INTERPERSONAL COMMUNICATION – COM 308 – Spring 2013
Instructor: Dr. Cynthia Cervantes
Phone: 951-343-4904
E-mail: ccervantes@calbaptist.edu
Office: BUS 231
Office Hours: MWF 11-12, 1-2;
Online: Mon 3:30-5:30
Communication Program Student Learning Outlines
SLO 1. Demonstrate proficiency in oral, technical, and/or nonverbal performance.
SLO 2. Implement creativity in assignments and performances
SLO 3. Use critical thinking skills in developing, researching, and presenting arguments.
SLO 4. Demonstrate an ability to evaluate individual work critically and assess personal
growth.
SLO 5. Demonstrate spiritual literacy and an ability to incorporate a Christian worldview.
SLO 6. Understand principles of communication across philosophical, cultural, and
religious settings.
Purpose of the Course
This class examines the dynamics of the two-person communication process. Students will
study the development of self-concept, self-disclosure, perception, listening, and
feedback as they affect the communication process. Non-verbal communication,
attitudes, beliefs, and values will also be explored.
General Course Objectives
By the end of this course, you should be able to:
– understand systematically how the process of communication occurs – SLO 1
– understand how identities are created – SLO 1
– identify perceptions and improve them – SLO 3
– understand the cultural, subjective, rule-guided nature of words – SLO 1
– understand and identify nonverbal communication – SLO 1
– improve listening skills in interpersonal contexts – SLO 4
– understand the role of emotion in communication – SLO 1
– deal with and respond appropriately to conflict – SLO 3
– improve communication in friendships, romantic relationships, and families –
SLO 1
Required Texts and Course Materials
Wood, Julia T. Interpersonal Communication: Everyday Encounters. Seventh Edition
Assignments – Late assignments will result in a reduction of 1 full letter grade per day late.
Interpersonal Response Journal Pt 1
30
Interpersonal Response Journal Pt 2
135
Interpersonal Response Journal Pt 3
150
Midterm Examination
150
Final Examination
150
Topic Memo
50
Rough Draft
50
Course Paper
150
Peer Evaluation
35
Class Participation (including attendance) 100
1000
Point Distribution
A
AB+
B
BC+
C
C-
1000-930
929-900
899-880
879-830
829-800
799-780
779-730
729-700
699 and below
Outstanding
Exemplary
Superior
Above Average
Somewhat above average
Average, but well done
Meets minimum requirements
Requirements barely met
Unacceptable
Course Assignments
Interpersonal Response Journal – In the journal assignment, students will respond to two
concepts from each chapter of the book or reading assignment.
Exams – The midterm and final examination will test students on their understanding of
key concepts and theories from the semester.
Course Paper – The course paper will be completed in three steps. The topic memo will
introduce the concept you will work with, what you hope to learn from the paper, and
how you plan to get that information. The rough draft will be a preliminary version of the
paper, including the sources you will use (at least five from communication sources). The
final draft will be a 5-7 page paper in which you discuss the concept and explain your
own personal experiences with that concept.
Peer evaluation – Each student will evaluate and critique the paper of another student.
Class Participation: Your participation grade will be based on your attendance and in
class participation. You are required to attend class everyday, but since things come up
in the semester, are allowed three absences before a penalty is in effect. That absence
could be for any reason – illness, sleeping in, leaving early for a weekend, etc. For each
absence beyond the minimum allowed, two percent of the participation grade will be
deducted – thus after 7 absences, you automatically have an F in participation.
Excessive tardiness will also count against your participation (three tardies equal one
absence). Finally, engaging in in-class discussions and activities will be a part of the
participation grade as well.
Evaluation
Attendance – regular attendance to the class and is expected. For that reason, three
absences from class are allowed. Additional absences will result in a grade deduction.
Excessive tardies will also affect your attendance. It is your responsibility to verify your
attendance on InsideCBU. The final date for making adjustments to your attendance
record is 4/26.
Late Work – Late assignments will result in a reduction of 1 full letter grade per day late.
Plagiarism
Plagiarism refers to representing work as your own without giving credit to the original
author. Paraphrasing another person’s work without citing the author is also plagiarism.
For this course turning in work that you completed for another course is unacceptable.
All university policies pertaining to plagiarism will be enforced in this course. You can
read those policies in the CBU Student Handbook. If you plagiarize in this course, you will
receive an F on the given assignment and may receive an F in the course overall. As a
point of information and clarification, you may wish to visit the following website:
http://www.plagiarism.org
Course Schedule (subject to change)
Date
Jan 9
Jan 11 & 14
Jan 16 & 18
Jan 21
Jan 23, 25, 28
Class Content
Introduction to Course
Intro to Interpersonal Communication
The Self
Martin Luther King Day
Perception
Jan 30, Feb 1 & 4
Feb 6, 8 & 11
Feb 13 & 15
Feb 18 & 20
Feb 22
Feb 25
Feb 27, Mar 1
Verbal Communication
Nonverbal Communication
Listening
Research
Midterm Study Session
Midterm – Wood chapters 1-6
Introduction to Part 2; Emotions
Mar 4, 6 & 8
Communication Climate
Mar 11-15
Mar 18, 20 & 22
Mar 25
Mar 27
Mar 28-Apr 1
Apr 3
No Class – Spring Break
Conflict
Friendships
No class
Easter Break – No School
Friendships
Apr 5 & 8
Romantic Relationships
Apr 10, 12 & 15
Apr 17, 19
Family Communication
Communicating with non-Christians
Apr 22
Review for Final
Apr 24
Final Exam – Wood chapters 7-12 & articles
Readings/Assignments Due
Wood: Intro
Wood: Chapter 1
Wood: Chapter 2
Wood: Chap 3; Journals for
chapters 1-2 due 1/25
Wood: Chapter 4
Wood: Chapter 5
Wood: Chapter 6
Wood: Chapter 7; Topic
Memo 3/1
Wood: Chap 8; Journals for
chapters 3-7 due 3/6
Wood: Chapter 9
Wood: Chapter 10
Wood: Chap 10; Rough
Draft
Wood: Chapter 11; Peer
Evaluation 4/8
Wood: Chapter 12
Reading Packet; Paper Due
4/19
Journals for chapters 8-12
and articles due