Department Policies

Students and faculty in the Department of Communication Studies enjoy close working relationships, and take great pride in the quality of their scholarship. In order to fulfill such a high level of accomplishment it is important to maintain particular requirements and policies.

Guidelines for 

• In-class Participation
  
  
• Written Assignments
  
  
• Group Projects
  
  
• Presentations
  
  
• Attendance
  
  
  

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Expectations for In-Class Participation  

Communication Studies courses demand a high level of engagement and interaction in the classroom. Professors strive to infuse class sessions with critical and lively conversation. Thus, class-work is driven by what students bring with them    their experiences, perspectives, reflective responses, and so on.

To make Communication Studies courses "your own"    and to practice effective communication behaviors    it is important to follow these basic guidelines:

• Complete all assigned readings carefully, being sure to think about material in "real life" terms. Come to class prepared with questions, insights and examples.
• Arrive at each class session on time. Late arrivals inhibit your own learning and disrupt the classroom environment. Persistent late arrivals result in grade penalties (Refer to the Department's formal attendance policy.)
• Communicate with the professor, inside and outside of class. Address potential absences before they happen, and, in the case of an absence, be sure to talk with the professor and classmates about missed content.
• Make sure that your cell phone is turned off and put away during class. This is a significant departmental rule that, when violated, incurs grade penalties.
• Engage fully in class discussions by raising questions and contributing insights. Participating relevantly in discussions does not mean speaking just for the sake of saying something. Instead, it means listening and building upon conversations in constructive ways. When speaking, direct comments and questions to all class members    not just to the professor.
• Respect others' rights to speak, and listen attentively.
• Use discretion and sensitivity when speaking. Respond appropriately to others' comments and questions.

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Guidelines for Written Work 

All Communication Studies courses require thorough, reflective and academically formal written papers. Professors provide specific requirements and points of advice for composing and submitting given assignments, but these policies are universal to all Communication Studies courses:

• Written assignments must be typed (usually double-spaced) and free of spelling and grammatical errors.
• Papers are typically required to be written in formal academic style. The Communication Studies discipline's standard style guide is The Publication Manual of the American Psychological Association (APA), 5 th edition, which is available in Sprague Library and the campus bookstore. This important resource provides guidelines for structuring papers, citing sources and composing reference lists, etc.
• All written assignments are due in class on or before their stated due-dates. Typically, late work is not acceptable for credit.
• Plagiarism    whether "patchwork" or "wholesale"    is a growing problem everywhere, due in part to the prevalence of electronic research tools such as the Internet. The act of submitting another's written work as one's own is an enormous ethical violation, and results in failure of the assignment and a formal report to the Dean of Students, who imposes specific disciplinary actions in line with Montclair State University's Code of Student Conduct

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Guidelines for Group Projects 

Communication Studies coursework often requires students to work collaboratively on projects. After all, how else can communication skills be practiced? When working in groups, keep in mind the following advice:

• Exchange names, telephone numbers and e-mail addresses with other group members to facilitate arrangement of meetings.
• Make use of electronic media such as instant messaging to conduct meetings when face-to-face gatherings are not feasible.
• Keep an accurate log of group meetings and attendance. Written records aid both the execution of group projects and the members' abilities for reflective learning.
• Promote equal contributions from all members. Ensure that the group environment is enjoyable, productive, motivational and conducive to engaged participation.
• Be prepared for group meetings by completing necessary individual work.
• Assign specific roles and responsibilities for group members early on in group projects.

 

Guidelines for Presentations 

 

Most Communication Studies courses feature some kind of personal or group presentation, in which students are expected to exhibit a high level of professionalism. The following tips and guidelines may be useful:

• Show up early for the presentation to ensure that AV equipment functions properly and to arrange the room if necessary.
• Adhere to specified time limits, for both the presentation and subsequent Q&A session. Time your rehearsals to hone the speech's content, spoken rate, etc.
• Speak extemporaneously    not from a script. Balance careful planning with conversational flexibility, so that you may respond to your audience appropriately.
• Wear appropriate attire that reflects the seriousness of the occasion. Always consult your professor to determine the degree of formality required. Never wear hats. Never wear clothing with irrelevant brand logos, slogans, etc.
• As an audience member, listen carefully and critically in order to pose appropriate questions and provide specific and constructive feedback.

• In group presentations, ensure that all members contribute equally, in both the preparation and execution. Demonstrate group cohesion.

 

 

Department Attendance Policy 

 

Given the student-driven nature of Communication Studies classrooms and the general necessity of in-class presence for effective learning, the Department of Communication Studies maintains a formal attendance policy, which is applied equally by all professors.

The Department of Communication Studies attendance policy addresses the following:

Permitted Number of Absences :

• Students are allowed to miss the equivalent of one week of classes without penalty. Each absence beyond the permitted number incurs a grade penalty.

Penalties in twice-a-week courses :

• A third absence results in a 5% course grade deduction.
• A fourth absence results in a 10% grade deduction.
• A fifth absence results in automatic course failure.

Penalties in once-a-week courses:

• A second absence results in a 10% course grade deduction.
• A third absence results in automatic course failure.

Late arrivals :

• Be aware that three late arrivals to class equal one absence, so timely arrival is very important.

"Excused" absences:

• The attendance policy makes no distinction between "excused" and "unexcused" absences. For this reason, it is important to reserve permitted absences for true emergencies should they arise.

Extraordinary circumstances :

• In cases of extended illness or difficult life-events, the Department of Communication Studies urges students to withdraw from courses so that they may focus their immediate attention on their personal well-being. Doing so will ensure that coursework is conducted at a time when full attention may be devoted to the learning experience.