Interpersonal Communication Syllabus for 2021-2022
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Instructor Information

Course Information

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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 Student Service Center office 112. More information may be found at www.actx.edu/disability.
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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

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The Tutoring for Success policy applies to any student whose grade or performance in the course falls below a departmentally determined minimum threshold. In either of those cases, the instructor will direct the student to the appropriate tutoring service, which may be faculty-led, discipline-specific, and/or general. Under this policy, the instructor will follow specific departmental guidelines governing the use, duration, and grade component of the tutoring need.

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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-1318-018 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

On Campus Course

Syllabus Information

Textbooks

Messages, Joseph A. DeVito, Second Custom Edition for Amarillo College (available at the AC Bookstore.)DeVito, J. A. Messages, Amarillo College Custom Edition. Pearson Custom Publishing, 2007

Supplies

Student Performance

Interpersonal Communication

                       

Instructor: Marcie Robinson

Email: mlrobinson@actx.edu

Phone: 806-371-5306

Office: Parcells Hall 204-K

Office Hours: Tuesday andWednesday   2:00PM -4:00PM  or by appointment

*Please do not hesitate to call or email me with questions or concerns

If you have questions about                       the course content, assignments, due dates etc contact me.

If you need technical support for Blackboard or AC Connect contact the Center for Teaching and Learning (CTL)

The Center for Teaching and Learning is located on the Washington street Campus in the Ware Student Commons Room 205., or call 371-5992

Hours of operation are:

Monday - Thursday  8:00 AM- 5:00PM Ware Student Commons Suite 205

Monday-Thursday 5:00PM-9:00PM 4th Floor research desk Ware Student Commons

Friday 8:00AM-5:00PM Ware Suite 205

Course Description:

SPCH 1318  Interpersonal Communication 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.

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.

Textbook: “”Messages”” by Joseph A. Devito 4th edition, including the on-line component called Revel. You will use Revel in this course for readings and activities. 

The Revel component is essential for success in this course. You will be graded on the readings and quizzes you complete on-line.

Student Registration Instructions

To access REVEL from your Blackboard course:

Start from your Blackboard course.

Select a content area. The link is called “Revel Text and Activities”from the left navigation menu.

Select Open REVEL.

• If you have a Pearson account, enter your username and password. Otherwise, create a new account. Note: If you are also registering for a Pearson MyLab (like MyMathLab or MyVirtualChild) this term, you must register for the MyLab first, in order to use the same username and password for REVEL.

When your accounts are linked, select an access option:

• Redeem an access code purchased from the bookstore.
• Buy access using a credit card or PayPal.
• If available, get temporary access.

Your REVEL content appears.

To go back to Blackboard, look for the Blackboard tab or window in your browser.

That’s it. Throughout the semester, please access your REVEL content through Blackboard.

To upgrade temporary access to full access:

To upgrade your access before your temporary access expires, select the link in your confirmation email.

Once your temporary access expires, when you open REVEL from Blackboard, you’re prompted to upgrade your access. Redeem a pre-purchased access code, or buy access using a credit card or PayPal.

Need help?

If you have trouble getting access, make sure your laptop or other device is set up to work with REVEL.

Visit Pearson Support at https://support.pearson.com/getsupport.

Dedicated REVEL support line for students: (855) 875-1801

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

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.

 

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

 

Grading Criteria

Course Requirements:

Revel Chapter Activities and Quizzes  =30%

2 Major Assignments= 20 %

Class Attendance/Participation= 20%

 Final project= 20%

Final Exam= 10%

  Chapter Quizzes and Activities:

Each week we will study  new Interpersonal Communication topics. All of the readings are located in Revel. You will find this linked to the course content..

You need to read the chapter and take the smaller self tests and quizzes as you go. There is a Chapter Quiz at the end of each  Chapter.

Your scores for each week’s activities and quizzes will be worth different point values, but will count for 30% of your total grade. 

The lowest grade will be dropped

For most of the class, the chapter readings and quizzes are due by Monday. It is important for you to have your readings and quizzes completed before class.

Papers/Assignments:

You will have one essay (2-3 pages) and one group assignment (a multi-media presentation).

Each of these will be worth 10% of your final grade.

Assignments must be submitted to the Assignment Drop Box on Blackboard by 11:30 PM on the due date. I do not accept hard copies. 

Class participation and Attendance:

This is an eight week course. Your attendance and participation in the classroom is crucial to your success in the course. We will be working on a variety of assignments in class that will be counted as part of your overall participation grade. Class participation is more than your presence in the room. I expect you to be engaged and willing to take part in class discussions, group activities and writing assignments.

Final Project:

You will write an essay about your IPC skills before and after this course as they relate to family, friends, workplace, romantic relationships etc.   . More information will follow. . The instructions are found in Blackboard

Final Exam:

The final exam will be comprehensive and worth 100 points. Check course calendar for due date.

Late Work Policy:

This is an eight week class, so there is not much time to catch up if you fall behind. I will not accept late submissions on Revel assignments.  (reading assignments and quizzes).

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)

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

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.

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

MENTAL HEALTH AND SOCIAL SERVICES AT AC

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 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 806-371-5450. The AC 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.”

Attendance

Attendance will be recorded daily. After more than 2 absences, points will be deducted from your participation grade regardless of the reason for the absence. Points will also be deducted for coming to class late, or leaving class early. No explanation is needed for tardies or absences.

 

The following criteria will determine the attendance portion of your grade.

No more than 2 absences - 100%

3 absences- 90%

4 absences 80%

5 absences 70%

6 absences 60%

7 absences 50%

8 absences 40%

More than 8 absences 0%

 

Essentially, this translates to raising your grade for terrific attendance and participation in class. More than eight absences will result in final course grade deduction of approximately two full letter grades.

Calendar

Additional Information