CMST& 101
Introduction to Communication
Fall 2025
Instructor Information
Instructor’s name: Amy Rider King (Amy)
Instructor's pronouns: she/her/hers; what is this?Links to an external site.
Instructor’s email address: arider@highline.edu
Instructor’s campus office: Building 4, room 121 (enter through room 116)
Instructor's Zoom room: https://highline.zoom.us/j/6783970342Links to an external site.
Instructor’s office hours: By appointment; please email me. I am happy to find a time that fits your schedule!
Instructor availability: I want to be responsive to your needs and love hearing from you! While my Highline email is listed above, the best way to contact me is through Canvas messages. To maintain a healthy work-life balance, I usually step away from emails on weekends and after 6 pm on weekdays. If you message me during those times, I will get back to you as soon as I am back online. During the week, you can typically expect a response within 24 hours.
I am here to support you and also believe in modeling the importance of healthy boundaries. I hope this encourages you to prioritize your well-being, too!
Office Hours
Office hours are a dedicated time for you to meet with your instructor one-to-one. They are an opportunity to ask questions, share concerns, or get extra support on anything related to the course, whether it is about your grade, an assignment, course material, the class pace, or even feedback on my teaching.
My office hours are by appointment only. If you would like to meet, feel free to chat with me before or after class or send me an email to set up a time. I am always happy to connect!
Course Information
Department: Communication Studies
Item (Section) #: CMST& 101 (33170)
Modality: Hybrid
Class Meets: Monday and Wednesday, 9:00–9:50 AM
Class Meeting Location: Building 14, Room 102
Course Description
This course explores fundamental elements, characteristics, and processes of human communication, with emphasis on confident and competent dyadic and group discussions and introductory presentation skills. Students analyze and practice effective interaction strategies within interpersonal, intercultural, classroom, professional, and cyberspace contexts.
Course Overview
In this course, we will focus on building confidence in both one-to-one conversations and group discussions, while developing essential skills for effective presentations. We will have the chance to practice communicating clearly in different situations, such as personal relationships, the classroom, at work, or online. As we explore how communication shapes our understanding of ourselves and the world, we will gain skills that are valuable not just for this class, but for many areas of life.
I am excited to learn and grow alongside you!
Student Learning Outcomes
Student Learning Outcomes, or SLOs, are what you are able to do at the end of a course.
In this course, students will be able to:
Articulate how the communication process applies in diverse human communication contexts.
Accurately apply basic communication concepts to real-world and hypothetical personal, academic, and professional situations.
Demonstrate effective strategies in small group/dyadic interactions.
Demonstrate emerging presentation skills by constructing and delivering a research-based informative speech.
Course Text(s) and Other Required Materials
There is no required textbook for this course. All videos, articles, and readings will be provided on Canvas. It will be helpful to bring a pen or pencil and a notebook to class. Consistent internet access is essential for completing Canvas assignments and working on course materials outside of class.
How to Succeed in this Course
Create Your Weekly Routine
Staying on top of a hybrid course means managing your time well. Set aside regular study sessions and treat them like important appointments. Be sure to check Canvas daily for updates, assignments, and due dates. This will help you feel more in control and stay on track.
Embrace the Learning Journey
This course is all about helping you grow as a communicator in every part of your life - with friends, in school, at work, or in your community. It is natural to experience challenges. Embrace these moments as part of the process and a sign of growth.
Find Your Stretch Zone
The magic of learning happens when we push ourselves just enough - not so much we feel panic, but not too little that we stay comfortable. Strive to be in your "stretch zone," where the learning feels challenging but not overwhelming. Be sure to use the resources around you to keep moving forward.
Be Present & Build Community
Engagement in class is key to success. If something is preventing you from attending or fully participating, such as work, anxiety, or anything else, please reach out to me. Together, we can find solutions to support your success. Your participation is essential to creating a strong, supportive class community, and being present consistently will help you feel more comfortable as a communicator.
Ask for Help
Learning takes courage, and asking for help is a powerful step toward success. Do not hesitate to reach out if you are feeling stuck. My role is to support you! Whether it is scheduling a meeting with me or connecting with a classmate for study support, remember that you are never alone on our class journey.
