SPC1017 Interpersonal Communication
Fall 2014
Instructor: Natasha Patterson
Office Phone: 407-582-7116
E-mail (Use your Atlas email only)
*Include your course number in every email to the instructor (SPC 1017 – MW)
Office Location: Lake Nona, Room 213
Office Hours: By appointment only
Course Materials:
· Comm 2 By: Verderber, Derdeber, and Sellnow
· Microsoft Word and Microsoft PowerPoint (Assignments should be typed and free of grammatical and spelling errors)
Course Objectives
The purpose of this course is to enhance students’ communication skills in a variety of areas. Specifically, this course focuses on skills such as critical thinking, listening, language use, delivery, non-verbal techniques, small group communication, professional communication and effective presentation of ideas in public speaking contexts. Skill improvement will be accomplished through enhanced knowledge base and practical application. The course will reinforce the following competencies:
Valencia Competencies:
The faculty of Valencia College have established four Core Competencies that describe the learning outcomes for a Valencia graduate.
1.Think: Think clearly, critically, and creatively. Analyze, synthesize, integrate, and evaluate in many domains of human inquiry.
2.Communicate: Communicate with different audiences using varied means.
3.Value: Make reasoned value judgments and responsible commitments.
4.Act: Act purposefully, reflectively, and responsibly.
Expected Student Conduct
Valencia College is dedicated not only to the advancement of knowledge and learning but is concerned with the development of responsible personal and social conduct. By enrolling at Valencia College, a student assumes the responsibility for becoming familiar with and abiding by the general rules of conduct. The primary responsibility for managing the classroom environment rests with the faculty. Students who engage in any prohibited or unlawful acts that result in disruption of a class may be directed by the faculty member to leave the class. Violation of any classroom or Valencia’s rules may lead to disciplinary action up to and including expulsion from Valencia. Disciplinary action could include being withdrawn from class, disciplinary warning, probation, suspension, expulsion, or other appropriate and authorized actions. You will find the Student Code of Conduct in the current Valencia Student Handbook.
Attendance Policy
Attendance is crucial in this course because speeches require both a speaker and an audience: you will serve in both roles. In addition to graded speeches, there will be several in-class activities to help you better understand the material we are studying.
· Missing or arriving late more than 2 classes barring extraordinary circumstances, that are able to be documented (e.g. police report, funeral notice, etc.), will result in a grade reduction of 5 points for each absence/tardy. Students who miss class, assume responsibility for contacting fellow students to reconstruct the notes, exercises, handouts, etc. that were covered. Failure to obtain handouts and or assignments will not be accepted as sufficient reason for late assignments. More than 4 absences may result in withdrawal from the course.
Assignments and Late Policy
All assignments are due at the beginning of class on the specified due date. You must be in attendance and on time to submit assignments on time. Late assignments are given half credit for one week after the due date. Speeches and in-class activities cannot be made up and are given an automatic zero. Please contact the professor if you have any extraordinary circumstances that may require make up assignments.
Fairness Policy
Valencia is a great place for students with multiple obligations to pursue an education, as we offer many different class scheduling options and we are committed as an institution to helping students reach their goals. However, it is crucial to the success of our students after graduation (or upon transfer) that we maintain the academic integrity of our classes. Please understand that all students must earn grades using the same scale in order to maintain integrity and provide a level of fairness to all students within a class. Many students are working full time and supporting/raising families, often as single parents; unfortunately it is not possible to grade students based on what they are experiencing in their personal lives. While I am always willing to talk to you and advise you through difficult times, it would not be fair to your fellow classmates, many of whom are going through similar situations, for me to make grading exceptions for one student based on their life situation.
Plagiarism
It is unethical to use as your own, a speech or outline prepared in whole or in part by someone else and to do so is cause for immediate failure of the assignment and may result in failure of the class. Any sources used must be credited orally during the speech. Remember that the best speeches do not rely on a single source but represent ideas from several sources.
