SYLLABUS – Spring 2008

COM 252 - Introduction to Interpersonal Communication
Class # 78541 Section # 7502
Classroom: – M/W 11:00 – 12:15 JHG 337

TEXTBOOK: Interpersonal Communication: Relating to Others, 4^th Edition by Beebe, Beebe, and Redmond.

SUPPLIES: Paper, pencil, markers, poster board

INSTRUCTOR: Christy S. Adkins
PHONE: (270) 824-8646
OFFICE: John H. Gray Bldg. Room 338A
E-MAIL: Christy.adkins@kctcs.edu

OFFICE HOURS: Monday: 7:30 to 9:30 – North Campus

Tuesday: 8:00 to 9:30 – Muhlenberg Campus

12:15 to 1:00 – Muhlenberg Campus

Wednesday: 7:30 to 9:30 – North Campus

Thursday: 8:00 to 9:30 – Muhlenberg Camus

11:00 to 12:15 – Muhlenberg Campus

BASIC PHILOSOPHY OF THE COURSE: According to KCTCS course description, this course “Examines basic verbal and nonverbal elements affecting communication between individuals in family, peer group, and work contexts. Course requires participation in activities designed to develop interpersonal communication skills. Topics include: strategy development, relationship and conversation management, effective listening conflict management, defensive communication, communication anxiety and cultural/sex differences in communication style.”

Specific competencies include the ability and/or describe the following:
1. The distinction between interpersonal communication and other communication process.
2. The perception process (including development of self concept) and how it effects communications.
3. Significant non-verbal elements in interpersonal communication settings.
4. Significant differences among listening levels.
5. Differences in affective and cognitive linguistic levels.
6. Conflict and forms of conflict management.
7. The impact cultural orientation/gender may have on interpersonal communications.

COURSE COMPETENCY: The overall goals of the class are to help students “to communicate in a clear oral and nonverbal fashion and employ active listening skills.”

GENERAL EDUCATION COMPETENCIES:

I. Communicate Effectively
1. Read and listen with comprehension
a. Students will be tested/quizzed over classroom material.
b. Students will read outside articles in preparing for papers.

2. Speak and write clearly using Standard English
a. Students will participate in group activities.
b. Students will take essay format exams.
c. Students will be required to write a research paper.

3. Interact cooperatively with others using verbal and nonverbal means.
a. Students will participate in group activities.
b. Students will participate in class discussion and dyadic situations.

4. Demonstrate information processing through basic computer skills.
a. Students will type all papers, assignments and abstracts.

II. Think Critically
1. Make connections in learning across the disciplines and draw logical conclusions.
a. Students will participate in mock debates
2. Demonstrate problem solving though interpreting, analyzing, summarizing, and/or integrating a variety of
materials.
a. Students will participate in problem solving exercises.
b. Students will write research papers.
c. Students will participate in brainstorming activities.

III. Learn Independently
1. Use appropriate search strategies and resources to find, evaluate, and use information.
a. Students will participate in group projects.
b. Students will participate in library research activities.

2. Make choices based upon awareness of ethics and differing perspectives/ideas.
a. Students will take exams and quizzes that address plagiarism.
b. Students will participate in group activities

3. Apply learning in academic, personal, and public situations.
a. Students will complete personal communication inventories and presentations.

4. Think creatively to develop new ideas processes, or products.
a. Students will participate in group presentations using PowerPoint for a visual aid.

IV. Examine Relationships in Diverse and Complex Environments
1. Recognize the relationship of the individual to human heritage and culture.
a. Students will participate in ice breaker activities
b. Students will participate in cultural based activities.
c. Students will participate in value exercises.

2. Demonstrate an awareness of the relationship of the individual to the biological and physical
environment.
a. Students will participate in self esteem and self concept activities.
b. Students will complete a communication style inventory.
c. Students will participate in stereotyping activities.

ATTENDANCE: Regular attendance makes good sense, and good students know this. That’s one of the reasons they are good students. I expect regular and punctual attendance; moreover, I am aware of who is and isn’t in class. I take role. I make it my business to know who’s there because I care about how well my students do.

If you miss a class, you are responsible for the work completed during that class and any assignments that might have been given. You should contact a classmate or me to find out what you missed – keeping in mind that I will not “re-teach” the class in my office or the hallway; however, some absence may be unavoidable and if you notify me before the absence, I can make special arrangements.

**AFTER TWO MISSED CLASSES, 10 POINTS WILL BE TAKEN OFF YOUR GRADE FOR EACH CLASS PERIOD MISSED.

SNOW POLICY: In case of inclement weather please listen to the following radio stations and television stations for information regarding class delays and school closings:

Madisonville Stations: - WKTG (93.9 FM), - WFMW (730 AM), - WHRZ (97.7 FM), - WTTL (1310 AM)
Owensboro: WBKR (92.5 FM)
Paducah: WKYQ (93.3 FM)
Hopkinsville: WHOP (98.7 FM), WHOP (1230 AM)
Evansville TV: WEHT -25 (ABC), WTVW – 7 (FOX)

LATE WORK: Work is normally due at the beginning of class on the assigned day. I do not accept late work unless there is a legitimate emergency or I have approved that late submission ahead of time; likewise I do not give make-up exams unless there is a legitimate emergency or I have approved them ahead of time. All late work must be made up within 10 days of the assignments original due date.

