HAZARD COMMUNITY & Technical COLLEGE
LEES COLLEGE CAMPUS
The words spoken by Socrates a long time ago “Know Thyself” are the words that changed my personal life and my professional journey……….Marcy Brock Moore
“There’s only one corner of the universe you can be certain of improving, and that’s your own self.” Aldous Huxley
Number and Name of Course: COM 252, 3 credit hours, 47SAB, Room 202
Semester/Year/Time: Spring 2006 ( MW – 2:00 pm – 3:15 pm) ( TR - 11:am – 11:15 am)
Name of Instructor: Marcella Brock Moore, Assistant Professor
Office Hours: ( 12:20 pm – 1:50 pm) Tuesday ( 10:00 am-10:55 am…….12:20 pm – 1:50 pm…..3:25 pm – 4:30 pm )
Wednesday (10:00 am – 10:55 am…….12:20 pm – 1:50 pm) Thursday ( 12:20 pm – 1:50 pm…….3:25 pm – 4:55 pm)
Office Location/Number: Jackson Hall/Room 220 at Lees Campus
E-Mail Address: marcy.brock-moore@kctcs.edu
or marcymoore@bellsouth.net
Telephone Number : 606-666-7521 Extension 73545
“Communication is to a relationship what breathing is to maintaining life.” Virginia Sarir
“The way I think will ultimately determine my outcome in this class, in life.” Marcy Moore
Course Description : This course examines basic verbal and nonverbal elements affecting communication between individuals in family, peer group, and work contexts. Course requires participation in activities designed to develop interpersonal communication skills. Topics include: strategy development, relationship and conversation management, effective listening, conflict management, defensive communication, communication anxiety, and cultural/sex differences in communication.
Prerequisites: None.
Required Text:
Beebe, S.A., Beebe, S.J., Redmond, M.V. (2005). Interpersonal Communication: Relating to Others , (4th ed.) MA: Allyn & Bacon. ISBN 0-205-42368-X
Also Required: Albom, M., (1997). Tuesdays With Morrie , (1 st ed.) New York: Broadway Books. Random Books.
Materials Needed: Textbook, MLA documentation manual, notebook for journal entries.
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OBJECTIVES: Upon course completion, the student should be able to:
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Identify the importance of interpersonal communication in our lives.
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Describe the strategies for improving self-esteem (we react to the world based on how we feel about ourselves)
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Appropriately use the process of self disclosure.
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Explain how we form impressions of others, describe others, and interpret others’ behavior.
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Understand the perception process and to improve the accuracy of own interpersonal perceptions.
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Understand and improve our intercultural communication competence.
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Improve our skills of being other oriented.
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Apply effective listening skills.
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Understand and describe the relationship between words and meaning – and the influence words have on our culture and our relationships.
Distinguish between language barriers/bridges
Understand supportive and nonsupportive approaches of relating to others.
Describe the functions of nonverbal communication in interpersonal relationships.
Apply skills for effective conflict resolution.
Recognize the different types of emotions.
Understand how relationships and communication climates develop.
Understand and explain the stages of relational escalation and de-escalation (the starting, maintaining and ending of
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Identify the communication characteristics of a healthy family
Apply communication competence, i.e., at home, at work, on the internet.

Attendance Policy: The study of interpersonal communications is strongly based on the building of relationships. This very fact makes it very necessary for you to attend every class. It is your responsibility to both yourself and to your classmates to attend every class, as every student affects the outcome of the class.
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After the third absence, five points will be deducted for each absence. These points will be taken from the attendance grade. This could mean the difference in an A or a B, B or C, etc.
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Assignments must be on time.
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If you are late arriving, it is your responsibility to ask the instructor to note your attendance. The student will leave the class with a stronger knowledge and understanding of the concepts when he/she plans to be punctual and on time.
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No make-up exams, unless prior approval, or emergency.
