Download COMM 1500: Interpersonal Communication

COMM 1500
Interpersonal Communication
Section #38-907, Fall 2013
Instructor: Lee Pierce
Office Hours: M 10:45 – 11:45 a.m. in Terrell 226
Email: [email protected]
Class Meets: TR 9:30 – 10:45 a.m. in Journalism 502
a. course title
COMM 1500: Interpersonal Communication
b. course description
The role of speech communication in the constitution of human beings and their interrelationships.
Explores individual differences in communication competence, and role of communication in formation,
development, and maintenance of interrelationships.
c. pre-requisites, co-requisites, and cross-listings for the course
None
d. course objects and learning outcomes
This course provides a broad overview to the study of interpersonal communication from an academic
and theory-rich perspective.
1. Students will examine the fundamental elements in the communication process.
2. Students will learn about the role of culture in communication.
3. Students will examine the dimensions of verbal and nonverbal communication.
4. Students will examine the role of perception and emotion in the communication process.
5. Students will learn about the dimensions of close relationships and how communication is
defined in close relationships and how communicators develop, maintain, and terminate close
relationships.
6. Students will complete research assignments, which will involve computer-based research and
paper preparation.
7. Students will examine the moral and ethical implications of a variety of communication
situations.
8. Students will examine research predictions and data derived from research studies to generate
and assess conclusions about the predictors of, and influences on, a variety of communication
processes.
9. Students will apply core concepts in written work and in exams that contribute to the course
grade.
e. topical outline for the course
1. The Nature of Theory, Defining
Communication & Intentions
2. Communication research: Predictions
and Methods
3. Self-Related Influences on
Communication
4. Perception
5. Cultural Influences
6. Listening
7.
8.
9.
10.
11.
Language & Verbal Communication
Nonverbal Communication
Emotional Communication
Interpersonal Relationships
Intimacy and Disclosure in
Interpersonal Relationships
12. The Special Case of Family Relationships
13. Relational Conflict
f. University Honor Code & Academic Honesty Policy
As a University of Georgia student, you have agreed to abide by the University’s academic honesty policy “A
Culture of Honesty” and the Student Honor Code. All academic work must meet the standards described in
“A Culture of Honesty” at http://www.uga.edu/honesty/ahpd/culture_honesty.htm. Lack of knowledge of
the academic honesty policy is not a reasonable explanation for a violation. Questions related to course
assignments and the academic honesty policy should be directed to the instructor.
g. Syllabus Statement
The course syllabus is a general plan for the course. Deviations announced to the class by the instructor
may be necessary
© Lee Pierce Teaching Materials 2013 – Not for sale or redistribution
h. principal course assignments
Interpersonal Communication Assessment Essay (20%) Students will analyze their knowledge of
interpersonal communication competence and their strengths and weaknesses as a communicator using
the Spitzberg and Cupach scale. 4 – 6 DS pages.
Conflict Style Assessment Essay (20%): Students will identify and describe their primary conflict style
in personal and public settings using data collected from 2 other people collected using the ThomasKilmann Conflict Mode scale. 4 – 6 DS pages.
Assessments (45%): 3 quantitative assessments, worth 15% each, consisting of matching, multiple
choice, re-write and short answer questions. 10 – 20% of the second and third assessment will be
cumulative.
TTS Discussions (15%): Thesis-theory-support (TTS) exercises are short writing assignments in which a
single claim (thesis statement) is fleshed out using theoretical concepts and applied to practical
examples. TTS exercises should be submitted to the Discussion section of eLC BEFORE the class
meeting for which they have been assigned. Of the ten TTS Discussions available, students may
complete any FOUR in addition to the two marked “required” for a total of SIX posts, exactly
HALF of which should be completed before midterm.
i. specific course requirements for grading purposes
As part of your participation in this class, you must satisfy a departmental research requirement in one
of three ways: (a) participation in a communication studies LAB-BASED research study
(http://comm.uga.edu/research), (b) a communication article summary; (c) participation in a
communication studies colloquium. Non-compliance will result in a grade of Incomplete (I). Note that
a separate research project should be completed for each Communication Studies class requiring
research participation.
j. grading policy & appeals process
A 93 – 100
(4.0) B+ 87 – 89.99 (3.3)
C+ 77 – 79.99 (2.3) D 60 – 69.99 (1.0)
A- 90 – 92.99 (3.7)
B
83 – 86.99 (3.0)
C 73 – 76.99 (2.0) F
0 – 59.99 (0.0)
B80 – 82.99 (2.7)
D- 70 – 72.99 (1.7)
Grade Appeal Process: Occasionally, students are unsatisfied with some dimension of the course. If
you have a concern at any time during the course, please come speak with your instructor directly
either during office hours, by appointment, or via email. If you want to appeal a grade, the department
policy is that you must make the grade appeal in writing to your instructor. Prepare and submit a typed
argument indicating what your specific appeal is and what grade you believe you deserved. You must
have a legitimate argument for the grade change. If the appeal is on a paper, your instructor reserves
the right to take more points off or maintain the same grade of the paper if the argument is not
legitimate and more problems are detected. Turn in the appeal before or after class, during office hours,
or at a scheduled appointment within one week but no less than (24) hours of the grade being returned. If
you have employed these measures and are still dissatisfied, or feel that an appropriate resolution may not be
reached by working with your instructor, then I encourage you to contact the undergraduate advisor, Dr.
Edward Panetta, [email protected]. He will also need a written grade appeal in order to help you.
k. attendance & participation policy
1. Attendance is directly applied to course papers and is non-cumulative meaning it “resets” after the
first paper. Papers are graded in whole letters A – F with attendance affecting the +/- attribution
of those papers as follows: 0 – 1 absence per paper receives “+” designation; 2 absences per paper
does not affect the grade; 3 or more absences per paper receives “-“ designation.
