COM 181-70 Interpersonal Communication
Study Abroad
Italy, 2006
Professor: Dr. Linda Seward
Middle Tennessee State University
Lseward@mtsu.edu
(615) 904-8572
Course Goal: We have all been communicating even before we were born. Yet, some
of us are more successful than others when it comes to communicating effectively with
others, particularly people who may be different from us in some way. In this course we
will examine communication that is found between friends, family members, co-workers,
bosses and lovers in an attempt to increase our understanding of what happens and why.
Analyzing the process will be supplemented with strategies for improving your ability to
communicate successfully with others.
Text & materials: Interpersonal Communication, Everyday Encounters, 4th ed,
By Julia T. Wood
Man's Search for Meaning, 3rd ed, by Viktor Frankl
2 spiral notebooks
Materials for Sherlock Holmes Assignment
Assignments: Sherlock Holmes Assign.
Directed Journal Entries
Participation
Final Presentation
(Quizzes as needed
100 pts
50 pts each
50 pts
50 pts
20 pts each)
Explanation of Assignments:
1. Sherlock Holmes Assignment (100 pts possible)
When I was in Thailand, a friend pointed to two men and said I should go speak to the
Americans. When I told her that I was certain they were not from the U.S., she was
surprised - how could I tell by just looking? In class we will discuss nonverbal
communication and you will take pictures to illustrate what we cover. In particular, you
are to focus on the following question: how can you tell if someone is from the U.S. vs. a
European country by simply looking at them? You will affix the photos to pages in one
of the notebooks. Each photo will be labeled with terms from the course and will explain
what it illustrates.
Materials needed: camera, something to affix photos to paper (I recommend "corners"
with sticky backs that are found in scrapbook areas). If you have a non-digital camera,
you will need a roll of film. You will affix the photos to the pages of one of your spiral
notebooks. (You need two notebooks so that I can have one to grade and you still have
one to write in for the next assignment.)
2. Directed Journal Entries (50 pts possible for each one)
For each entry, you will be given specific questions to answer. The questions will relate
to the readings and you will need to make specific references to the readings when you
answer the questions. In grading the entries, I will evaluate them on 3 levels:
Level 1: Can I read your handwriting? Are sentences coherent and clearly
written? Do paragraphs have a clear thesis and follow a logical order? Etc.
Level 2: Do you make specific references to the reading? Do you clearly address
the issue(s) presented by the question(s)?
Level 3: Does your answer indicate reflection upon the material? Does your
answer go beyond a superficial response to indicate depth of thought? Can you apply the
information to real situations?
3. Attendance and Participation: (50 pts possible)Our time is short in Italy and the
program is designed to provide you opportunities to explore Italy on your own as well as
with the group. Class time is precious and it is expected that you will attend all classes.
Missing one class will result in a 20 point deduction for the participation grade. KIIS
rules require that any student who misses two classes will be expelled from the
program.
Studying Interpersonal Communication in a study abroad program will be quite
useful as you find yourself having to communicate effectively with roommates you've
never met before. It is expected that everyone will do the readings and be prepared to
discuss ideas in class. Tardiness, sleeping in class or being disruptive will result in
reductions in your participation grade.
4. Final Presentation: (50 pts possible) The class will be broken into small groups and
each group will give an oral presentation on July 6. The presentations will last about 40
minutes and will constitute a final exam. As such, they need to incorporate information
from throughout the course. The presentations can be approached in a variety of ways,
including leading group discussions, using skits, or giving speeches. Specific topics will
be discussed once we are in Italy.
Course Grade: To determine your grade, divide your number of points by the total
number possible. This percentage is applied to the following scale:
90 - 100
=A
87 - 89
= B+
80 - 86
=B
77 - 79
= C+
70 - 76
=C
67 - 69
= D+
60 - 66
=D
59 and below
=F
Note: For students who are within 4/100s of the next higher grade, I reserve the right to
give them a minus grade for that next higher level.
Cheating: You are expected to do your own work in this class. Cheating in any form
will result in FAILURE OF THE COURSE. If you have any questions on this issue,
come see me.
Schedule
June 5 - Orientation for all classes
June 6 - Group excursion to St. Peter's and the Vatican Palace
June 7 - (classes for A schedule)
June 8 - pp. 2-8, 10-16, 29-38; and Chapter 5 (intro & nonverbal com)
Answer questions on p. 33 (write in one of your notebooks; answers will
be collected and graded as a quiz)
Discuss the Model of Communication & the Sherlock Holmes Assignment
Discuss Communication competence & fitting in nonverbally in Italy
June 9 - Group Excursion to Ostia Antica
June 10-11 - Open days
June 12 - (classes for A schedule)
June 13 - Sherlock Holmes Assignment due
pp. 100-104, 109-124 and Chapter 8 (language & self-concept)
June 14 - Travel to Florence and orientation for all classes.
June 15 - Group Excursion to the Uffizi Gallery and the Palazzo Vecchio
June 16-18 - Open days
June 19 - (classes for A schedule)
June 20 - read Man's Search for Meaning
June 21 - (classes for A schedule)
June 22 – Quiz on Man’s Search for Meaning
Chapter 3 (Perception)
Discuss Man's Search for Meaning and perception
June 23 - Group excursion to Siena
June 24-25 - Open days
June 26 - (classes for A schedule)
June 27 – Chapter 9 (conflict)
Directed journal entry on Man's Search for Meaning
June 28 - (classes for A schedule)
June 29 – Chapter 10 (friendships)
Directed journal entry on conflict
(groups for final presentation will be formed)
June 30 - Group Excursion to Lucca and Pisa
July 1-2 - Open days
July 3 - (classes for A schedule)
July 4 - Chapter 11 (love)
(part of class will work on your final presentation)
July 5 - (classes for A schedule)
July 6 – Final Presentations; summarize course & discuss return culture shock
July 7 - Open Day (last one!!)
July 8 - depart Florence for Rome by bus