Speech Communication 120
Interpersonal Communication
“Life is a constant process of relating. Man is living in a relationship and in relationships we grow.” --Bruce Lee
Instructor:
E Mail:
Fax Number:
George P. Kramm
kramm@smccd.net
574-6324 (put my name on anything sent)
Office:
Office Phone:
Speech Lab:
17-111
574-6679
574-6257
Office Hours in 17-111:
Monday and Friday 8-10, 1-2
Wednesday 1-2, 5:30-6:30pm
Tuesday and Thursday 12:30-1:30
Lab hours in 9-102
Monday and Wednesday 9:15-12:05, 5:30-6:30
Tuesday and Thursday 8:45-11
Friday 9:15-12:05
Saturday 11-1:30 from September 25 to October 30
Course Description: The course offers an opportunity to learn and apply in daily life practical
principles of human interpersonal communication. Emphasis is placed on psychological, social,
cultural, and linguistic factors that affect person-to-person interaction. This course is designed to
help you improve your communication behavior; attention is given to communication theory,
human perception, self-concept, interpersonal dynamics, listening, and verbal and visual
symbols.
Course Goals:
a. Increase communication options to communicate effectively
b. Increase understanding of own and others’ behavior
c. Develop interpersonal relationships in this class
d. Improve your writing
Speech Lab: This course has a one-unit lab requirement. This means that I will make
assignments that will require that you use the Speech Lab outside of class hours and then turn in
those assignments on specified due dates listed in this syllabus.
Expectations:
Everyone is expected to participate actively in class and group discussions. Learning will take
place through discussions, role-playing, group activities, and student reports.
Assignments:
Quizzes: On the day that a reading is due, I will give a 5-point quiz that tests your
familiarity with the material. There are no make-ups for missed quizzes. I drop the
lowest scores at the end of the semester. So be prepared by reading the night before a
quiz!
Skillbuilders: Skillbuilders are homework assignments that have specific due dates listed
in this syllabus. They are very important for your personal growth. With this in mind, I
allow one make-up opportunity for you in case you do the skilllbuilder wrong (with 1
exception). Essentially, I want you to know the material so that you can apply it in
various communication situations (contexts) and in the Script Renewal assignment.
Students tell me they really work!
Self-concept Presentation: This is a 4-6 minute presentation that you share to the class
about who you are. A visual aid (V.A) is required. See the packet of assignments for
details. This is probably the single most interesting assignment in this class!
Oral Final: Given in the final two weeks of the semester, you will need to show oral
proficiency in using 2 of the 3 skillbuilders given in class—my choice!
Exams: Three exams will be given worth 100 points each. You will need to be in class
and read the text, as information covered on the exams will come from my notes and the
book. Making up an exam is not guaranteed. If you miss class on an exam day, call me
as soon as you can to reschedule the make-up.
Modules: There are 2 module assignments that cover interpersonal communication.
Modules are completed in the Speech Lab and can only be turned in once.
Conversational Analysis: Using your skills and knowledge derived from the course, you
and your group will analyze a dialogue, look for areas that need improving, correct it and
then write out and explain your analysis of the problem to the class. You will also roleplay the revised dialogue. Final grade is partially individually graded and group graded.
Script Renewal: This research paper asks you to analyze a problematic communication
situation in your own life with the aid of research and write a paper that overcomes the
problem through effective communication.
Participation: This means getting involved in class activities, asking questions in class,
giving your opinion from time to time, doing small homework assignments, and generally
being supportive. It also means following the Classroom Rules and Suggestions below.
Policies:
Attendance: Students must be in class in order to participate and learn effectively. Thus,
you may miss only 3 class meetings without penalty. After 3, your final grade is reduced
15 points for every class missed. So come to class and have fun with the rest of us!
Attitude: I will absolutely not tolerate abusive or unsupportive behavior from any student
toward anyone else. I will not tolerate discrimination of any kind (racial, gender, religious,
sexual orientation, age, political association, etc.). We can have fun in this class as long
as it isn’t at anyone else’s expense!
Classroom Rules and Suggestions:
1. Be prompt. A tardy equals one check and three tardies equals one absence. If you
can’t get here on time because of a job or something else, don’t take this class.
2. If you come to class late, find a seat near the door. Sometimes people (including me)
have a hard time concentrating. Don’t add to the problem by walking in front of
everyone.
