Cmty Dev & Apld Econ: Fund of Public Communication

Provides the foundation for understanding communication components, processes, contexts, and applications and introduces research and theory through critique and case study.

Open to Degree and PACE students

Course Description The words "communication" and "community" share the same Latin root, communis, which means something in common. Well-trained communicators are essential to healthy, vibrant, democratic, and just communities. This course is an introductory survey of the theories, practices, and professional applications associated with public communication. As such, it places equal emphasis on theory and application. Like introduction to communication courses at most universities, this course aims to increase your general communication competences. CDAE’s PCOM major is unique though. This course (and major) aims to help students develop the basic PCOM skills and sensibilities needed to be relevant, responsible, and creative communicators in their communities. We will focus on questions like: Who is my public? What do they want? How can I use communication to engage with, participate in, or serve this public’s best interest? How can I use communication to identify, interpret and critique public messages? Specifically, this course explores communication theories and skills related to interpersonal, small group, organizational, intercultural, workplace, nonprofit, mediated, and strategic interactions. Successful completion of this course will serve as a foundation for students interested in advanced studies in PCOM or as a helpful primer for the types of issues and experiences CENT, CCD, and CID students will encounter in their coursework. Course Outcomes This course was designed to prepare students to navigate diverse communication scenarios with skill, awareness, and ethical responsibility. By the end of this course, students should develop the following communication competencies: : 1. Theoretical Understanding and Application o Ability to define and explain communication theories. o Skill in applying theories to create responsible, creative, and relevant messages. o Understanding the role of communication in supporting ethical and sustainable practices. 2. Communication Skills for Personal, Civic, Academic, and Professional Settings o Development of communication skills for effective personal, civic, academic, and professional engagement in a variety of contexts and using different channels. o Demonstrate effective skills for small group work and oral presentation skills. o Awareness of how communication competence strengthens relationships and professional roles. o Engagement in meaningful collaboration, discussion, and self-expression in diverse contexts. 3. Analytical and Critical Thinking o Proficiency in identifying real-world applications of communication concepts. o Proficiency in finding and analyzing the credibility and usefulness of real-world messages. o Capacity to assess the ethical implications of communication on communities and professionals. 4. Cultural and Identity Awareness o Awareness of how communication intersects with identity. o Ability describes the reciprocal relationship between lived experience and communication. o Storytelling and listening skills to share our unique identity and learn from others. 5. Professional Communication Skills o Understanding the specific communication needs in PCOM, CENT, CCD, and CID careers. o Skills in identifying needs and opportunities to develop communication skills to enhance career readiness. 6. Inclusivity and Engagement o Skills in fostering inclusive and respectful communication environments. o Willingness to share perspectives to enrich collective learning and build community within the classroom. 7. UVM Campus Engagement and Relationship Building o Increased awareness of campus and community services and opportunities for engagement. o Skills needed to build personal and professional relationships on UVM’s campus. Catamount Core Designation: Global Citizenship: Developing Global Citizens (GC2) GC2 courses develop skills necessary to participate effectively as a citizen in local communities and the world at large. To be effective and responsible members of a diverse and interconnected global community, students need to be able to communicate across cultural boundaries, to think deeply and creatively about shared responsibilities and injustices, and to collaboratively effect change. This course focuses on civic engagement as a core skill.

Attendance. Submit weekly quizzes on time. 3 weeks of small group work outside of class.

Course Grades: You can track your progress on our course website. Please review your progress in the course regularly. Each student will complete the following assignments for points: Entry Quizzes • 13 quizzes worth 10-points each 130-points total Submit in Brightspace Quiz tools. “PCOM Can…” Group Presentations • Individual Planning Form 5-points Bring to first group meeting. Save and submit on speech day. • Group Planning Form & Instructor Meeting 5-points Bring to instructor meeting. • Oral Presentation 100-points Perform and submit on speech day. • Typed Speech Description and Reference Page. 10-points Submit in Brightspace Assignment. • Team Member Evaluation Survey 10-points Submit in Brightspace Assignment Tool. In-Class Participation • Mid-Term and Final Grade based on randomly selected in-class activities. 30-points total Submit in class most days. Weekly PCOM Connection Assignments **OPTIONAL** Up to 1-point Extra Credit most weeks. Submit in Brightspace Modules . Total points 290-points possible in our class. Entry Quizzes: Weekly online quizzes based on concepts covered in the textbook and any additional materials assigned in the module (videos, articles, etc). These quizzes assess your readiness for applied activities and discussions in class. Quiz Goal • These quizzes evaluate your preparedness for class discussions and hands-on activities. They also help ensure accountability for completing the readings, which are designed to support your development as a communicator. Quiz Process • Quizzes will be posted weekly in the course modules. • Be sure to keep your browser active to avoid being logged out. • The quizzes will include various types of questions. Be prepared to think critically about course concepts and their applications, not just look for vocabulary. • When you start a quiz, you will see all the questions at once. • You will have 3 opportunities to complete the quizzes. After each attempt, you will see which questions you got wrong (without the answers). You will only retake the questions you missed. Your final score will be the total number of points you earn across all attempts. o Retakes are offered because I recognize that we are all continuously learning and growing. We all need multiple chances sometimes. o However, try to do your best the first time. If you don’t, you’ll have to spend extra time on retakes while keeping up with other assignments in this and other courses. If you didn’t do your best initially, I encourage you to take advantage of the retake opportunity. o Your highest score will be recorded in the gradebook. "Public Communication Can..." Presentation. Groups will demonstrate an ability to apply and think critically about course concepts by identifying how one communication concept in their assigned chapter has been used to address a public issue. Peers will submit feedback on the presentation and discussion. In addition to learning about real-world organizations using PCOM, this assignment is intended to help students build relationships with other UVM students. In-Class Participation. Evidence of your engagement with class discussion and activities will be collected daily. Be sure to complete and submit them in class when promoted. You cannot submit outside of class time without a formal excused absence from the dean’s office. We will randomly select days to enter for your grade. PCOM Connection Assignments. This is an OPTIONAL weekly activity that students can complete for EXTRA CREDIT. Students will demonstrate an “above and beyond” engagement by writing short responses that connect course concepts to their personal experiences, opinions, and goals. These assignments also give students and teachers an extra opportunity to connect to each other. If desired, you can edit your responses and resubmit them until grades are given. Editing a response will allow you to change content based on continued reflection without the professor seeing past responses. PCOM Connection assignments will be posted in weekly modules. PCOM Connections are the only extra credit offered this semester.