Interpersonal Communication Syllabus for 2017-2018
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Course

SPCH-1318-005 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

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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

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

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 undergird 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

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:

20%- Participation- Attendance/Discussions/Daily Quizzes

30%- Tests 3 tests 100points each

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

10% Group Assignment and Presentation 100points

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

Total- 100% (1000 points)

Participation:

Your success in this class will depend on your participation and attendance (see attendance below).  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.

Daily Quizzes:

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.

Teaching Assistant:

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...

Tests:

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.

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.

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

Papers:

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.

Group Assignment and Presentation:

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.

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.

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

Papers will be presented the last week of class.

Detailed instructions for every assignment are found on the Blackboard site for this class. Follow the link called “Assignment Instructions”. 

Evaluation Scale:

A= 90-100

B= 80-89

C= 70- 79

D= 60-69

F= 59 or below

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.

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.

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.

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.

Attendance

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.

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

No more than 2 absences - 100%

3 absences- 90%

4 absences 80%

5 absences 70%

6 absences 60%

7 absences 50%

8 absences 40%

More than 8 absences 0%

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.

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