INTERPERSONAL COMMUNICATION
Speech 1130 – Fall
2004
INSTRUCTOR: Lori Halverson-Wente
OFFICE: Plaza Hall 402
OFFICE PHONE: 285-7553
E-MAIL: Lori.Halverson-Wente@roch.edu
Desire to Learn Site can be accessed from: https://rctc.ims.mnscu.edu/index.asp
Official Course Calendar will be posted on the Desire to Learn Site
COURSE WEBSITE (Not password protected): http://www.roch.edu/course/spch1130/
OFFICE HOURS: MWF 8:10-8:50, MW 1:00-1:50
Of course, we can also schedule a meeting when requested.
REQUIRED TEXT: Everyday
Encounters by Julia Wood (If you can find a less expensive book online and
it is not the most current version, that is fine! You do need the textbook).
SUGGESTED TEXT: Gang of One:
Memoirs of a Red Guard by Fan Shen (copies are available in the reserve
area in the school library).
COURSE DESCRIPTION:
This course is an
interactive, skills-based study of the realm of interpersonal communication.
The focus will be upon the theory and practice of communication skills that
affect critical thinking, intercultural consciousness, empowerment, and
day-to-day interaction with other persons. Course topics may include the use of
verbal and nonverbal symbols, intrapersonal communication and issues of self,
interactive listening, resolving interpersonal conflict and developing and
maintaining personal and professional relationships. As a prerequisite,
the course will require reading and writing at the college level. You
will complete a service learning and a group project for this class. I hope that you will have an opportunity to enhance your communication
skills, discover new communication skills and improve your ability to choose
effective communication behaviors in your everyday lives with people you care
about. The emphasis will be upon choice and individual responsibility within
interpersonal contexts.
FYI: There have been
many changes in what courses are counted as "required" in many programs.
Please do check with your counselors concerning the MnSCU Transfer Curriculum
Guidelines in regards to this class.
COURSE OBJECTIVES:
- Demonstrate the principles of Human Communication
Theory.
- Demonstrate the principles of Interpersonal Communication
including receiving skills and response skills, nonverbal communication,
and the individual factors that influence communication.
- Define and understand the components of interpersonal
relationships focusing in particular upon conflict, stages, and passive,
assertive and aggressive behaviors.
- Define and understand the major components of
intercultural communication including enculturation, acculturation and
ethnocentrism.
- Synthesize all factors effecting an interpersonal
situation and demonstrate competent verbal and nonverbal behaviors in
accordance to with that particular situation.
Summary: The goal of the class is improved
self-awareness of your communication skills and increased sensitivity in
decoding others' interpersonal communication. This goal involves practical
application. I hope to provide you with a safe environment for personal
reflection, self-disclosure and skill development. This is not a
"sluff" class, it will require critical reading, research, self
reflection, creative problem-solving, effort, participation and overall energy.
If you are not willing to put this effort into the class, I suggest
reconsidering your enrollment in the course now.
GENERAL POLICIES AND EXPECTATIONS:
· Attendance: your attendance is needed for making this class successful,
not only for yourself, but for all people enrolled in this course. Because this
class is skill-based, most days will include class discussion, videos,
role-plays, homework assignments and other exercises from which your
participation grade will depend upon. Please come to class prepared, well read,
and with an open attitude. Also remember to bring your text to all course
sessions. Significant absences (after 3 in a MWF class) will impact your grade
negatively (10 points will be deducted from your final score per absence after
three in addition to receiving no points for "attendance").
· Active Student Participation and
Risk: The
format of this course is primarily discussion
and not lecture. Therefore, the
success of this course depends partly on your willingness to read and to
participate and contribute to each session. You will participate in a group
project. Your active role is necessary for the success of the assignment. You
may be "divorced" from your group. You will also participate in a
service learning project.
· Preparations: Type all papers. Most homework assignments will be
submitted via the “D2L” website. Essays will be submitted via D2L AND
as a hard paper copy. You will be required to understand how to use D2L; please
plan accordingly to do so. If you do not have computer access, you can use on
campus computer labs. 
otherwise assigned (D2L submissions
included). Any late homework and written work will receive a up to 1 grade
deduction for each day (not class period) late (beginning with that day
– if it’s late, it’s late). If your paper or homework is more
than one week late, you can not receive more than 1/2 credit. Homework handed
in later than 1 week is a zero. Missed tests, for any reason = zero
since you can drop your lowest score.
