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-1318-024 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

Online Course

Syllabus Information

Textbooks

Interpersonal Communication, 2024 Release, Kory Floyd, Copyright 2024 Publisher McGraw Hill ISBN 9781266358753

This course will use McGraw Hill's Connect to access digital content from Floyd; Interpersonal Communication, 4e. Students will be required to utilize the online platform to complete their reading, homework, quizzes, and tests. 

Students may purchase an access code for the digital content directly through the link in the course (at a cheaper price than the AC Bookstore). 

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 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. It is recommended to use your school 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, but at the very least, get the 14-Day Courtesy access now - you need it to get started on Week One assignments.

• 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.

Students who do not purchase McGraw Hill Connect will not be successful in the course.

Important Note: The eBook for this course requires proctoring software that must be installed on your browser. If you are using a computer with restrictions that prevent installing add-ons—such as a Chromebook from your high school days—you may encounter difficulties accessing the homework. If this situation applies to you, I strongly encourage you to reach out to the IT team or the person responsible for managing your device's settings to discuss possible solutions. It is essential to ensure you have the necessary access to complete your coursework successfully. Please don't hesitate to ask for assistance early on to avoid any disruptions to your learning experience.

Supplies

Reliable access to the Internet (all assignments for this course are completed/submitted online)  

Reliable computer/laptop

Please do not attempt to complete this course using your phone

By attempting this course, you acknowledge that you have a basic understanding of all of the skills listed below, or you are willing to learn them to be successful in the course. If needed, you may visit The Underground or one of AC's various tutoring centers for assistance with technology.

Knowledge of basic computer skills, including, but not limited to:

• Navigation of Blackboard
  • how to write journals
  • how to submit an assignment
  • how to participate in a discussion board
  • how to participate in a group discussion/assignment
• Navigation of Google Drive or similar apps
  • how to convert Google Doc to .pdf
  • creation of Google Slides
• Willingness to continue learning (Growth Mindset)

If you are unsure about any of these, please email me at mfowler@actx.edu as quickly as possible so I can get you in contact with the correct tutoring center.

If you're on any Amarillo College campus, you may access the college's free WiFi

WIFI PASSWORD: AmarilloCollege

Student Performance

After completing the required course activities, students will

1. Recognize and explain basic communication terms and principles.
2. Demonstrate knowledge of theory and competence in preparing and presenting informative and persuasive speeches.
3. Be able to analyze various communication contexts.
4. Apply communication principles and theory in diverse circumstances and demonstrate effective communication, distinguishing effective from less effective responses.
5. Be able to find, identify, and effectively use supporting materials in speech and written assignments.
6. Understand and discuss how best to avoid plagiarism.
7. Participate in class and group processes.
8. 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

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 www.amarillocollege.net/hr/title-ixtitle-ix. Confidential counseling and advocacy services are available through the Counseling Center and Advocacy & Resource Center.

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 and respect for their classmates' privacy.

Late work Policy: Late work will NOT be accepted. You are responsible for completing all work in this course on time, in accordance with the guidelines for each assignment. If you do not understand an assignment or have difficulties with an assignment, it is your responsibility to contact me in a timely manner to request assistance. Please be realistic about the time frame you use when requesting assistance, and be as specific as possible when asking a question. Begin your assignments early so that should the need for help arise, you have time to receive it and still meet the deadline for the assignment. All work should be typed.

Emergencies and Challenges: Here's the thing, I understand that sometimes things come up that are bigger than school, like personal health issues, family emergencies, crisis moments, loss, or just something unexpected that knocks the wind out of you.

If something like that happens and you realize you won’t be able to meet a major deadline, email me before the deadline. We can then discuss what’s going on and figure out what we can realistically do. Extensions beyond the one per semester are not guaranteed, but I will always listen with compassion.

Communication Expectations: I will send out emails to our whole class in Blackboard. However, please email me at mfowler@actx.edu - not through Blackboard. Please allow up to 48 hours for a reply to your email. If you do not get a response from me within that 48-hour period, email me again. Please note that correspondence received on Fridays and Holidays will not be addressed until the next regularly scheduled business day. Please allow at least one week for feedback for graded assignments and activities.

When communicating in an online format (e-mail or class discussions), please adhere to the standard Rules of Netiquette.

Email and Messaging Etiquette: Be Specific and Clear

Effective communication is crucial to your success in this course and a component of what our course teaches. To ensure that I can quickly understand and respond to your inquiries, please follow these guidelines when emailing or messaging me:

Subject Line: Clearly state the purpose of your message.

• Example: "Question about Interpersonal Communication Assignment 2"

Include Context: Be specific about what assignment, class, or project you are referring to. Include the following:

• Course Name and Section (e.g., "Interpersonal Communication, Section 01")
• Assignment Name or Number (e.g., "Assignment 3: Conflict Resolution Essay")
• Relevant dates or deadlines if applicable.

Ask Clear Questions: If you are seeking clarification, ask specific questions rather than general ones.

