Argosy University
COURSE SYLLABUS
E6235
Interpersonal Communication
Faculty Information
Faculty Name: Dr. Florine Robinson
Campus: Chicago
Contact Information:
Office Hours:
Short Faculty Bio:
Course description:
This course explores the basic concepts involved in effective interpersonal relationships and suggests ways to use these concepts to
build an effective management team.
Course Pre-requisites: None
Required Textbook:
DeVito, J. A. (2008). Interpersonal messages: Communication and relationship skills. New York, NY: Allyn & Bacon. ISBN:
0205491111
DeVito, J. A., Menchaca, K. L., & Mueller, K. E. (2008). Interpersonal messages: Communication and relationship skills. Study
Guide (Revised Printing). New York, NY: Allyn & Bacon. ISBN: 0205593062
American Psychological Association. (2001). Publication manual of the American Psychological Association (5th ed.). Washington,
D.C.: Author. ISBN: 1557987912
Course length: 7.5 Weeks
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Contact Hours: 45 Hours
Credit Value: 3.0
Program Outcomes:
1. Research and Theory: Students make decisions based on research and supported theory. They use their knowledge and skills that
apply to adult learning and training strategies.
2. Communication and Informational Literacy: Students effectively communicate a vision of educational excellence to the
learning community. They use their oral and written language skills and their knowledge of informational literacy and
organizational communication specifically related to adult learning and development.
3. Critical Thinking and Problem Solving: Students develop systems to check their own thinking, to reflect on present and past
practices in considering the future, to analyze complex issues, and to evaluate potential solutions in adult education and training
programs.
4. Collaboration: Students promote democratic values by respecting the ideas and gifts of those with whose care they are charged.
They continuously seek improvement and use their knowledge to engage, capture knowledge, facilitate interaction, and respond
with value added solutions.
5. Leadership: Students design an evolved leadership style that supports the development of others, is harmonious with democratic
principles and best educational practices, and focuses on adult achievement as the ultimate goal of the learning community. They
are leading catalysts for sharing knowledge and practices worldwide, as well as delivering timely information, products, and
services.
6. Ethics and Principles: Students exhibit and expect accountability in integrity, fairness, and ethical behavior.
7. Diversity: Students articulate an appreciation of the value of every individual and demonstrate a commitment to their success by
understanding needs and expectations.
8. Interpersonal Effectiveness: Students have positive relationship skills that promote personal and ethical professional
development via effective communication, encouragement, empathy, respect for others, self-awareness, and other-awareness.
Course Objectives:
1. Explain the values of studying interpersonal communication. (Program Outcomes in Adult Ed: 2, 3, 7, 8)
2. Define interpersonal communication and its major objectives. (Program Outcomes in Adult Ed: 2, 8)
3. Analyze the characteristics of effective interpersonal communication skills, which fosters professional growth. (Program
Outcomes in Adult Ed: 3, 5, 8)
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4. Examine the principals of interpersonal communication strategies using problem solving, critical, and creative thinking skills.
(Program Outcomes in Adult Ed: 1, 3, 4)
5. Use technology to enhance professional growth. (Program Outcomes in Adult Ed: 1, 8)
Assignment Table:
Topics
1
Interpersonal Communication
 Overview of Interpersonal
Communication
 Principles of Interpersonal
Communication
 Factors in Interpersonal
Communication
 Video-Based Activity
Readings
DeVito
 Chapter 1:
Interpersonal
Communication
 Chapter 3: The Self in
Interpersonal
Communication
 Chapter 4: Perception
and Interpersonal
Communication
Assignments
Discussion Questions:
1.1. Based on the readings from the textbook, analyze
the components of interpersonal communication. What
do you think is the most important component in today’s
technological world? Support your response with a
rationale using examples from personal experience.
1.2. Use the Argosy University online library to locate
and read the following article:
Herschel, R. T. & Andrews, P. H. (1997). Ethical
implications of technological advances on business
communication. Communication. 34(2).
How has technological advancement led to unethical
communication? Justify your opinion with examples.
1.3. Watch the movie Crash and answer the following
questions:
 Assess the communication skills of at least two
characters with respect to the principles and
strategies you learned in this week.
