Interpersonal Communication Syllabus for 2015-2016
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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.

Statement for Mental Health and Advocacy & Resource Center:

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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N/A

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The Amarillo College Privacy Policy is found at https://www.actx.edu/-amarillo-college-privacy-notice , and applies to all Amarillo College students.  If you have questions about this privacy statement or you believe that your personal information has been released without your consent, send email to humanresources@actx.edu .

Course

SPCH-1318-006 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

Hybrid

Syllabus Information

Textbooks

DeVito, J. A. Messages, Amarillo College Custom Edition. Pearson Custom Publishing, 2012

Supplies

Texbook

Note-taking materials

Access to Internet for Blackboard Assignments

Two one-hundred question scantrons

Student Performance

Course Description:

A laboratory approach to the theory and practice of one-to-one and small group communication with emphasis on the development and improvement of verbal and non-verbal skills.

Course Overview:

Interpersonal communication invites students to examine their present communication style and to improve their competency in communicating with other people. Through reading and participating in practical class exercises, students will explore the basic elements of interpersonal communication, including critical thinking, self-concept, perception, listening, verbal and non-verbal expression, emotional expression, conversational skills, personal relationships, intercultural communication, conflict resolution, and personal power. That means we'll be looking at how well we get along with others and tips for all of us to improve our people skills.

Learning Outcomes:

1. Exhibit understanding of interpersonal theories and principles.
2. Demonstrate ability to analyze and critique verbal and nonverbal interactions in mediated and face-to-face contexts.
3. Identify perceptual processes as they relate to self and others.
4. Demonstrate critical thinking ability by effectively researching, evaluating and applying communication theories in oral and/or written assignments.
5. Demonstrate understanding of the relevance of cross-cultural, co-cultural, gender and age influences on human communication.
6. Demonstrate ability to identify, evaluate and apply conflict styles and conflict management techniques in dyads and/or groups.
7. Identify types of and barriers to effective listening.
8. Demonstrate use of appropriate citations for all reference work used in papers and presentations.
9. Participate in class and group processes.
10. Demonstrate courtesy and respect for classmates.

Students Rights and Responsibilities

Student Rights and Responsibilities

Log in using the AC Connect Portal

In order to receive your AC Connect Email, you must log in through AC Connect at https://acconnect.actx.edu .

If you are an active staff or faculty member according to Human Resources, use "Exchange". All other students, use "AC Connect (Google) Email".

Expected Student Behavior

Academic Honesty:All matters of academic dishonesty including plagiarism, collusion, fabrication, cheating etc. will result in a failing grade for the assignment in question. All violations will be forwarded to the proper college authorities for review. Any form of disruptive behavior will not be tolerated. Any material copied and pasted from a web source into assignments, analyses, and essays without proper citation or documentation will be considered plagiarism or stealing and will receive a failing grade.

Online Student Behavior: All students are expected to be polite and considerate when posting opinions and thoughts in the Discussion Forum. The Online class is not a location where students may post aggressive, insulting, or inappropriate use of language. Any student who violates the required Student Behavior (as stated and in the AC Student Handbook) will result in a failing grade for the course.

Class Policies: 

1.  No substance or equipment in violation of the AC Student Handbook will be permitted in speech communication courses.

2. Cell phones are expected to be turned off or put on silent ring during class and put away during class. No one should be using their phone during class. Should you decide to use your cell phone, you will be asked to leave the class and not return.

3.  I do not accept assignments that are handwritten. Please note, that some in-class assignments are an exception.

4. I accept assignments via email only if they are submitted before the scheduled due date and class time. If you are late to class the day an assignment is due, you will receive an automatic 30 point deduction.

5.  Should you need to communicate with me regarding your grades, class attendance, assignments or any other matter, you will need to call me or speak with me before or after class.

Confidentiality: 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.  

Grading Criteria

Exams: There will be a midterm and a final exam. Questions will come primarily from the reading the textbook and class notes.

Papers: Four short papers will be assigned. They will be 2 pages minimum, typed, double spaced, with 1" margins and Times New Roman 12 pt. font. Please include a coversheet. Specific instructions for these papers will be discussed during the appropriate class period.

Grading Policies: All grades will be added together, and then divided by the number of grades.

90 – 100 = A               80 – 89   = B               70 – 79   = C               60 – 69   = D               59 – 0     = F

 

There will be a total of 1000 points possible in this course.  They are distributed as follows:

            Intro Assignment                                             Total of 100 points, or 10%

            Brown Bag Assignment                                              100 points

            Written Assignments                                       Total of 400 points, or 40%

            Scavenger Hunt                                                          100 points

            Meme Analysis                                                           100 points

            Relationship Analysis                                                  100 points

            Relationship Maintenance or Repair                              100 points

            Examinations                                                  Total of 200 points, or 20%

            Midterm                                                                       100 points

            Final Exam                                                                  100 points

            Participation                                                    Total of 300 points, or 30 %

            Attendance                                                                  100 points                                           

Class Participation/Group Work                                                 100 points

            Toasts                                                                         100 points

Attendance

In-Class Activities/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. Regular attendance is essential for achievement. Note that participation composes an overwhelming majority of the final grade. Your participation in discussions and activities will directly affect your grade. Daily attendance will be recorded. Ten points will be deducted for each absence after the first regardless of the reason for the absence. Three tardies or early exits will count as an absence. It is the responsibility of the student to remain after class and ask the teacher to adjust a tardy or an absence. Additionally, should you miss a class, it is your responsibility to call me AFTER the missed class to discussed the missed material and/or assignments. **Students who maintain perfect attendance will be exempt from the final exam**

Calendar

Additional Information

Accessing AC Connect: It is the responsibility of the student to check email messages, announcements and the course using AC Connect. Students will submit all assignments and analyses using AC Connect unless noted on the assignment or by the instructor.

The Online course will be in AC Connect (Blackboard) There is a tutorial and information to help you navigate the new Blackboard system on the AC Connect Homepage. Students are strongly encouraged to utilize the information in order to adapt to the new system for completing assignments and discussions. There are new terms for posting work; for example to post a discussion you will have to create a "thread".

Please contact the AC Tech Help Desk for all problems you may have using the new system.

STUDENT ACCESS:  Any student who has a disability that may prevent him/her from fully demonstrating his/her abilities should contact the instructor as soon as possible to discuss the necessary accommodations for your participation in class. In addition, please contact: disAbility Services (Student Service Center room 119, phone 371-5436)

STUDENT RIGHTS & RESPONSIBILITIES:

You are responsible to be aware of “Student Rights and Responsibilities,” which is available online at:

 http://www.actx.edu/admission/files/filecabinet/folder2/Student_R&R_07_Hyper.pdf.