SPCH 26 Interpersonal Communication
SPRING 2014
Professor: Steven Nahabedian
Office/Mailbox C-121
Phone: 626-585-7216
E: SNahabedian@Pasadena.edu
Office Hours: Th: 5:30-6PM
Reference Number:7752
Thursdays 6-9:10PM
Room:C-312
Last Day to Drop without a W: Jan 28th
Last Day to Drop with a ‘W” April 11th
Course Text
Interplay : 12th Edition The Process of Interpersonal Communication by Ronald Adler
Required Materials: For this course you will need access to a computer, printer ( that works and has
ink ) and a DVD player (usually part of your computer).
Course Description
In Speech 26 you will study the principles of verbal and nonverbal transactions that occur in everyday
face-to-face communication. This includes the study of theory and research finding and their
application to communication in professional and personal relationships. This includes including the
influence of social networking websites on relationship formation, cultural differences as
generalizations, neurobehavioral challenges in perception, linguistic convergence/divergence, the
impact of new media on listening, communicating relational commitment, repairing damaged
relationships, constructive criticism, verbal abuse, compulsive talking, cyber-bullying, manipulation, the
"silent treatment," and discrimination based on people's accents.
Student Learning and Performance Outcomes (SLO's/ SPO's)
Upon completion of these courses you will be able to:
*Understand basic rules/assumptions that govern interpersonal communication.
*Define and evaluate his/her self-concept.
*Compare/contrast the strengths and weaknesses of his/her verbal/nonverbal communication.
*Evaluate his/her listening behavior and develop strategies for improvement.
*Select appropriate strategies for dealing with aggressiveness and defensiveness in communication
partners.
*Evaluate his/her conflict management style and determine the best strategies for managing conflict with
other styles.
*Analyze the impact of physiological factors (such as sleep deprivation, poor nutrition, illness and stress) on
interpersonal relationships in order to apply appropriate methods to reduce the negative impact of these
variables.
*Select appropriate strategies to develop intercultural cohesiveness.
*Define and evaluate his/her concept of gender roles.
*Identify positive approaches to dealing with crisis at home or work.
Grading and Evaluation
Assignment
Possible Points
Points
Earned
Did?
Total Grade
Group Project
Activity # 1
Activity # 2
Activity # 3
Activity # 4
Activity # 5
Activity # 6
Activity # 7
Activity # 8
Activity # 9
Activity # 10
Media DVD /TVAnalysis
Midterm Exam
Final Exam
50
20
20
20
20
20
20
20
20
20
20
30
60
60
Breakdown
360-400 = A
320-359 = B
280-319 = C
240-279 = D
0-239 = F
Cheating/Plagiarism
Cheating/ plagiarism (representing somebody else’s words or ideas as one’s own) of any kind will not be
tolerated and will earn you an “F” on the assignment in question or an “F” for the entire course depending on
the seriousness of the offense. Cases of plagiarism may be reported to the Department Chair and/or the
Dean of Students.
The term “cheating” includes but is not limited to
1 Plagiarism
2 Receiving or knowingly supplying unauthorized information
3 Using unauthorized material or sources
4 Changing an answer after work has been graded and presenting it as improperly graded
5 Illegally accessing confidential information through a computer
6 Taking an examination for another student or having another student take an exam for you
7 Forging or altering registration or grade documents
Non-Discrimination policy
“Pasadena City College provides opportunities for the pursuit of excellence for all students and through its
educational services…The college will provide open access to a college education and all support services
without regard to sex, race, color, religious creed, national origin, ancestry, age over 40, marital status,
physical or mental disability (including HIV and AIDS), sexual orientation, or Vietnam Era Veteran Status”
Special Accommodations
This campus will provide reasonable accommodations for students who face unique physical, learning, and
emotional challenges. If you have special conditions as addressed by the Americans with Disabilities Act
and need accommodations, please inform me within the first two weeks of the semester. There are
eligibility requirements for some of the programs offered. Please visit Disabled Student Programs and
services or your advisor. It is your responsibility to work with DSP&S to make arrangements
Class Conduct, Rules and Policies
Please keep in mind that a college classroom is a professional learning environment in which mutual
respect amongst students and between students and the professor is expected. For a detailed description
of the College’s Code of Conduct, please see the college catalog. Here are some examples of disruptive
behavior listed in your catalog: obstruction or disruption of the educational process; willful disobedience
and/or the open persistent defiance of authority; verbal or physical threats to students, faculty, or staff;
excessive talking in class; turned on pagers and cell phones; passing notes in class; excessive lateness;
sleeping in class; and poor personal hygiene.
