COMM 321 - Introduction to Communication Theory - is a course that focuses on the nature of communication and theories that seek to explain communication phenomena.  The course features theories that can help us understand, explain, and predict communication behavior.  By understanding a variety of theoretical explanations of communication, we can better analyze communication situations and engage those situations as competent communicators.

Exams.  There are two exams, both feature essay questions.

Papers.  You will write four: a communication story paper and three communication event analysis papers.

Submitting papers.  You can submit papers in the following ways:

• By email as a Microsoft Word attached file or a WordPerfect attached file to gwalker@orst.edu.
• By FAX to 541-737-4443.
• By "snail" mail (the US Postal Service) to:

NOTE:  Please include a return mailing address on the papers and exams you submit.  I will return papers to you via email or surface mail.

Late assignments.  Papers should be turned in on time.  For each week (defined as ten minutes to seven days) a paper is late, it loses 10% of its worth.  Late papers cannot be rewritten.  I tend to apply very rigorous standards to extremely late papers.

Re-doing papers and exams.  As long as you turn in assignments on time, you can re-write papers and take a second, etc. version of an exam.

Incomplete Policy.  Take this course only if you plan to finish it in a timely manner (during this term).  I asign an "I" or incomplete only when there is a strong and compelling case for doing so (e.g., health reasons, military commitment).  I will not consider assigning an incomplete unless the individual has completed over 50% of the course tasks (e.g., the Communication Story paper, CEA papers 1 and 2, and the midterm).  Please note that students receiving incompletes are subject to assignment weight reduction (and consequently may not be eligible for A or A- grades) because some of their work will be submitted late.

INCOMPLETES MUST BE RESOLVED BY THE END OF THE SUBSEQUENT TERM.  IF THE WORK NEEDED TO MEET ALL COURSE REQUIREMENTS IS NOT RECEIVED BY THE LAST DAY OF REGULAR CLASSES OF THE SUBSEQUENT TERM, THE STUDENT MAY EARN AN "F" IN THE COURSE.