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Being punctual can help you. With no absences, and good participation, the student will receive 10 extra points added to his/her total score! (Good participation means that the student is attentive and interacts well in class, i.e., talking with class mates should be done before or after class)
Inclement Weather Policy
On severe weather days, the college will announce closed entirely or delayed. When delayed is announced, all classes scheduled before 9:30 a.m., will be cancelled. Students will be asked to report at 9:30 for their 9:30 classes. A decision regarding evening classes will be made by 4:00 pm and announced then. Open as usual will not be announced. Be sure to check with the teacher as to makeup policy
Academic Honesty Policy:
The KCTCS faculty and students are bound by principles of truth and honesty that are recognized as fundamental for a community of teachers and scholars. The college expects students and faculty to honor, and faculty to enforce, these academic principles. The college affirms that it will not tolerate academic dishonesty including, but not limited to, violation of academic rights of students (section 2.0) and student offenses (section 3.0)
For the complete policy, please reference the KCTCS Code of Student Conduct which can be found either at the Student Affairs
Office or at the following URL: http://www.kctcs.edu/student/code.htm
. (note that this is a .pdf document and Adobe Acrobat is required to open it.
Withdrawal Policy
Students may withdraw up to midterm and receive a grade of “W” without the instructor’s permission. After midterm, and up until the last day of class, any student may officially request a W, which may be given at the discretion of the instructor. Each instructor shall state on the first or second class meeting the factors to be used in determining the assignment of a W grade during the discretionary period. An instructor shall not assign a student a W grade for a class unless the student has officially withdrawn from that class. You should clearly state your withdrawal policy from midterm up until the last day of class. If students do not officially withdraw before the last day of class, they must receive a grade of “E”.
Accommodations Policy
Students needing accommodations should contact the local disabilities service representative as follows:
Hazard Campus/Knott County Branch/Leslie County Center/Technical Campus - Doug Fraley; Lees College Campus - Cluster
Howard.
Evaluations Methods : This class will be graded on a point system with 800 points possible:
800 - 725 Points – A
724 – 649 Points – B
648 – 573 Points – C
572 – 497 Points – D
Attendance and Participation 100 Points
Quizzes 100 Points
Journal 100 Points
Midterm 100 Points
Culture Project 100 Points
Report and Presentation 100 Points
Special Reading Project 100 Points
Final Exam 100 Points
800 Points
Method of Instruction: Lecture, reading, discussion, in-class participation (some group settings), videos, partner activities, and student presentations. I continue to search for better methods and new ideas to bring into your classroom. I will suggest different readings throughout the semester.

Other Class Policies
The KCTCS faculty and students are bound by principles of truth and honesty that are recognized as fundamental for a community of teachers and scholars. The college expects students and faculty to honor, and faculty to enforce, these academic principles. The college affirms that it will not tolerate academic dishonesty including, but not limited to, violation of academic rights of students (section 2.0) and student offenses (section 3.0)
For the complete policy, please reference the KCTCS Code of Student Conduct which can be found either at the Student Affairs Office or at the following URL: http://www.kctcs.edu/student/code.htm
. (note that this is a .pdf document and Adobe Acrobat is required to open it.
Cheating and Plagiarism: Please see Article III, Sections 3.1 and 3.2, in the Code of Student Conduct. As stated:
3.1 Plagiarism: All academic work, written or otherwise, submitted by a student to an instructor or other academic supervisor, is expected to be the result of the student’s own thought, research, or self-expression. In any case in which a student feels unsure about a question of plagiarism involving the student’s work, the student is obliged to consult the instructor on the matter before submitting it.
When a student submits work purporting to be the student’s own, but which in any way borrows ideas, organization, wording or anything else from another source without appropriate acknowledgement of the fact, the student is guilty of plagiarism.
Plagiarism includes reproducing someone else’s work, whether it be a published article, chapter of a book, a paper from a friend or some file, or whatever. Plagiarism also includes the practice of employing or allowing another person to alter or revise the work which a student submits as the student’s own, whoever that other person may be. Students may discuss assignments among themselves or with an instructor or tutor, but when the actual work is done, it must be done by the student and the student alone.
