Interpersonal Communication Syllabus for 2025-2026
Return to Syllabus List

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-1318-002 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

Textbook: Interpersonal Communication (2024 release) by Kory Floyd with Connect.

• This is a custom package for this class.
• Includes eBook + Connect access.
• May be purchased through the bookstore or directly when registering for Connect (often the cheapest option).

Registering for Connect via Blackboard Ultra

Video Guide

1. Log in to Blackboard Ultra with your AC credentials.
2. Select SPCH 1318.
3. Open the folder containing assignments.
4. Click any Connect assignment to begin registration.
5. Enter your AC email address. If prompted about an existing account/password, click Forgot Password and continue.
6. Create a McGraw-Hill account (use your AC email). Add your mobile number for text alerts if desired.
7. Choose one of three registration options:
   • Redeem an access code (from bookstore)
   • Buy access online
   • Use 14-day courtesy access
8. Click Confirm. You are registered.

Connect Resources

• Stay Organized: Use the Digital Course Planner with customizable calendar alerts.
• Focus: Use Reports to track performance and understanding.
• On-the-Go: Download the free ReadAnywhere App for your eBook and SmartBook® 2.0 (availability varies).
• Support: Connect Student Support
• Study App: Sharpen – free videos, quizzes, and flashcards.

Tech Support (McGraw Hill)

• Phone: 1-800-331-5094
  • Sun: 11 AM – Midnight
  • Mon–Thu: 7 AM – Midnight
  • Fri: 7 AM – 8 PM
  • Sat: 9 AM – 7 PM

Supplies

Supplies: Each student must provide writing/note-taking materials (pen/pencil and paper) for in-class assignments, group activities, and quizzes.

Student Performance

Learning Outcomes

 Upon successful completion of this course, students 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.

Policies & Support

AI Use Policy (Amarillo College):
Collusion includes “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.” AI-generated work is only allowed when explicitly permitted by the instructor.

Withdrawals: No administrative withdrawals initiated by instructor. Students are responsible for withdrawing if needed.

Disability Services: Student Services Center, Room 119 | 806-371-5436 | Website

Mental Health & Social Services:

• Counseling Center: 806-371-5900 | Website
• Advocacy & Resource Center: 806-371-5450 | Website

Handbook Compliance: All students must comply with the Student Rights and Responsibilities Handbook.

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

Grading Criteria

Course Requirements:

McGraw Hill Connect “Smartbook” assignments20%

Major Assignments: You will have two essays - 10% for each essay = 20%

Journal Entries = 15%

Discussions- “Coffee Talks” = 15%

Midterm exam = 10%

Final Project = 10%

Final Exam = 10%

Total = 100%

McGraw Hill “Connect” Smartbook assignments- Each week we will study a new Interpersonal Communication topic. All of the readings are located in Connect. You will find this linked to the course content. 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. Your journal entries and “coffee talks” will reflect what you read about in the textbook. So please read the chapters first before you go on to the other weekly assignments.

Papers/Assignments:

Two 2-3-page papers will be assigned during the semester. These are each worth 10% of your final grade. Assignments must be submitted to the Assignment Drop Box by 11:59 PM on the due date.

Journal Entries:

There will be periodic journaling assignments during the semester. These are meant to be private, and will only be seen by your instructor. This assignment is designed to allow you to go deeper into the IPC topics, and reflect on how they work in your life. They are also designed aid in building your essays.

These journal entries must be written using formal language (no slang or text language).  You can write as much as you want, but no less than 100 words (3 paragraphs).

  .

“Coffee Talk” Discussions:

We will have numerous on-line discussions during the semester.  Your participation in these discussions is crucial to your success in the class. Everyone must contribute in order to ensure a lively discussion.

Your postings to the Discussion Forums and your replies to your classmates' postings will make up a significant portion of your grade in this class. Points are earned based on the quality of your responses and your compliance with the required number of discussion postings (at least one) and substantive replies (at least two). To receive credit for your discussion postings, you must respond to the discussion assignments with quality comments that demonstrate you have completed the textbook readings and have given significant thought to the questions. Also, your posts and comments should reflect specific situations in your life that relate to the readings. I am lloking for specific examples, not general information.
The prompts for each posting (in other words, the question or questions you are supposed to answer or the topic you are supposed to discuss) are located within the respective Chapter for that week’s discussion. You must read the chapter to find out what to post.

Postings should be approximately one to three paragraphs long. (Each paragraph should be about 4-5 sentences or approximately 150-250 words.) Proofread and spell-check your work.
 

You must post by or before the specified deadline for each initial posting and reply within the specified time to receive credit for your comments.

Stay on Topic! Construct a quality response and use proper “netiquette”. More information about “netiquette” is available through Blackboard.

Failing to cite sources within emails or discussions is a form of plagiarism, which is grounds for receiving a 0 on the assignment.
 

Students who violate Discussion Forum rules will be asked to leave the discussion through a private email, and they will receive a zero for the discussion assignment.

*Grading policy for “coffee talks and journal entries:

 *I have a “pass/fail” grading policy for discussion posts (coffee talks) and journal entries. This means you have to complete the assignment correctly and thoroughly following all of the directions entirely. I do not give partial credit. So, if you post an initial response to the prompt, but you do not reply to your classmates, you will receive a “0” for the assignment. Also, if you do not respond to every question in the prompt, or you leave out specific information, you will receive a “0”. So, please read the instructions carefully, and do your very best work.

Final Project:

You will answer questions about your IPC skills before and after this course as they relate to family, friends, workplace, romantic relationships etc. These answers  should be 4 or 5 sentences in length and include citations in APA format.

Mid-term and Final exam: :

These exams will be comprehensive (mid-term will cover the first 4 weeks, and the final exam will cover the last 4 weeks). They are worth 100 points. Check the course calendar for due dates.

Late Work Policy:

This is an eight-week class, so there is not much time to catch up if you fall behind. I do not accept “late work for “smartbook” reading assignments after one day. If you submit one day late, penalties will apply. The “coffee talks’ are meant to be your class participation, so I will not accept late posts.

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 will not accept any assignment beyond two weeks after the original due date.

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. Make sure you allow enough time to complete class assignments before you focus on extra credit papers.

Amarillo College 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. 

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.

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.ad      

For more information about Disability Services visit https://www.actx.edu/disability/  

Advocacy & Resource Center website is www.actx.edu/arc

Every student is required to comply with the policies published in the “Student Rights and Responsibilities Handbook.”

Students who do not attend class on or prior to the census date will be administratively dropped. Effective Fall, 2016.

Attendance

Attendance & Census Date: Students who do not attend by census date will be dropped (per AC policy, Fall 2016).

Calendar

Additional Information