 Select one of the characters in the film and discuss
how his or her communication skills influenced
others in the film.
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
Did the character display ethical principles of
interpersonal communication? Support your answer
with reasons and examples.
1.4. Use the Argosy University online library and
Internet to research at least five definitions of
interpersonal communication and the objectives of
interpersonal communication. Which definition of
interpersonal communication is the most relevant?
Why? Also, examine how noise interferes with these
objectives of communication. Suggest ways to decrease
noise.
Assignments:
1.1. Write a one-page autobiography introducing
yourself to other members of the class. Include the
following:
 A detailed personal biography, including
information on your cultural background and gender
 A description of what you think are some of the
most common issues in interpersonal
communication
 A narrative of an experience on interpersonal
communication
 A description of how you rate yourself in terms of
interpersonal communication
 Your expectations from this course
Use your answers to the above questions and your
communication and technology skills to create a
presentation for introducing yourself to the class. This
presentation may be through audio, video, or
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PowerPoint.
1.2. Read the scenario below.
Phil has just taken over as the principal at Wilson
Elementary School located at Orange County,
California. He has been a teacher in the school for the
past 15 years and most of his colleagues admire Phil for
his efficiency, organization skills, and policy of refusing
to waste time on nonessentials. However, there seem to
be problems among the staff after Phil has become the
principal.
You are the superintendent of the district and several
teachers from Wilson Elementary approach you and
share their concerns about working with Phil. One
complaint is that Phil is extremely cold and businesslike during staff meetings. Many teachers also feel that
Phil works them too hard and isn’t sympathetic or
understanding about their personal needs.
Obviously, there is a problem with the communication
in the above situation.
1. What according to you is the exact nature of the
problem?
2. What communication principles would you use to
handle this situation?
3. Justify your choice of principles and explain why
they would work the best.
4. Describe at least two situations you faced at your
workplace that involved ineffective interpersonal
communication.
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

What interpersonal communication principles
did you use in these situations? Were they
appropriate? Support your answer with reasons
and examples.
What interpersonal communication principles
will you use if faced with a similar situation
now? Provide a rationale for choosing the
principles
1.3. Project Overview
You can choose from the following two projects:
a) Observe the communication processes in an
organization of their choice and develop a
recommendation plan for improvement.
b) Analyze a lesson plan and provide recommendations
for improving the lesson in the class using effective
communication tools and strategies.
Course Project and
Field Experience
Begin work on your project by forming a group and
completing the group work document.
For Project A and B: Select an organization or a lesson
plan of your choice. Schedule an appointment for
observation of the organizational communication or the
delivery of your chosen lesson plan.
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Your field experience is due in Week 4 and your final
Project is due in Week 7.
2
Culture
 Cultural Influence
 Strategies for Intercultural
Communication
DeVito
 Chapter 2: Culture and
Interpersonal
Communication
Discussion Questions:
2.1. Based on the readings from the textbook, examine
the impact of the increase in number of foreign students
on the dynamics of communication in the younger
generation. Support your response with examples and
cite sources you use.
2.2. Use the Argosy online library to locate and read the
following article.
Jordan-Jackson, F. F. & Kimberley, A. (Spring2005).
Men talk: An exploratory study of communication
patterns and communication apprehension of black and
white males. Journal of Men’s Studies. 13-3.
Evaluate the statement: “The group that is less powerful
always makes adjustment in communication
challenges.” Justify your response and provide
appropriate examples.
2.3. Watch the movie Crash and answer the questions
below.
 Analyze the situations in the movie to identify
examples of intercultural communication. Provide
two specific examples of effective intercultural
communication and two examples of ineffective
intercultural communication. Justify by providing
reasons for why you felt the communication was
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
effective and ineffective.
Analyze the characters in the movie to identify
examples of characters that were greatly influenced
by their culture. Provide at least one behavioral
example, which helped you identify the culture they
belonged to and the influence it exerted on the
character.
2.4. Conduct research using the Argosy University
online library and the Internet to gather information
about the role of culture in interpersonal communication
in a professional environment. Devise strategies or tips
you can use in your professional environment to
communicate effectively with colleagues belonging to a
different culture.
