COMM 1673 Introduction to Mass Communication Syllabus 010 Fall 2026

Attendance

This class meets face-to-face and weekly participation in class discussions and assignments is mandatory. I ask that you contact me through email if you are unable to complete work on time. If you become sick during the semester additional absences can be excused with proper medical documentation.

Assignments and Late Work:Assignments are due on the specified due date and at the specified time listed on the Course Calendar. All assignments and papers are expected on the due date assigned. Should unusual circumstances arise that delay your work, you may turn in your assignment up to one week late with a deduction of a full letter grade for that assignment. Please notify me as soon as possible if you have other extenuating circumstances that require more time to submit work.

Academic Misconduct (e.g., Cheating & Plagiarism)

Cheating can take many forms in this class: copying or using another student’s work, adjusting format to make papers appear longer, working in groups on individual assignments (whether openly or in secret), sharing or stealing answers for tests or assignments, using AI to write part (or all) of an assignment, etc. Section 17.6B of the Student Code of Conduct explains that cheating also includes, “Submitting the same paper, report, or other assignment for more than one course without the expressed permission of the faculty member. If a student believes that he/she can complete an assignment that meets the requirements of two or more faculty members, he/she should obtain prior approval from all faculty involved.”

Plagiarism is also defined in section 17.6B of the Student Code of Conduct: “Taking, reproducing, and/or using as one’s own, without proper attribution, the ideas, writings, paraphrases, data, reports, graphic designs, or computer codes of published or unpublished work of another person in completing an academic assignment. Prohibited conduct may also include the unauthorized submission for credit of academic work that has been submitted for credit in another course.”

Plagiarism in this class includes but is not limited to:

• submitting someone else’s work or work written by AI
• using published material, including materials published online, without proper attribution
• paraphrasing or quoting someone without attributing the quote in your paper even if the source is included on the works cited page; improper paraphrasing (sometimes referred to as “synonym swapping”) may also be plagiarism if the attempted paraphrase too closely imitates the writing style (including syntax) of the original source
• failing to clearly indicate when you are using quoted materials by not including (or properly formatting) quotation marks
• working with someone (without my permission) to write your paper and presenting it as your own
• Using AI, like Chat GPT, to complete your assignments- unless directed by the professor.

If you are in doubt, ask me or visit the KCC Writing Studio before you submit your assignment.

No form of cheating or plagiarism is acceptable. Academic misconduct on an assignment in this class will have consequences, the severity of which depends on the instructor's judgment of the situation: from automatic failure on the assignment to possible immediate failure of the course with no opportunity for the student to withdraw. Academic misconduct will be reported to the Director of Student Success.

Note: If the student has a repeated instance of academic misconduct reported to the Director of Student Success, the student may be suspended from the institution.

Instructional Philosophy

Various research studies demonstrate that communication ability contributes to your self-image, your success as a student, and your success in whatever career you choose. Thus, the communication techniques that you practice in this class are also applicable to your communication with your family and friends, your instructors, and your employers and coworkers.

College Policies

For information related to the Student Code of Conduct Policy, Withdrawal Policy, Email Policy, and Non-Attendance/Non-Participation Policy, please review the college’s Code of Campus Affairs and Regulations webpage, which can be found at catalog.kcc.edu.

College Resources

Tutoring Services

Tutoring assistance is free to all currently enrolled KCC students. Our tutor program is certified by the College Reading and Learning Association (CRLA). For schedules, resources and other helpful information, go to www.kcc.edu/tutoring.

Office of Disability Services

KCC works closely with students and instructors to accommodate

individual student learning needs. For the services they offer, their contact

information and other helpful information, go to www.kcc.edu/disabilityservices.

Miner Memorial Library

The Miner Memorial Library provides a variety of services free to students. For the services they offer, their hours of operation and other helpful information, go to www.kcc.edu/library.

Student Supports

Food for Thought, the KCC Food Pantry, located in D321, is available to all students regardless of financial need. It offers students non-perishable foods, snacks, personal hygiene products and frozen lunches. Hours will vary by semester; please email foodpantry@kcc.edu for more information or to volunteer.

Transformative Growth Counseling provides personal counseling services for KCC students and staff. If you are struggling with any stressors, counselors are available. To make an appointment, go to: transformativegrowth.org/, phone 630-423-6010 or email contact@transformativegrowth.org