COM 125

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COURSE SYLLABUS

1.

TITLE OF COURSE:

Interpersonal Communication

PREFIX/NUMBER:

COM 125

CREDIT HOURS:

3

2.

PREREQUISITE:

ENG 060 or equivalent assessment score

3.

RESOURCES NEEDED:

TEXT:

McCornack, Steven. Reflect & Relate: An Introduction to Interpersonal Communication. 2^nd ed. Boston: Bedford/St. Martins, 2010.

SUPPLIES:

4.

COURSE DESCRIPTION:

This course examines the communication involved in interpersonal relationships occurring in family, social, and career situations. Relevant concepts include self-concept, perception, listening, nonverbal communication, and conflict.

5.

COURSE GOAL:

Students will become more competent and effective communicators and increase their understanding of their personal communicative behavior as well as the communicative behavior of others.

6.

COURSE OBJECTIVES:

By the end of the course, students will

(A)

Analyze the link between communication behaviors and interpersonal relationships.

(B)

Examine how self-concept influences communication.

(C)

Analyze the role that perception plays during communication.

(D)

Apply the ways emotions influence and are influenced by communication.

(E)

Analyze how verbal and nonverbal messages function together in the communication process.

(F)

Demonstrate competent listening styles.

(G)

Demonstrate various conflict management strategies.

(H)

Select appropriate tools and resources in order to research various topics related to interpersonal communication.

(I)

Demonstrate specific course concepts by participating with students in group projects or group activities.

7.

EVALUATION PROCEDURES:

Your grade is based on quizzes, tests, individual/ group projects, writing assignments, and class participation/activities. Instructor will advise the specific value of each area.

Grading Scale

Raw Score Range

Letter Grade

90 to 100

A

80 to 89

B

70 to 79

C

60 to 69

D

0 to 59

F

Special Remarks:

a.

Attendance: College policy states that students may be withdrawn from a course when absent 20% (9 hours) of the scheduled class meetings. In addition, after missing the fourth instructional hour of a class, students may have points or a percentage deducted from their final grade for further absences. The specific number of points or percentage will be left to the instructor's discretion.

b.

Tardy Policy: Students are to be ready to begin classes at the scheduled start of the classes. It is considered unprofessional and disruptive behavior for students to arrive late and/or leave early. Three tardies or early exits may be counted as one absence.

c.

Assignments/Missed Exams: It is the student's responsibility, whether present or absent, to obtain all material presented and to complete all course assignments. If prior arrangements are made or extenuating circumstances exist, makeup of tests may be allowed. Late homework papers will not be accepted unless those same extenuating circumstances exist. Late tests are to be made up within three school days of the original test date.

d.

Students are expected and encouraged to spend two to three hours outside of class for every contact hour in class.

e.

Respect for others and for the teaching-learning situation is the key to successful interaction in the class. Therefore, to promote a positive learning experience for all students, instructors reserve the right to ask a disruptive student to leave the classroom.

f.

Use of Electronics in the Classroom

Computers and other electronic devices may be used in the classroom only for academic purposes as directed by the instructor. Texting and/or accessing personal e-mail and social networking sites such as Facebook are not allowed. All cell phones must be turned off during class. If a student uses an unapproved electronic device during a test or class activity, the student will receive no credit for the activity or test, may be asked to leave the classroom, and/or may fail the course for cheating.

Professionalism Rubric

Criteria

Excellent

Good

Weak

Unacceptable

Attendance

Student is present every class meeting and does not leave early.

Student has missed two classes and/or left early.

Student has missed 3-4 classes or left early more than once.

Student misses class continually or leaves early frequently.

Punctuality

Arrives to class on time; turns in assignments on due date.

Arrives late once or misses one assignment deadline.

Arrives late twice or misses 2 deadlines.

Is continually late to class; misses deadlines frequently.

Attitude

Communicates with a positive attitude; never displays rudeness.

Almost always communicates with a positive attitude showing courtesy towards others.

Occasionally communicates negatively bordering on rudeness.

Often communicates with a negative attitude without regard for others' points of view.

Commitment

Demonstrates eagerness for the information presented as well as for the learning process.

Usually demonstrates an eagerness for the information presented as well as for the learning process.

Is indifferent to or uninvolved in the course information and the learning process.

Expresses negativity towards information presented for courses or for the learning process.

Classroom Interaction

Politely accepts feedback and uses it constructively. Remains on task and follows the class rules.

Is usually open to positive feedback and follows class policies. Occasionally gets off-task.

Is sometimes unwilling to accept feedback, follow directions, or remain on task.

Is resistant to positive feedback, directions, or class policies. Is frequently off-task.

Modified from CSU Monterey Bay-1 Oct. 2009

8.

COURSE OUTLINE

Tentative Schedule (Instructor may vary and/or supplement)

I.

The Interpersonal Communication Process: Distinguish the interpersonal communication context from other communication contexts.

II.

Communication and Identity including the Self: Understand self-concept and its relationship to interpersonal communication.

III.

Perception: Demonstrate an awareness of the effect of perception on interpersonal communication.

IV.

Emotions: Evaluate and apply appropriate emotional expression in interpersonal interactions.

V.

Language: Demonstrate an understanding of the impact of language on relationships.

VI.

Nonverbal Communication: Develop an understanding of the impact of nonverbal communication on relationships.

VII.

Listening: Model effective listening and response strategies.

VIII.

Relational Dynamics—Intimacy and Distance: Recognize and describe appropriate strategies for self-disclosure.

IX.

Communication Climates: Analyze conflict situations and propose approaches for conflict management and resolution.

X.

Interpersonal Conflicts: Illustrate understanding of gender and cultural influences on interpersonal communication.

9.

METHODS OF INSTRUCTION:

To be successful in this course, students are expected to participate in discussions, readings, in-class writing, and interactive activities. The instructor may assign point values to such activities.

10.

ACADEMIC INTEGRITY:

The English Department supports and adheres to the following policy on academic integrity. Students should refer to their PCC Student Handbook for the complete policy statement.

"Pueblo Community College is committed to providing a superior educational experience for all students who attend the college. Academic integrity and honesty in all educational classrooms and programs are critical in providing this high level of education. . . . . Academic Dishonesty is any form of cheating and plagiarism which results in students giving or receiving unauthorized assistance in an academic exercise or receiving credit for work which is not their own. . . . Plagiarism is the deliberate adoption or reproduction of ideas or words or statements of another person as one's own without acknowledgement."

The penalty for violating the standards of academic integrity is failure of the course.

11.

ADA NOTICE:

Students who have a documented disability may be eligible to receive accommodations for this class. Please contact the Disability Resources Center at 549-3446 for further information.