A more detailed version of this syllabus is available online at http://davis.foulger.net/brooklyn/fall2009/interpersonal/syllabus.htm .
We live in our communication, and no form of communication occupies more hours our days than our interpersonal interaction with others in dyads (pairs, couples, twos, etc) and informal small groups. It is in our interpersonal communication, more than anything else, that defines who we are and the nature of our relationships with others. Interpersonal communication is not just something we do, it is something we live. It is the dominant form of communication in most of our lives, whether we are talking to parents, friends, significant others, spouses, salespeople, coworkers, bosses, employees, etc. Even if we make a career in the mass media as journalists or broadcasters, it is our interaction with others (interpersonal interviews and interactions with colleagues) that will shape our careers and career opportunities. Interpersonal Communication is particularly important in the Health Professions, as effective Interpersonal Communication can have dramatic effects on treatment outcomes.
This course will explore face-to-face communication, one of the oldest forms of human communication, and its variants, including the many technological mediated interpersonal communication systems that you use every day (telephones, cell phones, texting, instant messaging, computer conferencing, etc. The course will mix theory with research and daily practice as we look for ways to improve our friendships, relationships, and our social and business interaction with others.
Beebe, S.A., Beebe, S.J. and Redmond, M.V. (2007). Interpersonal Communication: Relating to Others. Allyn & Bacon, Inc. ISBN: 020548879X.
The Class Schedule and Assignments for this class are available on the Internet. See http://davis.foulger.info/brooklyn/fall2009/interpersonal/index.htm.
My Discussion Notes for this class will be available via the Internet. See http://evolutionarymedia.com/student.htm?InterpersonalFall2009.
The Class "Moodle" discussion space available on the Internet at http://messageecologies.com/ed
Students should understand a variety of interpersonal communication theories well enough to usefully apply them to improving their own communication and understanding the communication successes and failures of others.
Students should be able to distinguish the fundamental structures and processes associated with interpersonal communication, whether mediated or face to face, and usefully compare the different theories they have studied.
Students should know how to find, read, and analyze research in interpersonal communication, including theoretical descriptions of the communication process, empirical tests of those theories, and systematic observations of real world communication.
Your understanding of interpersonal communication theories and research will be assessed through two exams (36% of your grade), a research paper (24% of your grade), an interpersonal resume (8% of your grade), a reflective paper on how you can improve your impersonal communication at work (8% of your grade) and several different kinds of participation, including participation in discussions (8% of your grade), submission of questions (8% of your grade), and submission of "think" assignments (8% of your grade).
You should aim to write research paper that is at least nine pages long (not including the cover page or references), that explores an topic in interpersonal communication in more detail.. You will be expected to BOTH find, read, and make use of at additional original references and to apply the theory to your own life and work. We'll discuss detailed expectations as you start work on the papers, but the maximum grade for five pages is a C and the maximum grade for seven pages is a B. While many assignments will be submitted online, papers MUST be printed out and submitted as hard copy.
The two exams will take the form of classic question and answer testing. Essay questions will require you to compare different theories of interpersonal communication we have studied during the semester. Other questions will probe your specific knowledge of the readings and class discussions. The second exam will be comprehensive, covering all of the material in the course.
My usual practice is to make my lecture/discussion notes directly available to the class via the Internet. I will frequently display those notes during class. You can print them out later. You may be able to print them out before class, but I don't guarantee that you will. I frequently change my discussion notes right up to the beginning of class (and sometimes during class). The version posted at the end of class can generally be considered to be reliable, but I occasionally modify them after class based on class discussions.
Interpersonal Communication occurs in many technologically mediated settings . A portion of this class will explore such settings. The most important will be an online class discussion/learning space called a "Moodle" located at http://messageecologies.com/ed. There will be required discussions and assignment submissions there. You can also use this group to exchange of any class-related information or questions. Only class members (and perhaps one or two selected others) can post to or read messages in this discussion space. You will be registering into this Moodle after the first day of class. You'll have assignments to complete there for the second day of class and most subsequent days. There is a possibility we will also make use of Blackboard or other online discussion environments. I will inform you of any such change in advance.
Attendance is required for all classes, including the final exam period. Punctuality is much desired.
Complete reading assignments, questions, and think assignments prior to coming to class. Be prepared to discuss readings.
Write in your own words. Reference the ideas you use to the original sources. Plagiarism and cheating will are unacceptable.
Papers should be printed out for submission. Double space your papers and print them out using standard 12 point fonts (Ariel, Times Roman, and Courier are all acceptable). I will notice attempts to pad the length of your papers with oversized fonts and lines spacing and count it against you.
Unexcused late papers will be penalized 1/2 of a letter grade if one period late and one full grade thereafter.
The reading and writing load for this course is shouldn't be particularly challenging. Readings will average around 30 pages a week. There are two major writing assignments, but they are linked and will be set up by other assignments. There are, however, lots of little assignments along the way. If you can't keep up with the readings, papers, or other assignments, you may want to drop the course early on.
Keep a copy of any paper you submit, just in case the original gets lost.
Write your name on the front of any assignment you submit, including questions, think assignments, and papers.
Assuming you work on a computer, maintain backups of your paper in a reliable and convenient format. USB flash drives work on just about all computers now, can be readily obtained for less than $20.00, and are much less likely to fail than diskettes. Assume the worst. Maintain two backups.
If at any time you find yourself confused or have questions, especially in terms of the writing assignmentss, please ask me (either in class or in private) for help. One person's question may help countless others in class. If you can't meet me during my office hours, we can probably find another time.
Please speak with me confidentially if you have a disabling condition that may require some accommodation in class. I'm here to help.
Brooklyn College's Learning Center (in Boylan) is an excellent resource if you have any issues working through the writing process. They can help you develop writing strategies for any stage in the process: from planning, to drafting, to editing, to reflecting.
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Sessions |
Date |
Subject |
Reading (complete before class) and Assignments |
|
1 |
Course Introduction |
None |
|
|
2 |
Introduction to Interpersonal Communication |
Models of the Communication Process; Chapter 1 |
|
|
3 |
How Communication shapes us |
Chapter 2 |
|
|
4 |
How perception shapes what we hear |
Chapter 3 |
|
|
5 |
Cultural and Diversity: Adapting to Others |
Chapter 4 |
|
|
6 |
How to be a better listener |
Chapter 5 |
|
|
7 |
Using and Interpreting Language in Interpersonal Settings |
Chapter 6 |
|
|
8 |
Using and Interpreting Non-Verbal Language; Mid-Term Review; Discuss Reflective Paper |
Chapter 7 |
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|
9 |
Mid-Term |
Good Luck |
|
|
10 |
Dealing with Conflict |
Chapter 8 |
|
|
11 |
The Power of Interpersonal Relationships; Discuss Term Paper |
Chapter 9; Reflective Paper Due |
|
|
12 |
Building Interpersonal Relationships |
Chapter 10 |
|
|
|
Nov 27 |
Thanksgiving Break |
No Class |
|
13 |
The Challenge of Maintaining Relationships |
Chapter 11; Term Paper Outline Due |
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|
14 |
A Diversity of Relationship Ecologies; Final Exam Review |
Chapter 12; Term Paper Due |
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15 |
Final Exam |
Interpersonal Resume Due |