Reedley College ~ Spring 2019
Communication 2 – Interpersonal Communication
(55674) MW 8-9:15 (SOC36)
FINAL: Wednesday, May 22 – 8-9:50

Instructor: Jennifer Graber-Peters		Office hours: MW 9:30-10:30 in Comm Lab-SOC37
						 
Email address: rcspeechtwo@yahoo.com or jenny.graber-peters@reedleycollege.edu

Last Day to Drop w/Refund:	January 25	Last day to drop w/o a W (in person): February 1
FINAL drop date: March 8						        (Webadvisor): February 3

Adler, Ronald B. and Proctor, Russell F. II (2017) Looking Out, Looking In.  15th ed. Boston, MA: Wadsworth. Cengage Learning. 
ISBN: 978-1-305-07651-8

		

COURSE DESCRIPTION, OUTCOMES, AND OBJECTIVES:		
					
Course Description:
Interpersonal communication is designed to increase understanding and implementation of effective interpersonal communication behaviors and skills. This course will examine basic practical everyday communicative interaction; behavioral aspects of interpersonal communication, self-concept, perception, listening, non-verbal communication, conflict, language gender and cultural differences will be emphasized. Students will engage in both group communication and the development of oral presentations. C-ID approved as course COMM 130.

Course Outcomes:
Upon completion of this course, students will be able to:
1.	Identify and apply effective and ethical interpersonal relationship strategies which are grounded in communication theory and research.
2.	Construct and deliver dynamic and competent presentations that are adapted to the purpose and audience by using organizational patterns and research materials that incorporate sufficient, credible and relevant evidence.
3.	Analyze how verbal and non verbal communication affect personal identity through constructive critique of self and others.

Course Objectives:
In the process of completing this course, students will:
1.	demonstrate an ability to work effectively with other students in the completion of specific projects.
2.	explore at least one area of interpersonal communication in depth
3.	evaluate various communication situations for effectiveness
4.	evaluate their own communication patterns
5.	read and discuss summaries of the research related to interpersonal communication effectiveness
6.	develop skill in extemporaneous speaking, students will present a minimum of three speeches in front of an audience.
7.	explore interpersonal conflict management strategies.
8.	listen to others effectively, attending to both factual and emotional information while providing appropriate feedback.
9.	demonstrate appropriate conflict resolution methods within diverse social and cultural contexts.
10.	present a variety of speeches and will be expected to present for approximately 25 minutes each during the course of the semester.

COURSE REQUIREMENTS:

Attendance: is required. Attendance is crucial in a communication course. Not only does attendance count toward your participation grade, it also shows respect for other speakers and has been proven to increase your overall course grades. Roll will be taken at the start of each class. Absences will be excused for verified school events or documented illness only. If you are a member of a team or club on campus that will take you away from class, you must make arrangements with me prior to your absence. If you are ill, verification must be submitted within one class period of the absence. Absences for doctor’s appointments, work schedules, vacations, car trouble, etc. will not be excused. Please plan in advance.  It is your responsibility to notify me by email if you will be absent and to make arrangements to get notes from a classmate and/or turn in the days assignments. A grade of “0” will be assigned if you miss a speech or exam without an acceptable excuse (which may lead to you failing the class-see “Speeches” section). 

Knowing that sometimes “life happens,” every student will receive one free absence; no questions asked. Each unexcused absence after that will result in a reduction of 15 participation points (30 points in Friday class). More than a week of unexcused absences may result in you being dropped from the course.

Participation: In addition to attending class, you are expected to actively participate in all classroom activities and group discussions. Class participation is essential in a course of this nature where we work in groups, pairs, etc. You are expected to listen to both the instructor and your fellow classmates. You will also be asked to give peer evaluations on speech days; both oral and written. Therefore, plan on arriving to class on time and remaining until class is dismissed. If you arrive late or leave early, you will have participation points deducted for the day. If you arrive late or leave early on a day an assignment is due, you will receive a 0 for that assignment. 

Disruptive and rude behavior will not be tolerated. Please silence all phones for the class period and leave in your bag unless otherwise directed. Anyone seen texting in class will be given one warning and then will be asked to leave for the day. This also applies to homework, laptops, and any other devices or materials you may have with you. When you are in the classroom, you are here to learn principles of Public Speaking. When someone is speaking, your desk must be cleared of all other materials.

Computer Access: Since you will be spending considerable time researching and collecting sound evidence, you must have access to a computer (either in the RC library or at home). You should also have a basic knowledge of Word and Power Point.

Canvas: You will be able to find the course syllabus, course documents, student examples of assignments, a place to ask questions and more on Canvas. It would be wise to become familiar with Canvas early on in this class. It is your responsibility to check Canvas for announcements, schedule changes, grades, instructor absences, etc. To log in, go to http://www.reedleycollege.edu and click on the "instructions for using Canvas link."  Please note that percentages on Canvas don’t accurately reflect course grades. I calculate scores based on total points.