Assignments:
2.1. Consider the issue of racial profiling. While state
governments are voting to repeal racial profiling laws,
some individuals are arguing for profiling all Muslims,
especially between the ages of 18 and 45, at airports.
 Will racial profiling help identify terrorists? Provide
justifications for your answer.
 Take a stand on the issue and write a one-page
argument justifying your position.
Support your argument with examples and
evidence/statistics where possible.
2.2. Field Experience and Project
For Project A: Develop a questionnaire that you can use
during your visit to the organization. This questionnaire
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should include questions on organizational interpersonal
communication. These questions can be based on the
components of interpersonal communication that you
learn during this course and you observe being used in
the organization during interpersonal communication.
You will also need to develop interview questions in
case you plan to interview personnel from the
organization to gather information about aspects of
interpersonal communication they use.
For Project B: Develop an observation checklist that you
can use during your visit to the organization. This
observation checklist should include questions on
interpersonal communication during the delivery of your
chosen lesson plan in the classroom. The observation
checklist can be based on the components of
interpersonal communication that you learn during this
course and you observe being used during the delivery
of the lesson plan in the classroom.
Your field experience report is due in Week 5 and your
final project is due in Week 7.
3
Gender
 How Gender Affects
Communication
Discussion Questions:
3.1. Evaluate methods of applying the attraction theory
to improve interpersonal communication. Describe at
least two methods and explain why you think they will
be effective. Provide appropriate citations and resources
from your research.
3.2. Use the Argosy online library to locate and read the
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following article.
Zielinski, D. (May2004). What men and women can
learn from each other. Presentations. 18-5.
Analyze the basic difference in presentations as
conducted by women and men. Do male presenters still
dominate over women presenters? Compare and contrast
a sales pitch presentation by a male and female
presenter. List the advantages a male presenter has over
his female counterpart. Cite reasons/support for your
argument.
3.2. Watch the movie Crash and answer the following
questions:
 Provide examples of the gender communication that
was shown in the film. Discuss the attraction theory
and examples of it, at work in the movie. Discuss
how the theory affected communication in the
relationship.
 Did you see any examples of attraction theory in the
relationships in the film? Analyze examples of how
the attraction theory influenced communication in
the relationship.
3.3. Work with three other students on your designated
team, and role-play the following scenario:
The role-play scenario involves a meeting with a teacher
(male) who is gender insensitive. The players include
the principal, the insensitive teacher (male), and two
teachers (both female), who have raised the issue. The
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male teacher belongs to a patriarchal culture, while at
least one of the female teachers belongs to a society that
does not discriminate between the sexes..
You will research the general behavioral characteristics
of men who belong to patriarchal cultures and their
attitudes toward women in general. Additionally, you
will also research the characteristics and attitudes of
people who belong to more equal societies, and use the
knowledge gained from your research to conduct the
role-play.
Players: The principal, one male teacher (patriarchal
culture), and two female teachers.
Follow up questions:
 Analyze the differences between the communication
styles of players/actors in the role play scenario.
 How did gender roles affect interpersonal
communication?
 What barriers to communication were apparent in
the dialogue?
 Identify the attitudes that are resulting in these
barriers to communication?
 Provide an example to support your answer and
reasoning.
Participate in the discussion with your peers by asking a
question, providing a statement of clarification,
providing a point of view with rationale, challenging a
point of discussion, or making a relationship between
one or more points of the discussion.
Assignments:
3.1. Field Experience and Course Project
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For Project A: Visit your chosen organization and
observe the organizational interpersonal communication.
Use the questionnaire you developed last week to record
your observations. You can also interview personnel
from the organization and use the interview questions
you developed to gather information about aspects of
interpersonal communication.
For Project B: Visit your chosen school and observe the
delivery of your selected lesson plan in a classroom. Use
the observation checklist you developed last week to
record your observations.
Your field experience report is due in Week 5 and your
final project is due in Week 7.
4
Listening
 Role of Listening in
Communication
 Role of Culture and Gender in
Listening
 Development of Listening
Skills
DeVito
 Chapter 5: Listening
and Interpersonal
Communication
Discussion Questions:
4.1. Analyze the obstacles in each of the five stages of
listening. Suggest effective ways to overcome each
obstacle. Justify why you think your suggestions will be
effective.
