Interpersonal Communication Syllabus for 2016-2017
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Instructor Information

Course Information

Recording Policy

Disability Statement

If you have a disability (learning, mental, physical) that affects your ability to participate effectively and have access to any program or service at Amarillo College please contact Disability Services at (806) 345-5639 . Our offices are located in the Student Service Center office 112. More information may be found at www.actx.edu/disability.
Disability Services facilitates access to all programs and services according to the ADA, Americans with Disabilities Act and Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act, as well as other federal and state laws.

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If you find you are unable to access material in an accessible format please contact the Disability Services Office at (806) 345-5639 . This office will work in conjunction with other campus resources to address and accommodate your issue in a timely manner.

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

Amarillo College Tutoring for Success Policy:

Administrative Drop Policy

Students who do not attend class on or prior to the census date will be administratively dropped. Effective Fall, 2016

Student Withdrawal Procedures

Students who wish to withdraw from a class must:

• consult with their instructor to obtain a signed academic withdrawal request form to submit to the AskAC department for processing
• consult with the financial aid office if receiving financial aid
• consult with the Veterans Benefit Coordinator if receiving veteran benefits
• consult with their academic advisor to determine how withdrawing may affect their enrollment in future semesters
  • NOTE:  The Texas Education Code stipulates that students attending Texas institutions of higher education for the first time fall 2007 and later may not withdraw from more than six courses during their academic career, including courses from which transfer students have withdrawn at other Texas institutions of higher education. (Senate Bill 1231) Rule 4.10.

Privacy Statement

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-AH25 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

Occupational License Disclaimer

Hours

(3 sem hrs; 3 lec)

Class Type

Hybrid

Syllabus Information

Textbooks

Textbook: “”Messages”” by Joseph A. Devito 4th edition, including the on-line component called REVEL. You will use Revel in this course for readings and activities.  

The REVEL component is essential for success in this course. You will be graded on the readings and quizzes you complete on-line.

Student Registration Instructions

To access REVEL from your Blackboard course:

Start from your Blackboard course. 

Select a content area. The link is called “Revel Text and Activities”from the left navigation menu.

Select Open REVEL.

• If you have a Pearson account, enter your username and password. Otherwise, create a new account. Note: If you are also registering for a Pearson MyLab (like MyMathLab or MyVirtualChild) this term, you must register for the MyLab first, in order to use the same username and password for REVEL.

When your accounts are linked, select an access option: 

• Redeem an access code purchased from the bookstore.
• Buy access using a credit card or PayPal.
• If available, get temporary access.

Your REVEL content appears.

To go back to Blackboard, look for the Blackboard tab or window in your browser.

That’s it. Throughout the semester, please access your REVEL content through Blackboard.

To upgrade temporary access to full access:

To upgrade your access before your temporary access expires, select the link in your confirmation email. 

Once your temporary access expires, when you open REVEL from Blackboard, you’re prompted to upgrade your access. Redeem a pre-purchased access code, or buy access using a credit card or PayPal. 

Need help?

If you have trouble getting access, make sure your laptop or other device is set up to work with REVEL.

Visit Pearson Support at https://support.pearson.com/getsupport.

Dedicated REVEL support line for students: (855) 875-1801

Supplies

Student Performance

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.

 

Learning Outcomes:

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

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

2.      Analyze various communication contexts.

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

4.      Improve listening skills.

5.      Understand the process of intercultural communication.

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

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

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

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

10.   Participate in class and group processes.

11.   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

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.

 

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

Grading Criteria

Course Requirements:

This is a hybrid course which means half of the course participation takes place on-line. The on-line portion includes your reading assignments, quizzes and exams.

The in-person portion will consist of assignments and learning activities that reenforce the information in the reading assignments. So, it is vital that you come to class with your reading done. 

 

Chapter Quizzes and Activities:

Each week we will study a new Interpersonal Communication topic. All of the readings are located in Revel. You will find this linked to the course content..

You need to read the chapter and take the smaller self tests and quizzes as you go. There is a Chapter Quiz at the end of each  Chapter.