Other Expectations
Remember, we all want a comfortable, respectful atmosphere for optional learning and success. In addition,
here are a few more rules and policies for my class:
1 Absolutely no liquor, firearms, weapons, explosives or animals.
2 Never walk in while anyone else is presenting information in front of class.
3 All written work must be typed in order to receive credit.
4 E-mailed work will not be accepted.
5 Exams will be a combination of True and False, Multiple Choice, and Essay. No scantrons are
required. Students may leave the room only after completion of an exam. No headphones, i-pods
etc are allowed.
6 No extra credit is offered.
7 All cell-phones, beepers, etc. must be silenced prior to the beginning of class. If a cell phone goes
off, you should gather your things silently and leave the class. This will count as one of your
unexcused absences. Also, please do not text-message in class. If you are caught doing so, you
will be asked to leave and receive and unexcused absence. Do not have phones etc on anytime
while in the classroom.
Attendance
Because speech communication involves listening, evaluating, and writing as well as speaking, you are
expected to attend ALL class meetings. Attendance and class participation are necessary for success in
this course. However, I realize that there may be times when an absence is unavoidable. Therefore I offer
the following Communication Department Attendance Policy.
Absences without penalty:
You are allowed the following amount of absences from class without penalty in acknowledgment of
occurrences such as personal or family emergencies, religious observances, transportation difficulties,
serious illness, or other concerns at your discretion:
16 week course/one class per week:
1 absence
16 week course/two classes per week:
2 absences
8 week course/two days a week:
1 absence
8 week course/one days a week:
1 absence
6 week course/3-4 days a week: 1 absence
Absences in excess of these listed above will result in the lowering of your final course grade by 5% for
each subsequent absence. For example, if you are receiving a 90% in the class and have one more
unexcused absence than you are allowed, you will then receive an 85% for the course. If you have two
extras, you will receive an 80% and so on.
You are expected to have all work submitted to the instructor by the assigned date regardless of
absence, and should be current with the course upon their return.
In the event of an absence on the day you are scheduled to present or turn in work, you are not
permitted to and will receive a score of “0” for that assignment(s)
Exceptions:
1) If you will be absent for a college-approved activity (such as a field trip, athletic competition, or leadership
conference) and notify the instructor in advance of the absence you will not be penalized for the absence
and will be allowed to make up graded work.
2) The only other exception will require that you apply for exception by completing the official “department of
communication extraordinary exception form for attendance.” The form is to be submitted to the instructor
(or the instructor with the consultation of the department chair, if desired) within one week of the absence.
Valid documentation must be attached to the form, and only the following circumstances will be considered:
1
Mandatory court appearance
2
Military service
3
Hospitalization of the student
if the form is signed as approved, you will not be penalized for the absence and will be allowed to make up
the equivalent points for graded work that was missed, including speeches, through any means determined
by the instructor.
Makeup:
A student may makeup missed work is for one of the above listed exceptions.
TARDINESS:
In addition to attending class, you are also responsible for being to class ON TIME. Walking in late is
disrespectful to the professor as well as the rest of the class. You will be considered tardy if you arrive
within the first twenty (20) minutes of class. After twenty minutes, you will be considered absent. This
means you will not be allowed to give your speech, or take an exam! You will also be marked absent if
you leave class more than twenty (20) minutes before the scheduled ending without consent. If you leave
between twenty (20) minutes and the ending time, you will receive a tardy. BEWARE, for every three (3)
tardies you will receive and unexcused absence.
Tentative Schedule
Date
01/16/14
01/23/14
01/30/14
02/06/14
02/13/14
02/20/14
02/27/14
03/06/14
03/13/14
03/20/14
03/27/14
04/03/14
04/10/14
04/17/14
04/24/14
05/01/14
05/08/14
Subject
Overview:Policies,Assignments Attendance
Chapter 1: Interpersonal Process
Chapter 2: Culture and Communication
Chapter 3:Communication and the Self
Chapter 4: Perceiving Others
Chapter 5: Language
Chapter 6: Nonverbal Communication
Midterm Exam
NO CLASSES – SPRING BREAK
Chapter 7: Listening: Understanding and
Supporting Other
Chapter 8: Emotions
Chapter 9: Dynamics of Interpersonal
Relationships
Chapter 10: Communication Climate
Chapter 11: Managing Conflict
Chapter 12: Communications in Families and at
Work
Group Project Presentations
Final Exam Day
Reading Due
(Chapter)
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
11
12
Assignment Due