SMC Core Curriculum Course Proposal Form
Supplement 1: Syllabus and Schedule
Proposer: Makiko Imamura
Department: Communication
Course: COMM112 Interpersonal Communication
COMM112 Interpersonal Communication
Fall 2013
M/F 1:00-2:40
Sichel 102
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Makiko Imamura, Ph.D.
Office: Sichel 105 E
Office Phone: (925) 631-8153
Email: mi2@stmarys-ca.edu
Office Hours: Monday 3-5pm,Wednesday 2:50-4:30,
& By Appointment
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COURSE DESCRPTION
This course is designed for undergraduate students as an introduction to the study and application
of principles, practices, and theories of interpersonal communication. To that end, we will examine
important interpersonal communication theories and trends in the study of interpersonal
communication. The course will be comprised of readings, lectures, out-of-class assignments, and
exams. Emphasis will be placed on understanding the communication process as it pertains to
interpersonal relationships in various contexts (i.e., intercultural, workplace, romantic, family,
conflict, etc.).
COURSE OBJECTIVES
By completing this course, you will…
1. understand concepts that will help you interpret and understand your own interpersonal
communication behavior and that of others in various contexts (e.g., intercultural, workplace,
friendship, romantic relationship, family, and conflict).
2. be familiar with variables that influence the process of interpersonal communication in the
contemporary American society (i.e., late 20th-21st century).
3. be able to conduct a basic research project using a social scientific methodology. This includes
writing literature review, collecting and analyzing data, and providing interpretation of the
results.
4. be able to integrate concepts, variables, and sensitivity to increase your own interpersonal
communication effectiveness.
5. be able to provide theoretically grounded explanations and interpretations of interpersonal
communication behaviors.
6. evaluate important interpersonal communication theories.
TEXTBOOKS AND MATERIALS
Required Textbook
Floyd, K. (2011). Interpersonal communication (2nd ed.). New York: McGraw-Hill.
*There will be additional readings assigned in this course.
COURSE POLICIES
1. Attendance
I advocate active and experiential learning, thus your presence is crucial for the implementation of this
course. Consequently, I expect your best effort at engaging the course material via class discussions,
assignments, activities, etc. This effort, of course, requires your attendance of every class, as well as your
turning off of disruptive devices such as pagers, cell phones, etc. Missing class will result in a 10-point
deduction per absence from your final grade. I will allow 3 personal absences for sickness,
emergencies, etc. before deducting points. Please note, that missing class repetitively will considerably
decrease your grade. Having more than 5 absences may result in automatic failure of the class, at
my discretion. Moreover, continual tardiness will be assessed as one-half an absence unless you offer
legitimate explanation for your lateness. If you come in late, you will be responsible for checking in with
me at the end of class in order for your presence to be counted toward your attendance.
2. Assignment Guidelines
 Deadlines: All assignments must be submitted in the beginning of class on the assigned due
date. If you are unable to attend class when an assignment is due, you may submit it to me
before the due date. You must submit a hard copy to receive credit for your assignments. If you
turn in an assignment late or do not come to class on an exam day, you will receive a zero for
that assignment/exam. Extensions may be granted for extenuating circumstances with prior
notification and approval from the instructor. As a general rule, written official
documentation of the extenuating circumstance is required in order to receive credit for late
work.
 General Requirements: All written assignments submitted for grading should be typed using
Times New Roman, font size 12. Citations and references should follow APA style (6th
edition). It is your responsibility to come see me prior to the assignment due date if you are not
familiar with APA style.
 Turnitin: Besides giving me a hard copy, you must submit the major paper assignments and
group presentation outline to turnitin. I will not consider your work complete, nor will I grade
the assignment or hand it back to you until you have submitted it. If you do not submit an
assignment to turnitin.com, you will receive an F on the assignment, even when you’ve given me
a hard copy (as you always will). You will need to set up a profile at turnitin.com.
A. Participation
I will assign reflection assignments based on activities we do or films we watch in class.
B. Journal Assignments
All assigned material should be read before coming to class. This will enable you to better
understand the subjects from the supplementary lectures and participate in class discussions. In
order to better guide your reading and facilitate class discussion, I will be posting discussion
questions for your reading assignments to our Moodle site. You should respond to these
questions by typing them and printing them out to bring to class. You are responsible for
completing 5 out of 10 journal assignments and keeping the graded copy of each assignment
till the end of the semester. Each journal assignment is worth 10 points. You are allowed to
replace ONE of the journals with the lowest score with the 6th journal completion. Journal
assignment is an individual work and you should not copy your classmates’ responses to the
questions. Late work will NOT be accepted. Please keep track of how many journal assignments
you have completed.
C. Quizzes
There will be a total of 4 quizzes. The lowest of your 4 scores on the quizzes will be dropped. For
example, if you are absent (for an excused or unexcused reason) on the day a quiz is given, you can
drop that quiz score. However, remember that you only have one opportunity to do this. These
quizzes are designed to facilitate your comprehension and retention of important ideas we read
and/or discuss. For communication majors, these quizzes will be invaluable for future coursework
given the ideas they will address. Other majors will also benefit from many of the concepts. Make-up
quiz can be granted only with prior notification and approval.