Your scores for each week’s activities and quizzes will be worth different point values, but will count for 30% of your total grade.  

The lowest grade will be dropped

 

The chapter readings and quizzes are due by Wednesday each week.

 

Papers/Assignments:

You will have one essay (2-3 pages) and one group assignment (a multi-media presentation).

Each of these will be worth 10% of your final grade.

Assignments must be submitted to the Assignment Drop Box by 11:30 PM on the due date. I do not accept hard copies. 

 

Class participation and Attendance:

This is an eight week course. Your attendance and participation in the classroom is crucial to your success in the course. We will be working on a variety of assignments in class that will be counted as part of your overall participation grade. Class participation is more than your presence in the room. I expect you to be engaged and willing to take part in class discussions, group activities and writing assignments. 

 

Final Project: Service Learning and Self Analysis:

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".  

 

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. 

 

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.

 

Please include at least three examples of topics and/or theories discussed during the semester.  Information retrieved from the text or from online reading and on-line discussions must be cited.   

 

This assignment is worth 20% of your final grade. Don’t wait until the last minute to arrange your volunteer time.

 

Final exam:

The final exam will be comprehensive and worth 100 points. Check course calendar for due date.

 

Late Work Policy:

This is an eight week class, so there is not much time to catch up if you fall behind. I will not accept late submissions on reading assignments and quizzes. 

As for other assignments, I will take 20 points off if the assignment is turned in one day late. After that, I will grade the assignment, and average it with a zero. (half credit)

 

Grading Scale:

A= 90-100

B=80-89

C= 70- 79

D= 60-69

F= 59 or below

 

Grading Percentages:

Chapter Activities and Quizzes = 30%

Assignments = 20 %

Class Attendance/Participation = 20%

Service Learning project = 20%

Final Exam = 10%

Extra Credit:

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.

The papers may be turned in at any point in the semester but no later than the week scheduled for final projects presentations.  Make sure you allow enough time to complete class assignments before you focus on extra credit papers.

 

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.

 

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.

For more information about Disability Services visit https://www.actx.edu/disability/   

 

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

 

Attendance

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.

Calendar

Additional Information

Office Hours:

Mon-Thu 1:00-3:00 PM or by appointment.

*Please do not hesitate to call or email me with questions or concerns.

If you have questions about the course content, assignments, due dates etc., contact me.

 

Technical Assistance:  If you have questions about the course material, assignments, due dates etc. please contact me.  If you need technical support contact the Center for Teaching and Learning (CTL) student help center located in the Ware Student Commons on the Washington Street campus, room 111. Or call  (806)-371-5992.

Hours of operation for CTL:

Monday – Friday       8am – 5pm (WARE Student Commons Room 111)

Monday – Thursday   5pm – 9pm (Library Research Desk on the 4^th Floor)

 

To Access REVEL from your Blackboard Course:

To access REVEL from your Blackboard course:

Start from your Blackboard course.

Select a content area. The link is called “Revel Text and Activities”from the left navigation menu.

Select Open REVEL.

• If you have a Pearson account, enter your username and password. Otherwise, create a new account. Note: If you are also registering for a Pearson MyLab (like MyMathLab or MyVirtualChild) this term, you must register for the
• MyLab first, in order to use the same username and password for REVEL.

When your accounts are linked, select an access option:

• Redeem an access code purchased from the bookstore.
• Buy access using a credit card or PayPal.
• If available, get temporary access.

Your REVEL content appears.

To go back to Blackboard, look for the Blackboard tab or window in your browser.

That’s it. Throughout the semester, please access your REVEL content through Blackboard.

To upgrade temporary access to full access:

To upgrade your access before your temporary access expires, select the link in your confirmation email.

Once your temporary access expires, when you open REVEL from Blackboard, you’re prompted to upgrade your access. Redeem a pre-purchased access code, or buy access using a credit card or PayPal.

Need help?

If you have trouble getting access, make sure your laptop or other device is set up to work with REVEL.

Visit Pearson Support at https://support.pearson.com/getsupport.

Dedicated REVEL support line for students: (855) 875-1801