Interpersonal Communication 1
crn # 59101
Speech 135 Interpersonal Communication
Course Syllabus
Professor:
Dr. Lisa Brewster
Office:
I 103 C
Office Phone: 619-388-7701
Units: 3
Course CRN: 59101
Office Hours: M & W 9:00- 9:30
T & TH 11:00-12:00
By appointment also
Class Meets: M/W 11:10-12:35
Class Room: C103
Campus Email:
lbrewste@sdccd.edu
(please note there is no “r’ at the end of my name in my email address!, if you send the
email to lbrewster@sdccd.edu it will not get to me)
Advisory Prerequisite: Completion of English 51 & 56 with a grade of “C” or better
Required Materials for the class:
1. The Interpersonal Communication Book by Joseph Devito
ISBN # 0205472885
2. Information Packet by Dr. Lisa Brewster (in bookstore and on website)
3. Access to a computer that has internet capabilities (Miramar College
has a computer lab on campus if you do not have a computer at home)
Course Description:
The course emphasizes the development of effective interpersonal skills, strategies and practice
in oral and written communication. Personal, situational, and cultural influences of interaction
will be covered. It pays particular attention to human perception, interpersonal dynamics,
listening, conflict management, and verbal and non verbal symbol systems. The course is
intended for students who communicate in a one-on-one situation including majors in
communication, fashion, allied health, public service and business. This course is also intended
for students who are interested in further development of effective interpersonal skills in work,
volunteer, and personal environments.
The San Diego Community College District agreed upon Course
Objectives are:
Upon successful completion of the course the student will be able to:
1. Identify and explain the functions and modes of speech
2. Contrast the nature of communication in general with a specific definition of interpersonal
communication
3. Explain and analyze the following factors that affect interpersonal communication:
psychological, social, cultural, and linguistic
4. Define and utilize specific skills within the following areas of the human communication
process: perception, listening, and conflict management
5. Demonstrate interpersonal communication skills in the areas of listening, empathy, conflict,
and semantics
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6. Demonstrate an understanding of the following nonverbal arenas: proxemics, kinesics, haptics,
olfactory, chronemics, and appearance
7. Identify, analyze, and apply problem-solving techniques.
My Course Learning Outcome is:
With the successful completion of this course, you will be able to recognize the role you
play in interpersonal relationships as well as be able to analyze your actions and utilize
predetermined behaviors to improve current and future relationships.
To achieve this goal
I will use a variety of teaching strategies (such as lecture, discussion, group collaboration,
etc.) But the bottom line is that you will be expected to take responsibility for your
learning and participate. Class will be engaging and require much of your involvement so
be prepared to be involved and examine your own communication skills while
incorporating new techniques into your behaviors.
My Student Learning Outcomes:
Upon successful completion of the course the student will be able to:
1. Explain how their self concept impacts their communication in relationships
2. Analyze how their listening skills affect what they hear and how they hear
messages
3. Describe their conflict management style they use in relationships and explain
how that style affects conflict in the relationship
4. Identify which behaviors negatively impact relationships they are in and alter
those behaviors t improve a relationship
Concepts you will master in this class:
Role of self in the relationship
Relational Guidelines
Behaviors in Relationships
The concepts we will study in great detail in this class are:
 Listening
 Verbal and Nonverbal Communication
 Relational Maintenance Strategies
 Conflict Management Techniques
 Stages and Types of Relationships
 Acceptable behaviors in interpersonal relationships
You will be assessed and graded in the following ways:
45 % of your grade stems from Performance
(ability to integrate content into all types of speeches)
45% of your grade revolves around Content
(ability to complete all written assignments to standards set forth in class)
10 % of your grade is your level of Responsibility in this online class
(ability to interact as a member of the classroom)
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REMINDER:
I do not GIVE you a grade.
You earn your grade. I just add up the points at the end.
This class is demanding. It takes effort to sharpen your presentation skills.
Participate in class. Do the work. Read the chapters. Follow the plan for
success, the plan works!
Explanation of Assignments
All assignments are explained in greater detail in the information packet
Performance:
 Presentations:
You are required to deliver 3 graded presentations during the semester.
 Each of these is explained in great detail in the information packet.