D. Exam
There will be one sectional (Midterm) and one comprehensive (Final) exam. The exams will test
your understanding of materials covered in the assigned readings, class lectures, and discussions.
The format may incorporate multiple-choice, true/false, short answer, and essay questions.
Study guides for both exams will be provided.
E. Papers
There will be 2 research project paper assignments in this class. See the guidelines for more
detailed information about these assignments. Make sure to give enough time to complete these
two assignments and proof read before submitting them.
F. Group Project
There will be one group project. This assignment has two parts: presentation and outline.
Detailed instructions will be provided later in the semester.
3. Moodle and Emails
Students in this course rely on Moodle, a Web-based management system, and email for up-to-date
information on assignments, due dates, readings, and the communication functions it provides. It is
necessary that students enrolled in this course have access to the Moodle site for this course. Be sure
to check your Moodle site and email regularly. Allow 24 hours for me to get back to your email.
4. Academic Misconduct
Plagiarism will not be tolerated in this class. Students are expected to complete their own work,
even if they work in a study group. Students are also required to give credit (both in writing and
orally) to any source used in completing an assignment. All sources should be cited according to
APA guidelines (6th edition). You are required to submit some of your assignments to turnitin.com.
You may work with your classmates to complete assignments, but you have to submit your own
work (do not simply copy your classmate’s work).
Saint Mary’s College expects every member of its community to abide by the Academic Honor
Code. According to the Code, “Academic dishonesty is a serious violation of College policy
because, among other things, it undermines the bonds of trust and honesty between members of the
community.” Violations of the Code include but are not limited to acts plagiarism. For more
information, please consult the Student Handbook at www.stmarys-ca.edu/your-safetyresources/student-handbook
Please familiarize yourself with SMC’s academic honor code, policies and processes (e.g.,
cheating, plagiarism, sharing work). I suspect a violation has occurred. Nor will I hesitate to file a
report if, after our conversation, a violation has occurred or if I still suspect one has. The following
websites will direct you to this information:
http://smcnet.stmarys-ca.edu/campus_life/handbook/PDF/student_handbook.pdf#page=26,
http://smcnet.stmarys-ca.edu/academics/ahc/students/,
http://smcnet.stmarys-ca.edu/academics/ahc/honor_code.html.
5. Classroom Behaviors
If you read the newspaper, study for another class, use cell phones, use PDA’s, play with iPod, get
on the internet when unnecessary, etc., you will be asked to leave the classroom. These activities are
too distracting for the instructor and students, and are disrespectful of the class. As this is a college
course, you are expected to behave in a respectful manner. This includes
 Informing the instructor prior to or on the same day as the class you will be unable to attend
 Obtaining missed class notes, assignment information, and course materials from classmates
 Behaving with academic integrity and honesty on all assignments
 Completing assignments before or on the date they are due
 Treating members of the class with the respect and dignity afforded to all human beings in a just
society
 Discussion ought to get heated, but comments must be substantive (not personal or derogatory)
and directed at the conversation, not the person speaking.
 Recognizing and accepting the consequences for your actions and choices
6. Learning Differences Statement
Student Disability Services extends reasonable and appropriate accommodations that take into
account the context of the course and its essential elements for individuals with qualifying
disabilities. Students with disabilities are encouraged to contact the Student Disability Services Office
at (925) 631-4358 or sds@stmarys-ca.edu to arrange a confidential appointment to discuss
accommodation guidelines and available services. Additional information regarding the services
available may be found at the following address on the Saint Mary’s website: http://www.stmarysca.edu/sds
7. Library Resources
Reference/Information assistance is available at the Reference Desk, by phone (925) 631-4624, text
message or IM. Check the Library’s “Ask Us” link for details: http://library.stmarys-ca.edu/ask-us/
Extended assistance by appointment is also available. Contact the subject librarian for your major or
any of the Reference librarians for an appointment. Or, if you'd prefer, you can provide the contact
link information for your Subject Librarian, which can be found at this link: http://library.stmarysca.edu/about/staff/selectors.html.
8. Center for Writing Across the Curriculum
Writers of all disciplines and levels, undergraduate and graduate, are invited to drop in or make
appointments for one-on-one sessions with Writing Advisers – in Dante 202 or via Skype screensharing. Contact 925.631.4684 or visit www.stmarys-ca.edu/center-for-writing-across-thecurriculum. Writers should bring their assignments, texts, and notes.Through collaborative
discussion, Advisers guide their peers toward expressing ideas clearly and revising their own papers,
always weighing audience and purpose. Writers visit CWAC to brainstorm ideas, revise drafts, or
work on specific aspects of writing, such as grammar, citation, thesis development, organization,
critical reading, or research methods. Writers may discuss any genre, including poetry, science lab
reports, argument-driven research, or scholarship application letters.
