“Very few people ever bother to find out what other people really think. They
are willing to accept whatever they are told about anyone sufficiently distant.”
― Kim Stanley Robinson, Red Mars
Speech 10 – Interpersonal Communication
Pasadena City College
Fall 2014
Professor: Diana Solorzano
dsolorzano3@pasadena.edu
Office Hours: Available Upon Request at Rosemead Campus
Class Times: TTH – 2:45pm to 4:10pm
Section Number: 4893
Class Location: Rosemead Campus
Required Text and other readings:
Looking Out, Looking In Ronald B. Adler and Russell F. Proctor II, Wadsworth, 2010,
13th, Paperback
ISBN: 1111498210 (Bb package not required)
Purchase Info: Pasadena Bookstore,
Amazon.com, or online @ cengagebrain.com
Other assigned readings, including lecture notes will be posted on Canvas. If you have
trouble finding files/reading materials, or do not know how to navigate through Canvas,
please don’t hesitate to ask for my assistance.
Course Description:
Speech 10 is designed to increase your understanding and implementation of effective
interpersonal communication behaviors and skills. Throughout the semester we will
examine basic verbal and nonverbal elements affecting communication between
individuals in family, peer groups, and work contexts. This course requires you to
participate in activities designed to develop interpersonal skills and will actually improve
the quality of your life if you keep an open mind and actively participate!
Topics include: A qualitative and quantitative look into interpersonal communication,
Identity Management, Perception, Culture and Gender related aspects of IC, Language,
Emotions, Listening, Relational Maintenance, Controlling Interpersonal Climates, and
Conflict Resolution.
Interpersonal communication introduces students to the complex interaction of social and
psychological forces operating in human communication. The course is designed with a
dual approach consisting of both theory and application that allows students opportunities
to critically evaluate the intricacies of interpersonal relationships and the communication
issues surrounding human interaction in various contexts. Theories will be considered
based on relevance to empirical research and various applied communication contexts
(eg: industry, education, medical and legal practices, etc).
There is an important distinction between social skills/manners and the interpersonal
communication skills you are expected to develop in this course.
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The course seeks to increase student “relational sensitivity.” Only as students
become more socially sensitive can they recognize the various conditions that
help and/or hinder the process of interpersonal communication.
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The course seeks to increase student “behavioral flexibility.” Only as students
become more flexible in their behaviors can they select the appropriate behavioral
responses to specific communication situations.
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The course seeks to motivate students to demonstrate behaviors that facilitate
competent communication and improve overall student and community life.
Enhanced communication skills create better citizens of the world.
Competencies & Learning Objectives: Speech 10 will provide you with both a
theoretical understanding of and practical experience with interpersonal communication.
The main objectives of this course include:
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Clarify their values and increase self-awareness.
Demonstrate various types of communication effectiveness.
Implement image management strategies to create favorable impressions.
Read, analyze, and respond in writing to examples of appropriate and
inappropriate messages.
Demonstrate knowledge of effective strategies for initiating, maintaining, and
ending communication encounters with others.
Construct messages that utilizing language that reflects reality.
Identify the need to communicate feelings accurately and appropriately.
Demonstrate how to use feedback to enhance their messages.
Demonstrate an awareness and respect for differing values, attitudes, and beliefs o
others.
Develop an awareness of appropriate and selective self-disclosure. Student
Learning Outcomes
Upon successful completion of this course, the student will be able to:
1. Students will be able to appraise the role of the self in communication.
2. Students will be able to recognize, compare and contrast interpersonal
communication concepts.
3. Students will be able to employ problem solving and conflict management skills.
4. Students will be able to demonstrate active listening.
Course Policies:
Interruptions
Please avoid the use of phone and other electronic devices during lecture or presentations.
If you absolutely MUST make/take a phone call, please leave the classroom quietly and
continue outside. All devices must be on silent.
Special Needs
If you have special needs (such as learning or physical disabilities) then see me as soon as
possible so that arrangements can be made to accommodate you.
Academic Honesty
Plagiarism is generally defined as the act of using someone else’s ideas, words, or
organization without giving them due credit. Any student caught plagiarizing material
will be prosecuted to the full extent of the college’s guidelines. (Please see the student
handbook). You must clearly distinguish your ideas and words from the work of others.
Assignments:
Points:
Your Score:
Film Analysis #1
Film Analysis #2
Journal Article Review
Midterm
Group Project
Final Exam
25
25
15
50
100
75
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Total:
290
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Be aware: Pop Quizzes are given as extra credit opportunities. So keep up with the
readings! 
Film Analysis:
The class will vote on one film to be watched for this assignment. Each will then be given
five questions (worth 5pts each) that revolve around interpersonal relationships and
concepts covered in class. For example, one question might sound like “When Leonardo
Dicaprio’s character Jack Dawson was invited to have dinner in first class, he was
approached by “X” who helped him dress for the occasion. Why? Who did he need to
impress? Why did “X” help him? Give an example of divergence and convergence from
this scene. Hint: Identity management, Language, and Empathy
Note: In order to receive credit for this assignment, students MUST be present on each
day the film is shown. Late work is NOT accepted unless proper and verifiable
documentation is provided. The assignment will be due on the second showing (the
ending of film).
Article Review:
Students will be expected to choose an article using Ebsco Host (Academic Search
Premier) or another respectable databases to locate a Journal Article for review. The
review must be 1-2 pages typed, double-spaced, 12pt font, and in Times New Roman.
Please staple the article to the back of the review.
1. Summarize the article: Please do not restate the abstract in your paper.
2. Choose one of the following and critically evaluate section: findings, limitations,
and discussion.
Group Presentation: Training Others for Interpersonal Success.
The class will be divided into groups of 4-6 and will be given a list of interpersonal issues
to choose from that are often seen within organizations. Your goal is to help the
“organization” alleviate those problems through a vivid, vibrant, intellectually
stimulating training session.
*Detailed guidelines for this assignment, along with grading rubric will be posted on
CANVAS.
Course Schedule: *subject to change
DATE:
READING/ASSIGNMENTS
Week One: 8/26 -28
Introductions, Chapter 1: Interpersonal Communication
Week Two: 9/2 - 4
Chapter 2: The Self
Week Three: 9/9 -11
Chapter 3: Perception
Week Four: 9/16 - 18
Chapter 4: Emotions/Chapter 7 Listening
Week Five: 9/23 – 25
Film Analysis #1
Week Six: 9/30 -10/01
Chapter 5: Language
Week Seven: 10/7 – 9
Chapter 6: Nonverbal Communication, Midterm
Week Eight: 10/14 – 16
Chapter 7 Listening
Week Nine: 10/21 – 23
Chapter 8: Relational Dynamics/Journal Article Due
Week Ten: 10/28 -30
Chapter 10: Comm. Climates, Group Presentation
Assigned/ Film Analysis #2
Week Eleven: 11/4 – 6
Film Analysis Continued/ Chapter 11: Conflict Resolution
Week Twelve: 11/11 – 13
11/11 (No Class), Group Meetings #1,
Week Thirteen: 11/18 – 20
#3
Group Meeting #2 Rough Outlines Due, Group Meeting
Week Fourteen: 11/25 – 27
Group Presentations/Thanksgiving Break No Class
Week Fifteen: 12/2 – 4
Group Presentations Continued/ Final review handout
Week Sixteen: 12/ 9
FINAL EXAM