COMMUNICATION STUDIES 120 Introduction to Interpersonal Communication Spring 2011 Class meets: Mon., Wed., and Fri., at 9 a.m. Instructor: Jen Cronin, jcronin@email.unc.edu, Office: 303 Bingham Hall Office Hours: Mon. 10 – 11 a.m. and by appointment Course Description Interpersonal communication is the foundation of personal identity and our relationships with others. The communication we engage in helps make us who we are and allows us to define and reach for the selves we want to be. Interpersonal communication is also a primary influence on the relationships we build, sustain, and sometimes end. The purpose of Communication Studies 120 is to enhance your understanding of the role of interpersonal communication in your everyday life and to give you opportunities to improve your skills in interacting with others. As a result of taking this class, you should have a more sophisticated understanding of what is involved in interpersonal communication. In addition, you should gain insight into your own interpersonal communication and ways you might be more effective when interacting with others. By keeping an open mind and actively participating you can actually improve the quality of your life! I expect to have an interactive class with LOTS of student participation. In other words, our class in interpersonal communication will involve interpersonal communication among us! You should come to class on time and ready to initiate ideas and questions, offer examples that illustrate theories and principles that you encounter in your reading, reflect on what others say, and discuss and extend assigned readings. I expect you to come prepared to participate and have fun while doing it! Contact with your instructor Please schedule meetings with me if you would like to discuss ideas covered in class, assignments, or other matters. I am available to meet with you during office hours or by appointment. Required Textbooks Adler, R. B., Rosenfeld, L. B., & Proctor II, R. F. (2010). Interplay: The process of interpersonal communication (11th ed.). New York: Oxford University Press. This textbook is available at Student Stores and online. Bring your textbook to class. When reading, do not skip over the Film Clips, Focus on Research pieces, or Reflections— these are part of the substance of the book. In class, we will highlight some portions of the reading and skim over others; however, all of the material is important and may be on the test. It is critical that you have completed the readings in order to keep up with the class discussions and activities. Gottman, J. M., & Silver, N. (1999). The seven principles for making marriage work. New York: Three Rivers Press. Purchase this paperback book online (Amazon has it for as low as $5). Additional readings: PDF files may be posted on Blackboard. NOTE: The benefits you may receive from this class are directly proportional to your effort in keeping up with the assigned reading and actively participating in class. Class Policies Everyday Applications and Participation At the beginning of every class, we will make time to discuss everyday applications, examples, and observations related to material covered in class and the textbook. These may come from media, campus happenings, and other interactions and observations in our everyday lives that show how interpersonal communication works. There is no requirement to disclose personal information, but in order to receive your participation points (10% of your grade) you will need to demonstrate your ability to make connections between class material and everyday interactions. Also, it is important to respect people who do choose to share personal information. As a member of this class, you are expected to attend civilly to others who express their perspectives, even if their perspectives differ from your own. If you are not willing to listen and speak respectfully to others, drop this course. Because members of our class may share thoughts that are highly personal, please do not pass on your classmates’ comments to others. Privacy will foster a climate that cultivates honest communication among us. Classroom Civility There are standards of classroom civility that should be adhered to, particularly in a communication course. Civility does not eliminate appropriate humor, enjoyment, or other features of a comfortable classroom community. Classroom civility does, however, include the following: 1. Display respect for all members of the classroom community. 2. Avoid disruptions during class, such as holding private conversations, reading the campus newspaper, and using your computer, blackberry, iPod, etc., for something not relevant to the ongoing class discussion (e.g., doing work for other classes, reading and responding to emails, and looking at Facebook). 3. Be attentive to and participate in lectures, group activities, and other exercises. 4. Avoid racist, sexist, homophobic, or other hateful language that may exclude members of our campus and classroom community. 5. Come to class on time. 6. Set your cell phones on silent (not vibrate). If, however, you have a family emergency in which you need access to your phone, please see me before class starts. 7. Be awake. These features of classroom civility do not comprise an exhaustive list. Rather, they represent the minimal sort of behavior that helps to make the classroom a pleasant place for all concerned. Therefore, if you want to text, check email, surf the web, play computer games, read newspapers, or participate in social conversation, please move outside of our classroom. 