COMMS 121- Interpersonal Communication: Section 17914 Room ACA 2603 NO LATE WORK ACCEPTED Assistant Professor Course Dates Dr. Denise LeRette February 10 – June 3, 2020 Email: [email protected] (When sending an email, please, put your name and class in the subject line) Classroom Hours Office Hours Monday/Wednesday: You may speak to me before or after class 11:20 – 12:45 p.m. E-mail is also an option Course Description This course introduces the dynamics of communication in one-to-one relationships, focusing on experience, behavior, and rules governing interpersonal contexts such as friendships, families, romantic relationships, and workplace relations. Student Learning Outcomes SLO 1 – Ability to describe interpersonal theory SLO 2 – Application of interpersonal theory to own communicative style Course Objectives On successful completion of this course, you will be able to: 1. Analyze the roles you play in your own daily communication 2. Understand the nature and role of communication in a variety of situations 3. Identify communication problems and select strategies to improve the quality of communication 4. Critique your own communication process and learn how to improve or enhance your skills 5. Identify and understand how to become a more competent communicator Course Breakdown 16 weeks – 30 class meetings Units 3 1 Course Text and Materials OER Resources (Free) – Accessible on Canvas Scantrons – You may find these (882-E) in the bookstore Stapler – A tool of necessity; all work must be stapled before handing in. Teaching Strategies Teaching strategies for this course will be reading, lecture, guided-discussion, use of case studies, discovery learning exercises, simulations, and shared personal experiences. Grading Participation …………………15% (150 pts.) - You get 5 points each time ONLY if you are in class, which means you are participating. Points will be deducted for tardiness and leaving early. Assignments …………………20% (200 pts.) Project Reports……………….10% (Total 100 pts.) #1 …..5% (50 pts.) #2 …..5% (50 pts.) Semester Final Project Paper…15% (150 pts.) Exams………………………...30% (Total: 300 pts.) Midterm…...15% (150 pts.) Final .……...15% (150 pts.) Classroom Policies • ACADEMIC HONESTY is required. Students who do not follow the academic honesty policy will receive a grade of zero for any work turned in. Continued failure to follow the academic honesty policy may result in being dropped from the course. • If you miss a class, it is YOUR responsibility to complete assignments by beginning of class on due date.You may email your assignment before class begins, but also bring in a printed copy on the first day when you return. Contact classmates for notes or other information due to an absence. NO LATE WORK ACCEPTED. • Strive to be on time to class. Otherwise, you may not gain understanding of concepts discussed prior to your arrival. • Always be respectful to others • Contribute positively to class discussions and activities • Exhibit appropriate, mature, classroom behavior • Keep classroom clean • Use mobile devices OUTSIDE 2 • Assignments must be double-spaced, typed and stapled. Use APA format, 12 pt. font and 1-inch margins. • PROOFREAD all assignments. Check for proper spelling, grammar, usage, and syntax before handing in to me. • COMMUNICATE with instructor on an on-going basis concerning progress, challenges, and any other relevant issues. • Do not plagiarize! Anyone caught borrowing someone else’s ideas, facts, or language without properly crediting sources will be subject to disciplinary action. ❖ Don’t Wait Until the Last Minute!! COMMUNICATE!! Ask questions! ❖ Your grades may be higher, if you communicate your concerns and/or problems that arise during the class term. This is because students who ask questions … get the chance to better understand material and assignments. This means the possibility of receiving a higher grade in the class. Course Outline (Subject to Modification) NO LATE WORK ACCEPTED Week 1 Introduction to course; icebreakers Monday February 10 Wednesday Module 1: Introduction to Interpersonal Communication February 12 Week 2 NO CLASS Monday PRESIDENT’S DAY February 17 Wednesday Module 1: Introduction to Interpersonal Communication February 19 Week 3 Module 1: Introduction to Interpersonal Communication Monday February 24 Wednesday Module 2: Communicating Identity; Perception February 26 Week 4 Module 2: Communicating Identity; Perception Monday March 2 Wednesday Module 2: Communicating Identity; Perception March 4 3 Week 5 Module 3: Interpersonal Communication Processes Monday March 9 Wednesday Module 3: Interpersonal Communication Processes March 11 Week 6 Module 3: Interpersonal Communication Processes Monday March 16 Wednesday Module 3: Interpersonal Communication Processes March 18 Week 7 Module 4: Listening Monday March 23 Wednesday Module 4: Listening March 25 Week 8 Module 4: Listening Monday March 30 Wednesday MIDTERM EXAM April 1 Week 9 NO CLASS Monday