COURSE POLICIES:

Cheating and Plagiarism: Cheating and Plagiarism will not be tolerated in this class. Any act of cheating or plagiarism, whether large or small, will be treated the same. Students who are caught cheating or plagiarizing will receive an “F” on the assignment in question, will be reported to the proper authorities, and will be required to drop the class. 
Changes to the Syllabus: The instructor reserves the right to make changes to the syllabus throughout the course of the semester. Any changes made to the course syllabus will be done in the best interest of the students. Changes may be announced verbally or online. It is your responsibility to make sure you are informed about any changes that occur. 
Students with Disabilities: If you have a verified need for an academic accommodation or materials in alternate media (Braille, large print, electronic text, etc.) per the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) or Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act, please contact me as soon as possible. 

COURSE ASSIGNMENTS:

Readings: You will be responsible for all of the readings assigned from the text. Weekly reading assignments are posted on the class calendar and should be read before class.

Quizzes: You will take true/false, multiple choice, short answer quizzes. You will need 4 scantron 882 forms for the quizzes. Each quiz will cover information from the readings and lectures and will focus on three or four previous lessons. Quizzes will be given at the beginning of class. YOU MUST BE IN CLASS ON TIME IN ORDER TO TAKE THE QUIZ.  No make-ups will be granted. No ear buds/head phones allowed during quizzes.

Speeches: 

Introduction Speech: You will introduce yourself to us in a creative way. There are NO Make-Ups.	

Self Concept Speech: You will practice self disclosure by preparing a creative project and sharing about yourself with the class. 
Co Culture Dyad Speech: You will pair up with a classmate to learn about each other’s cultures and then present an informative speech. 
Group Presentation: You will work in groups of 4-5 individuals and develop an analysis of the interpersonal communication between characters in a movie/sitcom. 

Reflection papers: After each presentation (CA, TP and Group) you will spend some time reflecting on your performance then will type a 1-2 page self-evaluation.

Peer Evaluations: You will be evaluating your classmate’s presentations on several occasions in order to become better constructive critics as well as active listeners of public discourse.

Term Paper: You will compose a 5-6 page paper which applies one of the concepts we are studying to a real life relationship or situation you are involved in.

*Further details for all assignments will be provided both in class and in writing.

Extra Credit: At various times during the semester, extra credit may be offered, either in class or posted on Canvas in the announcements. Remember, Extra Credit means “extra work and extra effort.” Absolutely NO late assignments will be accepted. Additionally, if you have more than a week of unexcused absences, you will not be eligible for extra credit.

Make-Up Class: At the end of the semester you may have the opportunity to make-up a missed speech if your absence has been excused. Names will be drawn randomly out of a hat if there are more make-ups than time allows. There is no guarantee all students will be able to do a make-up. 

Final note from the Instructor
As your instructor, I am always happy to meet with you.  If you have questions regarding an upcoming assignment or presentation, I recommend you read the syllabus/calendar first. If you still have a question, contact me by email and before the day the assignment is due so you have time to complete the work.  I am here to help you in any way I can and my goal is for you to have a rewarding experience in Communication 1.  

This syllabus serves as a contract between you and I. By reading and discussing this syllabus, you agree to knowing what it contains and abiding by my student “ABCs”:

1.	A-Ask questions about assignments or policies early on.
2.	B-Be responsible for your grades, for knowing the syllabus, for attendance, etc.
3.	C-Come to class every day and on time.

Grade Tracking and Grading Scale
Record your grades on this sheet and you will always know what grade you are currently achieving. To figure out your grade, add up the total points possible at any given time and then multiply that number by 90%, 80%, 70%, and so on. Then add up your actual points and see where you fall on the grading scale. For example, if by mid semester there are 50 points possible, 90% (A) would be 45-50; 80% (B) would be 40-44;etc. If you had 42 points, you would be in the “B” range.

Assignment				Possible Points				Your Grade

Quote-Introduction			25						__________ 

**Self Concept				100						__________
					(Outline-25/Speech-50/Reflection-25)	

**Co Cultural Dyad			150						__________
					(Outline-25/Speech-100/Reflection-25)
													
**Group Presentation			225 						__________
					(Outline-25/Individual Speech-50
					Group Speech-100/Grade My Group-25/
					Reflection-25)	

**Term Paper				200						__________
							
Quizzes				
					Q1-50						__________

					Q2-50						__________

					Q3-50						__________
						
					Q4-Final-50					__________

Participation/Peer Evaluations	100						__________

		TOTAL POSSIBLE POINTS:	1,000			MY POINTS:	__________	

Mandatory assignments are indicated with ** - these assignments are REQUIRED in order to earn any extra credit, take the final quiz and pass the class.

Grading Scale:

(Out of 1,000)

A = 900+
B = 800-899
C = 700-799
D = 600 – 699
F = 599 -