4.2. Use the Argosy online library to locate and read the
following article.
Hesselbein, F. (2006). The art of listening. Leadership
Excellence. 23-5.
The author discusses several aspects of listening, with
regard to successful leadership. Consider the last kind of
listening discussed in the article — listening to our inner
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self. Write a two-page paper discussing the following:
 How important is intrapersonal communication in
comparison with interpersonal communication?
 How important is it for leaders to develop the skill of
listening to one’s inner self?
 Would you agree that developing the ability to listen
to your inner self could make you a more effective,
empathetic leader? Why or why not?
Support your response with examples or real-life
experiences.
4.3. Watch the movie Crash and answer the following
questions:
 Analyze the movie to identify at least three examples
of good listening skills and three examples of poor
listening skills.
 Analyze the examples and state how the examples
displayed good/poor listening skills.
 Suggest how the character/s could have improved
poor listening skills.
 Provide at least five examples when you displayed
poor listening skills.
 Suggest strategies that you could have used or may
use in the future to practice better listening skills
with people from different backgrounds and cultures.
Justify why the strategies you intend to use will be
effective.
4.4. Using the Argosy University online library and the
Internet, conduct research about the various learning
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styles. What is the relation between learning styles and
listening styles? How can you use these listening styles
to improve your interpersonal communication in your
professional environment?
Assignments:
4.1. Pretend that you are a listener in the following
scenarios:
 Scenario 1: A teenage student from your class
confides in you that she is pregnant.
 Scenario 2: A colleague tells you about an abusive
relationship s/he is in.
Answer the following questions:
 What is your first reaction to the situation?
 Identify the barriers to listening that might arise in
each encounter. What strategies can you employ to
overcome these barriers? Consider the various
aspects of listening that are discussed in your text.
 How do you think your initial reactions might
influence your listening? Will you begin listening
with a positive, a negative, or a neutral attitude?
What effect might your attitude have on your
listening?
Use APA 5th edition format. Follow the following file
naming convention to name your document:
4.2. Field Experience
Your field experience submission is due this week.
For Project A and B: Compile the observations you
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recorded in Word document. In addition, summarize
your observations from the field experience in a page or
two. Organize your questionnaire/observation checklist
and the transcripts of your interview with personnel
(teachers and students, etc.) from the organization.
Your field experience paper should be in Microsoft
Word 2000 or higher. Follow APA 5th edition style.
Your paper should be double-spaced and in 12pt font.
Include your observation notes (questionnaire or
checklist, and interview transcripts) as part of your field
experience paper.
5
Verbal and Non-Verbal
Communication
 Verbal Communication
 Non-Verbal Communication
 Summary
 Assignments
DeVito
 Chapter 6: Verbal
Messages
 Chapter 7: Nonverbal
Messages
 Chapter 8:
Conversation Messages
Discussion Questions:
5.1. Compare aspects of verbal versus non-verbal
communication. Do you agree that non-verbal
communication is more effective in some situations?
Support your response with rationale and examples.
5.2. Use the Argosy online library to locate and read the
following article.
Chiarella, T. (Nov2006). The art of the handshake.
Esquire. 146-5.
Compare a handshake to verbal introductions. How are
the two different? Which of the two according to you is
more effective? Why? Provide examples to support your
answer. From your personal experience, recount at least
three types of handshake and your impression of the
person. Analyze the significance of a handshake in
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inferring the character of a person, when you do so, and
how to avoid forming stereotypical impressions.
5.3. Watch the movie Crash and answer the following
questions:
 Provide at least four examples each of verbal and
non-verbal communication from the movie.
 Discuss the differences between verbal and nonverbal communication you observed in the movie.
 Examine which type of communication was more
effective in your examples. Justify your responses.
 Evaluate one scene from the movie in which both
verbal and non-verbal communication was used and
note your observations about the communication.
Assignments:
5.1. Non-Verbal Communication
Given below are situations you are likely to face at the
workplace. Describe how you would deal with such
unpleasant situations without offending anyone. Suggest
verbal and non-verbal strategies that you might use in
these situations. Provide a rationale for choosing the
strategies.
