Group Work

As communication majors, group work is an essential part of your learning experience both in and out of the classroom. Although group work requires coordination and planning group work can be a thoroughly pleasant educational format when group members make substantial and equitable contributions to the group process. Group members are expected to:

1. Exchange names, telephone numbers, and e-mail addresses with other group members to facilitate meetings.
2. Communicate openly and effectively with each other.
3. Take active and functional roles during group meetings.
4. Assign roles to group members (when appropriate) early in the group process.
5. Be prepared for group meetings by doing any necessary individual work.
6. Do not allow ³free riders² or expect others to do your own work.
7. Deal with conflict quickly and in a positive, productive manner.
8. Be prepared to work outside of class in addition to in-class group time.
9. Keep an accurate log of group meetings and take attendance.

Presentations

Students should exhibit a high level of professionalism and preparation in individual and group presentations. Presenters are expected to:

1. Show up early for presentations in order to assure that AV equipment functions properly and to arrange the physical space for the presentation.
2. Adhere to the time limits specified for presentations and any subsequent ques¬tions. A dress rehearsal is necessary for timing your presentation.
3. Thoroughly prepare for extemporaneous deliveries during all presentations. Read¬ing to your audience is not an acceptable delivery style for communication majors.
4. Wear appropriate attire that reflects the seriousness of the occasion. Always consult your professor to determine the degree of formality required.
5. Cohesive group presentations with full participation and equal coverage by each member are expected.

Writing Skills

Effective writing is one of the areas of human endeavor where virtuosity is nearly non-existent. Everyone has heard of child protégés who possess amazing mathematical, artistic, scientific, and musical skills. However, unheard of are people born with knowledge of history, philosophy, literature, communication, or rhetoric. Writing is an art that must be developed and honed. None of you are "great" writers yet. That is why you are here.

Almost everyone, even professors, needs assistance with their writing in order to rise to their fullest potential. For this reason, you should take advantage of every opportunity to improve your writing. When your professors offer to read early drafts of your work, take advantage of the opportunity!

Written Assignments

You are expected to submit written assignments on time. If you are unable to submit an assignment on time, be sure to notify your professors ahead of time and discuss alternatives, if any exist. No professor is obligated to allow you to turn in your work late. Do not assume that you have the option to turn in your work late.

• All assignments should be neatly typed, free of spelling and grammatical errors, carefully proofread, and adhere to the highest standard of professionalism and ethics, particularly concerning issues of plagiarism.
• All sources must be carefully documented according to the APA Style Manual for essays, and AP style for news releases, etc.

Note: Only sources cited in the body of your text belong in the bibliography section of your papers. Do not cite sources that do not appear in the body of your texts.

Active Learning

You should approach your learning actively. Provide your professors with feedback regarding the course. Do not allow personal problems to fester or to hinder your learning. Discussions that are critical of courses or professors should, of course, take place privately, during office hours, and not in the classroom.

Professionalism

Webster's dictionary defines a professional as: (1) characterized by or conforming to the technical or ethical standards of a profession; (2) exhibiting a courteous, conscientious, and generally businesslike manner in the workplace.

Regularly missing class (or work), or coming late, is clearly unprofessional. Furthermore, merely coming to class every day, getting passing grades, and ³occasionally² saying something in class is not the mark of a professional either. People who simply show up to work, do their jobs, and collect their paychecks (or grades), are not ³professionals,² they are ³employees² (or students).

Demonstration of the ³conscientiousness² mentioned by Webster is accomplished by being prepared to discuss classroom issues, doing your reading, and making an effort to understand class readings and materials, and showing a focused and respectful attitude toward your peers, the teacher, and any guests.

Effective interpersonal communication is one of the hallmarks of ³professional² communicators. Communication is an ³audience oriented² discipline. Arguing about grades, policies, or procedures, in class (or anywhere else), or trying to get out of doing your work, are not example of professionalism. Instead, professionalism involves being genuinely interested in how to improve professionally and making an effort to do the best work possible.

Grades

If you wish to contest a grade, please do so in writing (typed). Using Memo form, explain why you think you deserve a higher grade. Poor arguments: ³My roommate, who is an English major, read my essay and said that it was an A²; ³My friend and I worked together on this and she got a higher gradeŠ²; ³I have never received a grade this low beforeŠ²; ³I worked really hard on thisŠ²; ³I came to see you three times and only received a.Š²

Effective arguments: ³Based on the assignment criteria (length, material covered, sources, etc.) I believe that I exceeded the assignment criteria in the following waysŠ²; ³In our meeting in your office you explained that I should do the followingŠI did each of those things as you can see from the highlighted paper, attachedŠ²; ³In the textbook it was explained thatŠyou said that 'we should consult the textbook for more informationŠmy assignment followed those suggestions by doing.Š² These are all examples of ³reasonable² arguments not based on ³but I worked hardŠ² etc. Note: simply ³meeting assignment criteria² only earns you a C.

Writing Across the Curriculum

Effective writing is one of the special areas of human endeavor where virtuosity is nearly non-existent. That is, all of us have heard of child proteges who possess preternatural skills at mathematics, art, science, gaming, etc. However, more rare and nearly unheard of are those individuals who, from an early age, possess voluminous knowledge of history, philosophy, literature, or rhetorical eloquence. Writing is an art that must be developed and honed with time. I expect very few of you to be "great" writers yet—but you're here to learn. Fredonia College recognizes this and that many—perhaps most of you— need assistance with your writing to rise to your fullest potential. For this reason, I encourage all of you to utilize the Writing Center throughout your academic careers and to see me with draft copies of your work for review and comment. I am more than happy to work with you to make you an excellent writer. However, you must be proactive and come and see me. I will not force you to work with me, but I will be happy to help if you seek me out.

Notes on Writing and Written Assignments

Rewrites: For all rewrites, including rewrites of assignment involving multiple drafts, you must turn in all past drafts with you most current draft. Staple everything together with the most recent work on the top. Work will not be evaluated without previous drafts, or until previous drafts are submitted.

Paper Sources: For all written work submitted for a grade, you must include copies of all book/journal/web sources cited in your work. Copies of title pages and pages cited are sufficient for book and journal articles. For Web sites, include the home page of the site visited and copies of the individual link pages used in quotes or to support points.

Note Carefully: Only sources cited in the body of your text belong in the bibliography/notes section of your paper. Do not cite sources not appearing in your text, and do not bother to submit information about these sources to me when you submit your work.