1

COM 474– Seminar in Interpersonal Communication

Fall 2017

Tuesdays, 6:30-9:20 p.m., Fell 158

Dr. Aimee Miller-Ott

Office Location: Fell 462

Email:

Office Phone: (309) 438-7630

Office Hours: Tuesdays/Thursdays 12:20-1:50 and by appointment

Course Description

This course offers an overview of interpersonal communication. Specifically, this seminar will offer graduate students an opportunity to explore and discuss theories, principles, and research about interpersonal communication. We will explore various types of interpersonal relationships including romantic relationships, friendships, and workplace relationships.

Course Goals & Objectives

The course should lead to a better understanding of interpersonal communication within a variety of dyadic relationships. By the end of the semester, students should be able to do the following:

  • Define interpersonal communication;
  • Understand, analyze, and critique a wide variety of theoretical perspectives explaining and predicting interpersonal communication;
  • Identify the methods for studying interpersonal communication research;
  • Explain the current trends in interpersonal communication research;
  • Understand the breadth/depth of knowledge in interpersonal communication;
  • Critique popular literature about interpersonal communication;
  • Develop a research proposal for a study investigating interpersonal communication.

Required Texts

Braithwaite, D. O., & Schrodt, P. (Eds). (2015)Engaging theories in interpersonal communication: Multiple perspectives (2nd ed). Thousand Oaks, CA: Sage. *Abbreviated BS on the class schedule

Guerrero, L.K., Andersen, P.A., & Afifi, W.A. (2018). Close encounters: Communication in relationships (5th edition). Thousand Oaks, CA: Sage. *Abbreviated CE on the class schedule

Supplemental readings available via ReggieNet

Class Conduct and Expectations

  • You must refrain from side-conversations, reading non-related materials, and doing anything else that might make it difficult to hear/pay attention to others in the class.
  • Be mindful and respectful of your classmates during class discussions.
  • NO CELL-PHONES OR OTHER DEVICES that would cause distractions will be permitted in class (please turn your phones/devices off or leave them elsewhere when in class).
  • Do your best to arrive to class on time. Do not leave early unless you tell me ahead of time.
  • You may use laptops in class ONLY for taking class notes. If I find that you are spending time online or working on other activities, I will ban laptops in class.
  • Late papers are not acceptable in this course and will be severely penalized unless permission for extended deadlines is obtained beforehand. If, at any point, you are confused about assignments, expectations, or feel you are getting lost in the course material, please set up a time to meet with me.
  • Speak professionally and respectfully to me in and out of class. Send only professional emails to me. If you need to discuss an in-depth issue, please arrange to meet with me outside of class. I will not engage in any discussions about specific grades in the classroom or via email. I will respond to emails within 48 hours of receiving them unless I indicate otherwise. I typically do not respond to emails after the workday has ended (5 pm) or during weekends.
  • All work must be typed, using 12-point, Times New Roman font, black ink, and stapled, unless otherwise indicated. You must use the APA style, 6th edition, for in-text citations and reference pages. In addition to being graded on content, you will also be assessed on spelling, grammar, formatting, neatness, punctuation, and APA accuracy. Proofread all work before you hand it in.

University Policies

  • Any student needing to arrange a reasonable accommodation for a documented disability and/or medical/mental health condition should contact Student Access and Accommodation Services at 350 Fell Hall, (309) 438-5853, or visit the website at StudentAccess.IllinoisState.edu
  • Mental Health Resources: Student Counseling Services provides free services to students. These services are completely confidential. Find out more at Counseling.IllinoisState.edu or by calling (309) 438-3655.
  • Academic Misconduct/Plagiarism: Possible violations of ethical behaviors in this course include but are not limited to cheating on an exam, or plagiarizing a paper (in whole or in part, from any source, including a publication, the internet or another student). Any student caught in an act of academic misconduct in this class will, at minimum, receive a zero on the assignment/exam. Consult the University Handbook for the plagiarism policy that we will follow in this course.
  • Bereavement: Students who experience the death of an immediate family member or relative as defined in the University Student Bereavement Policy will be excused from class for funeral leave and/or travel considerations. You must provide appropriate documentation to the Dean of Students office and contact me as soon as possible to make arrangements for completing missed work.

Grading in this Course

A -- This grade is reserved for work that is of outstanding caliber and far exceeds the minimum requirements for a course or assignment. For a course, the grade indicates that the student achieved mastery of the subject. For a paper, for example, the grade indicates that the work has potential for publication.

B -- The average graduate school grade. It indicates that the minimum requirements for a course or assignment have been met.