SPRING BREAK April 6 Wednesday NO CLASS April 8 SPRING BREAK Week 10 Module 5: Verbal Communication Monday April 13 Wednesday Module 5: Verbal Communication April 15 Week 11 Module 5: Verbal Communication Monday April 20 Wednesday Module 6: Nonverbal Communication April 22 PROJECT PROJECT REPORT #1 DUE REPORT #1 DUE Week 13 Module 6: Nonverbal Communication Monday April 27 4 Wednesday Module 6: Nonverbal Communication April 29 Week 14 Module 6: Nonverbal Communication Monday May 4 Wednesday Module 7: Survey of Communication Study May 6 Week 15 Module 7: Survey of Communication Study Monday May 11 Wednesday Module 7: Survey of Communication Study May 13 Week 16 Module 7: Survey of Communication Study Monday May 18 PROJECT REPORT #2 DUE PROJECT REPORT #2 DUE Wednesday Module 8: Communication in Relationships; Culture and May 20 Communication Week 17 NO CLASS Monday MEMORIAL DAY HOLIDAY May 25 Wednesday FINAL PAPER DUE May 27 Module 8: Communication in Relationships; Culture and FINAL Communication PAPER DUE Week 18 Module 8: Communication in Relationships; Culture and Monday Communication June 1 Wednesday FINAL EXAM June 3 10:30 a.m. – 12:30 p.m. Enjoy Your Break!!! Relax and Have LOTS of Fun!!! If you are a student with a disability and require classroom accommodations, and have not contacted SSD, do so in a timely manner. SSD is in the Student Services Annex, Room 175 or call SSD at (818) 947-2681 or TTD (818) 947-2680, to meet with a SSD counselor. If SSD has already sent the memo to instructor confirming accommodations required by student for this class, please meet with me to discuss arrangements. 5 PROJECT REPORT #1 (This is NOT an essay) 2 FULL PAGE MINIMUM DUE WEDNESDAY, APRIL 22, 2020 Please number answers to questions: DO NOT type out questions 1. What film have you picked to do your final project? If you have not picked one, what ones are you considering? Why? Give reasons and details to justify your answers. 2. What areas, topics, concepts, etc. of communication from the textbook are you considering utilizing in your final project paper? Why? Give reasons and details to justify your answers. 3. Do you have any challenges or concerns about completing the project? Why? Give reasons and details to justify your answers. 4. Do you believe this project can be beneficial in helping you advance in understanding the dynamics of interpersonal communication? Why or why not? Give reasons and details to justify your answers. 5. Aside from this project, what suggestions do you have for furthering your understanding of interpersonal communication in your personal life? Give reasons and details to justify your answers. 6 PROJECT REPORT #2 (This is NOT an essay) 2 FULL PAGE MINIMUM DUE MONDAY, MAY 18, 2020 Please number answers to questions: DO NOT type out questions 1. What film have you picked to do your final project? Why? If you changed from your original film choice, what made you decide to do so? Why? Give reasons and details to justify your answers. 2. What areas, topics, concepts, etc. of communication from the textbook have you decided to apply in your final project paper? Did you switch or add any of the above to your original choices? Why or why not? Give reasons and details to justify your answers. 3. Pertaining to your film choice, what is the process you have utilized to apply the abovementioned aspects of interpersonal communication? So far, how many times have you watched the film in an attempt to reach academic requirements of the paper? Give reasons and details to justify your answers. 4. If you were to do this project again, would you have approached it differently? Why or why not? Give reasons and details to justify your answers. 5. As a result of completing this project, do you feel you will watch future films or other forms of media from an interpersonal communication standpoint versus a consumer standpoint? Why or why not? Give reasons and details to justify your answers. 7 NAME_________________________ (Attach this page to your final paper) Concept and/or Theoretical Application Paper (Minimum 6 full pages. Worth 150 points total) DUE – WEDNESDAY, MAY 27, 2020 In this assignment you are to engage on a critical level one movie from the attached list or another movie approved by me. This means that I am asking you to apply multiple communication concepts you have discovered through this course against the movie you choose. In other words, what you are doing is putting together theory and/or course concepts and practice (the life world of the movie). This IS NOT a research paper; therefore, DO NOT consult outside sources about the movies. YOU and the TEXTBOOK are the sources. I cannot emphasize this enough! Specifically, you are to choose a total of 6 concepts and/or theories from our textbook. You will need to: a) explain them and then b) show how they are demonstrated in the movie. Your paper should be a minimum of 6 full pages in length and should not exceed 8 pages in total.