Interpersonal Communication Syllabus for 2014-2015
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Instructor Information

Course Information

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Any student who, because of a disabling condition, may require some special arrangements in order to meet course requirements should contact disAbility Services (Student Service Center room 119, phone 371-5436) as soon as possible.

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As a student you may experience a range of issues that can cause barriers to learning, such as strained relationships, increased anxiety, alcohol/drug problems, feeling down, difficulty concentrating and/or lack of motivation. These mental health concerns or stressful events may lead to diminished academic performance or reduce a student's ability to participate in daily activities. Amarillo College offers services to assist you with addressing these and other concerns you may be experiencing. If you or someone you know are suffering from any of the aforementioned conditions, you can learn more about the broad range of confidential mental health services available on campus by calling the AC Counseling Center at 806-371-5900. The AC Counseling Center website is https://www.actx.edu/counseling/ . Also, if you are in need of social services (affordable housing, utilities, transportation, food, clothing, childcare, medical/dental/vision, legal), please call the AC Advocacy & Resource Center at 806-371-5439. The AC Advocacy & Resource Center website is https://www.actx.edu/arc

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Course

SPCH-1318-014 Interpersonal Communication

Prerequisites

Course Description

Application of communication theory to interpersonal relationship development, maintenance and termination in relationship contexts including friendships, romantic partners, families and relationships with co-workers and supervisors.

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Department Expectations

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Hours

(3 sem hrs; 3 lec)

Class Type

On Campus Course

Syllabus Information

Textbooks

Messages, Joseph A. DeVito, Second Custom Edition for Amarillo College (available at the AC Bookstore.)DeVito, J. A. Messages, Amarillo College Custom Edition. Pearson Custom Publishing, 2007

Supplies

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Student Performance

Course Description:

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Application of communication theory to interpersonal relationship development, maintenance and termination in relationship contexts including friendships, romantic partners, families and relationships with co-workers and supervisors.

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Learning Outcomes:

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Through reading the current literature, researching recent communication findings, and participating in group and individual oral assignments, the student will:

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1.      Define and explain basic communication terms and principles which undergird competent communication in personal, social, and professional settings.

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2.      Analyze various communication contexts.

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3.      Understand the process of perception and the part perception plays in communicating with others.

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4.      Improve listening skills.

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5.      Understand the process of intercultural communication.

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6.      Apply communication principles and theory in diverse circumstances and demonstrate effective communication, distinguishing effective from less effective responses.

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7.      Become aware of the stages of relational development and deterioration.

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8.      Describe the influence of both verbal and nonverbal messages in communication.

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9.      Demonstrate use of appropriate citations for all reference work used in papers and presentations.

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10.   Participate in class and group processes.

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11.   Demonstrate courtesy and respect for classmates.

Students Rights and Responsibilities

Student Rights and Responsibilities

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Expected Student Behavior

Any student who, because of a disabling condition, may require some special arrangements in order to meet course requirements should contact disAbility Services (located in the Student Services Center 119; phone number 371 5436) as soon as possible.

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Every student is required to comply with the policies published in the “Student Rights and Responsibilities Handbook.”

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Grading Criteria

Course Requirements:

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20%- Participation- Attendance/Discussions/Daily Quizzes

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30%- Tests 3 tests 100points each

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20%- Papers Two 2-3 page papers 100 points each

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10% Group Assignment and Presentation 100points

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20%- Final Project Service Learning and Communication Analysis 100 points

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Total- 100% (1000 points)

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Participation:

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Your success in this class will depend on your participation and attendance.  It is essential that you come to class prepared for a lively discussion and class activity. Your overall participation grade will be a combination of your attendance, daily quiz grades, engagement in class discussions and activities and assisting me with these activities when call upon.

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Daily Quizzes:

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It is imperative that you read the material in the text book and the on-line lectures before class. There will be a quiz over the assigned reading at the beginning of most classes during the semester. The quiz grades will count toward your overall participation grade. You will benefit from the class discussions and activities if you come to the class ready to engage.