2 Attendance Attendance will be taken and will be factored into your participation grade. If you miss class for any reason, you are still responsible for what was covered in class. It is your responsibility to contact other students concerning class assignments, notes, handouts, and any changes in the schedule. There will be material covered in lecture that is not covered in the textbook and may appear on an exam. Tardiness Please arrive to class on time. Tardiness is unprofessional and is not fair to me or to your classmates. Blackboard & Email Regularly check your email account associated with Blackboard. Please note that my e-mail address is jcronin@email.unc.edu. No Laptops, Cells, or Smart Phones Our classroom is a place for engaging ideas and one another, which requires focusing on what is happening in our class. Mounting research shows that such engagement can be hampered by phones and computers. For that reason, you must turn off phones and computers before class begins and not use them during the class period. If you do not wish to abide by this policy, please drop this class. Here are links to a few relevant articles on how computers and phones impair attentiveness and focus on classroom discussions: http://www.britannica.com/blogs/2008/10/why-i-ban-laptops-in-my-classroom; http://www.psychologytoday.com/blog/hot-thought/201007/banning-laptops-in-classrooms-0; http://www.washingtonpost.com/wpdyn/content/article/2010/03/08/AR2010030804915_2.html?sid=ST2010030805078 Missed & Late Work If you miss a test for a university-approved excuse, the weight of that test will be added to the weight of your final exam. University excused absences include the sickness of a student, the death of a family member, university-sponsored event, and other circumstances covered by UNC policies. All excused absences must be accompanied by a written excuse. Tests missed without a university-approved excuse will receive a grade of 0. There are no exceptions. Honor Code You are expected to adhere to the requirements of the UNC Honor Code. If you are unsure of your responsibilities under the Honor Code, please visit honor.unc.edu. Being unaware of the requirements of the Honor Code does not absolve you from responsibility to adhere to it. Violations of the Honor Code will be reported to the Honor Court. Adverse Weather Policy The campus, roads, and drivers are dangerous when there is snow, sleet, or ice. Even when main roads are relatively clear, the roads in many neighborhoods remain unplowed. Hurricanes pose different but equal challenges. Thus, if we have adverse weather, please check your university email to see if our class will meet. Assignments and Grading Because information is essential to thoughtful attitudes and knowledgeable choices, assignments will test your command of information presented in the book and class, as well as your ability to analyze, apply, and extend conceptual material. Grading follows the College of Arts and Sciences’ policy, which states that grammar, spelling, and syntax are important considerations in the evaluation of student work. Additionally, how each are utilized has important implications for interpersonal communication – especially with regards to its 3 effectiveness. If you have specific questions about your paper I am more than willing to help. I will not, however, “pregrade” papers, as this is unfair to the rest of the class. I encourage you to take advantage of the Writing Center. It is a great resource. For information about the writing center, visit http://www.unc.edu/depts/wcweb/ Your grades will be based on how well you demonstrate what you have learned in this class through your tests and assignments. Definitions of possible grades are: A = Exceeds requirements of the assignment/course. You critically, creatively, and fully engage the course material in a way that demonstrates that you understand and can apply the concepts. Writing is well-composed, clear, and creative. B = Meets and, at times, exceeds the requirements of the assignment/course. In general, you demonstrate a clear understanding of the course concepts. Writing is generally good. C = Meets the basic requirements of the assignment/course. You demonstrate a satisfactory understanding of major concepts but maybe unclear at times. Writing is competent but includes errors and awkward phrasings. D = Fails to meet some of the basic requirements of the assignment/course or demonstrates only minimum understanding of material. Writing is poor. F = Does not meet the basic requirements of the assignment/course. A minimum understanding of the course concepts is not evident. Writing is very poor. Exams All exams will include both objective and essay items. A scantron sheet is required for each and can be purchased at the bookstore for approximately 10 cents. You must come prepared to each exam with a blank scantron in hand. Failing to have a scantron will result in not being able to complete the objective portion of the test. Each exam is worth 20% of your overall course grade. The third test, the final exam, will be cumulative. Participation Becoming an effective, competent communicator requires more than passively reading assigned material. Although this course will present you with the information you need to enhance your relationships with others, it is up to you to implement interpersonal strategies within your own relationships. It takes practice to become skillful at interacting with others. Therefore, every class period will require you to actively engage in class discussion and/or some type of group activity where class material can be practiced and applied to real life scenarios. Participation counts for 10% of your overall grade. Written assignments Assignments must be submitted in hard copy form, typed, stapled, and are due at the beginning of the class period on the specified days. Papers turned in late will be penalized one letter grade for each day late—this includes holiday and weekend days. Do not email papers, as they are not permitable. 4 Assignment 1: Communication Skills in the Workplace (15%) Due: Jan. 21 Interview a professional in the field you plan to enter. Ask her/him to explain the communication skills needed for success and advancement in the field. Which skills do you already have? Which ones do you need to develop or improve? Write out a personal action plan for using this book and the course it accompanies to enhance your effectiveness in interpersonal communication. In your paper, include the following information: 1. Briefly describe the person you interviewed, the field, and the job you are interested in pursuing (approx. 1/2 to 1 page). 2. List the communication skills the interviewee cites as important to the field. Do not include other skills necessary for advancement unless they pertain specifically to communication (approx. 1 to 1.5 pages). 3. Describe the skills you currently do and do not have (1 to 1.5 pages). 4. Write out a plan for using this course to enhance your competitiveness in your field as it pertains to communication skills (approx. 