Written:
There are several written assignments in this class including but not limited to:




Outlines
 You will be required to turn in an outline and bibliography for each speech
Journal
 I consider the journal to be one of the most helpful tools of this class.
Therefore, I encourage you to take it seriously and work on it throughout the
entire semester. Do NOT do it the night before it is due as your lack of effort
will be apparent. There are very specific guidelines for the journal both under
the assignments page as well as in the information packet. Please refer to
them.
Exam
 There is one final exam in this class. This exam is all short answer and you
will be graded not only on your responses but also the comprehensiveness of
your understanding. Read the information packet before the exam for some
tips on how to study.
Quizzes
 There are optional extra credit quizzes on the textbook readings located on the
website linked to this class, see the information packet for more details
Participation:

Your participation in this course is required.
 For example, reading materials extraneous to the course, sleeping, writing
notes or letters, doing other homework from another class, and/or listening to
music, playing a gaming system or text messaging during classroom time is
not allowed.
 Should you elect to partake in one of these, I will deduct points from
your final grade in the course AND mark you absent!
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 This class will also involve extensive group work. Please be prepared to
occasionally meet outside of class when necessary.
Being Successful in my class:
1. Read the chapters before you come to class, it is easier to participate when you are
prepared and the book gives you a great background for the lecture.
2. Participate in class, research shows that those students who talk and are active in class
are generally more successful than those who sit there.
3. Plan on spending about 6 hours a week outside of class on this class. This class is very
labor intensive and requires a lot of research
4. Start preparing your speeches once they are officially assigned. A good speech really
does take 15-20 hours to prepare.
5. Start practicing your speeches 2-3 days before you are assigned to deliver them. It
takes time for you to learn the art of public speaking and it is quite visible who waits to
practice until the night before.
6. Always talk to me if you need help. I try to be a very hands on professor but if you do
not ask me for help, often times I do not know exactly what you need.
This chart of points is flexible due to the participatory nature of this class and may
change during the semester.
Speeches
Written
Self Concept Speech 60 points
The IP Game
40 points
What I learned speech 75 points
Outlines
Journal
Final Exam
In class
Participation
30 points
70 points
30 points
5 points each
In class Participation
Grading System
The grading scale is as follows:
90- 100 A
80 - 89 B
70- 79 C
60 - 69 D
Below 59 is an F
20 points
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Course and District Policies
There are a number of policies that govern this course. Please read and UNDERSTAND
the syllabus thoroughly, as it is critical to your success in this class. You are responsible
for knowing and following the information in this syllabus. Understanding the syllabus
and making note of dates assignments are due should help your success in the course and
hopefully, lower both of our frustration levels.
Attendance:
Important Note:
Absences are NOT considered either excused or unexcused
Death of family and friends, vacations, travel, personal, family problems and medical
problems are not excuses for not completing assignments, quizzes and other work
required for this class. There will be no extensions of assignments. This is a nonnegotiable policy. DO NOT contact me before or after an assignment is due and ask for
an “extension” of the deadline for any reason (medical or otherwise) as it will not be
granted.
Your attendance in class is not only expected but also mandatory to your success in this
class. To achieve the objectives in the course, your involvement and participation are
necessary.
 If you miss more than three classes during the semester, your final grade will be
lowered 2% points off your final grade for each absence over the three.
Tardiness:
Arriving late to class is a distraction to the other students and me. Repetitive tardiness
will result in your final grade being lowered a minimum of 1 full letter grade
Being dropped from the class:
District Policy 3100 states that students may be dropped after 6% of the class is missed
(3.6 hours, which may include tardies and leaving class early). The policy also states that
students may be dropped upon missing 12% of the class (7.5 hours, which may include
tardies and leaving early combined). However, this does not mean that I will necessarily
drop you from the class.
 It is your responsibility as a student to drop yourself from all classes that you are not
participating.
 While it is my discretion to withdraw a student after the add/drop deadline due to
excessive absences, I do not always drop you.
 If you choose to remain enrolled in the class beyond the published withdrawal
deadline, as stated in the class schedule, will receive a grade in the class.
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Missed Speeches:
You are required to deliver your speech on the day assigned. No exceptions.
 Should you have to miss your speech day, you MUST contact me before the
scheduled class time. At that point, I will decide if it is possible to reschedule your
speech.
