20 minutes of the test start
time.
2. Students who have been identified by the Access and Support Centre (ASC) as having special requirements will
write tests and exams commencing at the scheduled time in the Test Centre or other location as determined by ASC.
It is the student's responsibility to make appropriate arrangements and communicate them to the faculty.
3. Keep only erasers, pens, pencils, and tissues on the desk. All other materials and personal possessions brought to
class must be removed from the desk and placed under the student's chair. This includes, but is not limited to,
4. Students are expected to follow testing instructions as given by the faculty. Further, students should be respectful
of the testing environment and of their peers also writing the test.
MISSED TEST: Students are expected to write all tests during the scheduled times. Should this not be possible, the
student must notify the faculty within 24 hours of the scheduled test time. Voicemail messages and email messages
are acceptable forms of notification if you are unable to speak with the faculty.
Failure to contact faculty will result in a mark of "0" for the missed test. The opportunity to write a missed test is
discretionary and may be granted based on meeting the following criteria:
EXTRA ASSIGNMENTS: Students will not be allowed to do extra assignments to bring up their mark at the end of
term. Students must complete and hand in term work as it is assigned.
CONTENT: Material produced in or for class must be in good taste and mature in nature.
ORIGINAL WORK: All material produced in or for class (whether text, image, or digital) must be original or correctly
cited. Plagiarism is a form of stealing. It includes, but is not limited to, failure to indicate the ideas, data, graphic
elements, or language of another without specific and proper acknowledgment. Students who plagiarize, or cheat in
any way, will be cited and face disciplinary actions according to Durham College's Academic Integrity Policy (ACAD -
101).
Please make note that plagiarism includes taking the work of another student (or work downloaded from the internet)
and submitting it as your own, even if you 'tweak' it. Giving your work to another student to submit, even if the other
student 'tweaks' it, is also plagiarism. Plagiarism also includes submitting work that you have done previously from
another course. If you are unclear on what constitutes 'reference material', please discuss it with your faculty.
BACKING UP COURSE WORK: Students are responsible for ensuring their work is being backed up on a regular
basis.
SHARING/LENDING WORK: Do not lend your storage device or hard copy of assignments to other students.
Consulting with a classmate during regular class activities (not during a test) is equivalent to consulting with a
colleague in the workplace and is quite appropriate. Be sure you are clear on the difference between "consulting" and
"copying" or "sharing" work. Academic dishonesty is considered to be a serious offence at Durham College. Penalties
and consequences are outlined in the College Academic Integrity Policies.
ACADEMIC ASSISTANCE: Students are encouraged to discuss academic concerns with the faculty. Additional help
from the faculty is available (by appointment) outside of class time for individuals or groups on an as-needed basis.
Academic issues that can affect a student's success (i.e. course selection, success strategies) may also be
discussed with the Student Advisor in the School of Interdisciplinary Studies (Room SW216).
CAMPUS MEDIATION SERVICES: This program specifically endorses and will use, where appropriate, Campus
Mediation Services (CMS). For details regarding the policy for CMS, please refer to the School of Justice and
Emergency Services at mediation@dc-uoit.ca. This program specifically acknowledges pluralism and that through
distinctions, in race, creed, ability, place of origin and/or sexual orientation, there are many ways of making meaning in
this world. This program specifically endorses, where possible, the use of readings, discussions and case studies that
enable students to adapt to differences with real empathy, recognize the legitimacy of those differences and develop
tolerance and support for new concepts of compatibility.
STUDENT ACADEMIC LEARNING SERVICES: Student Academic Learning Services (SALS) provides academic
skills instruction and tutoring for students wishing to improve their academic success. Services offered to students
include the following:
- one-to-one appointments
- academic clinics and workshops held monthly, per semester and/or at a professor's or student's request
- subject specific supports in a variety of disciplines
- college peer tutoring program
- drop-in assistance, when schedules permit
- software tutorials in the subject areas of math, English, and science
- links to online academic resources
Please note the following: The learning plan below is the same for both in-class and online COMM 1715. However,
the method of delivery is different.
4. Course outlines should be retained for future needs (i.e. university credits, transfer of credits etc.)
Students will be notified in writing of changes that involve the addition or deletion of learning outcomes or
evaluations, prior to changes being implemented, as specified in the Course Outline Policy and Procedure at
Durham College.
DC Connect
Evaluation Weighting
Online Activity: Completion of Grammar Exercises and/or participation 10%
in weekly online discussions
Analyze the form and content of published works for reading comprehension
Evaluation Weighting
Quiz: Grammar Quizzes 10%
Analyze the form and content of published works for reading comprehension
Evaluation
Analyze the form and content of published works for reading comprehension
Evaluation Weighting
Assignment: Proofreading and Editing Assignments (#s 1, 2, 3, & 4) 5%
(each assignment is worth 5%--the top 3 highest marks earned are
included in the final grade)
Analyze the form and content of published works for reading comprehension
Evaluation Weighting
Test: Reading Comprehension I (Week 5) 7.5%
Analyze the form and content of published works for reading comprehension
Evaluation Weighting
Assignment: Proofreading and Editing Assignments (#s 1, 2, 3, & 4) 5%
(each assignment is worth 5%--the top 3 highest marks earned are
included in the final grade)
Evaluation Weighting
Test: Test 1 (Week 7) 15%
Analyze the form and content of published works for reading comprehension
Analyze and provide feedback on peer writing using the Peer Scholar tool
Evaluation
Analyze the form and content of published works for reading comprehension
Analyze and provide feedback on peer writing using the Peer Scholar tool
Evaluation
Analyze the form and content of published works for reading comprehension
Analyze and provide feedback on peer writing using the Peer Scholar tool
Evaluation Weighting
Assignment: Proofreading and Editing Assignments (#s 1, 2, 3, & 4) 5%
(each assignment is worth 5%--the top 3 highest marks earned are
included in the final grade)
Analyze the form and content of published works for reading comprehension.
Evaluation Weighting
Test: Reading Comprehension II 7.5%
(Week 11)
Evaluation Weighting
Assignment: Writing Evaluation Assignment 20%
Evaluation Weighting
Assignment: Proofreading and Editing Assignments (#s 1, 2, 3, & 4) 5%
(each assignment is worth 5%--the top 3 highest marks earned are
included in the final grade)
Evaluation Weighting
Test: Test 2 (Week 14) 15%