COMM 1100 - Mike Hester

Contact Information

Mike Hester
University of West Georgia
1601 Maple Street
Carrollton, GA 30118
Phone Number: 678-839-6636
E-mail address: mhester@westga.edu

Office hours:
Office hours are posted inside the course. During office hours you can find me in the course Chat room "General Chat for COMM 1100." You can also reach me during office hours at the above phone number.

NOTICE: Please use the internal Vista course e-mail for general correspondence. I provide my external e-mail address for emergencies only. I cannot answer questions, accept assignments, or discuss grades via external e-mail so please use it for emergencies only.

Course Description

Description: 
Communication is essential to our very selves. How we communicate can shape who we are and how we view the world in which we live. COMM 1100, Human Communication, is aimed at teaching you to communicate more effectively in interpersonal relationships, small groups, and in the public speaking realm. Emphasis will be placed on the theoretical principles integral to any discussion of communication as well as ethics, diversity, anxiety and listening skills as they relate to communication. It will also discuss how to be more marketable in the work force. The goal of this course is to enable you to become a more competent, confident communicator.

Structure: 
The course is broken down into an orientation unit and five other units. The units are further divided into lessons. Within each lesson, you will find an overview and several topics. Each topic will contain an introduction, a reading assignment, content pages, and a self-test. The lesson ends with a summary, a discussion assignment, and a quiz.

In addition to the weekly quizzes, there will be a proctored final exam. Each Unit will have a unit assignment associated with it. These are designed to be fun ways for you to demonstrate what you have learned.

When you log into the course for the first time, you may not see the six units. To keep the course on pace and to keep students focused on the topic at hand, the instructor may release the material to you by unit.

Course Textbooks

Textbook Information:

eCore Course Textbook Listing
eCore MBS Direct Online Bookstore

Planet eCore Blog (Social Media Hub):
Visit the Planet eCore Blog to network with other students, trade books and materials. Follow us on Facebook, Twitter, and YouTube!

Grading Policy

You will be graded on the following:
1. Weekly Quizzes ....10%
2. Final Exam ............15%
3. Participation ..........25%
4. Unit Assignments ...50%
- Introductory Speech 
- Homepage 
- Group Discussion 
- Film Analysis 
- Group Interaction or Interview 
- Public Speech

Grades are assigned according to the following scale:

The Grade of "I" (Incomplete): The grade of "I" is given only to students whose completed coursework has been qualitatively satisfactory but who have been unable to complete all course requirements because of illness or other extenuating circumstances beyond their control. The instructor retains the right to make the final decision on granting a student's request for an "I".

If you are a student whom is disabled as defined under the Americans with Disabilities Act and requires assistance or support services, please notify your instructor.

Also, students with disabilities or who require special testing accommodations should contact the Testing Coordinator before scheduling an exam appointment. In order to receive special accommodations, students must provide documentation from the disabilities center at their affiliate institution or from the Regents Center for Learning Disorders.

Testing Coordinator: etesting@westga.edu / 678-839-5300

Proctored Exam

Proctored exams are online exams taken at approved testing centers. Students enrolled in eCore courses take at least one proctored examination per course.
Log into the course to see whether the Midterm Exam, Final Exam or Both will be proctored. You are responsible for scheduling and completing your exam(s) by the deadlines.  Deadlines are provided on the eCore Calendar at http://ecore.usg.edu/courses/calendar.php.

FOLLOW THESE GUIDELINES

1. Schedule an exam time and date with the approved test site of your choice (http://ecore.usg.edu/exams/sites.php) before the deadline.
1. Take note of:
1. Name of Testing Site where you will take the exam
2. Testing Site contact person
3. Phone and email address of Testing Site contact person
2. Be advised and aware of the services that the center provides. Not all testing centers are equipped to proctor online/computer-based tests.
2. Fill out and submit the eCore Exam Request form (http://ecore.usg.edu/exams/schedule_exam.php) before the deadline in order for the eCore Testing Coordinator to send information about your exam to your actual Testing Site. YOU MUST SCHEDULE YOUR EXAM WITH THE TESTING SITE PRIOR TO FILLING OUT THE EXAM REQUEST FORM for eCore. A late fee of $15 will be charged if you fill out the request form after the deadline.
3. Print the confirmation of your request form and take it with you to the Testing Site along with your photo ID (Driver’s License or School ID) and testing/proctor fee as indicated by the Testing Site. A staff member at the Testing Site, also known as a Proctor, will check your identification and administer the exam according to the directions provided by your instructor.

Failure to take a proctored examination will result in failure of the course, regardless of the average of other grades.

Technical Requirements

Having a correctly configured computer will help ensure your success in eCore. Check the information at http://ecore.usg.edu/prospective/techreqs.php to be sure that your computer meets all the necessary technical requirements for hardware and software. Links to the plug-ins (special free software) that you will need are provided.

Technical Assistance

For technical assistance contact the 24/hour helpline at http://help8.view.usg.edu (click on Request Support tab for the toll free # and live chat support).

In addition please contact your home institution eCore advisor or the University of West Georgia helpdesk at 678-839-5300.