Interpersonal Communication Syllabus for 2026-2027
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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 .

Statement on State-Authorized Courses at Amarillo College

For-credit academic and workforce education courses offered at Amarillo College are limited to the course options available in the statewide inventory for two-year public institutions. Courses in the state-authorized lower-division Academic Course Guide Manual and Workforce Education Course Manual have specific descriptions that prescribe course content and may include specific student learning outcomes. The Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board (THECB) maintains and regularly updates these manuals. Amarillo College faculty and leaders ensure that these courses are aligned with THECB guidelines and evaluated based on student performance outcomes. Students enrolled in these courses are expected to engage with and learn course content. According to the AC Board of Regents Policy Manual, "faculty members are entitled to academic freedom in the conduct of research and teaching and are tasked with the associated responsibilities" (DGC). Students are entitled to academic freedom in the classroom, as well, and faculty "must not attempt to force on students a personal viewpoint and must at all times allow diversity of opinion" (Amarillo College Academic Affairs Manual).

Course

SPCH-1318-025 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

Hours

(3 sem hrs 3 lec )

Class Type

Online Course

Syllabus Information

Textbooks

Textbook: Interpersonal Communication (2025 release) by Kory Floyd with Connect.

Purchase Information:

• This is a custom package for this class that 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, students will:

1. Exhibit understanding of interpersonal theories and principles.
2. Analyze and critique verbal and nonverbal interactions in mediated and face-to-face contexts.
3. Identify perceptual processes related to self and others.
4. Apply critical thinking to research, evaluate, and apply communication theories in oral and/or written work.
5. Demonstrate understanding of cross-cultural, co-cultural, gender, and age influences on communication.
6. Identify, evaluate, and apply conflict styles and management techniques in dyads and groups.
7. Recognize types of and barriers to effective listening.

Policies & Support

AI and Collusion Statement: Unauthorized collaboration using AI (such as ChatGPT or Google Gemini) or computer translators to fulfill course requirements is considered collusion and is strictly prohibited unless authorized by the instructor. 

Withdrawals: Students must officially drop or withdraw from classes if they wish to stop attending after the census date; instructors will not administratively withdraw students for non-attendance after that date. 

Disability Services: Students requiring special accommodations should contact Disability Services in the Student Services Center, room 119, call 806-371-5436, or visit the Amarillo College Disability Services Webpage. 

Mental Health & Social Services:

• AC Counseling Center offers confidential mental health support at 806-371-5900 or via the Amarillo College Counseling Center Webpage.
• AC Advocacy and Resource Center assists with social services (housing, utilities, food, etc.) at 806-371-5450 or via the AC Advocacy and Resource Center Webpage. 

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 & Grading Breakdown

• SmartBook Assignments – 20%
• Major Assignments (Two papers, 10 percent each): 20%
• Journal Entries – 15%
• Discussions (“Coffee Talks”) – 15%
• Midterm Exam – 10%
• Final Project – 10%
• Final Exam – 10%
  Total Possible Grade: 100%

Assignment Details

SmartBook Assignments: Weekly reading and assessment tasks completed through Connect. Read chapters before completing weekly tasks. 

Papers / Major Assignments: Two, 2- to 3-page papers worth 10 percent each, submitted to the Assignment Drop Box by 11:59 PM on their due dates. 

*Journal Entries: Private periodic reflections visible only to the instructor. Must use formal language (no slang or text speak) and be at least 100 words (roughly 3 paragraphs).

*Coffee Talk Discussions: Online discussion boards requiring at least one initial post and two substantive replies to peers. Initial posts should be 1 to 3 paragraphs (150 to 250 words) reflecting course readings and real-life examples. Proper netiquette and source citations are required. 

Final Project: Analysis of your interpersonal communication skills before and after the course across family, friend, workplace, and romantic contexts. You will be creating a video presentation reflecting on topics from the course that you used in your life during the term.  

*Grading Policy for Discussions and Journals: Pass/fail system. Incomplete instructions or missing peer replies result in a grade of zero with no partial credit. 

Midterm and Final Exams: Comprehensive exams worth 100 points each. The midterm covers the first 4 weeks, and the final covers the last 4 weeks. 

Late Work Policy

• Smartbook assignments are accepted up to one day late with a penalty, with no credit after one day.
• Coffee Talk discussions I do not accept late posts or replies.
• Papers/other assignments incur a 20-point deduction for being one day late, after which they are graded and averaged with a zero (maximum half credit), and are not accepted beyond two weeks past the original due date. 

Grading Scale

• A equals 90 to 100 points
• B equals 80 to 89 points
• C equals 70 to 79 points
• D equals 60 to 69 points
• F equals 59 points or below 

Extra Credit

• The Service Learning Video Project allows you to complete volunteer service hours and a video reflection to replace a missing test or major assignment. 

Attendance

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

Calendar

Additional Information