Information about our Course Assignments
Table showing breakdown of course points
Assignment Total points
Partner Speech of Introduction 30 points
Effective Email Communication 30 points
Discussions (3) 75 points
Reflections (3) 90 points
Panel Takeaways 25 points
Two Person Conflict Scene 35 points
Ending the Scene: Improv Activity 35 points
Three Objects Speech Outline 50 points
Peer Speech Support 30 points
Three Objects Speech 100 points
Attendance 100 points
TOTAL 600 points
Partner Speech of Introduction
This is your chance to practice asking open-ended questions, get to know a classmate through an interview, and introduce them to the class. It is a great opportunity to build your speaking and listening skills while making connections!
Effective Email Communication
Strong communication skills include writing clear and effective emails. This is a must in college and beyond! In this assignment, you will learn practical tips to ensure your messages are clear, respectful, and receive the response you are hoping for.
Discussion Forums
You will participate in three discussion forums throughout the quarter: Communication Portrait, The Art of Listening, and Farewell and Best Wishes. These forums offer a space to share your thoughts on key course topics, engage with your classmates, and deepen your understanding of communication. They are designed to encourage meaningful interaction, expose you to different perspectives, and help build a sense of community in our class.
Reflections
In our three written reflections—Why We Take Things Personally, Reading Between the Lines, and the Speech Self-Reflection—you will have the opportunity to think more deeply about what you are learning. You will engage with course readings and videos on Canvas, explore key communication themes, and reflect on how you are practicing new skills both in and outside of class. These reflections are designed to help you connect course concepts to your personal experiences and everyday communication.
Panel Takeaways
One of the most engaging parts of our course is the Cultural Communications Panel. In this activity, a small group of students will serve as panelists, sharing insights through a specific cultural lens that shapes how they experience and interpret the world. The rest of the class will participate as audience members, engaging in thoughtful discussion and reflection. After the panel, each student will reflect on their takeaways.
Conflict Scene & Ending the Scene: Improv Activity
In the Two Person Conflict Scene assignment, you will explore different conflict management styles by writing a short scene. Then, we will bring a few of your scenes to life with volunteer actors from our class!
As part of the Ending the Scene: Improv Activity, you will have the chance to step in and improvise a new ending to one of the scenes—drawing on your growing knowledge of communication strategies.
Three Objects Speech Outline, Peer Support, and Three Objects Speech
One of the course highlights is preparing and delivering your own 2.5-minute informative speech. You will start by creating a basic outline, then get helpful feedback from a peer to refine your speech. After plenty of practice, you will present your "Three Objects" speech to the class. It is a powerful way to share your personal story and to grow as a speaker!
Attendance
Being present in class is essential for learning, connecting with others, and building your communication skills. We will use the Canvas attendance tool to track participation. More important than just boosting your grade, showing up and engaging will strengthen your learning and enrich our class community. Every voice matters. Come as often as you can!
Grading Structure
All assignments are weighted equally, and your final grade is based on the points you earn throughout the quarter. Canvas will automatically convert your points to percentages, which will align with the table below. Final grades are rounded up to the nearest whole percentage from .5 and higher and rounded down to the nearest whole percentage from .4 and lower.
General Highline College Grading Policy
Only grades of a 0.7 or above will earn credit at Highline College. Below 0.7, the assigned grade is a 0.0.
Any course used for credit in the AA and AS degrees must be a 1.0 or higher.
Table showing grade point average for percentages of final points.
A grades B grades C grades D grades F grades
>95% = 4.0
89% = 3.4
79% = 2.4
69% = 1.4
<61% = 0.0
94% = 3.9
88% = 3.3
78% = 2.3
68% = 1.3
93% = 3.8
87% = 3.2
77% = 2.2
67% = 1.2
92% = 3.7
86% = 3.1
76% = 2.1
66% = 1.1
91% = 3.6
85% = 3.0
75% = 2.0
65% = 1.0
90% = 3.5
84% = 2.9
74% = 1.9
64% = 0.9
83% = 2.8
73% = 1.8
63% = 0.8
82% = 2.7
72% = 1.7
62% = 0.7
81% = 2.6
71% = 1.6
80% = 2.5
70% = 1.5
Course Attendance/Tardiness and Participation Policy
As mentioned above, attendance will be tracked in Canvas using the attendance tool. Attendance is worth 100 points, with tardiness earning 95% of the full value. You are always welcome in class, no matter when you arrive. While punctuality is encouraged, I understand delays happen and appreciate your presence for as much of the class as possible. If absences or tardiness become frequent, I will reach out to see how I can best support you.