WITHDRAWAL POLICY: The last day for you to officially withdraw from class at your own discretion is midterm. After this date and through the last day of the semester you may request to withdraw but permission to withdraw is then given at the discretion of your instructor. Permission to withdraw will be given to students who encounter unforeseen and insurmountable difficulties.

Academic irresponsibility and lack of effort do not constitute unforeseen and insurmountable difficulties.

GRADING CRITERIA: GRADING SCALE

3 Exams (100 pts each) 300 630 – 700 A
Group Project 100 560 – 629 B
Final 100 490 – 559 C
Paper 100 420 – 489 D
Attendance 100 Below 419 E
Total Points Possible 700

**ALL ORAL ASSIGNMENTS MUST BE COMPLETED TO PASS THE COURSE

GROUP PROJECT: We will divide into groups of 4 to 5 people, each giving an oral presentation on the subject of their choice. The instructor must approve the topic. EACH person MUST present a portion of their presentations and speak for at least 10 minutes. Presentations should contain some sort of visual i.e. PowerPoint presentation, etc.

Some topics to consider for your presentations:
Media (TV, Telephone, Fax, E-mail, Chat rooms)
Self Concept
Body Image
Different Religions
Changes in Masculine/Feminine Roles
Nonverbal Communication
Internet
Intercultural Communication

You must turn in a list of at least five (5) references and at least (2) of these references need to be from sources other than the internet.

As part of your group project, I want you to write a paper based on your group experience. The paper must be at least 1-2 pages in length single spaced. How did your group work together? How was the work divided? How did the group meet together? Where did you meet? How did you communicate with each other? How did you deal with slackers, if any? How did you decide on a topic?

PLAGIARISM: Webster’s New World Dictionary defines the word plagiarize as follows: “To take and pass of as one’s own ideas, writing, etc. of another.

Cheating or plagiarizing can take many forms on a college campus. Beginning college students frequently are not full aware of what is considered plagiarism. For this reason the following list has been drawn up.

I. On Examinations:
A. Coping answers from another student.
B. Copying passages from a book or magazine.
C. Bring notes, etc. to class (whether on paper, cuffs, etc.)
D. Asking someone for the answers to test questions.

II. On Speeches or Outside Papers:
A. Copying from books or magazines without quotation marks.
B. Copying passages from books. Altering a word here and there.
C. Having someone else write the paper or speech for you.
D. Copying a paper or speech someone else has written in the past.
E. Rewording the exact same idea found in a book or magazine.
F. Having someone correct the mistakes on your paper. (Someone else may read it, suggest
revisions or reorganization but you must do the revision and reorganizing.)

Students who seek this type of help, as well as the students who knowingly gives this kind of help, are guilty of plagiarism and may fail the course.

Disability Statement: If you have a documented disability and need any type of accommodation, you are required to register with the Disability Resource coordinator. Contact Valerie Wolfe, Disability Resource Coordinator, Room 112, 270-824-1708.

Student Code of Conduct: Information about student’s academic rights and academic offenses and the student’s right to appeal may be found in the KCTCS Student Code of Conduct at www.kctcs.edu/student/code.htm.

Tentative Schedule

COM 252 M/W 11:00 to 12:15

M 1/14 Introductions and Syllabus, Assign Ch. #1
W 1/16 Assign Group Project, Assign Model project

M 1/21 No Class – Martin Luther King Day
W 1/23 Lecture Chapter # 1, Model projects in class, Assign Chapter # 2

M 1/28 Lecture Chapter # 2, Assign Chapter # 3

W 1/30 Lecture Chapter # 3, Assign Chapter # 4

M 2/4 Lecture Chapter #4
W 2/6 Prep for Test #1 (Chapters 1-4)

M 2/11 Test #1 (Chapters 1-4) Assign Chapter #5
W 2/13 Lecture Chapter #5, Assign Chapter #6

M 2/18 No Class – President’s Day
W 2/20 Lecture Chapter # 6, Assign Chapter # 7

M 2/25 Lecture Chapter #7, Assign Chapter # 8
W 2/27 Lecture Chapter # 8

M 3/3 Prep for Test # 2 (Chapters 5 -8)
W 3/5 TEST #2 (Chapters #5-8) assign Chapter #9

M 3/10 No Class – Spring Break
W 3/12 No Class – Spring Break, Assign Chapter # 11

M 3/17 Lecture Ch. #11, Assign Chapter #12
W 3/19 Lecture Chapter # 11, Assign Chapter # 12

M 3/24 Prep for Test #3 (Chapters 9-12)
W 3/26 Test #3 (Chapters 9-12)

M 3/31 Mock Debate Assignment
W 4/2 Mock Debate

M 4/7 Library Research Day to Prep for 2^nd Round Debate
W 4/9 Mock Debate 2^nd Round

M 4/14 Group project – work in class.
W 4/16 Group project work – Library

M 4/21 Prep for Group Presentation
W 4/23 Group Presentations

M 4/28 Group Presentations
W 4/30 Group Presentations

M 5/5 Final Exam