COMS 4130 Interpersonal Communication

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1 COMS 4130 Interpersonal Communication Offered: Fall 2013 Professor: Arness M. Krause, M.A. Phone: Office Hours: By Appointment Only WELCOME! You have registered for an exciting approach to the study of Interpersonal Communication. This online class is designed for disciplined, self-motivated, independent learners. Although we will be moving through the semester as a class, there are times during the semester that you will be studying on your own or possibly in small groups. However, at no time should you feel alone! As your instructor, I will be available throughout the semester to answer questions or to discuss any of the assigned material. I will be as close as your phone or computer and as accessible as a call or an message. Catalog Description This course is designed to explore theoretical and practical perspectives of the communication process between two or more individuals. This course explores many of the various forms of interpersonal communication, such as self-talk, non-verbal, listening, boundaries and personal space, and the importance of each person s perception and perspective. This is a writing intensive class that also requires involvement in class discussions (discussion board) and assignments. Primary Texts Adler, R.B., Rosenfeld, L.B. & Proctor II, R. F., (2012), Interplay: The Process of Interpersonal Communication,12 th Edition, Oxford University Press, New York, New York. Other Readings as Assigned. Intended Audience, Prerequisites & Restrictions This is a core course for students earning a B.A. in Communication. However, this course is open to all students at Governors State University to meet their elective requirements. No prerequisites or restrictions. Rationale This is a foundational course for any field of communication studies. Thus, in this course you will be given a basic foundation for producing and interpreting human communication. This course will introduce you to different types of message construction, different tools that can be used to enhance those messages, and theories to help you interpret messages. Expected Student Outcomes At the conclusion of this course it is expected that students will demonstrate knowledge and skills in several core areas. Specifically, students should demonstrate an increased understanding of:

2 1. The options and alternatives for action in a wide variety of interpersonal situations. 2. Individual preferences and an increased appreciation for the differences of others. 3. The dialectical tensions that can arise as students use communication to satisfy personal conflicting needs. 4. How the process of perception affects communication behavior. 5. The ethical dimensions of interpersonal communication. 6. The importance of nonverbal communication in developing successful interpersonal interactions. 7. Defensive and supportive communication climates. 8. Competence and an ability to assess the appropriateness and effectiveness of interpersonal strategies used in various interpersonal situations. 9. Why and how relationships develop and the role communication plays in determining the nature and quality of interpersonal relationships. 10. Interpersonal communication conflict and the application of conflict management principles. 11. The competencies related to communicating with individuals from other cultures and co-culture. Instructor Commitment As a faculty member, I am committed to providing a quality learning experience through thoughtful planning, implementation, and assessment of course activities. I am also committed to being readily available to students throughout the semester by returning s and phone calls within 24 to 48 hours and to returning graded course work within a week. Student Commitment By registering for this online course, you commit yourself to self-motivated study, participation in online course activities, and the submission of all assignments and exams on time. Furthermore, you commit to accessing the course website and checking your GSU and Blackboard at least five times a week and to devoting at least as much time to this online course as to a comparable traditional class on campus. In other words, since this is a 3 credit hour course offered during a 16-week semester, you commit to spend a minimum of 9 hours per week on this class. This is not a course designed to work at your own pace. Each week there are assignments that are due. It is also not recommended to move to quickly through the course as some of the assignments are more in-depth than they might first appear. IMPORTANT: Each week will be opened and closed at the beginning of that week. For example, each week will open on Sunday and will close again the following Sunday. This is intended to keep all students on track and not working ahead. Therefore, if you get behind, it is unlikely I will reopen the previous week s assignments for you to complete. It is very important for you to commit to completing your work that week. I will also not open up upcoming weeks for those who wish to work ahead. Again, this is intended for everyone to stay and work together. PLAN YOUR SCHEDULE ACCORDINGLY!!! Online Attendance Because this is a totally online course, attendance (access to course) is monitored. Please be aware that as with a face-to-face course, you should plan on three (3) hours of course instruction and six (6) hours of assignment work every week. I will be assessing you attendance each week.