Situation 1: Your colleague takes up your time when she
or he is free without considering that you might be busy.
 Suggest verbal and non-verbal strategies that you
might use in this situation.
 Provide a rationale for choosing the strategies.
Situation 2: Your supervisor is verbally aggressive when
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delegating tasks and providing feedback.
 How would you deal with this superior?
 What strategies would you choose to tackle such a
person?
 Provide a rationale for choosing these strategies.
Situation 3: Your student is attracted to you and seeks
your attention during class.
 What strategies would you use to deal with this
student without offending you or without making
this student felt humiliated in front of the entire
class?
 Provide your rationale for choosing these strategies.
Use APA 5th edition format. Follow the following file
naming convention to name your document:
5.2. Project
For Project A and B: Analyze the field experience report
your submitted last week to identify one or more issues
related to interpersonal communication in the
organization or to the delivery of your chosen lesson
plan in the classroom.
Describe the problem in detail and state the factors
responsible for creating the issue or problem. Explain
the significance of the problem or issue you identified
and its impact on the organization or the classroom.
Your final project is due in Week 7.
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6
Power
 How Power Affects
Communication
 Relationships
DeVito
 Chapter 9:
Interpersonal
Relationships
Discussion Questions:
6.1. Based on the readings from the textbook, analyze
the different ways in which power might be used
unfairly in the workplace. Provide examples. Evaluate
the communication principles or strategies can you use
to combat such unfair practices.
6.2. Use the Argosy online library to locate and read the
following article.
Cardwell, Mike. (April 2001) Obedience to authority
The legacy of Milgram's research. Psychology
Review 7.4 : p14. From Student Resource Center Gold.
Zimbardo and Milgram’s famous experiments are about
abuse of power, also like the Hitlerian examples.
Provide current examples from politics, education, or
your own organization of people in positions of power
who have abused their authority. Describe an instance
when you were manipulated in a power situation.
6.3. Watch the movie Crash. Then attempt the
following.



How did power play a role in the development of the
relationship between the characters? Did it add strain
in any of the relationships? Which ones?
Was the power displayed based on the roles that the
individuals played or was it internalized?
Explain with the help of examples how sexual
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harassment played a role in the relationship of the
characters.
6.4. Cite at least two instances of conflicts involving
power in relationships that you have witnessed or
experienced. What interpersonal communication skills
can be applied to resolve these conflicts? Give reasons.
Assignments:
6.1. Consider this statement and attempt the following:
Everyone tells you that you are unassertive and that that
is the reason why you’ve been passed over for raises and
promotions; you’re not perceived to have leadership
potential.
 State ways that you can practice being more
assertive.
 State whether or not you feel that assertiveness is
necessary in communication.
 What are the important aspects of assertive
communication? Would you agree that a balance of
power is essential for communication?
6.2. Final Project
For Project A and B: Incorporate your learning from this
course and other resources to develop a recommendation
plan to improve the interpersonal communication in the
organization or to improve the delivery of the lesson in
the classroom. In your recommendation plan, include
effective communication tools and strategies that you
learned during this course. Support your
recommendation with a rationale and evidence in the
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form of research. Your final project is due in Week 7.
7
Conflict
 How Conflict Affects
Communication
 Conflict Management
DeVito
 Chapter 10:
Interpersonal Conflict
Management
Discussion Questions:
7.1. A group of students from the school volleyball team
are bullying their juniors. Things have come to such a
pass that a few juniors have stopped attending school.
Their parents have made several attempts to resolve this
situation including talking to the class teacher of the
offending group and their coach, but have not seen any
results. As a school leader, this matter is brought to your
attention for resolution. Discuss how you will resolve
this conflict. What methods of conflict resolution will
you use in the situation?
7.2. Use the Argosy online library to locate and read the
following article.
Amatruda, M-J. (Win2006). Conflict resolution and
social skill development with children. Journal of Group
Psychotherapy, Psychodrama & Sociometry. 58(4).
How does the author use action techniques and
psychodrama methods to help students communicate
more positively with one another, and improve their
status with peers in the classroom? Cite situation/s
presented in the article to support your answer.
