Interpersonal Communication
Theory and Practice
Instructor--Robyn Bergstrom
Office--496-2923 Office hours Wednesdays 10-12 ( or before or after class)
Text—The Key to Survival 2nd Ed. By Tracey Smith and Mary Tague-Busler
Course Description
The study of Interpersonal Communication is the study of interaction between people. It is not only the
conversation, but the study of relationships, problems, and situations and how they can be dealt with in a
positive manner. This course is designed to study interpersonal communication from a descriptive as well as
analytical point of view. The topics of interpersonal relationships, self concept, perception, emotions, verbal
and nonverbal language, listening, intimacy, climate, and conflict will be discussed. Possible methods of
enhancing interpersonal communication situations will be practiced through discussion, role play, writing, and
observance.
A discussion of the various theories that support communication is necessary to analyze when looking at
interpersonal communication. A look at over 80 theories will be discussed throughout the semester. There will
be approximately 30 theories that will be carefully scrutinized. It is believed that through the thorough
analyzation and discussion of theory, that the practice of interpersonal communication can be enhanced.
Requirements
1. Attend class on time.(Tardies drive me crazy!)
2. Read the text cover to cover.(That means start today!)
3. Take all Tests. (Due one week after the presentation.)
4. Do a group presentation on a chapter of the book. (A lot of time and effort--a lot of fun)
5. Write a journal entry on something that you learn each class time.(You are required to learn
something everyday!)
6. Produce a Photo Essay of 10 communication experiences. (A Hassle--but a great opportunity)
7. Do all assignments, such as jam sessions. (And other bizarre ideas of the Instructor.)
8. Visit instructor at appointed times. (And other times too!)
9. Write a two page discussion paper on a theory of choice.(Helps you apply your knowledge)
10. Enjoy and learn from each other. (Our best teachers are each other.)
11. Turn in all work on time or early. (Late work doesn’t get credit)
12. Disclose to me any special needs you have during the first week of class. (I’m understanding)
Criteria for Grading
Theory Paper
Be at least two full word processed pages
Can be any Communication Theory (There are books on reserve in the Library)
Discuss what it is, who is responsible for development, and relate it to your experience.
Be creative and interesting.
Use at least two sources on Bibliography Page
Service Learning Assignment
Ten hours of service that you learn about communication.
Submit your idea on line, and do the write up at the end.
Support your class members
Attend an event a class member is participating
Read a published work by a class member.
See a class member at their place of employment or residence
Type each one up and submit it on line
Name Tag
Make a clever Name Tag, wear it for the first month of class
3x5 Card
Written on ONE side only, contains a picture of you
Name, College & Home Addresses, Phone #s and Interesting Information, anything I should
know about you.
Pillow Method Paper
Follow the guidelines from hand out or notes and use your own situation
Needs only to be a page long
Disability Paper
Go without use of a body part of sense for an hour
Write up a page on what you experienced and learned
Photo Essay
Write a paper about the communication with ten people or groups that you communicate with.
Produce a color copy or photo of you with each person or group
One page per person or group
Write a page at the end about what you learned doing with assignment
Culture Day
Wear clothing, bring food samples, pictures or objects of a culture
Have a one minute simple speech prepared to discuss your culture.
Who Am I Paper(Worth 10 points)
Write a one page paper about who you are and what makes you that way
Must be word processed or typed.
Ten Qualities Paper
Assign at least 3 people to write down 10 qualities about you!
Email, write, call and harass them to get this assignment done.
Type up a paper about what you learned about yourself from this assignment
Letter to my Spouse
Write a letter to your future or current spouse concerning the communication you want for your
future lives together.
Can be any length.
Funeral Program
Write your Funeral program if you were to pass away today
Decide who the speakers would be
What songs would be sung, and by whom
Decide pall bearers and honorary pall bearers
Life History, poems, prayers etc.
Things you learned at College
Type up five lessons you value that you learned in classes at College.
Type up five lessons you value that you learned out of classes at College.
Use paragraph form.