A. There are no make-ups of tests, presentations or in-class
activities (including in-class D2L assignments) except in the case of an
emergency or other unusual circumstance. If you do experience an emergency,
please let me know as soon as possible. You will be asked to verify your reason
for the absence/late work. Make-ups are only treated on a case-by-case basis.
B.
In unique circumstances, if I do allow a make-up, you must produce some
verification of your absence and/or a written explanation of:
- What were the circumstances?
- Why should I make an
exception for you?
- Under what conditions should
I accept your work now that it is late? (e.g., ½ the grade, one grade
deduction , no deduction, etc.)
·
Service Learning
and Group Projects: You will participate in a 10 hour service learning project
this semester. You will also work in groups.
· Desire to Learn (D2L) and Email Use: 
While there will be some initial difficulties
using the D2L site (as it is new to all of us), our “D2L” site will
be used for the distribution of the class schedule as well as general course
materials and assignments. Please always keep a verification of your
submission. (I also use a website I create that replicates many of the major resources
see http://www.acd.roch.edu/courses/spch1130/
). The D2L website is also used for posting grades. You will need to
regularly - at LEAST 1 time a week - visit the D2L site for class announcements
as well as to access grades and assure that they are correct. I will have you
check grades at weeks 5, 10 and 13. After each "check" I will
"close the grade book" for the materials collected, graded and
recorded to that point -- the grade posted stands as is up to that point. It is
your responsibility to check these grades. You will not be able to come to me
in week 13 and ask why you received a zero for an assignment in week 7. NOTE:
YOU WILL NEED TO USE A COMPUTER TO SUBMIT ALL FORMAL ESSAYS AND MANY
HOMEWORK ASSIGNMENTS. IF YOU HAVE
LIMITED ACCESS TO A COMPUTER AT HOME OR WORK, YOU WILL HAVE TO MAKE TIME TO USE
THE CAMPUS COMPUTERS….”MY COMPUTER WAS NOT WORKING” DOES NOT
CONSTITUTE ANY FORM OF “EXCUSED” LATENESS.
· Additional Readings: In addition to the text, several
readings, handouts and website materials/links will be provided on a variety of
topics and will be assigned in class orally most often. Do not treat them as
optional information since they provide information often not contained in the
text. Keep them in your course file; you will need them.
· CDRom: In your text you received a CD Rom. I see this as the BEST thing to
happen from the publishers in a long time! You will need to view this CD. If
you can not view it from home, use the college computer labs.
·
Plagiarism will not be tolerated. Any cheating will be reported to the
college authorities and handled accordingly! Please do not jeopardize your
academic career!
·
In case of bad weather, visit: http://www.rctc.edu/services/html/weather.html
(or http://www.rctc.edu/services/cancelled-classes/
for cancellations in general) you can also listen to KROC or watch KTTC's
channel 10 for announcements concerning school closings. FYI: I commute myself, if your hometown schools are closed, I will
believe you that the roads were bad!
· Accommodations: If you require any specific
accommodations, please let me know. I certainly want to help you succeed in our
class!
· A word about Class Conduct: The bottom line of this class must
be respect for self, 
others, and for the group. In a
class such as this, emotional responses to the course material will be varied
for you and others. I ask that you respect one another and each other’s
confidentiality. Also, I am here to listen to you outside of class as well as
in class if you ever need to talk about the course topics, policies,
assignments, or other issues. We will discuss explicitly our expectations of
classroom behavior. Another issue, please do not dominate conversations.
|
afraid |
concerned |
Exhausted |
hurried |
nervous |
sexy |
|
aggravated |
confident |
fearful |
hurt |
numb |
shaky |
|
amazed |
confused |
fed up |
hysterical |
optimistic |
shocked |
|
ambivalent |
content |
fidgety |
impatient |
paranoid |
shy |
|
angry |
crazy |
flattered |
impressed |
passionate |
sorry |
|
annoyed |
defeated |
foolish |
inhibited |
peaceful |
strong |
|
anxious |
defensive |
forlorn |
insecure |
pessimistic |
subdued |
|
apathetic |
delighted |
free |
interested |
playful |
surprised |
|
ashamed |
depressed |
friendly |
intimidated |
pleased |
suspicious |
|
bashful |
detached |
frustrated |
irritable |
possessive |
tender |
|
bewildered |
devastated |
furious |
jealous |
pressured |
tense |
|
bitchy |
disappointed |
glad |
joyful |
protective |
terrified |
|
bitter |
disgusted |
glum |
lazy |
puzzled |
tired |
|
bored |
disturbed |
grateful |
lonely |
refreshed |
trapped |
|
brave |
ecstatic |
happy |
loving |
regretful |
ugly |
|
calm |
edgy |
harassed |
lukewarm |
relieved |
uneasy |
|
cantankerous |
elated |
helpless |
mad |
resentful |
vulnerable |
|
carefree |
embarrassed |
high |
mean |
restless |
warm |
|
cheerful |
empty |
hopeful |
miserable |
ridiculous |
weak |
|
cocky |
enthusiastic |
horrible |
mixed up |
romantic |
wise |
|
cold |
envious |
hostile |
mortified |
sad |
wonderful |
Interpersonal Communication Tentative Fall 2004 Schedule
*Due to the nature
of the course and winter weather, the dates below will shift slightly.