2. Attendance & participation are treated interchangeably such that you might be present in class
but may be considered “absent” because of various absent behaviors (excessive talking, routine or
excessive tardiness, text messaging, browsing the web, completing other work, sleeping, etc.). I
will notify you by email outside of class if I see such things becoming a problem.
3. With reasonable notice and a compelling reason, students with 2 or fewer absences may make up
ONE assignment within (3) days of the absence for 90% credit. Assignments beyond those limits
are forfeit.
© Lee Pierce Teaching Materials 2013 – Not for sale or redistribution
attendance & participation policy
4. Participation activities may not be made up or submitted electronically unless specifically
instructed.
5. Exceptions (within reason and limit) may be made to the above policies for excused absences,
defined by the University as: a) University sanctioned activity where documentation has been
provided in advance, b) Illness verified in writing from a doctor, or c) Emergency documented through
your advisor or Student Support Services. If you have an excused absence contact me as soon as
possible to schedule a make-up.
6. If you miss class for a legitimate medical emergency, you will need to provide UHC documentation
upon return. You should not expect the University Health Center (UHC) to routinely provide
verification for class absences or of outpatient treatment. Absence from class for medical reasons may
be verified in writing from the UHC only when the UHC suggests a student should be hospitalized.
Routine checkups, wellness visits, and non-emergency medical treatment are not valid excuses.
7. Excused absences count against your unexcused absences in a one-to-one ratio.
8. If you have three final examinations scheduled on the same calendar day you may petition for
rescheduling at http://www.curriculumsystems.uga.edu/FinalExamConflicts/FinalExamConflicts.html.
Religious Holidays Attendance Policy: Absences due to the observance of recognized religious holidays
will be excused. Please consult a resource such as http://www.interfaithcalendar.org/ for a list of religious
observances as well as for specific dates of each holiday. It is the student’s responsibility to contact me at
least 2 weeks in advance to determine the conditions under which work will be made up.
l. required course materials
1. UGA Department of Communication Studies COMM 1500 Workbook available from the Campus Bookstore
2. McCornack, Reflect and Relate, 3rd Ed. Available in three forms:
 PDF style E-Book. ISBN 9781457633232 (half the cost of the print book). Purchase from the publisher
at http://bcs.bedfordstmartins.com/reflectrelate3e/#t_838508
 Loose-leaf Text. ISBN 9781457604683. Purchase from the campus bookstore or online from the
publisher at http://www.bedfordstmartins.com/Catalog/product/reflectandrelate-thirdeditionmccornack/formatsandpackages/formats
 Traditional Paperback Text. Purchase from the campus bookstore or online from the link above. You
may also purchase a used copy on your own.
m. policy for make up examinations
 With reasonable notice and a compelling reason, students with 0 – 2 absences may make up ONE
assignment within (3) days of the absence for 90% credit.
 Assignments beyond those limits are forfeit.
 Participation activities may not be made up or submitted electronically unless specifically instructed
© Lee Pierce Teaching Materials 2013 – Not for sale or redistribution
Course Schedule
Date
T 8/13
R 8/15
T 8/20
R 8/22
T 8/27
T 8/29
T 9/3
R 9/5
T 9/10
R 9/12
T 9/17
R 9/19
T 9/24
R 9/26
T 10/1
R 10/3
T 10/8
R 10/10
T 10/15
R 10/17
T 10/22
R 10/24
T 10/29
R 10/31
T 11/5
R 11/7
T 11/12
R 11/14
T 11/19
R 11/21
T 11/26
R 11/28
T 12/3
T 12/10
Assignments due (please complete prior to class meeting)
None
Read Chapter 1: Introducing Interpersonal Communication
Complete “Interpersonal Communication Competence Assessment” (Workbook)
TTS #1 (required)
Read Chapter 2: Considering Self
Complete Jung & Myers-Briggs Personality Assessment (Online) at
http://www.humanmetrics.com/cgi-win/JTypes2.asp
TTS #2
Read Chapter 10: Relationships with Family Members
Complete “Self Concept Poem” (Workbook)
Read Chapter 3: Perceiving Others
Complete the Empathy Self-Assessment (textbook pg. 100)
TTS #3
~Assessment 1 covers Chapters 1, 2, 10 & 3~
~Paper Workshop~
~Essay #1 Due~
Read Chapter 4: Experiencing and Expressing Emotions
Complete “Emotional Intelligence” Assessment (Workbook)
TTS #4
Read Chapter 6: Verbal Communication
Complete “Language” (Workbook)
TTS #5
~Easement~
Read Chapter 7: Nonverbal Communication
Complete the Nonverbal Dominance Knowledge Assessment (textbook pg. 235)
TTS #6
Read Chapter 5: Listening (pp. 160 – 162)
Complete Discover Your Listening Styles (textbook pg. 162)
TTS #7
~Assessment 2 covers Chapters 4, 6, 7 & 5~
Read Chapter 8: Managing Conflict and Power
Complete “Thomas-Kilmann Conflict Mode Questionnaire” (Workbook)
TTS #8 (required)
Read Chapter 9: Relationships with Romantic Partners
Complete “Love Attitudes Scale” (Workbook)
TTS #9
~Paper Workshop~
~Essay #2 Due~
Read Chapter 12: Relationships in the Workplace
Complete “Self Disclosure Risks Inventory” (Workbook)
TTS #10
Final Exam Review
No Class ~ Thanksgiving Break
No Class ~ Friday Class Schedule in Effect
~Assessment 3 covers chapters 8, 9 & 12~ Class meets from 9:45 – 11:00 a.m.
© Lee Pierce Teaching Materials 2013 – Not for sale or redistribution