SYLLABUS – SPRING 2016
COM 102: Introduction to Interpersonal Communication
Fernley High School, Room Number 120
INSTRUCTOR: Jillian Fillmore, MPA
MESSAGE PHONE: 775-315-6046
EMAIL: jillian.fillmore@wnc.edu
OFFICE HOURS: I am available by appointment or right after class for help. You may also
email me questions, requests for assistance on presentations, or requests for general information
at any time. Please include your full name at the end of your email and allow a 24-hour response
time.
CREDITS (UNITS): 3
PREREQUISITE: None
ACADEMIC DIVISION: Liberal Arts
TRANSFER INFORMATION: This course is designed to apply toward a WNC degree and/or
transfer to other schools within the Nevada System of Higher Education, depending on the
degree chosen and other courses completed. It may transfer to colleges and universities outside
Nevada. For information about how this course can transfer and apply to your program of study,
please contact a counselor.
CATALOG COURSE DESCRIPTION: Introduces the field, principles and concepts of
interpersonal communication.
COURSE OBJECTIVES: Students who successfully complete this course will have an
improved ability to:
 Develop the critical thinking of interpersonal communication in a modern society.
 Develop the awareness of interpersonal process, self-concept, identity management,
perception, and emotions.
 Improve skills and appreciation of language, nonverbal communications, and listening.
 Survey and appreciate the scope of electronic relationships.
 Learn the dynamics in interpersonal relationships, conflict, and communication climates.
 Appreciate the influences of gender and cultural factors on all topics.
REQUIRED MATERIALS:
TEXT (TX) IPC3, 3rd Edition, Richard West and Lynn H. Turner
ISBN# 9781305668775
COURSE OUTLINE:
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Day
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
11
12
13
14
15
Topic for Class
Introduction to Interpersonal
Communication
Communication, Culture, and
Identity
Communication, Perception,
and the Self
Communicating Verbally
Etiquette Training
Communicating Nonverbally
Listening and Responding
Effectively
Communicating and Emotion
Role Playing Interviews
Sharing Personal Information
Communicating Conflict
Communicating in Close
Relationships
Persuasive Speech
Communicating in Context:
Families, Friends, and
Romantic Partners
Teaching/Training
Presentation
Final Exam
Reading
Assignment
Chapter 1
Chapter 2
Chapter 3
Chapter 4
Chapter 5
Chapter 6
Chapter 7
Chapter 8
Chapter 9
Chapter 10
Chapter 11
Activities/Assignments
Quiz
Introduction to course/review
syllabus
Journal Entry #1
Group Discussion
Practice Etiquette Training
Ch. 1
Journal Entry #2
Ch. 3
Journal Entries Due
Journal Entry #3
Group Discussion
Practice Role Playing Interviews
Ch. 4
Ch. 5
Journal Entry #4
Journal Entries Due
Practice Persuasive Speech
Ch. 7
Ch. 8
Ch. 9
Journal Entry #5
Practice Teaching/Training
Presentation
Journal Entry #6
Review for Final Exam
Ch. 2
Ch. 6
Ch. 10
Ch. 11
Journal Entries Due
PERFORMANCE REQUIREMENTS: Each student is required to perform a minimum of 8
graded tasks as follows:
 Attendance and class participation
o 15 classes = 10 points per class.
o You can make-up one excused absence by giving a 4-minute Impromptu speech.
(15 x 10 pts) Total = 150 points
 Personal Journal
o 2 entries per week of at least 250 words worth 25 points. One entry per page,
they can be typed or hand written (must be legible).
o They will be due at the end of each week (3 times during this course).
o Please date each entry.
o No late submissions accepted.
(3 x 25 pts) Total = 75 points
 Etiquette Training
o Etiquette is, “the practices and forms prescribe by social convention or by
authority.”
o Choose a specific etiquette (your choice) and train the class on it’s positive
significance, complete with a handout.
o 5-minute minimum presentation.