~THE OFFICIAL CALENDAR FOR THIS CLASS WILL BE THE D2L ONLINE CALENDAR~
Reminder: Groups will
each invite a guest speaker, plan a video, or lead an activity on a topic of
their choice. Groups will add their
“Communication in Action” presentations in Conjunction with the
Corresponding Topic Date
|
WEEK |
TOPICS/ASSIGNMENTS |
|
|
Week
1 |
Introduction Topics: Getting to know each other (Icebreakers). |
Introduction and |
|
Week
2 |
Continue
Introduction Topics and Begin Creation of Self Topics:
|
Continue Chapter 1
|
|
Week
3 |
Continue Discussion of Self and Begin Discussion Perception. (No classes Monday, Sept.
6th – |
|
|
Week 4 |
Continue Discussing
Self and Perception and Review.
(FYI: Lori is at a conference
Thursday and Friday, Sept. 16-17. |
Chapter 3, Handouts,
Review and
Catch-up |
|
Week
5 |
Language Topics: The Nature
of Language, Principles of Verbal Communication, and Guidelines for Improving
Verbal Communication.
|
|
|
Week
6 |
Continue with the Language Topics and Begin Nonverbal Communication Topics: The World Beyond Words, Defining
Nonverbal Communication, Principles of Nonverbal Communication, Types of
Nonverbal, Communication, Guidelines for Improving Nonverbal Communication. ·
Groups must have a solid plan by now and will complete the D2L report
on their progress by this week. (Student Success Day Wednesday, Sept. 29th) |
Continue |
|
Week 7 |
Continue
with Nonverbal and Begin Mindful Listening: The Listening Process, Obstacles to Effective Listening,
Forms of Non-Listening, Adapting Listening to Communication Goals, Guidelines
for Improving Listening |
|
|
Week 8 |
Mindful Listening
Topics and Catch-up
|
Review and
Catch-up |
|
|
Communication
and Emotions: Understanding
Emotions, Obstacles to Effective Communication of Emotions, Guidelines for
Communicating Emotions Effectively.
FYI: MEA Weekend – Oct. 21-22 (Thurs. and
Friday) No classes |
|
|
Week
10 |
Continue Emotions and Begin Communication
Climate Topics: Elements
of Satisfying Personal Relationships, Confirming and Disconfirming Climates,
Guidelines for Creating and Sustaining Healthy Communication Climates
|
|
|
Week
11 |
Conflict and
Communication Topics: Principles of Conflict, Individual Orientations to Conflict,
Approaches to Conflict, Influences on Individuals, Orientations to Conflict,
Communication Patterns During Conflict, Guidelines for Effective Conflict |
Continue Chapter 8
and Begin
Chapter 9 |
|
Week 12 |
Catch-up and Review
(Nov. 8,
Monday, Career Day No Classes) |
Catch-up
and Review |
|
Week
13 |
(FYI: Nov. 19, Friday, is the last day to
withdraw and receive a W!) |
|
|
Week
14 |
Continue Discussion on Friendship and Committed Romantic Relationships
+ Group Work
(FYI: Thanksgiving Weekend No Classes Nov.
25-26) |
|
|
Week
15 |
|
TBA: As
assigned by the presenters |
|
Week
16 |
|
TBA: As assigned by the
presenters |
|
Week 17 |
|
Review 4 |
|
GRADED ASSIGNMENTS |
||
|
200 Points |
You Earned: ________ |
|
|
SERVICE LEARNING
PROJECT |
350 Points |
You Earned: ________ |
|
GRADED CONFERENCE |
50 Points |
You Earned: ________ |
|
TESTS |
300 Points |
You Earned: ________ |
|
COMMUNICATION
IN ACTION |
25 Points |
|