C -- The minimum requirements for a class or assignment were not met. Some examples would include: paper assignment was poorly organized, poorly written, not well researched, or a content area was not completed. The grade may also be awarded as a penalty for unprofessional behavior (e.g., failing to meet deadlines, incomplete assignments, etc.).

D -- This grade means the student did not perform at a graduate level. The student may not have demonstrated the necessary skills for graduate school, several assignments may not have exhibited graduate level work, or sub-par performances may have been combined with unprofessional behavior.

F -- This grade indicates that the student has failed to attempt an assignment, to complete a project, or has compounded poor performance with unprofessional behavior.

Failure to complete any of the course requirements on time may result in failure of the course.

Course Requirements

Research Project. Details available on ReggieNet and will be discussed in class. You will choose from the following options:

Option 1: Research Proposal – You will develop a proposal for a study in interpersonal communication that you could conduct in the future.

Option 2: Conduct Research Study in Team with Dr. Miller-Ott – This option is for students interested in working in a research team with me on an interpersonal communication study – topic TBD. Please contact me if you are interested. Details of this assignment will be given to those interested. The quantity of work will be comparable to the proposal assignment but will be different in nature and will include writing a literature review andcollecting and analyzing data.

Option 3: Other Research Option. If you have other ideas for a project that may fit the scope of the course, feel free to discuss it with me.

Discussion Leading.Details available on ReggieNet and will be discussed in class.

Exams.You will take 2 essay-style exams in the course. Details will be provided in class.

Interpersonal Book Review. Details available on ReggieNet and will be discussed in class.

Class Contribution: You are expected to have read and analyzed the reading material prior to coming to class. Students who make significant contributions to class are the ones who read before class, come prepared to contribute insightful points to the discussion, ask questions, make connections between this class and others, and listen attentively.

1

Course Grade Distribution

Research Project30%

Discussion Leading20%

Exams (2 @ 15% each)30%

Interpersonal Book Review10%

Class Contribution10%

Final Grading Scale

90-100% A

80-89%B

70-79%C

60-69%D

Below 60%F

1

1

Semester Schedule

August 22Conceptualizing Interpersonal & Relational Communication

Discuss assignments

Reading in class: Knapp & Daly (bring reading to class with you)

August 29Interpersonal Communication as Strategic & Influential

Readings due:

CE Chapter 1

BS Chapter 1, Introduction

BS Chapter 9, Relational Framing Theory

Stewart (on ReggieNet)

September 5Managing Impressions and Identity

Readings due:

CE Chapter 2

BS Chapter 13, Communication Theory of Identity

Miller-Ott & Kelly (on ReggieNet)

Project selection by today

September 12Relational Expectations andUncertainty

7 pm start timeReadings due:

CE Chapter 4

BS Chapter 8, PI and UM Theories

Abetz & Wang (on ReggieNet)

Ohs (on ReggieNet)

September 19Meaning Making: Attributions, Accounts, & Narratives in Relationships

Readings due:

BS Chapter 3, Attribution Theory

BS Chapter 19, Narrative Theories

Galvin et al (on ReggieNet)

Meyer, Wagner, & Dutton (on ReggieNet)

Book review titles due today

September 26Coming Together, Turning Points, & Relational Dialectics

Readings due:

CE Chapter 5

BS Chapter 21, Relational Dialectics Theory

Parcell & Maguire, Turning Points and Trajectories

Thomas & Scharp (on ReggieNet)

Discuss Exam #1

October 3Exam #1

October 10Privacy & Disclosure in Relationships

Readings due:

CE Chapter 6

BS Chapter 25, Communication Privacy Management Theory

Bute (on ReggieNet)

Lannutti (on ReggieNet)

Optional literature review drafts due

October 17Relationship Maintenance and Closeness

Readings due:

CE Chapter 10

BS Chapter 30, Social Exchange Theories

Tokunaga (on ReggieNet)

McBride & Bergen (on ReggieNet)

Discuss book review progress in class

October 24Conflict Communication & Relational Dissolution

Readings due:

CE Chapter 11

BS Chapter 24, Attachment theory

Gottman (on ReggieNet)

Sias(on ReggieNet)

October 31No class meeting tonight

Book review due to folder outside office door (Fell 462) by 6:30

November 7 Relational Transgressions & Turbulence

7 pm start timeReadings due:

CE Chapter 13 and pages 379-384 (Investment Model)

BS Chapter 26, Interpersonal Deception Theory

Vallade & Dillow (on ReggieNet)

Optional methods section drafts due

Discuss book review conclusions in class

November 14Power in Interpersonal Relationships

Readings due:

CE Chapter 12

Dunbar (on ReggieNet)

Worley (on ReggieNet)

Discuss Exam #2

November 21 No class – Enjoy your break!

November 28Exam #2

December 5 Final papers due

7 pm start time