2-3 pages). Assignment 2: Mock Interview (15%) Due: Information sheet due to partner by April 13 (bring copy to class); Mock Interview on April 18; Packet due on April 25th. You are going to participate in a mock interview with a partner in which you can practice what you’ve learned in chapter 12. For homework, you each need to choose one of the options below: Option 1: If you are interested in entering the corporate sector following graduation, choose a job in your respective field in which to interview for. Research the company and prepare answers for “Common Employment Interview Questions” on p. 407 of your text. Option 2: If you are interested in applying to graduate school, research a graduate program that matches your scholastic interests. Prepare answers to the list of “Commonly Asked Questions for Prospective Graduate Students,” which can be downloaded from blackboard. On April 13, exchange with your partner a completed Mock Activity Information Form. Prior to coming to class for the mock interview, partners should be familiar with their own, as well as one another’s, company and specific job opportunity or graduate program. This may require additional research. On April 18, you and your partner will conduct a mock interview. You will each take turns acting as both the interviewee and the interviewer. Here is what to expect: On Monday, you will come to Gardner Hall, room 210. You will be dressed according to the job you are interviewing for and will bring with you the necessary materials (see the evaluation sheet on blackboard for specifics). Make sure you bring with you a blank copy of the evaluation sheet to rate your partner. We will begin the interviews promptly at 9 a.m. so that we have enough time for each of you to play the role of the interviewer and interviewee. LET ME BE VERY CLEAR ABOUT BEING ON TIME. If you are late, you will not have time to do the full activity, and, 5 therefore, you will receive a zero for the entire assignment. No exceptions. Being late is not appropriate for an actual interview nor is it respectful to your partner. You and your partner will decide who is going to be the interviewee first. You will have 15 minutes to conduct your interview. You will need to bring with you a copy of the questions you need to ask your partner (e.g., if you partner is interviewing for graduate school, you need to bring that list. If corporate, bring that one). Also, you will have thrown in a few unexpected questions of your own. Make them hard! Challenge your partner! After the 15 minutes is up, the interview will conclude and the interviewee will go out into the hall. The interviewer will then have 5 minutes to fill out the evaluation sheet privately and will then hand it to me. Partners will then switch roles. You will have 15 minutes to conduct your interview in your new roles. Once time is up, the interviewee will go out into the hall, the interviewer will fill out the form privately, and then hand it to me. Since this is an in-class project, you must be present in class on the day of the interview. There is no way to make up this activity. Also, make sure the principles outlined in chapter 12 are adhered to as closely as possible. You will be evaluated on how well you carry them out. On April 25th, each partner will individually turn in three items for this assignment: (1) the information form for the company and job you are applying for; (2) a completed evaluation form rating how your partner performed during the interview; (3) well thought-out responses to the commonly asked questions (this can be written in conversational style but properly punctuated and grammatically correct); and (4) a one page reaction paper reflecting on your experience as an interviewer or interviewee. You may want to discuss topics such as: What did you find difficult about the interview process? What role did Interpersonal Communication play in the interview process? What anxieties do you still have about the interview process? What will you do differently now that you have had this experience? **At a Glance Assignment Breakdown: Assignment Exam 1 Exam 2 Exam 3 (Final) Assignment 1 Assignment 2 Participation Weight 20% 20% 20% 15% 15% 10% 6 Schedule of Classes & Assignments Date Jan Feb Class Focus Readings/Assignments 10 Introduction to course and each other Syllabus (on Blackboard) 12 Interpersonal Processes Chapter 1 14 Interpersonal Processes Chapter 1 17 Holiday – Martin Luther King, Jr., Day No class 19 Culture and Communication Chapter 2 21 Culture and Communication Chapter 2 *Comm Skills in the Workplace Due 24 Communication and the Self Chapter 3 26 Communication and the Self Chapter 3 28 Communication and the Self Chapter 3 31 Perceiving Others Chapter 4 02 Perceiving Others Chapter 4 04 Perceiving Others Chapter 4 07 Exam 1 09 Language Chapter 5 11 Language Chapter 5 14 Language Chapter 5 16 Nonverbal communication Chapter 6 18 Nonverbal communication Chapter 6 21 Nonverbal communication Chapter 6 23 Listening Chapter 7 7 Mar Apr 25 Listening Chapter 7 28 Listening Chapter 7 02 Emotions Chapter 8 04 Emotions Chapter 8 7, 9, 11 SPRING BREAK – Enjoy your break! No class 14 Emotions Chapter 8 16 Exam 2 18 Interpersonal Relationships Chapter 9 21 Interpersonal Relationships Chapter 9 23 Interpersonal Relationships Chapter 9 25 Communication Climate Chapter 10 28 Communication Climate Chapter 10 30 Communication Climate Chapter 10 01 Managing Conflict Chapter 11 04 Managing Conflict Chapter 11 06 Managing Conflict Chapter 11 08 Gottman Theory of Successful Relationships Book 11 Gottman Theory of Successful Relationships Book 13 Gottman Theory of Successful Relationships Book **Information Form due to partner 15 Communication at Work Chapter 12, p. 400-417 18 Mock Interview 20 Communication in Families and at Work Chapter 12, p. 384-400 22 Good Friday No Class 8 May 25 Communication in Families and at Work 27 Course review; exam preview; evaluation of course 06 FINAL EXAM (8:00 a.m.) Chapter 12 **Interview Packet Due NOTE: If you wish to reschedule your exam, you must get advance, written permission from your dean and present it to Jen Cronin by the last day of class, April 27. The time for all rescheduled Comm 120 exams is 8 a.m. on Friday, May 7. 9