Interpersonal Communication Syllabus for 2020-2021
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Instructor Information

Course Information

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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

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Administrative Drop Policy

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

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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-1318-019 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

Hybrid

Syllabus Information

Textbooks

Devito, J. A. (2017). Interpersonal Messages (4th Ed). Pearson: Boston, MA.

*Please purchase the bundled package that includes a "Revel Access Code" for this hybrid course. This bundled package provides the online access code you will need to complete the online learning activities. The assignments facilitated via Revel are worth 20% of your final grade. This means you must purchase the textbook. 

Supplies

Students will access the digital synchronous meetings via the Zoom digital webinar service. 

In addition to the course textbook listed above, students are required to have access to a computer with internet access;  word processing capabilities; portable document file reading capabilities (.pdf).

Students should regularly access Amarillo College's student e-mail system, learning management system - BlackBoard, and digital textbook content - Revel.

Students will be required to submit digital video assignments in BlackBoard. Access of a digital video recording device with internet connectivity and a cloud based video sharing platform are necessary. 

Student Performance

Through reading the course literature, reviewing recent research findings, and participating in group and individual oral assignments, the student will:

1. Exhibit understanding of interpersonal theories and principles;
2. Demonstrate the 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 by effectively researching, evaluating, and applying communication in oral and written assignments;
5. Demonstrate understanding of the relevance of cross-cultural, co-cultural, gender and age influences on human communication;
6. Demonstrate the ability to identify, evaluate, and apply conflict styles and conflict management techniques in dyads and groups;
7. Identify types of barriers to effective listening and overcoming said barriers. 

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

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 confidentially 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.

Audio, video recording, and photographs are prohibited without prior approval of the instructor. 

Netiquette

Online etiquette, often referred to as "netiquette," is essential for life lived on the Internet.  As a society, it's oftentimes too easy to use keystrokes as missile attacks against others, and it's oftentimes too easy to mistake someone's keystrokes as personal attacks. Because of those two elements, we will follow these guidelines:

We Honor Our Differences

• Behind every keystroke is a living breathing soul.  They have people who count on them, love them, and trust them.  They may have a life story different from ours, but it is our duty to the integrity of the classroom environment to keep our classmates safe.  Safe from harassment, safe from bullying, safe.
• When differences arise, use the tools we are learning in this course to ask for clarification.  Differences can be anything from personal beliefs to questions about truth of assertions.  
• When differences arise, take the time to understand the other point of view.  In the process, you may change your viewpoint, or may strengthen your own argument.  Either way, the only way to achieve this wisdom and knowledge is to put forth the effort to listen and understand your classmates. 
• Find your voice.  Speak with clarity and kindness.  Always seek the truth.  Question everything.  Never make enemies, instead, build allies.  If you would not say it to their face, do not type it.
• Your voice is not without a name.  A server records your every keystroke.  Participate with integrity.
• Even if it is housed on a server, the BlackBoard is a college classroom.  Please respect the educational setting just as you would a traditional classroom.

We Honor the Craft of Communication

In this class, we are learning how to communicate.  We will practice that skill in every dimension during our time together.

• TYPING IN ALL CAPS IS AKIN TO SHOUTING.  Do not shout, please.
• Speaking fluent sarcasm is a gift many have; however, as of yet, there is no sarcasm font.  Be cautious when using humor and sarcasm in an online environment.  Insulting your audience will dilute your effectiveness as a communicator. 
• When possible, check previous postings for content redundancy.  
• Edit and review your online writing before submitting it.
• LOL, OMG, SMH are perfectly fine when texting; however, this is a college classroom.  Write as a college-level student.  The same thing with emojis.  Use your words.

Know when to use email versus a discussion board.  Things to keep in mind:

Personal matters should addressed via email (i.e., asking instructor a question, finding out information about a campus event, etc.).

Grading Criteria

Grade Calculation

Grades will be calculated on the following cumulative scale. 

ASSIGNMENT	MY GRADE	POINTS
Zoom Attendance	__________/	200 (20%)
Revel	__________/	200 (20%)
Take Away Talks (5)	__________/	200 (20%)
Journals (5)	__________/	200 (20%)
Exams (2)	__________/	100 (10%)
Final Essay	__________/	100 (10%)
TOTALS:	__________/	1,000 (100%)

Assignment Descriptions

Zoom Attendance - This class relies on your active participation and meaning self-analysis. If these occur along with attention to assignment and class readings, you will find tools to better understand your own communication skills, relate better to others, and succeed in this course. Attendance will be tracked at each course meeting. Please provide your name, student ID, and e-mail address in the "chat" tool at the beginning of each class meeting to record your attendance. The percentage of your attendance will represent your grade for this "assignment". 

