Interpersonal Communication Syllabus for 2025-2026
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Instructor Information

Course Information

AI Statement

Collusion is defined as “the unauthorized collaboration with another person or by any other means, including artificial intelligence (AI) and computer translators, in preparing work for fulfillment of course requirements.” Using AI like (ChatGPT or Google Gemini) to create a document is considered colluding. The use of Generative Artificial Intelligence on specific assignments is at the discretion of the instructor.

Title IX and Sexual Misconduct Reporting

Amarillo College prohibits discrimination and harassment based on sex, including sexual harassment, sexual assault, dating violence, domestic violence, and stalking, under Title IX and Texas Education Code §51.253–255. Faculty and staff are mandatory reporters and must share any related concerns with the Title IX Coordinator at titleix@actx.edu. Reports and additional information are available at https://www.actx.edu/hr/title-ixtitle-ix. Confidential counseling and advocacy services are available through the Counseling Center and Advocacy & Resource Center.

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.

Amarillo College Web Accessibility Policy Statement

Amarillo College is committed to providing equal access to all programs and services, including all working, learning, and service environments that affect equal access for persons with disabilities. This commitment to provide equal access and opportunity for persons with disabilities is in compliance with federal and state law. Amarillo College also strives to provide Electronic and Information Resources (EIR) that are accessible to all authorized users.

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.

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-1318-003 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

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 by Kory Floyd, fourth edition; McGraw Hill with Connect

Supplies

You need the textbook to be successful in the course. It is linked to online assignments that are required. Information for accessing the textbook is located in the "Start Here" tab of our course.

All work for this course will be submitted online, so I recommend you have regular access to a computer, rather than a phone, for ease of typing up papers and journal entries. If you do not have a personal computer, please remember that you are able to use the computers on our Washington Street Campus located in the Underground which is in the basement of the Ware Student Commons building. Underground Hours of Operation are as follows:
Fall and Spring Semester:
Sunday:           2:00 pm - 6:00 pm
Monday:           7:00 am - 8:30 pm
Tuesday:          7:00 am - 8:30 pm
Wednesday:     7:00 am - 8:30 pm
Thursday:         7:00 am - 8:30 pm
Friday:              7:00 am - 4:00 pm
Saturday:         Closed

You will type papers in either Microsoft Word or Google Docs for submission. You have access to Google products through your AC email account. All outline and paper submissions need to be submitted as PDFs.

I highly recommend you bring writing materials to class. Taking notes is helpful in retention of the material covered, and additionally, I will personally ask you to write responses to questions during class time that will then be discussed as a group - so you will want to be prepared for that. Pen and paper are highly recommended. 

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

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 confidentiality, 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; please respect each other's privacy. 

Attendance
Your attendance is crucial in an 8-week in-person course. Our course calendar is detailed and I need you to be responsible for your time so that we can make the most of our 8 weeks together! 

Grading Criteria

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

Extra Credit Opportunities:
Anyone who seeks tutoring at the Writer's Corner on the 3rd floor of the Ware Student Commons building will receive 5 extra credit points on the assignment you get help with. You may utilize this for either or both of the 2 paper assignments. The Writer's Corner will send time-stamped email verification of your appointments, so you have to actually seek help and stay and work on the assignment(s) to qualify for the extra credit points. If you do so well on the paper that you do not need extra credit points, I will add them to your lowest grade in the course. 

Additionally, if your average grade in the course falls below a 75, you will be required to seek tutoring assistance. What that requirement will look like will be based on what is most appropriate for your specific situation. 

Late Work Policy:
I do not accept late work. Assignment deadlines are set and you may view them below. It is your responsibility to manage your time and meet the deadlines. I do not make exceptions to the late work policy because of the 8-week format. Please let me know if you are dealing with extenuating circumstances and I will work with you, but as a general rule late work is not graded. 

Attendance

This is an in-person course. We meet Monday through Thursday from 10:30 - 11:45 am in Parcells Hall room 217. Regular attendance is essential for satisfactory achievement. The more you come to class, the more likely you will be to grasp the material and understand the assignments you will be responsible for. Some of our class meetings will be for presentations. It is best to come to class as often as possible and actively participate while there. 

Calendar

Additional Information

I look forward to a great semester with each of you!