SPCH-1318-IN
INTERPERSONAL COMMUNICATION
SPRING 2014
INSTRUCTOR:
OFFICE:
Sara Mangat
C-201
E-MAIL*:
PHONE:
smangat@alvincollege.edu
281-756-5683
OFFICE HOURS: TBD
COURSE DESCRIPTION
This class is designed to give you an up-close look at something that is at the core of your daily
activities: communicating with others interpersonally. The material will challenge and empower you
to improve the relationships in your life (at work, at school, and at home) by enhancing your
awareness, understanding and skill level in communicating interpersonally, allowing you to make
more active, thoughtful choices in how you interact with others.
An important part of learning about interpersonal communication is engaging in it. I want you to gain
both “analytical” and “experiential” understanding of the issues at hand. Although all of the lessons
and assignment submissions will occur online, this course cannot be completed exclusively at a
computer. Because of the complex nature of interpersonal communication, assignments will demand
that you actively explore interpersonal communication concepts in your face-to-face world, and then
share your findings with your fellow students. I expect you to invest yourself in the class, sharing
your thoughts, experiences, questions and ideas with classmates, trying out new skills, and critically
assessing your performance as a communicator. In a face-to-face class, you can communicate
participation nonverbally through eye contact and nodding at others’ comments. In an online class,
verbal messages are the only way that you are able to interact with your fellow classmates, which is
why thorough and thoughtful participation in online discussion groups is at the heart of this class.
COURSE GOALS & OBJECTIVES
By the end of this course the student will be able to:
 Correctly identify, define and describe elements of interpersonal communication including the
process of communication, listening skills, dimensions of cultural communication, types of
nonverbal communication behaviors, stages of conversation, relationship theories, and
components of conflict.
 Demonstrate effective listening and paraphrasing skills.
 Generate models of self and others that illustrate the complexity of perception, the significance of
disclosure and describe the process of perception-checking in detailed reflection papers.
 Identify underlying issues in communication and recommend concrete communication strategies
to lessen uncertainty and foster positive communication in written papers.
 Critique readings on interpersonal communication and write clear, well-supported arguments for
which theories most accurately correspond to the student’s experience and understanding of the
communication process citing specific examples from the text and their own experience.
PRE-REQUISITES/CO-REQUISITES None
TEXTBOOK The Interpersonal Communication Book (13th edition), Joseph DeVito
For information on the textbook and other course materials, including details about how you can
order your book online and have it delivered to you, visit the ACC College Store's Web page.
Bookstore hours can vary during holidays so please call 281-756-3681 for more information. An Etext is available.
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COMMUNICATING WITH YOUR INSTRUCTOR
The preferred method of communicating with your instructor is via e-mail
(smangat@alvincollege.edu) or you may call me at 281-756-3596. Explain what you need to discuss
with me and leave your first and last name, a phone number or e-mail address where I can contact
you. I will normally respond within 24 hours Monday-Thursday and by the next business day on
Friday-Sunday.
CLASS ATTENDANCE POLICY
Attendance and active participation is a crucial component of this class. Because this is an online
class, your level of participation is assessed by the frequency with which you log-in—should be
everyday—and going through the online lectures and activities completely. You will not be
successful in this class if you only read the textbook.
LATE COURSE WORK POLICY
Students are expected to have their assignments completed by the due dates. Late papers without an
extension submitted within 48 hours of the deadline will be accepted with a 20% penalty. If you
foresee a conflict with meeting a high-stakes deadline for this class (i.e., paper or exam), contact the
instructor as soon as possible to discuss your challenge. Extensions may be granted under special
circumstances; however, they can only be granted if the student speaks with the instructor BEFORE
the deadline has passed. No late submissions will be accepted for discussion posts or quizzes for any
reason.
EXPECTATIONS:
 Students are expected to obtain a copy of the textbook and log into the Blackboard during the first
two days of class.
 Students are expected to log into the class every two-three days and actively engage in online
discussions.
 Students are expected to meet assigned deadlines and post their responses to the discussion
question early in the session in order to allow appropriate time for response.
 Students are expected to reflect on the material being covered in class in their face-to-face worlds
and bring their insight to the class through online discussions and journal entries.
 Students are expected to spend a minimum of 6 hours every week on class preparation and
activities.
TECHNICAL REQUIREMENTS:
All lessons will occur online. This course is not self-paced. There will be weekly assignments and
weekly deadlines that must be followed. Quizzes and Tests will be completed online in a timed
situation. This course requires access to a reliable computer that can access the course Web site. In
addition, this course makes full use of alternate strategies to create a rich online environment.
Successful student typically have significant past experience in online environments or a keen interest
in learning more about them. Technical problems WILL NOT be considered an acceptable excuse for
late work. For students within a commutable distance to ACC, there are computers located in the
Cyber Lab (A-173; M-Th: 8 a.m. – 8 p.m.; Fri: 8 a.m. – 5 p.m.; Sun 4 – 8 p.m.) You also need to
have FLASH 10.0 enabled on your computer.
In addition to full use of blackboard, students will be required to record and post a video presentation.
Students are advised not to use Internet Explorer to navigate Blackboard. It is highly recommended
that students take the Online Class readiness quiz at http://alvin.readi.info/
METHODS OF EVALUATION:
Discussion Post Participation (6 at 25 points)
Module Quizzes (12 at 10 points)
Completion of Pre and Post Test
150 points
120 points
30 points
2
Projects/Papers
300 points
 Discussion Facilitation (50)
 Noise (50)
 Speaker-Listener Technique Activity/Paper (100)
 Nonverbal Scavenger Hunt (50)
 Relationship Types Presentation (50)
Midterm Exam:
200 points
Final Exam:
200 points
1000 points
EXAM POLICIES:
The mid-term covers all the material from the first half of the semester and will be a combination of
short-answer and essay questions. The final exam exam will be comprehensive for the entire course
and will be essay-based. Combined, the exams comprise 40% of the overall course grade.
