Southern State Community College
Curriculum Committee – September 2015
COMM 1110 – Interpersonal Communication
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I.
TAG: 25519
COURSE TITLE: Interpersonal Communication
COURSE NUMBER: 1110
II.
PREREQUISITE(S): None
III.
CREDIT HOURS: 3
LABORATORY HOURS: 0
IV.
COURSE DESCRIPTION:
CATALOG PREFIX: COMM
LECTURE HOURS: 3
OBSERVATION HOURS: 0
An introduction to the principles of effective interpersonal communication. Relevant
topics include self concept, perception, listening, verbal and nonverbal communication,
emotions, interpersonal relationships, and conflict resolution.
V.
GRADING:
Grading follows policy in catalog.
A – 90% and above
B – 80 – 89%
C – 70 – 79%
D – 60 – 69%
F – Less than 60%
VI.
ADOPTED TEXT(S):
The Interpersonal Communication Book
14th Edition
Joseph A. DeVito - Pearson/Allyn & Bacon
ISBN: 0134138430 Text should be packaged with Revel
VII.
COURSE OBJECTIVES:
The student will be able to:
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Define and explain basic terms of, principles and theories of interpersonal
communication.
Analyze, adjust, and improve his/her own communication behaviors.
Critically apply interpersonal theories to a variety of communication contexts
Demonstrate understanding of several key aspects of interpersonal relationships,
including verbal communication, nonverbal communication, listening, perception,
conflict, civility, gender, and diversity
COMM 1110 – Interpersonal Communication
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
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Learn about the relationship between motivation, knowledge, and skill and the
perception of interpersonal communication competence.
Understand how emerging media and technology affect interpersonal
communication.
Apply ethical principles to real life communication-related situations.
Understand the role emotion plays in appropriate and effective interpersonal
communication.
Learn how the culture, relationship, gender, and individual contexts affect
different aspects of interpersonal communication.
VIII. COURSE METHODOLOGY:
Following is a list of possible methodologies for COMM 1110: lecture, class discussion,
in-class group activities and partner skill building activities, writing assignments, role
playing, video quizzes, online activities, exam, and quizzes.
IX.
COURSE OUTLINE:
Below is a sample outline of course topics.

Week One - Defining interpersonal communication, reasons for studying
interpersonal communication

Week Two – Principles of interpersonal communication, culture and
communication

Week Three – Principles for effective intercultural communication, the self
and interpersonal communication, perception

Week Four – Impression formation, impression management, Exam 1

Week Five – Principles of verbal messages, guidelines for using verbal
messages effectively

Week Six – Principles of nonverbal messages, channels of nonverbal
communication, nonverbal communication competence

Week Seven – The process of listening, listen barriers, styles of effective
listening; culture, gender, and listening

Week Eight – Principles of emotions and emotional messages, obstacles to
communication emotions, emotional competence
COMM 1110 – Interpersonal Communication
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X.

Week Nine – Principles of conversation, conversational disclosure, everyday
conversations
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Week Ten –Exam 2; relationship stages, relationship theories

Week Eleven – Relationship communication, friendship types, love
relationships, family relationships

Week Twelve – Workplace relationships, the dark side of relationships

Week Thirteen – Preliminaries to interpersonal conflict, principles of
interpersonal conflict

Week Fourteen – Conflict management strategies, power and influence

Week Fifteen – Relationship power, person power, message power, misuse of
power and influence

Week Sixteen – Exam 3
OTHER REQUIRED BOOK, SOFTWARE, AND MATERIALS:
The text should be packaged with Revel, which is an online companion website for the
text and course. Students who purchase the text used or at a different venue than the
SSCC Bookstore are responsible for procuring access to Revel.
XI.
EVALUATION:
The student will be evaluated on the basis of 1) attendance and class participation, 2) outof-class projects and papers, 3) in-class presentations and activities, and 4) exams and
quizzes.
Attendance and Class Participation – 10% (100 points)
Writing Assignments (noted in the outline) – 25% (250 points)
Group/Partner Activities (noted in the outline) – 25% (250 points)
Exams (three exams) – 30% (300 points)
Quizzes – 10% (100 points)
Attendance and Participation: 100 points (-10 absence, -5 tardy or leave early)
Attendance is required for this class. It is also important that you are on time. If you are
absent, you must have written documentation in order to make up any work. Participation
grade encompasses your preparedness, conduct, attitude, teamwork, self-discipline,
ability to follow directions, and contribution to class. NO CELL PHONES. Faculty may
COMM 1110 – Interpersonal Communication
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recommend that the College withdraw students who have missed more than 20% of
the total scheduled classes of a course (WI).
Papers – Worth a total of 250 points – below are some suggested topics
 Relational-Level and Content-Level Messages Paper
 Perspective Taking Paper
 Emotional Intelligence Test and Response
 Video Quiz on Verbal Communication
 Types of Nonverbal Communication
 Conversation Mastery Test and Response
 Video Quiz Listening and Confirming Responses
 Video Quiz Analyzing Interpersonal Conflict
Activities In-Class – Worth a total of 250 points – below are some suggestions
 Communication Descriptions Based on Sense Data
 Face-Saving Communication
 Using Concrete Words and Avoiding Abstract Words
 Indexing Thoughts, Owning Thoughts, and Dating Information
 Nonverbal Immediacy Behaviors
 Communicating Constructive Criticism
 Relationship Initiation Strategies
 Communicating Apologies
 Perception Checking
 Non-Defensive Reactions
 Dealing with Disconfirming Communication
Quizzes – will be unannounced.
Exams – Three exams will be given. Each exam is worth 100 points.
XII.
SPECIFIC MANAGEMENT REQUIREMENTS:
At the discretion of the instructor
XIII. OTHER INFORMATION:
FERPA: Students need to understand that your work may be seen by others. Others
may see your work when being distributed, during group project work, or if it is chosen
for demonstration purposes.
Students also need to know that there is a strong possibility that your work may be
submitted to other entities for the purpose of plagiarism checks.
COMM 1110 – Interpersonal Communication
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DISABILITIES: Students with disabilities may contact the Disabilities Service Office,
Central Campus, at 800-628-7722 or 937-393-3431.