Interpersonal Communication Speech 240.73 Fall 2012 JCC @ LISD-Tech Instructor: Mrs. Tamara Hindes Days: Thurs. 6:00-9:52 PM Email: HindesTamaraS@JCCMI.edu or tabi34@yahoo.com (preferred) College homepage: www.jccmi.edu Mailbox: LenCen Staff Lounge 126 Office Hours: By appointment Please schedule one week in advance Building Phone: (517) 265-5515 The course syllabus is a general plan for the course; deviations may be necessary depending on the size of the class, availability, and other considerations. Textbook: Interpersonal Messages: Communication and Relationship Skills, by Joseph A. DeVito Supplies: A 3-ring binder with dividers; (I love handouts) Pens, paper, markers. A flash stick would be good too. 1
Write to be understood, speak to be heard, read to grow... Course Description: Students will learn to improve communication in one-on-one and small group situations. In this course, students will examine basic verbal and non-verbal elements affecting communication between individuals in family, peer group, and work contexts. Specific units of discussion include intrapersonal perspective, conflict resolution, self-disclosure, message generation, intercultural messages and non-verbal communication. Course Objective: JCC s Board of Trustees has determined that all of our graduates should develop or enhance certain essential skills while enrolled here. These skills are called Associate Degree Outcomes (ADOs). The ADOs for this course include (but are not necessarily limited to): ADO 2: Speak clearly, concisely and intelligibly (proficient) ADO 9: Work productively with others, recognizing individual contributions to group success. (dev) ADO 10: Understand and respect the diversity and interdependence of the world s peoples and cultures (dev) 2
Course Assignments & Evaluation Quizzes 10% Mid-Term -10% Final - 10% Family Culture Project - 10% points Group Project - 10% points Observation Paper - 10% Activities (up to25 points each) 10% Includes but not limited to: Table Topics Word of the Day Name Reflection Paper Speeches (small) 10% Attendance 10% Portfolio 10% Grading Scale: 100-95% - 4.0 94 90% - 3.5 89 85% - 3.0 84 80% - 2.5 79-75% - 2.0 74 70% 1.5 69 65% 1.0 64 60% 0.5 59% and below F Assignments: Assignments revolve around weekly discussions, and in-class assignments. Since much of our classroom time will focus on our weekly readings, we will all benefit most by being prepared. Please read the assigned chapters before coming to class. Quizzes: These will be over readings, in class discussions. These will be given throughout the semester to make sure you are 1) understanding the material and 2) doing the assignments. Quizzes may not be taken early or late. You must be in class to take the quizzes. I will drop the lowest quiz score. There are no make-ups. Take home quizzes are due at the beginning of class, when attendance is being taken. Mid-Term this will encompass the work of first half of the semester. There are no make-ups. Final this will encompass the work of the second half of the semester. There are no make-ups. 3
Portfolio: Throughout the semester, you will be assigned reflections, selfanalysis in regards to communication. You will put these assignments in a portfolio to be handed in the second to last day of class. Family Culture Project This will be a presentation of your family s culture, traditions and how they have shaped your life. Part of the grade will be presentation skills and part will be on research. See specific hand-out on this. Family Culture Project The Family Culture Project provides you with the opportunity to critically evaluate your family culture. This family culture project is two-fold. First you are to create a paper document (a preservable record) that explores your family culture. The second portion includes an oral presentation of your findings. You will have a great deal of liberty in choosing how to present this. You may write a story of your entire family, specific individuals or branches of the family. You may do a family scrapbook, or album. You may include Stories about individuals Stories about places that are relevant to your family Photographs Government documents Letters In class you will show us your completed project, and then tell us about what you learned through the process of creating it. Gather information by communicating with family members, looking through photo albums, contacting older relatives, reviewing baptismal and birth/death records. Genealogy websites, Social Security information, church records and other sources might lead you to more information to help you with your project. Presentation must include a visual element. Group Project This is the development and implementation of a small group project. The grade will reflect development and implementation of project along with a report on the outcome. 4
Observation Paper: Throughout the semester, you will have the opportunity to observe (and be observed by) one of your classmates and report on his/her communication style. Information about the observation paper will be communicated two or three weeks after the semester begins. Activities: This class will be busy doing projects in class. You will earn points based on your participation and completion of these activities. Classroom Courtesy: Please treat me and your fellow students with common courtesy and respect. This is a workshop environment so opinions will be freely exchanged and conversation will be on-going, but when I or someone else is addressing the class, please give that person your attention. You do not have to agree with them, but you do have to respect them and allow them to speak as is protected by the First Amendment of the U.S. Constitution. If you continually talk throughout the class you will be asked to leave for the day and it will count as an absence. If talking continues to be a problem, you will be dropped from the class. Cell Phones/computers: Turn them off. If your friends/family needs to get a hold of you while you are in class, give them the number to the building office (265-5515) and a staff member will deliver the message to you. If I find you texting/using your computer I will lower your FINAL grade by 10 points. Don t DO IT! If you need to record class see me to make arrangements. I know this