Halloween Assignment
Do any of the following and write a one page paper on your reaction, feelings, etc.
1. Double Date with someone from our class
2. Line up someone from our class with one of your friends.
3. Spend a romantic evening that you plan with your significant other.
4. Write 6 letters to people you care about but haven't got around to writing to.
5. Go out with someone from our class.
6. Go out on a double date with a married or engaged couple.
7. Watch a romantic movie with at least 3 friends, and talk about it for 30 minutes.
8. Make up your own Valentine assignment and do it.
Read the Book
Read every page of the textbook.
These 50 points only go to you if you read the whole book
No partial points for parts of the book read.
Quizzes
One for every chapter, twenty five questions or so can be any type of question.
Final Presentation
Be three to five pages,
Be within time limits (5-7 minutes),
Be about something you are willing to discuss.
Jam Sessions
Have at least 10 Jam Sessions this semester,
Meet with at least two other students from class, outside of class.
Write up a paper discussing all 10 sessions (who, what, where, etc.),
Reaction Comments (Discussion Board)
Reaction Comments are found on the discussion board of Blackboard.
Make at least one comment a week.
Chapter Presentation
Meeting with group
Outline of Presentation
Meeting with Sis. Bergstrom with detailed Outline
Plan on one hour 15 minutes or less
Must use several teaching techniques
Attitude
Enjoy the book, enjoy the class, enjoy the assignments, enjoy the teacher, enjoy one another.
Blackboard
Sometimes things are crazy with Blackboard
Be Flexible. We will all learn to bend! I will be fair!
Ethics Policy
“Brigham Young University-Idaho students should seek to be totally honest in all their dealings.
They should complete their own work and be evaluated based upon that work. They should avoid
academic dishonesty and misconduct in all its forms, including but not limited to plagiarism,
fabrication or falsification, cheating, and other academic misconduct” (BYU-Idaho Academic
Catalog 2005).
It is your responsibility as students to understand what constitutes academic dishonesty as stated
in the BYU-Idaho Honor Code.. If you are not sure if an action is ethical or if what you are
doing is wrong please ask me.Violation of University Policy will result in failing the course.
Tentative Schedule
Aug. 29- Get Syllabus and Enjoy!
Sept. 1- Chap 1 Notecard Nametag
Sept. 5-Happy Labor Day! Take the day off!
Sept. 7- Chap 1 Who am I? paper Take Test
Sept. 12- Chap 3 Service Learning Idea
Sept. 14- Chap 3 Pillow Method paper Take Test
Sept. 19- Chap 5 Disability Paper
Sept. 21- Chap 5 Take Test
Sept. 26- Work on Chapter Presentation/Photo Essay
Sept. 28- Work on Chapter Presentation/Photo Essay
Oct. 3- Photo Essay Due
Oct. 5- Chap.2 and Emotions
Oct. 6-Comm Day! Attend! Comm Day Paper
Oct. 10-Chap. 2 Funeral Program Take Test
Oct 12 Chapter 6 Presentation
Oct 17 Chapter 6 Gender Wars Letter to Spouse Take Test
Oct 19 Chapter 4 Presentation
Oct 24 Chapter 4 Theory Paper Take Test
Oct 26 Chapter 7 Presentation
Oct. 31 Culture Day Culture Paper
Nov. 3 Chapter 7 Halloween Assignment Take Test
Nov 4 Entrepreneur Day! Attend!
Nov 7 Chapter 8 Presentation
Nov 9 Chapter 8 Things you learned in college Take Test
Nov 14 Chapter 9 Presentation
Nov 16 Work on Final Presentation/Final Presentation paper
Nov 21 Chapter 9 Service-learning Write Up Take Test
Nov 23 Happy Thanksgiving Break!
Nov 28 Final Presentation/ Support your Classmates
Nov 30 Final Presentation/ Jam Sessions
Dec. 5 Final Presentation/ What Grade you Deserve
Dec. 7 Final Exam at Bergstrom Residence (It will be so fun!)
Dec.12 Final Interviews
Dec.14 Final Interviews