Interpersonal Communication Syllabus for 2023-2024
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Instructor Information

Office Location

<p>Parcells Hall 204-K</p>

Office Hours

Tuesday and Wednesday 12:00 pm- 2:00 pm

Or by appointment as needed. 

Course Information

COVID-19 Protocols

Recording Policy

Disability Statement

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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.

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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.

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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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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.

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Course

SPCH-1318-007 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

Online Course

Syllabus Information

Textbooks

“”Interpersonal 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

Supplies

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 Quizzes” 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

Student Performance

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.

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

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

Grading Criteria

Revel Chapter Activities/Quizzes = 25%

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

Journal Entries = 15%

Discussions- “Coffee Talks” = 15%

Final Project = 15%

Final Exam = 10%

Total = 100%

 

Revel reading assignments- Each week we will study a new Interpersonal Communication topic. All of the readings are located in Revel. You will find this linked to the course content. The link is called, ‘Revel Text and Quizzes”.

You need to read the chapters and take the smaller self-tests and quizzes as you go. There is a 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 25% of your total grade. 

The lowest grade will be dropped

 

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

 

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). In order to receive credit for your discussion postings, you must respond to the discussion assignments with quality comments that demonstrate you have completed the online and textbook readings and have given significant thought to the questions.
    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 in order 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 write an essay about your IPC skills before and after this course as they relate to family, friends, workplace, romantic relationships etc. This essay should be 2-3 pages in length and include citations in APA format.

 

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. 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.

Attendance

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

Calendar

Course Calendar:

 

You will have several assignments to complete each week. Unless otherwise specified, all assignments are due on Sundays by 11:59PM.

 

Week 1:

Purchase your textbook. “Interpersonal Messages” by Joseph DeVito including an on-line component called Revel. This is where you will complete your readings and quizzes. You must purchase Revel to be successful in the course.

Read the Start Here lesson. It is the link called “Start Here” on Blackboard- This will help you learn how to navigate the course

 

Assignments for the week Due Sunday by 11:59PM

Reading: Revel Chapter 1- Read the chapter and complete the short quizzes after each section. Do not complete shared writing.

Assessment: Take the Revel chapter 1 final quiz at the end of the chapter.

Interaction: Post to the “Coffee Talk discussion board, and reply to two classmates

Real life application: Complete the journal assignment “”

Just for me: Complete the “contact information” assignment and submit it to the assignment drop box

 

 

Week 2: 

Reading: Revel Assignment- Chapter 3: Perception of Self and others and Chapter 4: Listening and Interpersonal Communication

Read the chapters and Take the short quizzes after each section. Quizzes only, not shared writing

Assessment: Chapter 3 Quiz and Chapter 4 quiz

  • Chapter 3 and 4 quizzes are found at the end of the chapter in Revel

Real life application: Journal Entry

 

 

 

 

Week 3: 

Reading: Revel Assignment- Interpersonal Relationships Chapter 9

Read the chapter and take the quizzes after each section. Quizzes only, not shared writing

Assessment: Chapter 9 Quiz

* Chapter 9 quiz is found at the end of the chapter in Revel

Interaction: Coffee Talk: post and reply to two classmates  

Major Assignment: Paper 1 due in the Assignment Drop Box, “The Way We See Me, submit the essay as a word doc. or pdf. Attach the worksheets with your essay.

 

 

Week 4:   

Reading: Revel Assignment- Interpersonal Relationships Types and Theories Chapter 10

Read the chapter and take the quizzes after each section, quizzes only, not shared writing

Interaction: Coffee Talk post and reply to two classmates

Assessment: Chapter 10 quiz

* Chapter 10 quiz is found at the end of the chapter in Revel

Real life application: journal entry

 

 

Week 5: 

Reading: Revel Assignment-Interpersonal Conflict Management Chapter 11

Read the chapter and take the quizzes after each section, quizzes only not shared writing

Assessment: Chapter 11 Quiz. The quiz is found at the end of chapter 11 in Revel

Real life application: Journal Entry

Major Assignment: Relationship Analysis” Submit to the Assignment dropbox by Sunday at 11:59 PM

 

 

 

Week 6:  

Reading: Revel Assignment: Verbal Messages chapter 5 and Nonverbal messages Chapter 6

Read the chapters and take the quizzes after each section. Quizzes only, no shared writing

Assessment: Quiz chapters 5 and 6

Interaction: Coffee Talk post and reply to two classmates

:

 

Week 7: 

Reading; Revel Assignment- Emotional Messages Chapter 7

Read the chapter and take the quizzes after each section. Quizzes only, not shared writing

Assessment: Quiz Chapter 7

Real life application: Journal Entry: Emotional Contagion 

*Final project is due Monday (week 8)

  • You will receive 5 bonus points if it is submitted early*

 

 

Week 8: 

Reading: Revel Assignment- Conversation Messages Chapter 8

Read the chapter and take the quizzes after each section. Quizzes only, no shared writing

Don’t forget the final quiz at the end of the chapter

Real life application: Journal Entry *due Wednesday*

Major Assignment: Final Project essay is due Monday  by 11:59PM

Assessment: Final Exam Opens on Sunday and closes on Wednesday at 11:59PM.  

 

 

*No work will be accepted after Wednesday July 26  at 11:59PM.

Additional Information

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

Syllabus Created on:

05/11/23 2:22 PM

Last Edited on:

05/11/23 2:41 PM