sounds harsh, but in the workforce, you can and will lose your job. Now is the time to practice job skills. If you attend theatre, you will not be allowed to use these devices either and will be asked to leave. Threats, bullying and disruptions from anyone will NOT be tolerated and will lead to your immediate dismissal from the class. Please note student guidelines in the handbook regarding this issue. Attendance: This class is designed as a workshop. Your attendance is necessary for your success as well as for others. All paperwork to be signed will be done at the end of the class. I will not sign unemployment or other forms unless you have been in class for the full time so please don t ask. Just a reminder - if you re absent no matter the reason assignments must be turned in and no makeups. I subscribe to the OTIF policy On Time and In Full. You receive 1 point for attending class. To be in attendance, you must be in your seat when class starts and remain until the end of class. If you arrive late or leave early you lose your point. If you leave class excessively, more than once 5
or are gone for an excessive amount of time, or you fall asleep, you will lose points. There are no makeups. You must be in class on the day quizzes/tests are due Attendance is 10 percent of your grade. Missing class, arrive late or leave early : If you miss class, it is up to you to get notes from a classmate not me. There are NO excused absences this includes appointments with doctors, meetings, romantic dinners, NCIS and hangovers. Plan such events around your class schedule. In the event you must be absent from class and an assignment is due it is your responsibility to find a way to submit that assignment to me on time. It is not fair to other members of the class for you to have additional time to complete your work. This class runs for just under 4 hours yes we will stay until the very end.. Papers/projects can be turned in early. Withdraw deadline for this semester is typically 1 week after classes begin. Please check the academic calendar on-line for specific date. If you do not wish to complete the class and receive a grade, because you are not happy with your grade or for any other reason, you must withdraw by this date. Students who stop attending class without completing a withdrawal form will receive a grade of E. It is the responsibility of the student to withdraw from the course to avoid receiving an E grade. Your participation and attendance are expected in each class session. I expect you to speak up, ask questions about what you don t understand, ask questions about homework problems you didn t understand, answer my questions, and to express your ideas. It will be your job to teach me your name and who you are (activity points). You may have four teachers names to learn, I have up to 100 students. If you sit in the back and make no effort for me to know your name so be it. If you care so little about yourself or your success that s your prerogative but this is a communication class and making sure people know who you are, is essential. How you accomplish this is up to you be creative. About extra credit Extra credit is understood to include bonus points on a test or assignment, separate extra credit assignments, and other forms of providing opportunities for more than 100% credit. If you have failed to complete the required work, you will not be afforded extra credit. Extra credit goes beyond the regular class work and if you cannot complete the basics, it is doubtful that you could handle even more work. There are a couple of exceptions occasionally I will include extra credit on a quiz or test and if you attend Project Success Day I will include an extra 25 points to your activities points. 6
Participation Grades To comply with Federal Regulations, I am to grade you after about two weeks, five weeks, and eight weeks from the start of the course. These grades are letter grades V verifies that you are participating H means that you are participating but your work is not acceptable and you may need help to be successful Q means that you have not participated and have really quit If you receive a Q, I have dropped you from the course. If you receive an H, the Office for Student Success will contact you and offer to help you. After midterm I can no longer drop you from the course. If you want to withdraw, you will need to do it yourself. It is ultimately the responsibility of the student to withdraw from the course. You should also talk with me and contact your counselor when considering a withdrawal. Available Help If you are having difficulty with the class material or any other class or college related challenges, please contact me as soon as possible. I am available for help outside of class. Tutors, and other services for academic success, can be found by speaking with Ann Iseda, (Room 201) or by calling 517.769.8415 or by stopping by the Center for Student Success, Bert Walker Hall. Students requiring special assistance (including those affected by the Americans with Disabilities Act) should contact the Center for Student Success or Ann Iseda. General College Policies: Please read and acquaint yourself with the policies and procedures of the college as specified in the Student Rights and Responsibilities Handbook. School Closing Policy If JCC @ LISD-Tech (not JCC) is to be closed due to weather conditions, the local radio stations (WLEN 103.9) will be notified. The campus will be open for classes if you do not hear an announcement that the JCC @ LISD-Tech is closed. Day and Evening classes may be closed separately. The decision of evening classes is made around (4:00 PM). It is your responsibility to evaluate your own conditions and to decide whether it is safe for you to travel to and from the campus. Closings are also posted on the JCC homepage. www.jccmi.ed 7
Project Success Day On Sept. 18 classes will not be held at JCC. Instead, the college is offering a wide variety of workshops and other events to help insure your success in your courses. Your attendance at workshops on Project Success Day is optional, but I strongly encourage you to take advantage of the opportunities available on that day. You will be receiving a detailed schedule of Project Success Day events in the coming weeks. 8