3 Late Work Although late work will be accepted depending upon the circumstance, and at the sole discretion of the instructor, it will not be accepted without penalty. Disability Statement GSU is committed to providing all students equal access to all university programs and facilities. Students who have a documented physical, psychological, or learning disability and need academic accommodations, must register with Access Services for Students with Disabilities (ASSD). Please contact the Coordinator of ASSD in Room B1201 in person; by , assd@govst.edu; or by calling If you are already registered, please contact me privately as soon as possible regarding your academic accommodations. Academic Honesty The University has a very clear and strong policy regarding academic dishonesty. Specifically, the University has made the following guidelines regarding academic honesty. Academic honesty pertains to all methods of fulfilling academic requirements at Governors State University. The following procedures are appropriate ways to use the ideas and work of others when fulfilling academic requirements: 1. When someone else s work or scholarship is used to fulfill academic requirements, the source should be given credit. It should not be stated or implied that this work is a person s own work. a. When using material from a publication, (e.g., book, journal, article, film, etc.), that material should be enclosed in quotation marks, or otherwise set off, and the source of the material acknowledged. b. When paraphrasing published material, (e.g., using it almost word-for-word), the source should also be acknowledged unless the information is common knowledge in the field. c. Unpublished data or ideas of another person should be utilized only with the consent of that person. d. Material should be prepared jointly with one or more other individuals only with the permission of the instructor. The contributions of all individuals to this material should be clearly acknowledged when it is submitted. e. Having someone else prepare material that is to be submitted should only be done with the instructor s permission to do so. 2. The same piece of work should not be submitted for credit in more than one course without the permission of all instructors involved. 3. Hypothetical data should be submitted only with the permission of the instructor to do so and should be clearly labeled as such. 4. One should refuse to make work available to another person who intends to submit part or all of that work as if he/she had written it. 5. Students may neither give, request, nor utilize assistance during an examination without the

4 instructor s permission. These ethical guidelines are in no way intended to discourage people from studying together or from engaging in group projects. Following these guidelines will allow you to avoid plagiarism, a serious academic offense. Should any student be accused of plagiarism, they will be given the opportunity to prove otherwise. However, should a student be found guilty of committing plagiarism, dismissal from the course and possible expulsion from the University will be considered appropriate consequences. Still not sure what plagiarism is? Go to video.jhtml?searchfor=plagarism +videos&p2=^ux^xdm011^yy^us&n=77fcbd9c&ss=sub&st=kwd&ptb=3aa550bb f C-963B-DA9618FA422A&tpr=&si=maps4pc&vid=tUSaQ5-mDRI for more information. IMPORTANT: Ignorance (e.g., I didn t realize that was plagiarism ) is not a valid excuse for academic dishonesty. If you have a question about what is/is not plagiarism, please talk to me about it BEFORE you submit the assignment. Grading There are 755 points available in the semester; you can record your progress below. Possible Earned Discussion Posts 20 pts.) 280 Misc. Assignments 10 pts.) 80 Essays 25 pts.) 75 Quizzes 10 pts.) 70 Attendance/Participation 50 Midterm 100 Final 100 Total Points: 755 Students are often confused about grades, particularly as it relates to their definition. Below is a brief description of each letter grade: A = Superior in Every Respect B = Exceeded Quality Levels C = Quality/Basic Understanding D = Below Expectations F = Serious Deficiencies It is also critical to understand that grades are not given, but rather earned. A rubric will be provided for each assignment for you to review. Should you disagree with an assigned grade, you may argue your case, in writing, by providing the grade you feel you should have earned and why. Final decision for any grade, however, resides with the professor, and a meeting will be arranged to discuss such grade. Final Instructor Note

5 As an instructor committed to student-centered instruction, I am here for you. I want to help you construct your own learning and success in this class. However, I need your commitment to the learning process in order to do so. Do not be afraid to ask for help or ask questions!