When a student’s assignment involves research in outside sources of information, the student must carefully acknowledge exactly what, where and how the student has employed them. If the student uses words of someone else, the student must put quotation marks around the passage in question and add an appropriate indication of their origin. Making simple changes while leaving the organization, content, and phraseology intact is plagiarist.
However, nothing in these Rules shall apply to those ideas which are so generally and freely circulated as to be part of the public domain. Any question of definition shall be referred to the Community College Appeals Board.
3.2 Cheating: Cheating is defined by its general usage. It includes, but is not limited to, wrongfully giving, taking or presenting any information or material by a student with the intent of aiding the student or another on any academic work. Any question of definition shall be referred to the Community College Appeals Board.
Note from the instructor: Neither plagiarism nor cheating will be tolerated in this course. If proven, the student would be asked to leave the course, resulting in a failing grade.
Classroom Environment: You are expected to actively listen and respond in a way that demonstrates that you have been doing the reading and thinking about communication principles. Respect for yourself and others is mandatory. Studying for other classes during class sessions, failing prepare for class sessions and failing to contribute to group presentations will be factored into your grade. Class climate is an essential ingredient for the success of this course. At various points during the semester, we may be examining sensitive and personal issues as they relate to aspects of interpersonal communication. Differences of experience, attitude, and values can discussed meaningfully as long as we agree to respect norms of civil discussion.
Writing: Spelling and grammar count. All work must be typed; no hand-written materials. Make sure your name is on every written assignment.

Missed Classes: You are responsible for knowing what is done in class even if you are absent. Find a reliable classmate to call if you miss class.
General Education Competencies:
Strong reading and writing skills are necessary for successful completion of the Introduction to Interpersonal Communication course. Students are expected to have, and continue to develop, the ability to learn new ideas, to process them in relation to current knowledge, and to recombine them to form new ideas, products, or processes. They are also expected to become aware of and assume personal responsibility for honest and ethical behavior. Learning experiences, which provide the student with opportunities to acquire and develop these skills, are addressed in each Interpersonal communication course through the implementation of the following competencies:
Writing: "To communicate effectively using standard written English." Students will write an essay in which they will identify interpersonal barriers that they have encountered. Also, a written report will be assigned. Assignments throughout the semester, including journal entries, will prepare the student to become cognizant of grammar, writing skills, and preparing questions that are appropriate for interviewing, wherein the student will discover traits of his/her interpersonal communication climates.
Reading: "To analyze, summarize, and interpret a variety of reading materials." Students will be responsible for reading all assigned chapters in the required text. Outside reading assignments will also be required as the student prepares himself/herself for the final presentation (to be performed orally).
Integrated Learning: "To think critically and make connections in learning across the disciplines." Students will address this competency through making personal observation and noting that observation via journal entries and will conduct an in-class interview wherein all concepts of interpersonal communication can be incorporated. Students will also complete in-class group activities that will present the opportunity to identify his/her very own creation of different communication climates. Class discussions will play a major role in the development of this competency, as well as the written essay that will be written by the student.
Creative Thinking: "To elaborate upon knowledge, to create new thoughts, processes, and/or products." As the student becomes aware of different communication concepts, he/she will measure their own progress through journal entries and through in-class discussions, a process that is designed to help them to understand and to solve interpersonal communication problems. Case studies will provide different scenarios wherein the student will be able to gain a deeper understanding of different communication dilemmas, helping them to relate to any specific situation to their very own life, hoping to bring positive benefits that will enhance the building of both intra and interpersonal relationships.
Ethics/Values: "To demonstrate an awareness of ethical considerations in making value choices." The students will be encouraged to become very aware of himself/herself by paying close attention to their very own communication styles as each topic unfolds, i.e., resolving conflict, expressing emotions stereotyping.
