### COURSE SYLLABUS

**Quarter:** Fall, Winter, Spring, Summer **Instructor**: Judy D. Jaeger

**Course Title:** Effective Communications **Office Hours:** 1:30- 4:30
PM M-Th

**Course Number:** MSD 138 **Online Office Hours:** same

**Credit Hours**: 5 **Office Location:** A412 Macon Campus

**Class Location:** Online **E-Mail Address**:
<jjaeger@centralgatech.edu>

**Class Time:** at your convenience **Phone:** (478) 757-6688

**COURSE DESCRIPTION**: This course provides basic competencies that
Emergency Managers need in order to convey information to a broad
audience that includes public and private sector organizations, the
media, disaster victims, and co-responders. Even during non-emergency
situations, the Emergency Manager will need to rely on strong
communication skills to coordinate with staff and to promote safety
awareness. This course is designed to enhance the communication and
interpersonal skills of local Emergency Managers, Planners, and
responders.

**PREREQUISITE(S): MSD 124, MSD 127, ENG 191, SPC 191, Program
Admission**

**COREQUISITE(S): None**

**COURSE OBJECTIVES:**

Upon completion of this course, the student will be able to:

+-----------------------------------------------------------------------+
| 1.  Identify and describe the basic communication process.            |
|                                                                       |
| 2.  Appreciate the value of empathic listening and effective          |
|     feedback.                                                         |
|                                                                       |
| 3.  Understand how emergency communications differ from daily         |
|     communication and how to be most effective under emergency        |
|     circumstances.                                                    |
|                                                                       |
| 4.  Assess the multicultural communication needs of one's audience    |
|     and adjust one's verbal and non verbal message accordingly.       |
|                                                                       |
| 5.  Use technology appropriately to enhance communication success.    |
|                                                                       |
| 6.  Tailor the message to one's audience.                             |
|                                                                       |
| 7.  Prepare and deliver an effective oral presentation.               |
|                                                                       |
| 8.  Prepare an effective press release.                               |
|                                                                       |
| 9.  Appreciate the value of the "twenty-second sound bite.".          |
+-----------------------------------------------------------------------+

**INSTRUCTIONAL DELIVERY METHODS:**

Online lecture, research assignments, class discussion, and videos

**LAB/CLINICAL SCHEDULE: None**

**REQUIRED TEXTBOOKS, MATERIALS, TOOLS**: Text book for this class is
*Effective Communication,* self-published by Central Georgia Technical
College. Basic computer skills are required to follow instructions for
submitting online worksheets and assignments

**EVALUATION:**

-   Class work/ Class participation/ Homework

-   Tests

-   Final Exam

**CONSULTATION/COUNSELING/ASSISTANCE:**

A variety of support, tutorial, and counseling services are available at
no charge through the One Stop Service Center on the Macon and
Milledgeville campuses of Central Georgia Technical College.

**GRADING SYSTEM:**

  ----------------------------------------- -----------------------------
  **Grade Points**                          **Grade**

  **90-100**                                **A**

  **80-89**                                 **B**

  **70-79**                                 **C**

  **60-69**                                 **D**

  **0-59**                                  **F**
  ----------------------------------------- -----------------------------

**WORK ETHICS:**

The Department of Technical and Adult Education and CGTC have
established a system to evaluate "work ethics" in each credit course.
Work ethics grades (3, 2, 1, 0) are earned in each completed credit hour
course and are included on the student's permanent record and
transcript.

Typical work ethics characteristics are detailed below and may include
the following:

1.  Attendance

2.  Character

3.  Teamwork

4.  Appearance

5.  Attitude

6.  Productivity

7.  Organizational Skills

8.  Communication

9.  Cooperation

10. Respect

**Explanation of Work Ethics Grades:**

**3= Exceeds Expectations;** Work Ethics performance is exemplary.
Student has consistently demonstrated characteristics that will stand
out in the work environment.

**2= Meets Expectations;** All work ethics standards are met. The
quality of student's work ethics performance is that of a good employee
in the normal work environment.

**1= Needs Improvement;** Some standards were not met. Additional
training in employability skills is recommended.

**0= Unacceptable;** Work ethics performance was below average.
Additional training in employability skills is a must if the student is
to survive in the work environment.

**ATTENDANCE POLICY:**

No absences are excused. Students are expected to send an e-mail to
his/her instructor each week to be counted "present" for that week.
Documented military leave and jury duty absences will not be counted for
dismissal purposes. It is the student's responsibility to provide
documentation to the instructor prior to absences for military leave and
jury duty.

Any student who fails to "check in" with his/her Instructor more than
two times will be dropped from the course, regardless of the reason for
the absences.

**Note: Online students must make their presence known to the Instructor
as soon as they receive their introductory e-mail from the Instructor.
Otherwise, students will be considered "No shows" and deleted from the
roster.**

**SAFETY POLICY:**

Students are expected to follow all departmental safety regulations at
all times. Students are not to use any equipment except under the
supervision of the instructor. Students are not permitted in classrooms
or labs if supervision is not available. Proper conduct is expected at
all times.

The Emergency Medical Plan is posted throughout the College and must be
followed. All accidents must be reported. No matter how minor an
accident appears, the instructor must be notified of the accident/injury
so that proper procedures may be implemented.

All students shall assist in maintaining safe working conditions by
notifying the instructor of any dangerous condition, faulty equipment or
tools, or any unsafe practices being conducted. Violation of safety
regulations will result in immediate disciplinary action.

**DTAE Guarantee/Warranty Statement:**

The Department of Adult and Technical Education guarantees employers
that graduates of State Technical Colleges shall possess skills and
knowledge as prescribed by State Curriculum Standards. Should any
graduate employee within two years of graduation be deemed lacking in
said skills, that student shall be retrained in any State Technical
College at no charge for instructional costs to either the student or
the employer.

**OTHER RELEVANT POLICIES/PROCEDURES:** According to TEACH Act of 2002,
the College is obligated to advise you that instructional material
included in this course may be subject to copyright protection. As such,
you must not share, duplicate, transmit, or store the material of this
course beyond the purpose and time frame explicitly stated
in the syllabus of your course. If you are not certain whether a
particular piece of material is covered by copyright protection, you
should contact your instructor and obtain his/her written clarification.
Failing to observe copyright protection is a violation of law.

09/2006