In our class, we will work together to create a space where everyone can participate and feel respected. This means staying electronic-free unless devices are needed for class, treating each other kindly and respectfully, and staying engaged. I trust your commitment to these values. If any concerns come up, I will always have a conversation with you first, and participation point deductions would only happen in cases of serious disregard for our class agreement.
Assignment Deadlines and Policy on Missed Deadlines
Deadlines: Deadlines are important for keeping us on track and involved in our learning. Turning in assignments on time helps us stay prepared for class discussions, group activities, and speaking practice, so we can be ready for each week’s topics. Creating a routine around deadlines will help you grow and get the most out of the course.
Grace Period:
Most assignments are due by 11:59 PM on Sundays, but you will have a grace period until 11:59 PM on Monday to submit without penalty. Canvas may mark the assignment as late, but no points will be deducted during this grace period.
Due dates for speech assignments will often be flexible, depending on how many presentations we can fit into class time. I will always clarify and update those timelines in class and on Canvas.
Missed Deadlines/Late Work: I understand that life happens! If you know you will miss a deadline and need an extension, please contact me through Canvas email before the due date. The sooner you reach out, the easier it is to stay on track.
If an emergency prevents you from reaching out beforehand, we can make an occasional exception. Just know that typically late work will only be accepted if we have agreed on an extension. Communication is key!
*Classes that begin at 4:30 p.m. or later do not meet the Wednesday before Thanksgiving.
Academic Honesty
Students are expected to maintain a high standard of honesty in their academic work. Cheating and plagiarism are specifically prohibited under the college’s Student Rights and Responsibilities provisions. Acts of cheating may include submitting work for credit that is not your own, copying examination answers from fellow students or other sources or assisting other students in acts of these kinds.
Plagiarism, the presentation of another’s writing or ideas as one’s own, can take a number of forms - failing to cite sources, copying source texts or online sources without quotation, or inadequately paraphrasing or synthesizing source materials. Currently, the most common forms are when students have someone else write their papers, when they do not properly cite source materials, or when they submit writing created by artificial intelligence (AI). While some assignments may allow AI support for brainstorming or basic grammar checks, you may not submit work generated by an AI program (i.e. ChatGPT, Grammarly, Gemini, Claude, or Koala) for credit. Please read below for more details about AI use.
Academic dishonesty may result in lowered grades and/or disciplinary action. Students who are unsure of what might constitute plagiarism or cheating are encouraged to consult their instructors, class materials and other college resources for guidance.
Generative AI (Artificial Intelligence)
AI has the potential to both enhance and hinder our learning and creativity. It can boost our problem-solving abilities and expand our thinking; however, if used uncritically or excessively, it may limit personal growth and diminish our unique contributions.
From my perspective, it is essential to approach AI thoughtfully and intentionally, recognizing its role in our learning, work, and community. While you may use AI to help broaden your ideas in this course, you cannot submit any AI-generated content as your own.
When using AI-generated text, you must:
Significantly revise it.
Integrate it into your own work, reflecting your own thinking.
Acknowledge your use of AI (we will discuss how to do this in class).
Please remember that this is my perspective only and other professors may have different policies regarding AI use. If anything about this policy is unclear, please do not hesitate to ask.
Course Schedule
Module 1: Intro to Course and Community Building
Get to know your classmates, our course goals, and the learning community we’ll create together.
Module 2: The Communication Process
Explore how messages are sent, received, and understood in different contexts.
Module 3: Perception of Self
Examine how your self-view shapes the way you communicate.
Module 4: Culture, Perception, and Navigating Conflict in Communication
Learn how cultural perspectives influence communication and approaches to resolving conflict.
Module 5: Words Have Impact
Understand the power of language to connect, inspire, or harm.
Module 6: Listening to Nonverbal Cues
Recognize and interpret meaning beyond spoken words through body language and tone.
Module 7: Developing a SpeechCourse Schedule
Module 8: Practicing Public Speaking
Build confidence and skill through guided speaking exercises.
Module 9: Sharing Three Objects Speeches
Present a speech using three personal objects to share your story.
Module 10: Reflecting on Your Skills and the Course
Look back on your growth as a communicator and set goals for the future.