Fundamentals of Interpersonal Communication
Communication 166
Spring 2014
INSTRUCTOR: Jeanellyn Schwarzenbach
PHONE:
Home: 468-5906
Office: 465-2702
OFFICE: MAC B336
OFFICE HOURS: 2:15- 3:15 MTWTR
E-MAIL: schwarzj@uwgb.edu
TEXT:
Interplay: The process of Interpersonal Communication – Eleventh Edition
Adler, Rosenfeld and Proctor II: Oxford University Press
OBJECTIVES:
To identify the importance of interpersonal communication in our lives.
To list and describe strategies for improving self-esteem.
To understand the process of appropriate self-disclosure.
To explain how we form impressions of others, describe others, and interpret other’s behavior.
To improve the accuracy of our interpersonal perceptions.
To improve intercultural communication competence.
To improve ways of being other oriented.
To identify ways to improve listening skills.
To understand the influence words have on our culture and our relationships.
To understand the power of the nonverbal communication in our relationships.
To understand supportive approaches of relation to others.
To describe theories of relationship development.
To explain the stages of relational escalation and de-escalation.
To understand and improve your ability to work in groups.
To understand and deal with conflict in a more effective way.
Grading:
Quizzes
Self-Introduction
Written Report
Final Group Project
Journals
Class Participation
220 points
50 points
50 points
100 points
60 points
100 points
Grading Scale:
A
A/B
B
B/C
C
D
F
-
100
92.5
87.5
82.5
77.5
69.5
59.5
-
93%
88%
83%
78%
70%
60%
00%
Participation:
Since this is an oral communication skills course, we want to provide you with many opportunities
to develop these skills. Aside from general class participation such opportunities may include the
preparation for and performance and evaluation of role-playing activities, and discussions.
ATTENDANCE IS REQUIERED. You will lose 5 participation points for the second absence
and 10 points for each additional absence.
For any officially excused absence you are responsible for presenting official written documentation for the
absence. For university-sponsored absences this notification is to be given to the instructor prior to the
absence; for other excused absences, this documentation must be presented within two weeks of the
absence. Students are responsible for arranging to make up missed individual work. Missed group work
cannot be made up.
Please arrive to class on time. Tardiness is unprofessional and is not fair to your classmates.
TENTATIVE SCHEDULE:
January 28
Introduction and Orientation
January 30
Interpersonal Communication - Read Chapter 1
February 4
Culture and Communication – Read Chapter 2
February 6
Communication and the Self – Read Chapter 3
February 10 – 13
Self-Introductions
February 25 - 27
Perceiving Others - Read Chapter 4
March 3
Deadline for the quizzes on Chapters 1, 2, 3, and 4
March 4 – 6
Communicating with Words- Read Chapter 5
Marrch 11 - 13
Non-Verbal Communication – Read Chapter 6
March 25
Written Reports are due
March 25 - 27
Listening – Read Chapter 7
April 1 – 3
Emotions - Read Chapter 8
April 7
Deadline for quizzes on Chapters 5, 6, 7, and 8
April 8
Work on Final Projects
April 10 - 15
Interpersonal Relationships - Read Chapter 9
April 17 - 22
Communication Climate – Read Chapter 10 .
April 24 – 29
Conflict in Relationships - Chapter 11
May 1 – May 8
Final Group Projects
Final Quizzes, Final Journal, and Final Assessments of Groups are due
May 13th.
Self-Introductions
You will sign-up for a time to introduce yourself to the class. The presentation should be about 5
minutes in length and include Power Point slides.
You need to bring a VHS tape or an alternate way to record yourself with you on the day of your
presentation to record the introduction.
You need to write a short reflection by answering the questions found in the D2L Dropbox on the selfintroduction concerning how you managed the impressions of your classmates..
Written Report
The report is a three to five page typed paper based a concept discussed in the text and expanded on in one of
the recommended books. The assignment requires that you read and understand the material in one of the
recommended books, summarize what was important in the book, connect it to material from the text, and
explain how you have or might apply it to your life. Be as concrete and specific as possible. The paper may
be turned in either in hard copy of to D2L.
Recommended Sources for First Reports
Avon, Elaine, The Highly Sensitive Person
Breitman, How To Say No W/O Feeling Guilty
Cain, Susan; Quiet: The Power of Introverts in a World That Can’t Stop Talking; Crown Publishers, NY,
NY, 2012
Chapman, Gary, The Five Love Languages,(Northfield Publishing, Chicago, IL 2004)
Covey, Stephen R., The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People (Simon & Schuster, 1990)
Ekman, Emotions Revealed, Ekman, Paul
Ekman, Telling Lies, Ekman, Paul (WW.Norton 2001)
Gladwell, Blink: Power of Thinking without Think . . .
Goleman, Daniel, Social Intelligence (Bantam Book, 2006)
Gottman, John M. and Joan DeClaire, The Relationship Cure (Random House, Inc. New York 20010
1989)
Grey, John,Men are from Mars, Women are from Venus 2003
Harley, Gregory and Karinch, Maryann (Career Press)I can read you like a Book 2007
Navarro, Joe, Louder than Words
Patterson, Crucial Conversations (McGraw Hill)
Pease, Allan and Barbara The Definaitive book of Body Language (Bantam books N. Y. 2004)
Pipher, Mary, Reviving Ophelia (Ballentine Books, 1995)
Pollack, William, Real Boys: Rescuing Our Sons from the Myths of Boyhood, (Random House,
Tannen, Deborah, Talking 9 to 5
Tannen, Deborah, That's Not What I Meant! (New York: Ballentine, 1992)
Tannen, Deborah, You Just Don't Understand, Men and Women in Conversation (New York:
Ballentine, 1991)
Final Project
The groups will be composed of 4-6 class members which will relate to (but not simply repeat) skills and
theories presented in the last chapters of the text, and must include research from outside sources.
* The projects should be about 15-30 minutes in length. .
* Each member must turn into the D2L drop box an assessment of the group experience, and after watching
the video, a reflection on the success of the project. Be honest about the participation and cooperation of the
other group members.
* Points will be assigned to the individual members based on their contribution (as assigned by the group),
the overall group’s investigation into topic, and the presentation to the class. Creativity is important.



The instructor will be looking for clarity and creativity in the presentation.
- Think about what would make the topic interesting to you. Students are interested in examples
(either personal or fictional) that illustrate the points.
Look for movies and music to illustrate your points.
Consider creating a skit to illustrate your point.
Journals:
You are responsible for completing a series of three written assignments dealing with observations outside
the class and personal insight.
Exams:
Students will take 11 short quizzes in D2L based on the individual chapters by the dates listed on the quizzes
and in the syllabus.
Reasonable Accommodation:
The University of Wisconsin-Green Bay is an Affirmative Action Equal Opportunity Institution.
Students with disabilities and other special needs should feel free to contact the professor privately if there
are services or adaptations which can be made to accommodate specific needs. If you have a special need
that may require an accommodation, please inform the instructor of the fact as soon as possible and no later
than the end of the second class meeting.