SOC 249
Syllabus: Interpersonal Communication (SOC 249)
Spring Semester 2012
Location:BH 214
TR, 1:00-2:15pm
Matthew S. Vos – Instructor
Work Phone: 419-1419
Home Phone: 706-931-2552
e-mail: vos@covenant.edu
Office: BH 107
Office Hours: TBA
Required Texts:
Beebe, Beebe, & Redmond (2010). Interpersonal Communication: Relating to Others,
(6th edition), Needham Heights, MA: Allyn & Bacon.
Gergen, K. (2009). Relational Being: Beyond Self and Community. New York: Oxford
University Press.
Each student must have the required texts to continue in the course.
Introduction
In many ways, the quality of our communication determines the quality of our
lives. We live in a world characterized by broken and self-centered interpersonal
relationships. If we think about it, life began with a communication – God spoke and the
world came into being. The purpose of human communication has always been to reveal
the truth and reflect God’s image. The fall of humankind and the brokenness it entails
has deeply affected our ability to live as fellow image-bearers who speak the truth.
Instead we deceive, manipulate, and live in discord with one another. The scriptures
provide us with a vision of what relationships with God and with others should look like.
This course is intended to help you view interpersonal communication through a biblical
lens. Consequently, the course should provide you with an understanding, not only of
problems in interpersonal communication, but with ways in which we can, with God’s
help, work to heal the brokenness in our interpersonal relationships.
Course Objectives
 1. To help the student understand a biblical basis for interpersonal communication,
including how the biblical themes of creation, fall, redemption, and consummation relate
to a proper understanding of interpersonal communication.
A. Instructional activities include: lectures, class discussion, out-of-class writing
assignments, listening to a recording of “Little Silver Boxes.”
B. Primary means of assessment include: written assignments and exams
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 2. To understand several foundational concepts important for understanding
interpersonal communication. To this end we will develop several different
models of interpersonal communication, explore the sociological concept of the
“self,” learn about the role perception plays in interpersonal communication, and
understand some of the implications that culture has for human communication.
A. Instructional activities include: lectures, class discussion, classroom activities,
videos.
B. Primary means of assessment include: movie review project, journal entries, exams.
 3. To develop new skills in order to become more effective communicators.
A. Instructional activities include: lectures, in-class exercises.
B. Primary means of assessment include: paper, out-of-class written assignments,
journal entries, exams.
 4. To look at how interpersonal relationships function, in order that we might enhance
the quality of our relationships.
A. Instructional activities include: lectures, in-class exercises, in-class activities, journal
entries.
B. Primary means of assessment include: paper, exams, journal entries
 5. To understand the relational character of the self and the implications of this for
community.
A. Instructional activities include: reading, discussing, and journaling on Ken
Gergen’s “Relational Being.”
B. Primary means of assessment include: journal entries and exams.
Course Requirements/Assessments
Midterm Examination: 15% (Objectives 1, 2, 3, 4, 5)
Final Examination: 20% (Objectives 1, 2, 3, 4, 5)
Paper (You will have your choice of 5 or 6 possible assignments): 25% (1, 2, 4)
Movie Review Project (done with a partner): 25% (1, 2, 3, 4, 5)
Journal Entries: 15% (5 x 3%) (2, 5)
There are several readings I have placed on electronic reserve. I will point them
out to you as the class progresses.
Attendance and Class Policy
Much of the learning planned for you depends on your being here and cannot be gained
simply by reading the course texts. Furthermore, your participation in class activities
adds to the richness of the experience for other members of the class. You are permitted
SOC 249
three absences during this course. Beyond the allowed misses, every additional absence
will result in a 5% reduction of your final grade for the course. In general, absences
should be used for emergencies. For example, if a student missed three classes for
personal reasons (leaving early for break, etc.) and then was sick for two classes later in
the semester, those two absences would result in a 10% reduction in the student’s final
grade (irrespective of their legitimacy). In other words, you are wise to plan on the
unexpected coming up in the latter part of the semester, and not use up excused absences
early on.
Students are counted “present” if marked on the instructor’s attendance sheet and
“absent” if they are not. It is the student’s responsibility to be present when the class
roll is called. If you come in late and fail to alert me after class, the omission will
count as an absence.
You may not be absent during test periods (unless you have a documented
medical/family emergency). Any student found cheating on any portion of an
assignment or test or helping any other student cheat on any portion of the course will fail
the course and may be withdrawn from the college.
Technology use policy: To be decided as a class…
Work that is late or exams that are missed due to a disciplinary action against a student
may not be made up.
Students must submit assignments in hard copy. I do not print out and read e-mailed
assignments.
Assignments
The instructor will provide ample notice before assignments (or exams) are due/given.
The following may be used to record exam and assignment turn-in dates. Students
should keep all graded assignments until after the course is completed.