3. When we’re in discussion, don’t hog the floor. Give others a chance to speak up!
4. Bring the book and the assignment packet to every class.
5. Read the syllabus frequently to keep up with due dates.
6. Call me if you miss class.
7. Participate (no private conversations)
8. Be ready to work at 11:10am. This means have your notebook open.
9. Don’t use up your 3 free absences now. Save them for the end of the semester.
10. Turn off cell phones
Textbooks: Looking Out Looking In (10th edition) by Adler & Towne
Interpersonal Communication with a Vengeance (packet of assignments)
________________________________________________________________
Grade Scale: 765-688=A, 687-612=B, 611-535=C, 534--459=D, 458 and less =F
(20 points of extra credit available during the semester)
Your Grades
1.
Assignments
Participation
Point Values__
20 points total
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
8.
9.
10.
Total:
Quizzes (9 of 10 @ 5 points each)
Four Skillbuilders @ 20 points each
Self-concept Presentation
3 Exams @ 100 points each
Oral Final
Understanding Misunderstandings Module
Gender Communication Module
Script Renewal Paper
Conversational Analysis
45 points total
80 points total
100 points
300 points total
15 points
20 points
50 points
100 points
35 points
765 points
_____________________________________________________________________________
DATE
DISCUSSION TOPIC
READING DUE
ASSIGNMENT DUE____
Th 8/19
Welcome/Survey/Syllabus/Introductions
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- ---T 8/24
Self-concept
Ch. 2 (46-72)
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------Th 8/26
Assign Self-concept presentation
Assign Understanding Misunderstandings Module #1
Self-concept
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------T 8/31
Introduce Perception Checking Ch. 3 (119-121)
Self-concept
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- ---Th 9/2
Communication Process
Ch. 1 (2-13, 24-37) P-check skb
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- ---T 9/7
Communication Process
Module #1 (A-M)
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------Th 9/9
Self-concept Presentations
Presentations
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- ---------------------------T 9/14
Self-concept Presentations
a. Presentations
b. P-check make-up
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- ---Th 9/16
Self-concept Presentations
Module #1 (N-Z)
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- ---T 9/21
Perception
Ch. 3 (94-119, 122-125)
Assign DESC skillbuilder
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------Th 9/23
Perception
DESC skb
Review for Exam #1
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- ----------------------T 9/28
Exam #1 (Reading and Notes to date)
Assign Paraphrasing skillbuilder
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- ---_____________________________________________________________________________
DATE
DISCUSSION TOPIC
READING DUE
ASSIGNMENT DUE____
Th 9/30
Language
a. DESC make-up
b. Paraphrasing skb
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- ------------------------------------T 10/5
Language
Ch. 5 (176-189, 196-198, 210-217)
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- ---Th 10/7
Nonverbal Communication
Ch. 6 (222-232, 242-262) Para skb make-up
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- ---T 10/12
Nonverbal Communication
Assign DESC/PC Role-play skillbuilder (videotape)
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------Th 10/14
Listening
Ch. 7
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ --------------------T 10/19
Listening
Preview 20/20 Mars and Venus video (Module #2)
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- ---Th 10/21
View 20/20 Mars and Venus video
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- ---T 10/26
Review for Exam #2
DESC/PC Role-play
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------Th 10/28
Exam #2 (essentially covers notes and reading since Exam #1)
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- ---T 11/2
Relationships
Ch. 8 (314-349)
Assign Conversational Analysis
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- ---Th 11/4
Relationships
Group Work
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------T 11/9
Group Presentations
Group Presentations
Relationships
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- ---------------------------------------Th 11/11
Assign Script Renewal/Relationships
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- ---T 11/16
Relationships
Module #2
Communication Climate
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- ---Th 11/18
Communication Climate
Ch. 9 (375-397)
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------T 11/23
Communication Climate
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- ---Th 11/25
Thanksgiving Holiday
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- ---T11/30
Managing Conflict
Ch. 10 (402-414, 433-438)
Assign Oral Final
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------Th12/2
Managing Conflict
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- ---T12/7
Managing Conflict
Script Renewal Paper
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- ---Th 12/9
Review for Exam #3 (it essentially covers notes and reading since Exam #2)
Exam #3 is on Tuesday 12/14 from 11:10 to 1:40
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- ----