Interpersonal Communication Syllabus for 2019-2020
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Instructor Information

Course Information

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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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The Tutoring for Success policy applies to any student whose grade or performance in the course falls below a departmentally determined minimum threshold. In either of those cases, the instructor will direct the student to the appropriate tutoring service, which may be faculty-led, discipline-specific, and/or general. Under this policy, the instructor will follow specific departmental guidelines governing the use, duration, and grade component of the tutoring need.

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 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-1318-006 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 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:

Melodie Graves
Justice Involved Advocate
Student Service Center 117
mgraves24@actx.edu
806-371-5995
Make appointment at https://melodiegraves.youcanbook.me

You can also contact 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

Interpersonal Messages, 4^th edition by Joseph Devito. You need the bundle package that includes Revel (this is the online book access code you will need to complete some online activities, worth 25% of your grade)

 

Supplies

• Personal Computer with reliable internet access. Contact the AC bookstore for information on renting a laptop 371-5000
• Amarillo College email account (for more information click here)·        
•   Recommended browsers (Firefox or Chrome (to check your browser compatibility, click here)
• Access to microsoft word to type and submit papers

Student Performance

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

Confidentiality
Many communication courses ask students to engage in a level of self-disclosure not usually characteristic of other courses. 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. Interpersonal Communication is an interactive course, meaning you will be learning from each other’s personal experiences and examples. For this reason it is encouraged for you to be open to sharing with the class. 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.

Netiquette

Online etiquette, often referred to as "netiquette," is essential for life lived in the Internet.  As a society, it's oftentimes too easy to use keystrokes as missile attacks against others, and it's oftentimes too easy to mistake someone's keystrokes as personal attacks.

Because of those two elements, we will follow these guidelines:

We Honor Our Differences

• Behind every keystroke is a living breathing soul.  They have people who count on them, love them, and trust them.  They may have a life story different from ours, but it is our duty to the integrity of the classroom environment to keep our classmates safe.  Safe from harassment, safe from bullying, safe.
• When differences arise, use the tools we are learning in this course to ask for clarification.  Differences can be anything from personal beliefs to questions about truth of assertions.  
• When differences do arise, take the time to understand the other point of view.  In the process, you may change your viewpoint, or may strengthen your own argument.  Either way, the only way to achieve this wisdom and knowledge is to put forth the effort to listen and understand your classmates. 
• Find your voice.  Speak with clarity and kindness.  Always seek the truth.  Question everything.  Never make enemies, instead, build allies.  If you would not say it to their face, do not type it.
• Your voice is not without a name.  A server records your every keystroke.  Participate with integrity.
• Even if it is housed on a server, this is a college classroom.  Please respect the educational setting just as you would a traditional classroom.

We Honor the Craft of Communication

• In this class, we are learning how to communicate.  We will practice that skill in every dimension during our time together.
• TYPING IN ALL CAPS IS AKIN TO SHOUTING.  Do not shout, please.
• Speaking fluent sarcasm is a gift many have; however, as of yet, there is no sarcasm font.  Be cautious when using humor and sarcasm in an online environment.  Insulting your audience will dilute your effectiveness as a communicator. 
• When possible, check previous postings for content redundancy.  
• Edit and review your online writing before submitting it.
• LOL, OMG, SMH are perfectly fine when texting; however, this is a college classroom.  Write as a college-level student.  The same thing with emojis.  Use your words.
• Know when to use email versus a discussion board.  Things to keep in mind:
• Personal matters = email (i.e., asking instructor a question, finding out information about a campus event, etc.)
• Class matters = discussion boards (i.e., if will benefit at least three other people in the class)

Grading Criteria

 

Assignments/Grading Points Chapter book work/Quizzes (I drop the lowest quiz grade) 25% Journals 10% Papers/Presentations 25% Service Learning Project(requires volunteering) 20% Coffee Talk Discussions                                      20%

Participation Activities:
This class relies upon two major things 1) your active participation in online 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.

Late Work Policy:

I do not accept late work. Assignments are due Sunday nights at midnight every week. It is your responsibility to manage your time and meet the deadlines. I do not make exceptions to the late work policy.

Attendance

Regular attendance is essential for satisfactory achievement. Attendance for this course means logging in several times per week and engaging in discussions, journals, and Revel bookwork.

Calendar

Additional Information

There is a service learning project that will require you to spend a minimum of three hours volunteering over the course of the 8 week semester. You will be applying what you learn in the course to your volunteering experience. For this reason, it is recommended that you decide where you want to volunteer within the first week of class, including contacting the organization and finding out when you can volunteer/hours/requirements, etc. Then, do the actual volunteering around weeks 4-6. This will give you plenty of time to absorb the theories, terms, and concepts you will learn about through the course, so you can observe them as you are volunteering, then write about them in the final paper in weeks 6-7.

Several students last semester waited until the last minute to volunteer, and ended up at the High Plains Food Bank. The food bank is a very worthy organization, but based on past projects it didn’t really fit well with the goal of the project. Students were often stacking cans by themselves in a corner. It would be best for you to be interacting with people for this project. It is an Interpersonal Communication course after all! Pick something you feel passionate about, or at least something you are interested in. This will be more beneficial to you personally as well as for your project.

Examples: If you plan to be a teacher, volunteer at a school or summer day camp for kids.

If you plan to be a nurse, volunteer at a hospital or nursing home.

If you love animals, volunteer at the humane society.

If you aren’t sure what you want to do for a career, step out of your comfort zone and try something new...you may find your passion in this process!

This is also a great opportunity to make some connections in the community that will help you with a future career.