7.3. Watch the movie Crash. Then answer the questions
below.
 Identify two situations of conflict in the movie.
 Analyze the types of conflict in these situations and
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
outline how the conflict affected communication in
the situations identified by you.
Illustrate some instances of discrimination in your
own daily life. Do you think that your own
communication is influenced by biases or
perspectives of others? Why or why not?
7.4. Use the Argosy University online library and the
Internet to research at least two instances of conflict
involving classroom interactions between teachers and
students.
 How would you have resolved the conflicts?
 What interpersonal communication skills would you
apply?
 Which conflict management strategies would you
apply to these instances?
 Justify why you think a particular strategy will work.
 Do you think the same strategy can be used in
different situations – why or why not?
Assignments:
7.1. Work with three other students on your designated
team and role-play the following scenario:
The role-play scenario revolves around a conflict in
placing a special needs student in the regular classroom.
One role should be assigned to each student. The
different roles include that of the principal, the resource
room teacher, the regular classroom teacher, and the
child’s parent. The regular classroom teacher is
concerned about the amount of time the child is
spending in the resource room each day, even though the
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child is showing good progress in the second grade
classroom. The resource room teacher, on the other
hand, is of the opinion that the child is very disruptive in
the resource room and therefore, needs to spend more
time with her. Both teachers refuse to compromise, and
the situation threatens to spiral into a conflict.
Use the Argosy University online library and the
Internet to research the general behavioral
characteristics of special needs students, their
requirements, and differences from regular students.
You will also research the characteristics and attitudes
that educators need to cultivate when dealing with
special needs students and use the knowledge gained
from your research to conduct the role-play.
Based on your research and role-play, respond to these
follow-up questions:
 Analyze the conflict in this scenario. Who are the
central characters in this conflict?
 Are the threats to their interests or concerns
perceived or actual?
 How is the conflict affecting interpersonal
communication?
 Devise a plan of action that can lead to the
successful resolution of this conflict. Provide an
example to support your answer and reasoning.
7.2. Submitting the Final Project
Project A and Project B: Your final project paper should
be presented in the form of a 7 – 10 page Word
document. Depending on the project you have chosen,
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the paper should include a recommendation plan for
improvement in communication within an organization
or provide recommendations for improving a class
lesson, using effective communication tools and
strategies. In addition, you should support your
recommendation with a rationale, supported by evidence
in the form of research, etc.
The paper should be double-spaced and in 12 pt font.
Also remember to follow APA 5th edition style.
8
Course Summary
Assignments:
8.1. Reflect on the autobiography presentation you
posted at the beginning of this class and answer the
following questions.
 Have you achieved your goals for this course?
 After completing this course, what would you
consider to be some of the most common issues in
interpersonal communication? Compare and contrast
this list with the one in your autobiography.
 In your autobiography, you provided a description of
one of your best experiences in interpersonal
communication. Examine this description of your
best experiences in interpersonal communication in a
work situation. Do you still consider them to be the
best experiences in interpersonal communication?
Why or why not? Elaborate.
 After completing this course, how would you rate
yourself on a scale of 1 to 5, (1 being the lowest and
5 being the highest) on interpersonal
communication? Analyze your description of how
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you rated yourself in terms of interpersonal
communication. Would you change the rating now?
Why or why not?
 Review the audio/video presentation that you
submitted as part of your autobiography and evaluate
your strengths and weaknesses in interpersonal
communication with respect to:
o Listening skills
o Verbal and non-verbal communication
o Gender and cultural sensitivity
o Power
o Conflict management
 How has your communication style changed since
taking this course? How effective has it become
now?
Your response should be two or three paragraphs in
length.
8.2. Visit the online journal article “Mistakes
Educational Leaders Make,” available at
http://www.ericdigests.org/1999-2/mistakes.htm.
Read the assigned journal article and respond to the
following:
 What are some common communication mistakes
made by educational leaders? Evaluate their nonverbal, intercultural, language, power, and
relationship-based communication. How can they
reduce these mistakes? What strategies can they use
to improve their interpersonal communication?
