Interpersonal Communication Syllabus for 2024-2025
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Instructor Information

Course Information

AI Statement

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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 Enrollment Center, Suite 700. 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:

Tutoring for Success applies to any student whose overall performance in the course falls below 75%. The instructor will create the task in the Student Engagement Portal (Watermark) to direct the student to the appropriate tutoring service, which may be faculty- or SI-led, discipline-specific, and/or general. The tutoring service assigned, the due date for when the tutoring must be completed, and the amount of tutoring required are at the discretion of the instructor. Additionally, the task will alert the student’s success team. Students who do not fulfill the assigned tutoring task may be subject to program- and course-specific penalties that could result in a grade reduction and/or in not being allowed to progress in the course until the tutoring requirement has been satisfied.

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-1318-027 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 Communication: 2024 Release by Kory Floyd with Connect.
This is a custom package created for this class. Access includes eBook with Connect. This can only be purchased from the campus bookstore or when you register for Connect. Registration instructions are below. Purchasing directly from Connect is typically the cheapest option. 

Supplies

How to Register for Connect through Blackboard Ultra:

 

Video link: https://www.mheducation.com/highered/support/connect/first-day-of-class/blackboard-ultra.html

 

Step 1:  Login into your campus Blackboard Ultra account using your personal login and password.

Step 2:  Then select SPCH 1318.

Step 3:  Select the folder that contains your course assignments.

Step 4:  Select any McGraw-Hill Connect assignment link to start the registration process.

Step 5:  Enter your Amarillo College email address and click Begin. If you receive the message, You have a Connect Account but have forgotten your password, click Forgot Password. *Depending on your school, you might skip this step. That’s ok! Just continue the process from that step to the end. 

Step 6:  Create your McGraw-Hill Education account. Please use your Amarillo College email address when creating an account. To receive text alerts, enter your mobile number. Agree to the Terms and Conditions and then click Continue.

Step 7:  You’ll see 3 registration options. Choose what works best for you.

• Enter your access code from the bookstore and click Redeem.

• Buy Online to purchase access

• Get 14-day Courtesy Access

Step 8:  Click Confirm. You are now registered.

 

Make the most of Connect

Stay Organized

• Digital Course Planner has all your upcoming Connect assignments in one place, and you can customize calendar alerts 

Focus On What Matters

• Use Reports to track your performance and your understanding of key concepts

Learn On-the-Go

• Download the free ReadAnywhere App to take your eBook* and SmartBook® 2.0* with you – online and offline

*ReadAnywhere supports newer eBooks and SmartBook 2.0. may not be available in your Connect course.

Connect Student Support Tools

• Find more tips:https://www.mheducation.com/highered/support/student/connect.html

 

FREE Study App

Sharpen

• Thousands of short videos, quizzes, and flashcards designed for your courses:https://mhss-links.mheducation.com/G1f2/JB1243

 

Tech Support:

Please contact McGraw Hill’s Higher Ed Technical Support using the information below.

• PHONE: 1-800-331-5094
  • Sunday: 11 AM to Midnight
    Monday - Thursday: 7 AM to Midnight
    Friday: 7 AM to 8 PM 
    Saturday: 9 AM to 7 PM
• LIVE CHAT or EMAIL: https://mhedu.force.com/CXG/s/ContactUs
  • Sunday: 11 AM to 11 PM
    Monday - Thursday: 24 hours 
    Friday: 11 PM to 8 PM 
    Saturday: 9 AM to 7 PM

Student Performance

Course Requirements:

McGraw Hill “Smartbook” assignments=20%

2 Major Assignments= 20 % (10% each)

Class Attendance/Participation= 20%

Final project= 20%

Mid-term exam= 10%

Final Exam= 10%

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

McGraw Hill “Connect” Smartbook assignments- Each week we will study new Interpersonal Communication topics. All of the readings are located in Connect. You will find this linked to the course content in Blackboard. The link is called, ‘McGraw Hill Connect”.

It is vital that you complete these “smartbook” assignments. As you read the material, you will answer questions as you go to assess what you have learned.

We will have class discussion and activities that reflect what you read in the textbook prior to meeting in class.

 

 

For most of the class, the chapter readings are due by Monday. It is important for you to have your readings and quizzes completed before class. I do not re-open “Smartbooks”.  

 

Papers/Assignments:

You will have 2 essay (2-3 pages)).

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

Assignments must be submitted to the Assignment Drop Box in Blackboard by 11:59 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 There will be periodic journal assignments during the class. These are found in Blackboard..

 

Final Project:

You will write an essay about your IPC skills before and after this course as they relate to family, friends, workplace, romantic relationships etc.  More information will follow. . The instructions are found in Blackboard

 

Mid-term exam:

There will be a mid-term given in week 4. It will cover the first half of the course. The exam is found in Blackboard.  

 

Final Exam:

The final exam will include the material covered during the second half of the class. It it located in Blackboard.

The mid-term and final exam are worth 100 points. Due dates are found in Blackboard.

 

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 McGraw Hill “Smartbook” assignments.

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)

*I do not accept work beyond two weeks after the initial due date

Grading Criteria

Grading 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.

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.

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 There will be periodic journal assignments during the class. These are found in Blackboard.

Calendar

Additional Information

No additional information available