Decision made: I will have three quizzes for the COM class. However, the quizzes won't encompass as many points as the speeches, interview assignment, or papers. Despite how the "seasoned" instructors see it (book? what book? you mean the students had to spend $100 on a book and I was supposed to test on it? Oops), I just can't overlook the whole textbook issue. I also decided to give both the COM and ENG classes an opportunity to earn extra credit points. The assignments for doing so will be:
1) Participating in The National Day on Writing. I've created a local gallery and students will post an original writing to its website.
2) Participating in a discussion thread on Blackboard. Students must create two original posts and reply to 4 posts of their classmates.
3) In COM, presenting an Impromtu Speech about a current event (of my choosing, of course). I will creatively suggest that students watch ESPN prior to class because I am a football freak! If they can stand up and give a two-minute summary about how great (or bad) one of my teams played in the most recent game, then they get extra credit. Football is a religion in my family and it's most certainly a worthy "current event." At least until February.
In ENG, ditto but they will need to write about the "current event."

I'll need to rotate the opportunities for extra credit choice #3. Perhaps I'll put all of their names in my football candy dish and choose two per week to participate. Would that be fair & equitable?