GRADING POLICIES:
Specific criteria will be explained for each project. It is your responsibility to keep yourself apprised
of your progress in the class.
900 – 1000 points =
800 – 899 points =
700 – 799 points =
601 – 699 points =
less than 600 points =
90% +
80% +
70% +
60% +
59% -
=
=
=
=
=
A
B
C
D
F
All assignments should be saved and named using the following convention:
First Name, Last Initial _ Assignment Name
For example:
John, S_NonverbalScavengerHunt
Discussion posts should be titled in a way that reflects the theme of the post.
W….Withdrawal. It is recommended that the student talk to the instructor before withdrawing. Current
information can be found online in the Withdrawal section of ACC Schedule. Students who file
withdrawal requests by the published deadline will receive a grade of W.
Behavioral Intervention Team (BIT) – Letting someone know
Behavioral Intervention Team (BIT) at Alvin Community College is committed to improving
community safety through a proactive, collaborative, coordinated, objective and thoughtful approach
to the prevention, identification, assessment, intervention and management of situations that pose, or
may reasonably pose, a threat to the safety and well-being to the campus community. College
faculty, staff, students and community members may communicate concerns to the BIT by email,
BIT@alvincollege.edu, or through an electronic reporting option located on the BIT page of the
college website, www.alvincollege.edu/bit.
AMERICANS WITH DISABILITIES ACT
ACC complies with ADA and 504 Federal guidelines by affording equal access to individuals who
are seeking an education. Students who have a disability and would like classroom accommodations
must register with the Office of Disability Services, A 136, (281)756-3533. Instructors are not able to
provide accommodations until the proper process has been followed.
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CODE OF ACADEMIC INTEGRITY AND HONESTY
Alvin Community College students are members of an institution dedicated to the pursuit of
knowledge through a formalized program of instruction and learning. At the heart of this endeavor, lie
the core values of academic integrity which include honesty, truth, and freedom from lies and fraud.
Because personal integrity is important in all aspects of life, students at Alvin Community College are
expected to conduct themselves with honesty and integrity both in and out of the classroom. Incidents
of academic dishonesty will not be tolerated and students guilty of such conduct are subject to severe
disciplinary measures.
ACC ACADEMIC SUCCESS AND SUPPORT SERVICES:
Americans with Disabilities Act
ACC complies with ADA and 504 Federal guidelines by affording equal access to individuals who
are seeking an education. Students who have a disability and would like classroom accommodations
must register first with the Office of Disability Services, A 136, (281)756-3533. Instructors are not
able to provide accommodations until the proper process has been followed.
Behavioral Intervention Team (BIT) – Letting someone know
The Behavioral Intervention Team (BIT) at Alvin Community College is committed to improving
community safety. College faculty, staff, students and community members may communicate safety
concerns to the BIT team by email, bitcore@alvincollege.edu or through an electronic reporting
option located on the BIT page of the college website.
The ACC Library is an excellent source for research and writing help. Quiet rooms are available for
studying and doing class work. For more information, visit the ACC Library Website or call 281756-3559.
The ACC Tutoring/Learning Lab, located upstairs in building A, provides students with a variety of
services including tutoring (math, writing, and other disciplines); computers and printers; a testing
facility; and tables/carrels. Call 281-756-3566 or visit the ACC Tutoring/Learning Lab Website for
more information.
MyBlackboard
Support for MYBlackboard can be obtained by completing the Online Support Form.
WEBACCESS, Passwords or ACC Computer Lab Information- -Help Desk Website or contact
the IT Dept. Help Desk at 281-756-3544.
DISCLAIMER
The instructor reserves the right to modify this syllabus as needed and will notify the students of any
changes using the ACC e-mail or MyBlackboard e-mail or announcements.
“I know that you believe you understand what you think I said, but I'm not sure you realize that what you
heard is not what I meant.” - Robert McCloskey, author
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COURSE OUTLINE
Materials
Available
UNIT 1
UNIT 2
MODULE
Course Introduction
READING
Communication
Models
Chp. 1
Culture
Chp. 2
Culture Cont.
Review
Module Quiz (Q4)
Self and Perception
Chp. 3
Discussion Post: Self/Perception (D3)
Module Quiz (Q5)
Listening
Chp. 4
Nonverbal Messages
Chp. 6
Speaker-Listener Paper (P2)
Module Quiz (Q6)
Nonverbal Scavenger Hunt (P3)
Module Quiz (Q7)
Exam Review
MID-TERM EXAM
Verbal Messages
Conversational
Messages
Relationship Stages
& Theories
UNIT 4
Relationship Types
Conflict
Management/Power
FINAL
EXAM
Discussion Post: Introduction (D1)
SIP Quiz (Q1)
Pre-Test
Noise Paper (P1)
Module Quiz (Q2)
Discussion Post: Cultural Relativism (D2)
Module Quiz (Q3)
---
MID-TERM
UNIT 3
Coursework
Discussion Post: Meaning Is In People (D4)
Module Quiz (Q8)
Chp. 5
Module Quiz (Q9)
Chp. 8
Discussion Post: Relationship License (D5)
Module Quiz (Q10)
Chp. 9
Chp. 10
Love Types Presentation (P4)
Module Quiz (Q11)
Chp. 11 &
12
Discussion Post: Power (D6)
Module Quiz (Q12)
Exam Review
Post Test
FINAL EXAM
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