Plagiarism is committed when a student submits someone else's work as his/her own, and will not be tolerated in this course.
Technology/Media Component : As communication takes on its role through technology, you will be encouraged to talk with me via e-mail, as you will find my address on the first page of this syllabus. You may use this tool to turn in any written assignments, or to ask questions about the course. Also, I encourage you to utilize the Internet, as you will be researching your chosen topic for your presentation.
(The instructor reserves the right to make any changes that may be needed for the positive benefit of the course/and or students). Any change/s would be made by a majority vote of the class.
“Thank you for sharing this time of your life with me. I, so much, want this class to be a positive experience for you. My challenge to you today, throughout this semester, throughout your life is to do what Dr. Stephen Covey so simply states, “Dare to become the c hange that you seek in this world.”
Your Journal

The purpose of your interpersonal communication journal is to monitor your own interpersonal behavior. You will relate your interpersonal behavior to the concepts, terms, and ideas from your very involvement in this course.
Your entries will consist of experiences outside this class. These will be the encounters that are most important to you, wherein you will notice a change in any interpersonal behavior. The journal will be personal and its outcome should be one of sharpening your interpersonal awareness.
The procedure you will use:
 Choose someone with whom you desire to improve your communication.
 Pay attention to different situations wherein you may make a different decision because of concepts learned in this class. Describe the decision, using terms that are taught in this class .
 Evaluate the entry. This is most important. You may ask yourself,
“what works?” and “what works most effectively?” If it worked, “why did it work?” If it didn’t, what will you do different the next time?
Other important information:
Your writing assignments are expected to contain use of proper content, form, and grammar. Your essay and your report will be typed, using MLA style. See MLA documentation manual for guidelines.

CLASS OUTLINE – COM 252 – SPRING 2006– MW – TR CLASSES
Note: Student activities & videos will be incorporated into this schedule. Student is to read material before each class .
Please let me know if you see dates that are out of sequence. We will work to stay on schedule, but may vary from time to time.
JANUARY
9 Course Introduction – Prepare for partner introductions
11 Partner Introductions - Chapter 1 – Introduction to Interpersonal Communication
16 No Classes – Martin Luther King, Jr. Day
18 Chapter 1 continued
23 Chapter 2 – Communication and Self – Student Activities
25 Chapter 2 continued…… Begin Chapter 3 – Interpersonal Communication and Perception
30 Chapter 3 continued…..
Interpersonal Communication and Perception
FEBRUARY
1 Chapter 4 - Interpersonal Communication and Cultural Diversity: .prepare for Cultural Diversity Day
6 Chapter 5 – Listening and Responding….activities (quiz 1-3)
8 Library Day (Prepare for Culture Day)
13 Culture Day
15 Chapter 6 – Verbal Communication Skills
20 No Class – Presidents Day
22 Quiz – Chapters 4 – 6…… Chapter 7 – Nonverbal Communication Skills
27 Chapter 8 – Conflict Management Skills
MARCH
1 Chapter 8 continued……Movie begins
6 Movie continues…… special reading assignment assigned
8 Midterm – (Chapters 1 – 6)
13 – 17 Spring Break
20 Movie (Tuesdays With Morrie) Read book before class today
22 Movie continues……Discussion of difference between book and movie
27 Chapter 9 ….Understanding Interpersonal Relationships
29 Chapter 10 – Developing Interpersonal Relationships
APRIL
3 Chapter 10 continued……. Quiz 7 - 9
5 Prepare for Special Reading Assignments
10 Reading Assignments due
12 Chapter 11 – Managing Relationship Challenges
17 Journals Due
19 Prepare for final presentations……Quiz 10-11
24 Presentations on research paper…Research paper due
26 Chapter 12 – Interpersonal Relationships at Home, at Work, and on the Internet
MAY
1-6 Finals
Special note: Tuesdays With Morrie will be discussed in an interactive setting.