**Should I reschedule your speech, your speech will be penalized a full letter grade.
Occasionally it is not possible to make up the missed speech, then you will receive a
zero.**
 If you do not personally speak to me before the scheduled class session, you will not
be able to make up the missed speech and will receive a zero.
 If I am absent on during a speech round, and no substitute has been assigned, all
speeches will be postponed by one class session. If a substitute has been assigned,
you are to deliver your speeches for him/her to videotape so I can grade them.
 You must deliver your speech on the day assigned, even if the room is not functioning
properly: (i.e.) the computer, the overhead projector, the TV/, and/or any other
equipment to be used for your visual aids is not working. Therefore, I recommend
you always have a back up, just in case!
Missed Exam:
If you miss the scheduled exam without prior approval from the instructor, you will
receive a zero. ** Bare in mind I rarely accept excuses to make up the exam**
Late Work:
Due to the overwhelming amount of work that is collected in this class, late work will
only be accepted up to one week after the due date. Please note: however, if it is turned
in late, it will only be worth half of the original point value, meaning if an assignment
was worth 10 points, the most you can receive is 5 points.
 Please do not ask me to accept “just your assignment” if it is past the deadline,
I do not make exceptions for one student that I would not make for every
student in my classes.
Academic Integrity:
This class will be conducted in accordance with the college student Code of Conduct
http://www.sdccd.net/police/policies.html#3100 and basic standards of academic honesty.
Cheating, plagiarism or other forms of academic dishonesty are not acceptable and will
not be tolerated. Any form of academic dishonesty may result in failing an assignment or
the class, and further academic sanctions from the Office of Student Services may be
sought.
Plagiarism is a serious college level offense. Penalties are severe. If you are caught
plagiarizing any material in this class you will automatically receive a zero for that
assignment and will not be allowed to make up the assignment. For more information on
what plagiarism is please visit http://www.indiana.edu/~wts/pamphlets/plagiarism.shtml
Cheating is also a serious offense. Should you be caught cheating on your quizzes or
final you will automatically receive a zero and will not be given a chance to make it up.
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Students with Disabilities
Students with disabilities who may need academic accommodations should contact me by
e-mail as soon as possible. You and I can coordinate with the Disabled Students
Programs and Services (DSPS) department to identify your appropriate accommodation.
If you would like further information or have questions about DSPS services contact a
DSPS counselor call (619) 388 -7312 or e-mail miradsps@sdccd.net.
Miramar College has a vast number of programs to help you succeed in school. The more
successful students are familiar with utilizing these services!
(619) 388-7840
Counseling
http://www.miramarcollege.net/depts.
Department
/stusvcs/counseling/index.asp
(619) 388-7380
Transfer Center
http://www.sdmiramar.edu/depts.
/ctc/index.asp
(619) 388-7310 or http://www.miramarcollege.net/depts/library/
The Library
The PlacE (the
tutoring center)
Financial Affairs
Veterans Affairs
(858) 536-7310
(619) 388-7852
(619) 388-7864
(619) 388-7862
http://www.sdmiramar.edu/depts/PLACe/index.htm
http://www.miramarcollege.net/depts.
/stusvcs/financialaid/index.asp
http://www.miramarcollege.net/depts.
/stusvcs/veteransaffairs.asp
Computer and Software System Requirements for this class:
Even though this class is a traditional on campus class, there are expectations that I have
regarding your computer and software needs. However, I recognize that not everyone has
access to a computer or certain software at home, which is why my requirements do not
exceed what Miramar provides for you at the ILC.
Word Processing Software (Important—Read Carefully!)
When you are sending me attachments to view for this class, you must use Microsoft
Word (the version in Office and NOT Works—all files you submit MUST have a .doc or
.rtf extension after them!). I cannot currently open a Word file from Works (.wps) or
Word Perfect. If I cannot open your document, then it is considered late or not turned in
and will receive no credit for the assignment—no exceptions or extensions! Please make
sure all your assignments that are turned in have a .doc or .rtf extension after them.
Getting a 0 on a major assignment because you ignored this is a bummer!
The last page is a schedule of assignments for the entire semester. This can be
used as a guide for the semester. It is tentative and flexible due to the participatory
nature of the class. Specific due dates and changes will be announced in class.