St. Cloud State University
General Education Goal Area 5
History and the Social & Behavioral Sciences
Academic Affairs Use Only:
Response Date:
Effective Date:
1.
Proposal Number:
Prepared by: Jeff Ringer and Suzanne Stangl-Erkens
Phone: 308-5540 & 308-2208
Email: ringer@ & erkens@stcloudstate.edu
2.
Requesting Unit: Communication Studies (CMST)
3.
Department, Course Number, Title: CMST 220 - Interpersonal Communication
4.
New Course
5.
Will this course be flagged as a diversity course?
Already Designated as Diversity
6.
Will this course also satisfy another General Education Goal Area?
If “Yes” specify which goal area.
Goal 6: Humanities and Fine Arts
Existing Course
No
Diversity Proposal Accompanying This Form
No
Yes
7.
Course bulletin description, including credits and semesters to be offered:
CMST 220: Interpersonal Communication. Theory and practice of communication in relationships.
Prereq: 192 or equivalent. 3 cr. F, S, Sum
8.
Indicate the clientele for whom this course is designed. Is the course for general education only, or
does it fulfill general education and other program needs for this or another department? Obtain
signatures from any affected departments.
Required of all CMST majors. One of two options for the CMST minor. English BS: Communication
Arts and Literature majors
9.
Indicate any changes that must be made in offerings or resources in your department or other
departments by offering this course.
No changes
10.
For new courses or courses not yet approved for General Education, indicate any other SCSU departments
or units offering instruction that relates to the content of the proposed course.
No
11.
Courses designated as General Education are included in the assessment plan for the Goal Area(s)
12/11/2009
for which they are approved. Courses for which assessment is not included in the annual GE
assessment report for two years will be removed from the General Education Program.
The Requesting Unit understands and recognizes the above conditions.
12.
Provide a concise explanation of how the following goal is a “significant focus” of the proposed course.
Goal Area 5: History and the Social & Behavioral Sciences
Develop understanding of human societies and behaviors, and of the concepts, theories, and methods of
history and the social sciences.
The interpersonal communication course examines the ways human beings produce and reproduce
personal and social relationships through talk and interaction. The research upon which this course is built has
historically been conducted using social scientific methods of inquiry. The students examine the results of this
research as they study and practice various interpersonal theories and skills.
13. In order for a course to be designated as fulfilling Goal Area 5, it must address at least 4 of the 5 student learning
outcomes (SLOs) below. Check the SLOs below that are focused on in the proposed general education course.
1. Describe or use the methods and data by which historians, social scientists, or behavioral scientists investigate
human conditions.
2. Analyze human behavior, cultures, and social institutions and processes from the perspectives of history or the
social and behavioral sciences.
3. Develop explanations for and explore solutions to historical or contemporary social problems.
4. Reflect upon themselves in relation to family, communities, society, culture, and/or their histories.
5. Apply and critique alternative explanatory systems or theories about human societies and behaviors.
14.
Discuss how each Student Learning Outcome checked above is achieved in this course. (Note: Although
descriptions of typical assignments or types of assignments may be part of this discussion, it is not
appropriate to submit copies of actual assignments.)
1. Students will study and apply interpersonal theories and research methods used by historians, social
scientists, and behavioral scientists who have contributed to the field of Communication Studies, specifically
interpersonal communication. They will achieve this through discussion, role plays, analysis papers, and skill
development.
2. Students will analyze human behavior (conversation between two people), cultures (how culture shapes and is
shaped by communication), and social institutions (relationships, the family, the workplace) and processes
(conversation, conflict management) from the perspective of a social science - communication.
3. Students will develop explanations for and explore solutions to contemporary social problems such as
dysfunctional social discourse, conflict in relationships and families, conflict in workplace relationships.
4. Students will reflect upon themselves in relation to family, communities, society, culture, and/or their histories
as they analyze how communication both shapes and are shaped by those contexts. Students learn basic
communication processes (such as listening, conversation, conflict management) and study how those processes
shape the family and are shaped by the family. They study how those processes both shape and are shaped by the
communities and cultures in which they live.
12/11/2009
5. Students will apply and critique alternative explanatory systems or theories about human societies and
behaviors through the study and application of alternative/diverse interpersonal theories and contexts. They will
achieve this primarily through class discussion and research/analysis papers.
15.
List or attach the Course Outline (adequately described and including percentage of time to be allocated
to each topic). Curriculum Committees may request additional information. Topics larger than 20% need
to be broken down further. Indicate in your course outline where the Student Learning Outcomes
checked above are being met.
1. Communication processes and theoretical perspectives (SLO 1)
a. Language 5%
b. Nonverbal communication 5%
c. Identity/self-concept 5%
d. Self-disclosure 5%
e. Perception 5%
2. Communication and relationships (SLO 2, 3, 4)
a. How communication shapes relationships and is shaped by relationships 10%
b. Communication as relationships develop 5%
c. Communication as relationships are maintained 5%
d. Communication as relationships deteriorate 5%
3. Contexts (SLO 2, 4)
a. Gender 5%
b. Culture 5%
c. Age 5%
d. Family 5%
e. Work 5%
4. Communication episodes (SLO 2, 4)
a. How communication shapes and is shaped by episodes 5%
b. Conflict 5%
c. Listening 5%
d. Conversation 5%
e. Climate 5%
12/11/2009
St. Cloud State University
General Education Transmittal Form
Academic Affairs Use Only:
Response Date:
Effective Date:
Proposal Number
Department: Communication Studies CMST
Course or Course(s): CMST 220 - Interpersonal Communication
Roseanna Gaye Ross
Department or Unit Chair Signature
2/05/10
Date
Department forward to Academic Affairs for publication and electronically to Chair of General Education Committee, Chair
of College Curriculum Committee, College Dean
Recommendation of General Education Committee:
Approve
Remarks:
Disapprove
Chairperson
Committee
Signature
Date
Recommendation of University Curriculum Committee:
Approve
Remarks:
Disapprove
Chairperson
Committee
Signature
Date
Recommendation of Faculty Association:
Approve
Remarks:
Disapprove
FA Senate
Signature
Date
Action of Academic Vice President:
Approve
Disapprove
Signature
Entered in Curriculum Data File
12/11/2009
Remarks:
Date