Interpersonal Communication Syllabus for 2017-2018
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Instructor Information

Course Information

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Administrative Drop Policy

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

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Students who wish to withdraw from a course must complete all steps indicated on the Academic Withdrawal Request form by the course withdrawal deadline.

NOTE: Students who are 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. This withdrawal limitation does not include dual credit or developmental classes (Senate Bill 1231 Rule 4.10.) For more information on Drop and Withdrawal Policies, please visit the Registrar's Office Web site.

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Course

SPCH-1318-004 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 ResourcesStudent Resources Website

Department Expectations

Occupational License Disclaimer

Notice to Students enrolled in an educational program for preparation of issuance of certain occupational licenses:

Students enrolled in an educational program in preparation for obtaining certain occupational licenses are potentially ineligible for such license if the student has been convicted of an offense. For further information, please contact your advisor, the Legal Clinic, or the faculty member in charge of the educational program that you seek to enroll in. The further information you will receive will include notification to you of your right to request a criminal history evaluation letter from the licensing authority in order to clarify your particular situation.

Hours

(3 sem hrs; 3 lec)

Class Type

On Campus Course

Syllabus Information

Textbooks

There are three texts required for successful completion of this course:

1. Revel e-text and printed copy (more details regarding linking the course to your e-text within the course itself)
2. The Things They Carried by Tim O'Brien ISBN: 978-0544309760

3. Chicago: 1968 by Nicholas Proctor 

Supplies

You will need:

• computer with reliable internet access 
• Chrome, Firefox or Safari as browsers.  Both Blackboard and Revel recommend Chrome as the primary browser.
• Note-taking tools (pen, pencil, binder, paper, spiral, laptop)
• Access to Google Drive and Google Documents (available through your AC Connect account)
  • If you don’t know, your ___@amarillocollege.com is actually a Gmail account

Student Performance

Course Objectives:

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

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.

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

1.  Students are expected to behave as adults within both the physical and online class spaces.  Adult behavior includes:
   1. Respect – of opinions, space, ideas
   2. Come to class prepared for learning
2. When problems arise with classmates, please use the following procedure:
   1. Take appropriate time to understand if the problem is your opinion, or if it is truly an issue that needs to be addressed.
   2. Approach the individual – sooner rather than later – and ask if they can visit with you sometime soon.
      1. When you do meet, phrase your questions as curiosity and what you have noticed, rather than blame.  Seek to clarify the situation.  Make sure you have all of the information.
      2. Seek to resolve the situation in a mutually beneficial agreement.
   3. If this scenario does not create a solution, please contact me and I will assist.
3. Taking someone else’s work and passing it off as your own is plagiarism.  Plagiarism is a serious offense, possibly resulting in removal from class or Amarillo College.  The Amarillo College Student Rights and Responsibilities deals with plagiarism; however for this course we will use this handout to determine types of plagiarism.
   1. Sources Cited – will result in a 10-20 point final grade reduction.
   2. Sources Not Cited – will result in a failing grade for the assignment.
4. Know your classmates, but respect their privacy.  In this course, we discuss many issues where personal experiences may be discussed.  A modicum of privacy is expected for all individuals involved, meaning, your classmates should not be fodder for your outside of class conversations. 
5. Cell phones are welcome in this course; however, they are not for communication with the outside world.  Since we are using Revel and its associated apps, you will need your phone.  But that is it – your focus is on the course work at hand.  Occasions will arise where you may need to have your phone as a communication tool.  Please visit with me prior to class and let me know you may need to use your phone as a communication tool during our class time.  
6. Late work policy: I do not accept late work.  I will discuss with each student the possibility of extensions on papers.  Extensions must be requested prior to the assignment due date and time.  Please note: I do not necessarily check my email over the weekend.  Please plan accordingly, making arrangements before the assignment is due.  This is important as our due date is typically Sunday evenings at 11:59 p.m.  Extensions may or may not have points deducted from the final grade.
7. Withdrawal Policy: If you choose to withdraw from the course, you must request a withdrawal from me via email.  My email address is cgmilleson@actx.edu or courtney@amarillocollege.com.  I do not accept withdrawal requests via voicemail, telephone or Skype.