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Teaching Assistant:

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I will choose one student each day to be my assistant.  This will involve helping with recording attendance, passing out papers, facilitating group activities and other duties as needed. This person will be chosen randomly, so again, attendance is vital. Your role as class assistant will add to or deduct from your participation grade depending on if you are present when called on, and how well you carry out your duties...

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Tests:

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Three exams will be given during the semester.  These will be available on-line only, and found on the Blackboard page that corresponds with this class.

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Each multiple choice exam will be open book and open note.  However, there will be a time limit. Each test counts as 10% of your overall grade.

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The tests will be available one week prior to the due date…

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Papers:

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2 Papers (2-3 pages) will be assigned during the semester. These will be due before class on the due date.  The papers must be submitted via Drop Box on the Blackboard page that corresponds with the class.  I will not accept hard copies. Each paper counts as 10% of your final grade. 20 points will be deducted each day the paper is late.

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Group Assignment and Presentation:

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Students will work in groups to create a presentation of one of the topics in IPC.  This assignment includes creating and administering the daily quiz as well as a power point presentation of the topic and a follow up activity and/or discussion.  The group will evaluate each other, and the individual’s grade will be a combination of the overall group’s performance and the evaluations by their partners.  This assignment counts as 10% of the final grade.

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Final project: Service Learning and Self Analysis

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The Final Project is worth 20% of your final course grade.  This assignment will require you to contact a non-profit organization or charity and serve as a volunteer for at least three hours.  During this time, you will observe some of the interpersonal communication principles, methods and theories we learned about during the semester as they apply to the "real world". 

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After you have completed your volunteer hours, please have the person you dealt with at the organization complete the Service Learning Contract for verification and evaluation.

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Next, you will write a 4-5 page paper that consist of your reflections on your time as a volunteer and the interpersonal communication skills you observed during that time.  Include IPC skills you used yourself as well as examples of IPC skills you noticed among the other people around you. The paper must be typed in 12 pt. New Times Roman with 1 in. margins.

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The Final paper must be submitted to the Blackboard drop box before class on the due date. I will not accept hard copies. 

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Papers will be presented the last week of class.

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Detailed instructions for every assignment are found on the Blackboard site for this class. 

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Evaluation Scale:

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A= 90-100

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B= 80-89

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C= 70- 79

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D= 60-69

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F= 59 or below

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Extra Credit:

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Students may write up to 4 papers during the semester to earn extra credit.  These 2 page papers are worth an additional 5 points to an assigned paper or test.

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Students can also use an extra credit paper to replace an absence. The papers may be turned in at any point in the semester but no later than the week scheduled for final project presentations.  Make sure you allow enough time to complete class assignments before you focus on extra credit papers.

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Each paper should be two pages long, typed and double spaced using 12-point font.  Please proofread your papers, run spell-check if you are using a computer and ask a friend to check it over for spelling and grammatical errors.  Papers that do not meet the assignment criteria or that are not satisfactory college-level work will not qualify for extra credit.

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No administrative withdrawals will be initiated by the instructor.  It is each student’s responsibility to drop a class or withdraw from school in the event he/she decides to quit attending class.

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Any student who, because of a disabling condition, may require some special arrangements in order to meet course requirements should contact disAbility Services (located in the Student Services Center 119; phone number 371 5436) as soon as possible.

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Every student is required to comply with the policies published in the Students’ Rights and Responsibilities Handbook.

Attendance

Attendance:

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Attendance will be recorded daily. After more than 2 absences, points will be deducted from your participation grade regardless of the reason for the absence. Points will also be deducted for coming to class late, or leaving class early. No explanation is needed for tardies or absences.

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The following criteria will determine the attendance portion of your grade.

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No more than 2 absences - 100%

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3 absences- 90%

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4 absences 80%

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5 absences 70%

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6 absences 60%

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7 absences 50%

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8 absences 40%

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More than 8 absences 0%

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Essentially, this translates to raising your grade for terrific attendance and participation in class. More than eight absences will result in final course grade deduction of approximately two full letter grades.

Calendar

Additional Information

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