Reference:COM 103
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COMMUNICATION 103
Communication 103 is required for almost everyone. It is oral communication. There are only two speeches that affect the Library. Plus there is the library assignment.
INFORMATIVE SPEECH - usually MULTICULTURAL (various definitions depending on instructor) Evidence includes the following: Factual illustration Specific instance Statistic (needs to be put in context). Expert testimony
PERSUASIVE SPEECH (If informative speech is not multicultural, then this will be). Visual aids can be used for any speech but are often required for at least one.
SOURCES Number of sources and date restrictions vary. Some instructors require a variety such as a book, newspaper, journal Internet sources - sometimes one is ok; sometimes required; sometimes none are allowed. Many sources are helpful since topics vary so much.
Most commonly used are Opposing Viewpoints series; CQ Researcher; Statistical Abstract; reference books on cultures (we have many, mostly in the GNs).
For multicultural - useful subject headings are "[group] in the United States;" [group as adjective] - Americans;" "[country or ethnic group] - Social Life and Customs." Travel guides are often helpful. Statistics can often be found in the articles.
Problem areas: Topics chosen (most instructors must approve) - Some do not lend themselves easily to statistics. Students need to be flexible. Some teachers (although discouraged by the professor in charge and the lead TA) insist on getting hard copy and do not distinguish Internet from databases.
UPDATE FEBRUARY 2003
Communication Journal Assignment
- Look up a communication issue in a communication journal - what the assignment actually says. They have three choices: Pick from the list of journals which is in their book - look up the call number and browse it.
- Go to general section for Comm journals, which is P 87 and P 90 (there are exceptions but this is the main area) and browse. (Other call number areas to look at are P 86, P 87, P 90, and PN). Look up a communication issue in a database and find it in comm journals - to be sure they are getting only comm journals, they should use CommAbstracts. Unless the student really wants to do this, I do NOT recommend this approach.
- Look up the topic for their speech. IF comm journal does not fit topic, then find it in any scholarly journal. Using Ebsco and Proquest works good here but remember that most of the instructors want them to find a physical copy (I explained to the lead TA about this problem, pointing out among other things, we are canceling some print if in electronic). This is no different than finding a scholarly article on their topic except they should probably first attempt to find it in a comm journal and if there is a choice, opt for that.
- Find topic for their speech in a communication journal. This is the most difficult because most topics do not lend themselves to communication journals. If student and you are getting frustrated, tell them to ask their instructor (many are reluctant to do so however) which they prefer - a communication journal not on topic or any scholarly journal on topic.
A variation is that some instructors are allowing them to broaden their topic as necessary in order to find something in a communication journal. So say the issue is paying college football players. They can broaden it to college football, or even college athletics or even amateur athletics - anything close enough as long as it is in a communication journal.
These communication journals will mostly be located in the Current Periodical Room and in the Bound Periodical Section on the First Floor of Love Library, under the following call numbers:
PN 4071
P 87
Also, they have a tutoring lab for their students which they highly recommend we send students with speech topic problems. Their hours are limited but here's the phone number: x44194.
Also see http://infodome.sdsu.edu/research/guides/class/comm103.shtml and Communication
CD
4/04
