Interpersonal Communication Syllabus for 2014-2015
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Instructor Information

Course Information

Recording Policy

Disability Statement

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-H 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.

Student Resources Student Resources Website

Department Expectations

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Hours

(3 sem hrs; 3 lec)

Class Type

On Campus Course

Syllabus Information

Textbooks

Textbook: Messages , Joseph A. DeVito

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Second Custom Edition for Amarillo College

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Student Lecture Notes/Worksheet Packet/Workbook (available at the AC Bookstore)

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Supplies

\ Course Materials: Each student must provide writing/note-taking materials.

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\ Students must bring the Lecture Notes/Worksheet P

Student Performance

Course Objectives:

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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.          Exhibit understanding of interpersonal theories and principles.

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2.          Demonstrate ability to analyze and critique verbal and nonverbal interactions in mediated and face-to-face contexts.

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3.          Identify perceptual processes as they relate to self and others.

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4.          Demonstrate critical thinking ability by effectively researching, evaluating and applying communication theories in oral and/or written assignments.

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5.          Demonstrate understanding of the relevance of cross-cultural, co-cultural, gender and age influences on human communication.

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6.          Demonstrate ability to identify, evaluate and apply conflict styles and conflict management techniques in dyads and/or groups.

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7.      Identify types of and barriers to effective listening.

Students Rights and Responsibilities

Student Rights and Responsibilities

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Expected Student Behavior

Class Policies:

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• Turn off cell phones or put them on silent ring during class.
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• Plagiarism is considered serious academic misconduct. All presentations and written assignments submitted in this class must be original work by the student. Any student caught plagiarizing or cheating will receive a failing grade. No form of scholastic dishonesty will be tolerated. Scholastic dishonesty shall include, but not be limited to, cheating on a test, plagiarism, and collusion.
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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 Student Rights and Responsibilities Handbook.ï
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Confidentiality

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 Many communication courses ask students to engage in a level of self-disclosure not usually characteristic of other courses (e.g. Calculus). Different people will feel comfortable with varying levels of self-disclosure. While I would like you to draw from your personal experience, you may choose to talk about yourself or someone you know. If it is the latter, in the interest of confidentially they should remain nameless. While some things in this course may be therapeutic, this class is not therapy. Therefore I reserve the right to limit self-disclosure if it is not in keeping with the objectives of the course. Additionally, because some individuals will be sharing personal stories, I expect there to be a level of confidentiality among the members of the class and respect for their classmates' privacy.

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Grading Criteria

Honors Credit: Students who have a college GPA of 3.0 or above or a 90% GPA if coming directly from high school are eligible for Honors credit and should be registered for SPCH 1318-H.  All other students should be registered for SPCH 1318-020.  In order to receive Honors credit, students must complete the Team Video Project.  Students who are not eligible for Honors credit have the option of completing the Video Project.  All students who complete the Video Project (Honors and non-Honors) will receive extra credit.  Students who are eligible for Honors credit but prefer to opt out, must notify the instructor by the end of the first week of class.

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\ Grading Policy: \
\ 20% or 200 pts. \	\ Attendance \
\ 30% or 300 pts. \	\ Papers (3) \
\ 30% or 300 pts. \	\ Exams (3) \
\ 20% or 200 pts. \	\ Final Paper/Presentation/Team Video \
\ = 100% or 1000 pts. \	\  Total \

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Papers:

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Three short papers will be assigned. They will be 2 pages, typed, double spaced, with 1" margins and Times New Roman 12 pt. font. Specific instructions for these papers will be discussed during the appropriate class period. Papers will be accepted, with no penalty, until 3:00 pm the day they are due. Twenty points will be deducted for each calendar day the paper is late.

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Team Video:
\ Honors students will work in teams of 3 or 4 to create a short video illustrating some aspect of interpersonal communication.  Non-Honors students will have the option of choosing whether they wish to create a video. All students will receive 5 points extra on their final project grade for completing the video..  Time will be given during class to work on this project; however, some out-of-class time will be required.  Video recording and editing equipment and assistance with video recording and editing will be provided.  Full instructions and grading criteria will be provided in class. 

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Final Project/Presentation:

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The final project will require students to write a 4-6 page paper reviewing what they have learned about their own interpersonal skills and how those skills have changed during the semester. This paper should draw upon the specific skills, concepts, theories and principles discussed throughout the term. The paper will be typed, double spaced, with 1" margins and Times New Roman 12 pt. font. Papers will be accepted, with no penalty, until 3:00 pm the day they are due. Twenty points will be deducted for each calendar day the paper is late.

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Students will then present a brief (two-to-five minute) oral report to the class summarizing their interpersonal communication skills analysis. The schedule for oral reports will be announced in advance. Students must give their oral reports on the day they are assigned.

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Exams:

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There will be three open book objective online unit quizzes of 50 objective questions each.  Quizzes will be given through AC Online.  Questions will come primarily from the readings in the text and class notes.  The third required exam will be given during Finals Week; however, it will not be comprehensive.

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Extra Credit

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Extra credit assignment options are available.  Each extra credit paper can be used to replace one absence or add five points to any required paper or exam grade.  The extra credit papers may be turned in at any point in the semester but no later than the week scheduled for final project presentations.

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Attendance

\ This class relies upon two major things 1) your active participation in discussions and class exercises and 2) a close, meaningful analysis of your own communication tendencies with family, friends, co-workers and people you meet. If these things occur along with attention to assignments and class readings you will find tools to better understand your own communication skills, relate better with others and succeed in this course.

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\ Regular attendance is essential for satisfactory achievement. Your participation in discussions and activities will directly affect your grade. Daily attendance will be recorded. Points will be deducted from your participation grade for more than two absences-- regardless of the reason for the absence.

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\ Arriving late for class or departing early will also impact your participation grade. Students arriving up to 10 minutes late will be marked tardy IF at the end of the class period where a tardy occurs the student requests that the absence be adjusted to a tardy. Students leaving class early will be penalized as if tardy. No explanations of absences or tardies need be given to the instructor. The following criteria will determine the in-class participation grade:

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\ \ No more than 2 absences \	\ \ - \	\ \ 100 % \
\ \ 3 absences \	\ \ - \	\ \ 90 % \
\ \ 4absences \	\ \ - \	\ \ 80 % \
\ \ 5 absences \	\ \ - \	\ \ 70 % \
\ \ 6 absences \	\ \ - \	\ \ 60 % \
\ \ 7absences \	\ \ - \	\ \ 50 % \
\ \ 8 absences \	\ \ - \	\ \ 40% \
\ \ 9 or more absences \	\ \ - \	\ \ 0% \
\ \ Two tardies (or early exits) will equal an absence. \

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\ Essentially, this translates to raising your grade for terrific attendance and participation in class. Eight absences will result in grade deduction of approximately two full letter grades.

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Calendar

Additional Information

Detailed assignment information and lecture recaps will be available through Blackboard.  All papers will be turned in online.  All tests will be taken online.