• Vague: "I don't understand this assignment."
• Specific: "For Assignment 2 on Nonverbal Communication, could you clarify what is meant by 'contextual analysis'?"

Provide Necessary Details: If your question is about a grade or feedback, include relevant information such as the assignment's name, the grade received, and your concerns.

• Example: "I received an 85 on Assignment 2. Can you explain how I can improve my analysis in the final section?"

Be Patient with Grading Inquiries: Understand that manually graded assignments take time to evaluate thoroughly. If you have a question about when grades will be posted, check the syllabus for the estimated grading timeline before reaching out. Requests for instant grading will not speed up the process.

• Example: "I understand Assignment 2 is manually graded. Can you provide an update on when we might receive feedback?"

Review Before Sending: Take a moment to review your email for completeness, clarity, and tone. Be courteous and professional.

Following these guidelines will help ensure that your questions are answered promptly and efficiently. I am happy to have these discussions with you, but I will need help understanding your point of view. Remember, perspective is everything. 

Plagiarism is unacceptable. Plagiarism is considered serious academic misconduct. All written assignments presented in this class must be original work by the student. Any student caught plagiarizing or cheating will receive a failing grade for the course. Students must abide by high standards of journalistic integrity. Faking quotations, faking facts, pasting material directly from a website or other source or reporting things that did not happen will be treated as plagiarism and dealt with in the same manner as other scholastic dishonesty. Scholastic dishonesty shall include, but not be limited to, cheating on a test, plagiarism, and collusion. Cheating on a test shall include: 1. Copying from another student’s test paper. 2. Using test materials not authorized by the person administering the test. 3. Collaborating with or seeking aid from another student during a test without permission from the test administrator. 4. Knowingly using, buying, selling, stealing, or soliciting, in whole or in part, the contents of an unadministered test. 5. The unauthorized transporting or removal, in whole or in part, of the contents of the unadministered test. 6. Substituting for another student, or permitting another student to substitute for one’s self, to take a test. 7. Bribing another person to obtain an unadministered test or information about an unadministered test. Plagiarism shall be defined the unacknowledged submission or incorporation of another person's/organization's work as one’s own written work for purposes of receiving grades in this course and/or publication in a student media outlet, regardless of whether the lifted material represents the original work in its entirety or in part. Collusion shall be defined as the unauthorized collaboration with another person in preparing written work for fulfillment of course requirements. A complete statement regarding scholastic dishonesty can be found in the Student Code of Conduct in Student Rights and Responsibilities in this syllabus.

AIgiarism refers to using artificial intelligence tools (AI) to produce seemingly human output that does not actually reflect your own work. AI-generated content can seem like a tempting shortcut, compared to doing the hard work of learning. When you do this, you shortchange yourself, and you and misrepresent yourself to the outside world (instructors, classmates, family, hiring managers, etc.). Moreover, the quality of AIgiarized content is often not as good as you think it is to a knowledgeable reader. Unless otherwise stated, all work submitted is expected to be conducted and written by you – not by AI chatbots or similar tools. Inappropriately misrepresenting AI-generated output as your own work will be considered a violation of academic integrity, and treated in the same way as plagiarism. 

AI-detecting software may be used to analyze your submissions. If I am unsure about the source of the work you submit, I will require you to meet with me to explain the ideas and how the assignment was written.

Grading Criteria

Grades in this course will consist of:

Grading Scale

A = 90-100                       

B = 80-89

C = 70-79                       

D = 60-69

F = 59 or below

Weekly Coffee Chats

Weekly online homework will include Coffee Talk discussion postings. To receive full credit for a discussion forum, you must make one discussion forum posting and respond to at least two of your classmates’ postings. Online discussions will constitute 10% of your final course grade. Points for discussions are earned based on the quality of your responses and your compliance with the required number of postings and replies. Your initial posts need to be at least 250 words and your two responses need to be at least 100 words. 

Due dates are shown in the course calendar. To facilitate a discussion forum that is more engaging for all of us, I encourage you to submit your original post as early in the week as possible, then return a day or two later and respond to your peers. For this course, a discussion post should involve a mention of something from the course material or that you've found on your own. A response should add depth to what your peer has posted. Credit for weekly discussions will be awarded as follows: 50% of grade for an original post that contains substance and 50% for multiple responses that expand the conversations your peers have begun. "I agree," no matter how eloquently worded, does not count as a response and no credit will be given for it. Do your part to make a better learning experience for all, and tell us why.

Attendance

This is an online course. Since we don't meet in person, students should plan to log into the course daily and complete readings, assignments, and discussions. 

Regular participation in class is required if the student is to do well in the course. Please pay close attention to your due dates. 

If a student has not participated in the online class by the Census Date, they will be automatically dropped from the course; this is called an Administrative Drop. The instructor reserves the right to lower the final course grade in light of poor online participation.

There will be no instructor-initiated withdrawals from this class. Students are responsible for dropping or withdrawing from this course as necessary. No official warnings will be given to students when excessive absences jeopardize the successful completion of the course. 