Assignment
Due Date
Grade
Midterm Exam
________________
______
Final Exam
________________
______
Journal Entries
throughout course
______
Movie Review Project ________________
______
Paper
________________
#1 conflict resolution
#2 mediated communication
______
SOC 249
#3 community development assignment
#4 norm breaking assignment
#5 fasting from electronic communication assignment
This course is an attempt to help you identify and frame some of the underlying processes
governing everyday life. We communicate constantly, but we are often unaware of many
of the dimensions and subtleties of our communication. As we work through the text, I
hope to use a variety of approaches to help you understand the concepts presented.
However, although we may not specifically address all concepts presented in the text,
please remember that you are still expected to read all of the material outlined in the
following class schedule.
Class Schedule
Intro
Jan 10
Jan 12, 17
Topic/Class Activities
Reading
Introduction to the course
The WC; Icebreakers, Worlds of Meaning
Syllabus/Student intros
Defining IC
Making a PBJ Sandwich
Understanding Models of Communication
Role Plays
The Six Selves
Electronic Communication
Biblical Themes and Interpersonal Communication
Chapter 1
Supplemental Reading
The Self
Who are you??
Facework
Jan 19, 24, 26 The self in intercultural perspective
Self-esteem quiz
Johari Window and Social Penetration model
Scripture and the Self-Esteem concept
Chapter 2 / Gergen 1 & 2
Perception
Chapter 3
Perceiving persons exercise
Old woman/young woman
What do you see?
Solomon Asch exercise
Jan 31, Feb 2 Standpoint Theory: Social location and perception
Barriers to Accurate Perceptions
Schemas and Scripts
The scriptures and perception
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Diversity
The Nature of Culture
Cultural Values
High context and low context cultures
Four basic building blocks of culture
Diversity Almanac
Feb. 9, 14, 16 International student panel discussion
Stereotyping and Prejudice inhibit effective communication
Daily effects of white privilege
Food across cultures/Andrew Zimmern’s “Bizarre Foods”
Cultural Relativism
Midterm Exam
Listening
Feb. 23, 28
Chapter 4 / Gergen 3 & 4
Date: February 21
Recognizing outstanding communicators
Responding with empathy (role plays)
Listening styles
Listening barriers
The Amazing Squirrel exercise
The therapeutic power of listening
Empathic listening
Clip from Good Will Hunting
Verbal Com.
Principles from Proverbs
Florence Littauer’s “Little Silver Boxes” (audio recording)
Concrete and Abstract Terms
On Truthfulness as a Vocation (brief article on reserve)
March 1, 13, 15 Malaproprisms (Bloopers)
Do You Speak American (DVD)
Offensive Language
Chapter 5
Chapter 6/Gergen 5 & 6
Nonverbal
Verbal and Nonverbal sex differences (exercise)
Chapter 7
Nonverbal role plays
Warm vs. Cold exercise
International Gestures: Exploring Body Language Around the World
Reading the Face
March 20, 22 The Human Face (DVD)
Various short exercises on paralinguistics, proxemics, etc.
Vocal Cues in Popular Music
Conflict
Myths About Conflict
Types of Conflict
Dyad vs. Triad: Living in a Dormitory
Conflict and Gender
The Dirty Dozen
March 27, 29 Interpersonal conflict measurement (instrument)
April 5
War of the Roses (movie)
Scripture and Conflict
Chapter 8 / Gergen 7 & 8
Understanding Rel’s of Circumstance and Rel’s of Choice
Relationships The Social Psychology of Attraction
Relational Escalation and De-escalation
April 10, 12 Theories of Interpersonal Relationship Development
Chapter 9
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Who are Your Friends?
Power in Marital Relationships “My Parents’ Marriage”
Someone who Looks Like Me
Dramaturgy
Her Town Too… (James Taylor Song)
Discovering your love profile (exercise)
Managing
Relationship
Challenges
April 17
Interpersonal
Rel’s:
Friendship &
Romance
April 19
Interpersonal
Rel’s:
Family &
Workplace
April 24
Relationship Challenges
The Dark Side of IPC and Relationships
De-Escalation and Termination of Relationships
A Lying Inventory
Strategies and Skills for Developing Interpersonal Rel’s.
Chapter 10/Gergen 9 & 10
Friendship
Romance
Skills and Strategies for Developing Interpersonal Rel’s
Discovering Your Own Love Profile
The Secret Test
“Hooking Up”
Choosing Friends for Specific Situations
Chapter 11
Family Relationships
Work Relationships
Interpersonal Rel’s at Work
Weird Things Families Do
Investigating Your Family Rules in-Class Exercise
Organizational Communication
Chapter 12/Gergen 11 & 12
FINAL EXAM schedule