Revel - Revel activities are provided by the textbook publisher and facilitated via the publisher's online learning management system. Access to Revel is found on the course menu in BlackBoard.

Take Away Talks - You will complete seven "Take Away Talks" requiring you to record a short video (60-90 seconds) in which you discuss the most important or valuable concept from the week's content.

Journals - You will complete five journal application assignments. Journals will require you to watch a brief "TedTalk" and respond to prompts provided to guide critical thinking. 

Exams - You will complete three exams. Each exam consists of 50 questions as related to previously reviewed chapters in the textbook.

Final Essay - You will complete one final essay. The essay will be at least three pages in length and will be a reflective narrative of your experience and take aways from the class. You are highly encouraged to submit your essay to the writing lab for review prior to final submission. Students engaging the writing lab for this assignment will receive full credit when the lab staff provides documentation indicating that they reviewed, edited, and updated your essay with you. 

Please note that late work is not accepted in this course. Unless otherwise indicated, all assignments are due by 11:59 p.m. on Sunday of the week they are assigned. Assignments are to be submitted via BlackBoard. Hard copy submissions will not be accepted.

ADA accommodation requirements must be submitted within four days of the start of the course or accommodations cannot be guaranteed.   

Attendance

For the purpose of this course:

1. Course meetings will be facilitated via the Zoom Webinar Tool as prescribed by the course schedule. (i.e. we meet via zoom instead of in a classroom at the college).
2. Attendance will be tracked at each course meeting. It is the responsibility of the student to record her attendance by typing her name, student ID, and email address in the "chat" tool in Zoom. The percentage of course meetings you attend will represent the grade you earn for the "Attendance" assignment. 
3. Absences are not categorized as "excused" or "unexcused" for this course. 
4. Late work is not accepted in this course.

Connecting Via Zoom 

Topic: SPCH 1318 – Interpersonal Communication Classroom

Join Zoom Meeting

https://actx-edu.zoom.us/j/3669904650

Meeting ID: 366 990 4650

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Find your local number: https://actx-edu.zoom.us/u/ken4kKK4vu

Calendar

Additional Information

Agenda for Synchronous Class Meetings via Zoom

The following is a model for a typical synchronous class meeting as facilitated via Zoom.
 

9:00 a.m.         Situate your learning environment and prepare for focused engagement.

                          Connect to Zoom webinar and engage audio and video functions (mute mic).

9:10 a.m.         Class meeting begins

                                   

                                    Check-in: We’ll spend a few minutes making sure everyone is thriving no just surviving.

                                    Learning Road Map: We’ll discuss what to expect from the course meeting

                                    Position Discussion: We’ll discuss and debate a topic. Prompt provided in syllabus

                                    Mini Lecture: We’ll discuss the current week’s topic/reading

                                    Q/A: We’ll discuss any pending questions regarding the reading

                                    Preview: We’ll discuss briefly the upcoming topic and assignments

10:15 a.m.         Class meeting concludes. Students to engage in Revel.

 

*Your instructor reserves the right to adjust the course meeting agenda.

 

Participant Expectations for Synchronous Class Meetings via Zoom

The following expectations are intended to help maintain an effective learning environment and to aid in student success while attending class meetings digitally facilitated via Zoom.

1. Students are expected to prepare a personal learning environment that is appropriate for public view, free from distraction, and has adequate internet access.

2. Students are expected to actively participate and interact during synchronous course meetings.

3. Students are expected to engage in behavior appropriate for the college classroom.

4. Students are expected communicate issues regarding the course in a timely manner to the instructor.

5. Students are expected to connect to Zoom via a device that allows for effective use of all Zoom tools.

1. 1. Preferred method is via ZOOM CLIENT on a computer with audio and video engaged.
   2. Secondary method is via tablet with audio and video engaged.
   3. Tertiary method is via mobile telephone with audio and video engaged.
   4. If all else fails, call into the class meeting via the following contact information.

 

**THIS SYLLABUS MAY BE ADJUSTED AT THE DISCRETION OF THE INSTRUCTOR.