9. Grading
Questions on grades will only be discussed in person and not via-email. Any questions on grades
should be raised between 24 hours to 7 days after receiving the grades to discuss. As the
departmental guideline, to achieve C or better in any course, students must fulfill the following
criteria, and maintain a balance in all of these areas rather than excellence in one or two:
1. Students must have a command of substantive material.
2. Students must have the ability to diagnose strengths and weaknesses in written and oral
communication.
3. Students must creatively engage in an exploration of relevant ideas and concepts.
4. Students must actively participate to enrich the experience of both students and faculty in
the classroom.
C is an average grade indicating that you have an adequate command of the substantive material
of the course and that you have engaged in the exploration of the ideas and concepts. This is
generally demonstrated through class participation and through satisfactory completion of class
assignments and examinations.
B is a good grade, indicating your involvement with the course and its material has been more
than just adequate. “B” work is very good – significantly above average.
A work is more than simple mastery of course material. It represents a very active and
sophisticated engagement with every aspect of the course, demonstrated through sophisticated
analysis or creative treatment of the ideas and data covered in the course.
D work is less than adequate. For instance, a “D” may indicate that you failed in one or more
areas of the course or that you have slipped below a satisfactory level of work in all areas.
F indicates a failure to meet the requirements described above.
Grading Scale
A
=
465-500
A=
450-464
B+
=
435-449
B
=
416-434
Points Breakdown
BC+
C
C-
=
=
=
=
400-415
385-399
365-384
350-364
Group Project
Paper #1
Paper #2
Exam #1 (Sectional)
Exam #2 (Comprehensive)
Quizzes (the lowest of 4 quiz scores will be dropped)
Journal Assignments
Participation
Total
D+
D
DF
9% 45 pts
6% 30 pts
12% 60 pts
20% 100 pts
25% 125 pts
12% 60 pts
10% 50 pts
6% 30 pts
500 pts
=
=
=
=
335-349
316-334
300-315
below 300
Self-Grade Check Sheet
Possible
Assignments
Points
Group & Individual Assignment
Group Presentation
25
Group Presentation Outline
10
Peer Evaluation
10
Group Assignment Total
45
Research Project Paper #1
Research Project Paper #2
Points Earned
30
60
Exams
Midterm Exam
Final Exam
100
125
Quizzes
Quiz #1
Quiz #2
Quiz #3
(Quiz #4)
3 Quizzes Total
Journal #
Journal #
Journal #
Journal #
Journal #
5 Journal Assignments Total
20
20
20
(20)
60
Journal Assignments
10
10
10
10
10
50
Participation
Participation #1
Participation #2
Participation #3
Participation Total
30
Absences
10pts deduction after the 3rd absence
Dates of your absences
Grand Total
-
/500
Tentative Schedule
Date
Topics
F 9/6
Introduction to the Course
About Communication
M 9/9
About Communication
F 9/13
Culture and Communication
M 9/16
Gender and Communication
F 9/20
F 11/15
Communication and Self
Communication and Self
Quiz #1 on Chaps 1-3, Roper (2008), Lustig &
Koester (2003), and Wood (2002)
Interpersonal Perception
Interpersonal Perception
Language
Language
Quiz #2 on Chaps. 4-5 and Hughes & Baldwin
(2002)
Group Project Presentations
Group Project Presentations
Catch Up and Review for the Exam
Midterm Exam
Midterm Break
Nonverbal Communication
Nonverbal Communication
Listening
Emotion
Emotion
Quiz #3 on Chaps. 6-8 and Collins et al. (2011)
Friendships and Professional Relationships
M 11/18
Romantic and Family Relationships
F 11/22
M 11/25
F 11/29
Interpersonal Conflict
Interpersonal Conflict
Thanksgiving Break
Deceptive Communication
Quiz #4 on Chaps. 9-11, Golish (2003), and
Croucher et al. (2012)
Catch Up and Review for the Exam
Final Exam: 1-3pm in Sichel 102
M 9/23
F 9/27
M 9/30
F 10/4
M 10/7
F 10/11
M 10/14
F 10/18
M 10/21
F 10/25
M 10/28
F 11/1
M 11/4
F 11/8
M 11/11
M 12/2
F 12/6
M 12/9
Reading
Chap. 1
Roper (2008)
Chap. 2 on Culture
Lustig & Koester (2003)
Chap. 2 on Gender
Wood (2002)
Chap. 3
Assignments
Dues
Journal #1
Journal #2
Journal #3
Kelly et al. (2001)
Chap. 4
Hughes & Baldwin (2002)
Chap. 5
Journal #4
Journal #5
Chap. 5
Paper 1
Chap. 6
Collins et al. (2011)
Chap. 7
Chap. 8
Journal #6
Journal #7
Kring & Gordon (1998)
Chap. 9
Chap. 10
Golish (2003)
Chap. 11
Croucher et al. (2012)
Journal #8
Journal #9
Journal #10
Chap. 12
Paper 2