Oral Communications and Interpersonal Relationships -- COMST 102
Instructor: Cindy Hollenbeck, M.F.A., M.A.
Meetings: T 6:00 - 8:50 p.m.
Email: cynthia.hollenbeck@wwcc.edu
Credits: 3
Room: 148
Textbook: Inter-act: Interpersonal Communication, Concepts, Skills, and Contexts
Description: This course allows students to gain practice in preparing presentations, dealing with group
dynamics, communicating at work, reading texts critically, and developing persuasive skills. You will examine
the interpersonal communication process including conflict resolution, and nonverbal and verbal messages.
Objectives: You will enhance your understanding of the issues involved in creating, developing, and
maintaining interpersonal relations regarding communication, intrapersonal communication, perceptions, selfconcepts, language, conflicts, and attitudes. We will study theoretical principles and their practical application,
and discuss how communication patterns affect all facets of life.
Course Outcomes:
* Understand the difference between verbal and nonverbal communication and the impact of each.
* Develop more effective listening habits in one-to-one communication.
* Understand how self-concepts affect our communication behaviors.
* Understand the dynamics of forming and developing relationships.
* Understand and evaluate various group communication processes.
Required materials:
Textbook: Inter-act: Interpersonal Communication, Concepts, Skills, and Contexts
Attendance Policy: If you miss class, you are responsible for accepting the consequences and finding out what
work you missed. Discussion-heavy classes depend on people. All students are allowed 2 absences with no
penalty. After that, 10% will be deducted from your overall grade for each subsequent absence.
Late assignments: Turning assignments in late is strongly discouraged. If you have to turn in work late, you
will lose 50%. Notify me as soon as possible if you have any problems.  I can help.
Atmosphere: This class involves critical thinking, which requires that we challenge and test one another’s
theories and ideas against our own; therefore, you are expected to bring your opinions to class to offer and
examine. We should respectfully challenge our differing perspectives by offering counter perspectives. As long
as we remain committed to the learning process rather than to our own egos we will all learn something without
hurting each other’s feelings. Part of becoming a competent public speaker involves learning how to present
yourself to your “opponents” in an intelligent and non combative manner.
Academic Integrity/Scholastic Dishonesty: Acts prohibited by the college for which discipline may be
administered include scholastic dishonesty, i.e., cheating on an exam or quiz, plagiarizing, and unauthorized
collaboration with another in preparing outside work. Academic work, defined as, but not limited to, tests and
quizzes, (electronic or paper), projects, either individual or group; classroom presentations and homework,
submitted by students shall be the result of their own thoughts, research, and/or self-expression. The long and
short of cheating and plagiarizing is simple: it’s not worth it. Your learning is the best benefit of any class.
1
Students with Disabilities: WWCC campus offers support services for students with documented physical or
psychological disabilities. Students with disabilities must request reasonable accommodations through the
Office for Students with Disabilities on campus. Students are encouraged to notify the office two weeks before
the start of the quarter.
Assignment Guidelines: All assignments must be Word processed in Times New Roman, 12 pt font on white
paper. Format papers and cite sources using standard MLA conventions, which include page numbers, and a
heading only on the first page. Staple everything. If you need help, notify me right away so we can discuss the
problem. Please keep all of your graded papers.
Assignments: (Written guidelines to arrive closer to the due dates) Each speech includes 2-page paper.
A1—Personal Story Speech: (3-5 minutes) Choose a story from your own experience and share it with the
class. Your story can be funny, poignant, whichever you select. You should include vivid descriptions, details,
and reflection.
A2—Demonstrative Speech: (3-5 minutes) Prepare a speech to explain how something is made, something is
done, or something works. A visual aid is required for this speech. Criteria for evaluation will include quality
of the topic, use of visual aid(s), and skills in organization and presentation.
A3—Persuasive Presentation: (3-5 minutes) Choose a controversial issue from the list I will provide. Briefly
research the issue, choose a side to argue, then prepare a speech to share with the class. Remember to use
rhetorical strategies to try to persuade your audience into seriously considering your point of view.
Grading: My responsibility as an instructor is to grade achievement and effort equitably and fairly. My grading
system rewards students who put forth the most effort and create the highest quality of work. Please note: C is
average, not poor, work. Unless I make a mathematical error grades are non-negotiable.
A – Represents outstanding or superior work that exceeds the requirements of the course. Overall average
greater than 90. Stellar writing skills, attendance, participation, and effort. A does not stand for automatic;
it is a grade that you must earn. (A-, A, A+ / 90-93, 94-97, 98-100)
B – Represents achievement significantly above the requirements of the course. Overall average greater than 80,
less than 90. Very good writing skills, attendance, participation, and effort. (B-, B, B+ / 80-83, 84-87, 8889)
C – Represents achievement that meets the basic requirements of the course—average work. Overall average
greater than 70, less than 80. (C-, C, C+ / 70-73, 74-77, 78-79)
D – Represents achievement that barely meets the basic requirements of the course. Overall average less than 70.
(D-, D, D+ / 60-63, 64-67, 68-69)
F—Means failure. Students most regularly fail my courses in three ways: failing to complete assignments, failing
to complete assignments on time, and failing to attend class.
Z—Does not meet minimum standards because of extenuating circumstances such as illness, accident, family
crises including death, etc.
I— Incomplete. You must have successfully completed two-thirds of your course requirements in order to qualify
for an instructor-approved incomplete. Work must be completed in the subsequent quarter, not including
summer quarter. Students must re-enroll if they need more than one quarter to complete the course.
2
Grade Breakdown:
Speech 1—10%
Speech 2—10%
Speech 3—10%
Quizzes—10%
Attendance/Participation—10% Midterm Exam—25%
Final Exam—25%
**Syllabus and Schedule are subject to change without notice** If I have to miss class you will receive an
email from me and there should me a note on the door. 
Week 1: Jan 4
Tuesday
Syllabus/Introductions
Killing Us Softly III
Week 6: Feb 8
Tuesday
SPEECH 2
HW: Read pp. 173 – 262
HW: Read pp. 2 – 56
Week 2: Jan 11
Tuesday
Quiz
Week 7: Feb 15
Tuesday
Quiz
HW:
Read pp. 326 – 358
HW: Read pp. 61 – 86
Sign up for Speech 1
Week 3: Jan 18
Tuesday
Week 8: Feb 22
Sign up for Speech 3
HW:
Read pp. 360 -- 421
SPEECH 1
HW: Read pp. 88 – 146
Week 4: Jan 25
Tuesday
Week 9: March 1
Quiz
HW: Read pp. 148 – 173
Week 5: Feb 1
Tuesday
Tuesday
SPEECH 3
Tuesday
Mid-term Exam
Sign up for Speech 2
Week 10: Mar 8
3
Tuesday
Final Exam