Etiquette Total = 100 points
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Role Playing: Interviews
o You and a partner will present two interviewing scenarios. The first scenario is a
job interview. The second scenario, you will reverse the roles and conduct a
performance review.
o 5-minute minimum per scenario.
o No notes will be allowed.
Total = 125 points
Persuasive Speech
o You will give a persuasive speech on the topic of your choice.
o 5-minute minimum speech.
Total = 150 points
Teaching/Training Presentation
o You will teach/train the class on a system of your choice, complete with a
handout.
o 7-minute minimum presentation
Total = 200 points
Chapter Quizzes
o There will be a quiz at the end of each chapter from the required textbook.
o 11 chapter quizzes = 10 points per quiz (one quiz removed).
o One free quiz. A quiz of your choice will be removed.
(11 x 10) Total = 100 points
Final Exam
o The final exam will consist of 25 questions (true/false, multiple choice, fill-in the
blank, and short answer) based on class discussions, lectures, and chapter quizzes
from the required textbook. No makeup exams will be allowed.
Total = 100 points
GRADING POLICY: Total Points Available = 1,000 points
A = 900 – 1,000 points
B = 800 – 899 points
C = 700-799 points
D = 600-699 points
F = 599 points or below
*Attitude, conscientiousness, and support of classmates will determine a “plus(+)” or minus(-)”
attached to final grade.
Please Note:
 When something is due, it’s due. There are no make-ups for missed assignments unless
other prior arrangements have been made with the instructor (see attendance policy
below).
 Based on needs and circumstances, this syllabus is subject to modification. In such
event, I will communicate the changes.
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ATTENDANCE: Attendance is mandatory and graded. If you miss two class meetings for any
reason your grade will automatically drop to a "B", missing three classes reduces it to a "C", and
four or more absences will result in a failing grade unless YOU officially withdraw from the
course. In those cases, the points you have otherwise earned will NOT be considered for grading.
 POLICY EXCEPTIONS FOR LATE WORK OR ABSENCES: One excused absence
will be accepted with appropriate documentation. It is the responsibility of the student to
make the appropriate arrangements with the instructor prior to being absent.
DISABILITY SUPPORT SERVICES: If you have a disability for which you will need to
request accommodations, please contact the Disability Support Services office (Cedar Building,
Room 209-212) at 775-445-4459 as soon as possible to arrange for appropriate accommodations.
ACADEMIC HONESTY: The work that you do for this class must be your own. You will
create original journal entries and presentations. If you use the ideas or exact words of someone
else in one of your assignments, you must give that person credit. Failure to do so is plagiarism
and will result in an automatic grade of zero for that assignment. Plagiarism is a serious
academic infraction. I reserve the right to give students a grade of F in the course for academic
dishonesty. See the WNC Academic Integrity Policy for more details.
http://www.wnc.edu/policymanual/3-4-5.php
STUDENT BEHAVIOR: Under most circumstances people are considerate of others. This
becomes very important in the classroom environment because of the number of people trying to
learn various subjects. In this context it is important to remember that disruptive behavior cannot
be tolerated. Western Nevada College has established a Student Behavior Policy with which
every student and instructor should become familiar. Violation of this policy will result in the
student(s) being told to leave the classroom and not return until courteous and appropriate
behavior can be demonstrated. Being told to leave the classroom due to behavioral problems will
count as an absence. Please see the Attendance Policy for more information.
THE CLASSROOM IS A NO ELECTRONIC COMMUNICATION ZONE: Unless you are
a certified emergency worker (medical or law enforcement personnel) or a military member on
watch and are REQUIRED to be immediately available by cell phone, your cell phone must be
turned OFF prior to the start of the class session. This ban includes texting and the use of
computers for anything other than taking notes (no internet connections allowed). Persons who
are on emergency recall must let me know before the class session starts. Those persons who are
required to be on call must place their phones in the vibrate mode. For family emergencies have
the caller contact Campus Security at 775-427–6213. Make sure the caller gives Security your
name and classroom number. Students have been failed in this class due to violation of this
rule as it is intrusive and distracting for other students in class.
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