 Using the Argosy University online library and the
Internet locate one article that discusses the
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strategies that educational leaders can use to improve
their interpersonal communication skills. Write a
summary of the skills mentioned in this article. From
your summary, discuss the strategies that you would
use in your work environment to improve your own
interpersonal communication skills.
Grading Criteria
Grading Scale
A
AB+
B
BC+
C
CF
100 – 93
92 – 90
89 – 88
87 – 83
82 – 80
79 – 78
77 - 73
72 – 70
69 and below
Grading requirements
Biography and Reflective
Activity
Discussion Questions
Project
Field Experience
9%
26%
30%
25%
10%
100%
Library
All resources in Argosy University’s online collection are available through the Internet. The campus librarian will provide students
with links, user IDs, and passwords.
Library Resources: Argosy University’s core online collection features nearly 21,000 full-text journals and 23,000 electronic books
and other content covering all academic subject areas including Business & Economics, Career & General Education, Computers,
Engineering & Applied Science, Humanities, Science, Medicine & Allied Health, and Social & Behavior Sciences. Many titles are
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directly accessible through the Online Public Access Catalog at http://library.argosy.edu. Detailed descriptions of online resources are
located at http://library.argosy.edu/misc/onlinedblist.html.
In addition to online resources, Argosy University’s onsite collections contain a wealth of subject-specific research materials
searchable in the Online Public Access Catalog. Catalog searching is easily limited to individual campus collections. Alternatively,
students can search combined collections of all Argosy University Libraries. Students are encouraged to seek research and reference
assistance from campus librarians.
Information Literacy: Argosy University’s Information Literacy Tutorial was developed to teach students fundamental and
transferable research skills. The tutorial consists of five modules where students learn to select sources appropriate for academic-level
research, search periodical indexes and search engines, and evaluate and cite information. In the tutorial, students study concepts and
practice them through interactions. At the conclusion of each module, they can test their comprehension and receive immediate
feedback. Each module takes less than 20 minutes to complete. Please view the tutorial at http://library.argosy.edu/infolit/.
Academic Policies
Academic Dishonesty/Plagiarism: In an effort to foster a spirit of honesty and integrity during the learning process, Argosy University
requires that the submission of all course assignments represent the original work produced by that student. All sources must be
documented through normal scholarly references/citations and all work must be submitted using the Publication Manual of the
American Psychological Association, 5th Edition (2001). Washington DC: American Psychological Association (APA) format. Please
refer to Appendix A in the Publication Manual of the American Psychological Association, 5th Edition for thesis and paper format.
Students are encouraged to purchase this manual (required in some courses) and become familiar with its content as well as consult
the Argosy University catalog for further information regarding academic dishonesty and plagiarism.
Scholarly writing: The faculty at Argosy University is dedicated to providing a learning environment that supports scholarly and
ethical writing, free from academic dishonesty and plagiarism. This includes the proper and appropriate referencing of all sources.
You may be asked to submit your course assignments through “Turnitin,” (www.turnitin.com), an online resource established to help
educators develop writing/research skills and detect potential cases of academic dishonesty. Turnitin compares submitted papers to
billions of pages of content and provides a comparison report to your instructor. This comparison detects papers that share common
information and duplicative language.
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Americans with Disabilities Act Policy
It is the policy of Argosy University to make reasonable accommodations for qualified students with disabilities, in accordance with
the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA). If a student with disabilities needs accommodations, the student must notify the Director
of Student Services. Procedures for documenting student disability and the development of reasonable accommodations will be
provided to the student upon request.
Students will be notified by the Director of Student Services when each request for accommodation is approved or denied in writing
via a designated form. To receive accommodation in class, it is the student’s responsibility to present the form (at his or her discretion)
to the instructor. In an effort to protect student privacy, the Department of Student Services will not discuss the accommodation needs
of any student with instructors. Faculty may not make accommodations for individuals who have not been approved in this manner.
The Argosy University Statement Regarding Diversity
Argosy University prepares students to serve populations with diverse social, ethnic, economic, and educational experiences. Both the
academic and training curricula are designed to provide an environment in which students can develop the skills and attitudes essential
to working with people from a wide range of backgrounds.
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