Grading Criteria

A = 90-100%

B = 80-89%

C = 70-79%

D = 60-69%

F = 0-59%

Grade Distribution/Breakdown:
In this course, your overall grade will be created as a percentage.

Assignment	Weight
Quizzes (drop lowest)	25%
Journals	10%
Papers (3)	25%
Assignments	25%
Reacting to the Past Game*	10%
Final Exam	5%

Learners who miss more than 3 classes (16 week course) will have their final grade reduced by a letter grade.  *Learners will have to earn a role in the RttP game by attending and participating in class.

Attendance

Attendance is critical for this course.  Missing three or more classes will result in the loss of a letter grade.

Attendance for this course will be collected via a sign-in sheet.

Calendar

Additional Information

A Reacting to the Past Game: Chicago, 1968

A significant portion of this class will be dedicated to playing a Reacting to the Past game called Chicago, 1968.  For short, I will call this game Chicago or “the game.”  

Playing the game will require learners to speak, write, think, lead, problem solve, and participate in teams.  It is important to note that there are no pre-determined outcomes for the games.  Each faction, a fancy word for teams, is responsible for coming up with a winning solution that adheres to their characters beliefs and philosophies.  In essence, learners and their faction can actually change history.  The idea behind Reacting games is this: life and ideas are not separate.  

The game has three portions.

1.  Set up – I will give you some background information to set the stage for your characters actions.  You are assigned readings to help supplement your knowledge.
2. Game – based on each characters role sheet, the games will proceed driven solely by students.  I will serve as Gamemaster (GM).  I will not intrude very often – it’s my role to coach players, and to let the game play out.
3. Post-mortem – winners are announced, players relinquish their character roles and freely discuss the game and any issues yet to be resolved.

Each student will be given:

1. central philosophical or historical texts
2. a role description/character sheet

Item 1 is available to everyone playing the game.  However, the most critical element is each individual’s role description also called a “character sheet”.  Learners should not show this character sheet to anyone.  It has information about their character that they don’t want everyone to know.

Just as real life brings change, as the GM, I will also be able to affect change on the game.  Participants should never assume they have all of the knowledge or vision of the game.

When we a game playing, we will address each other by our game names.  When you are on campus and see a member of our class, you should assume that you are playing the game.  

When a learner has a question, please cover the game name tag and address me as Courtney, instead of Game Master.  Learners may also call for a “Point of Order.”

Not playing the game is not an option.  The game requires students to actively participate in the process, meaning, each individual will engage in thoughtful consideration of the elements of the game in the context of the course specific concepts.  If a learner should find this task too difficult, please contact me immediately for GM interventions.

Learners with more questions should read this PDF produced by the Reacting to the Past faculty at Barnard College.

Once learners complete the course, please update resumes with...

Once you have successful completed this course with a grade of “A”, please update your resume to include:

• Superior ability to understand interpersonal theories and principles use those to navigate conflict management scenarios (including individuals and groups)
• Superior ability to identify perceptions of self and others in various settings (gender, age, culture, etc.)
• Superior critical thinking and listening skills

Once you have successful completed this course with a grade of “B”, please update your resume to include:

• Excellent ability to understand interpersonal theories and principles use those to navigate conflict management scenarios (including individuals and groups)
• Excellent ability to identify perceptions of self and others in various settings (gender, age, culture, etc.)
• Excellent critical thinking and listening skills

Once you have successful completed this course with a grade of “C”, please update your resume to include:

• Ability to understand interpersonal theories and principles use those to navigate conflict management scenarios (including individuals and groups)
• Ability to identify perceptions of self and others in various settings (gender, age, culture, etc.)
• Practiced in critical thinking and listening skills

Administrative Drop Policy

Amarillo College has adopted an Administrative Drop Policy.  Faculty will report attendance through the official census roster.  The Registrar’s Office staff will capture those students who are reported as non-attending and will "Administratively Drop" the students from the class. This could potentially impact student’s Financial Aid or ACE status.

Please be aware of this sections important course dates:

Start Date: 08/21/2017
Census Date: 09/06/2017
End Date: 12/15/2017

Refund Schedule
100% Date: through 5^th day
70% Date: through 15^th day
25% Date: through 20^th day

Withdrawal Deadline Date: 11/21/17

Final Grade Due Date: 12/15/17