Get in the habit of checking your college email every day. 

Calendar

Additional Information

As we get going this semester, I want to make sure everyone knows how to turn things in so nothing gets lost or goes unseen.

All assignments must be submitted directly in Blackboard. Please do not email me your assignments or send me links to Google Drive, OneDrive, Dropbox, etc. If I can’t open it directly in Blackboard, I cannot grade it. Assignments submitted as links will receive an automatic zero. Please know that it's not because I’m being mean, but because those links break, need permissions, expire, or just get lost. Blackboard keeps everything organized and in one place.

If you're ever unsure how to submit something or if Blackboard is being weird (it happens to the best of us), email me at mfowler@actx.edu and let me know. 

Follow these APA guidelines when writing your essay in this course. This ensures your work looks professional, organized, and consistent with industry and academic standards.

• Use standard 8.5” x 11” paper with 1-inch margins on all sides.

• Double-space everything — title page, main text, and a references page.

• Use Times New Roman 12 pt 

• Include a page number in the upper right-hand corner of each page.

• Use boldface and title case (capitalize major words) for all section headings.

Here's how to cite our textbook for this course, using APA style:

Basic In-Text Citation:

• Use the authors' last names and publication year when mentioning the textbook in your writing. For example:

Floyd (2021) emphasizes the importance of active listening in healthy relationships.

Full Reference List Citation:

• Include the following information in your references list:

Floyd, K. (2021). Interpersonal communication (4th ed.). McGraw Hill. https://connect.mheducation.com/

Additional Notes:

• If you're referencing a specific chapter, article, or section within the textbook, you can add more detail to your citation. For example:

If the e-book does not have page numbers, you should use the chapter number and, if available, the section heading and/or paragraph number in your parenthetical citation.

For instance, if you are citing information from Chapter 3, under the section heading "Types of Nonverbal Communication," and it's the fourth paragraph in that section, your parenthetical citation would look like this:

(Floyd, 2021, Chapter 3, "Types of Nonverbal Communication," para. 4)

If there are no section headings, you can just use the chapter number and paragraph number:

(Floyd, 2021, Chapter 3, para. 4)

In the case where you are summarizing key ideas from a whole chapter, you would simply use the chapter number in your parenthetical citation:

(Floyd, 2021, Chapter 3)

Remember, the goal is to provide enough information for your reader to locate the specific part of the text you are referring to, even without page numbers. Consistency and accuracy are key when citing sources. If you're unsure about how to cite something, please don't hesitate to ask. We're all on this academic adventure together. If you’re unsure how to cite or format your paper, contact The Writers’ Corner. 

Now, some of you might be tempted to explore the ever-evolving frontiers of AI tools. They can be valuable companions, offering insights and assisting your research. However, when using AI-generated content, remember:

• AI is a tool, not a source: Treat AI-generated text like a helpful discussion partner, not a definitive answer. Always verify the information it provides against other reliable sources and apply critical thinking.
• Transparency is key: If you incorporate AI-generated content in your work, consider mentioning the tool you used in your references. This builds trust and ensures credit goes where it's due.
• Focus on originality: Your unique voice and critical analysis are what truly shine. Use AI as a springboard, not a substitute for your intellectual exploration.

While the APA format is still evolving to handle citations for AI-generated content, there are a few options you can consider, depending on the specific context and nature of your interaction with AI. In the examples below, we will focus on Bard.

1. Personal Communication:

This option is suitable if you're referencing a specific conversation or exchange you had with Bard. The format would be:

(Author, personal communication, Month Day, Year)

For example:

(Bard, personal communication, October 26, 2023)

2. Algorithm's Output:

This option is appropriate if you're citing a specific text or creative content generated by Bard. The format would be:

(Author, Algorithm's output, Title of generated content, Month Day, Year)

For example:

(Bard, Algorithm's output, Poem on the beauty of nature, October 26, 2023)

3. Software:

If you're referring to Bard as a tool or software overall, you can cite it as:

Google AI. (Year). Bard: A large language model for research and dialogue. https://www.projectpro.io/article/chatgpt-vs-google-bard/815

Important Notes:

• These are just a few suggestions, and the specific format may vary depending on the requirements of your assignment or journal. It's always best to consult your instructor or publication guidelines for specific instructions.
• Transparency is key. Regardless of the chosen format, mention prominently in your work that you used an AI tool like Bard and be specific about how it was used and what content it generated.
• Remember, AI-generated content should be used responsibly and critically evaluated alongside other sources. Your own intellectual analysis and original contribution remain essential for academic integrity and meaningful learning.

Research is basically joining a conversation that’s already happening. So when we use someone else’s ideas, we give them credit. That’s what citations are. And yes, AI tools can help you brainstorm or organize, but they don’t replace your own thinking. That part is your voice, and that’s what matters.

We’re in this together, learning how to ask better questions, find solid information, and build knowledge with honesty and curiosity.