Miscellaneous Course Policies and Expectations
· Information in the syllabus, schedule, grading information sheet, and on the course website is subject to change at the instructor’s discretion.
·All written assignments must be typed and free of grammatical and spelling errors.
· If you have a disability or other issue that requires special dispensation, notify me before the second week of class. All requests will be kept in confidence. Students with disabilities who qualify for academic accommodations must provide a letter from the Office for Students with Disabilities (OSD) and discuss specific needs with us before expecting accommodations. OSD determines accommodations based on appropriate documentation of disabilities. Contact them on the Osceola Campus in
Bldg 2-140A or at (407) 582-4167 TTY: (407) 582-1222.
· If you are having any difficulty in the course, contact me as soon as possible so that we can work together to meet your personal learning needs.
Class Participation & Preparation: Part of class participation is participating in the CLASS DISCUSSION and not side discussions. Overall grade points will be deducted when side discussions distract from the lecture.
Technology: I ask that you do your best to silence all electronic devices and have them placed out of sight. If your phone inadvertently rings or you are seen texting, you will lose overall grade points.
Coursework and Grading
You will earn your grade through a combination of assignments, oral presentations, written work and exams.
Special Dates /Classes begin - August 25
Drop Deadline - September 2
College Closed – September 1 (Labor Day)
College Closed—November 26
Withdrawal Deadline for "W" grade – November 7
Final Exams Begin – December 8
Weekly Schedule
*Course Schedule, class activities, due dates and assignments are subject to change. All changes will be announced in class.
Week / Dates / Lessons / What’s Due1 / August 25 - 29 / Review Syllabus and Course
Syllabus Quiz
Introduction Speech / Read Syllabus
Syllabus Quiz
Introduction Speech
2 / September 1 -5
September 1 – no class / Foundations of Comm. / Read Chapter 1, 2, 3, 4, and 5
Nonverbal Activity
Listening Activity
3 / September 8 - 12 / Section Review
Test 1 – Part 1 (Chapters 1-5) / Test 1
4 / September 15- 19 / Interpersonal Communication / Read Chapter 6, 7, and 8
5 / September 22-26 / Section Review
Test 2 – Part 2 (Chapters 6-8) / Test 2
Interpersonal Journal Paper
6 / September 29 – October 3 / Group Communication / Read Chapter 9 and 10
Group Speech Journal Entry 1
Group Problem Solving Activity
7 / October 6 -10 / Continue Group Communication / Group Movie Activity
8 / October 13 -17 / Group Speeches / Group Speeches
9 / October 20 - 24 / Section Review
Test 3 – Part 3 (Chapters 9-10) / Group Speech Journal Entry 2
Group Peer/Self Reviews
Test 3
10 / October 27 - 31 / Public Speaking / Read Chapter 11, 12, and 13
11 / November 3 -7 / Continue Public Speaking / Read Chapter 14, 15, and 16
Critical Analysis Movie Activity
12 / November 10 - 14 / Section Review
Test 4 / Informative Speech Outline
Informative Speech Citations
13 / November 17 - 21 / Informative Speeches / Informative Speech
Informative Speech PowerPoint
Informative Speech Evaluation
14 / November 24 – 28
November 26 no class / Informative Speeches / Informative Speech
Informative Speech PowerPoint Informative Speech Evaluation
15 / December 1 -5 / Informative Speeches / Informative Speech
Informative Speech PowerPoint Informative Speech Evaluation
16 / December 8 - 12 / Final Exam
Assignment and Grading Checklist
POINTS
Available Received
Syllabus Quiz 10 ______
Introduction Speech (In class) 20 ______
Group Speech (In class) 100 ______
Group Speech Journal Entry 1 50 ______
Group Speech Journal Entry 2 50 ______
Group Speech Peer/Self Reviews 25 ______
Interpersonal Journal Paper 100 ______
Informative Speech (In class) 100 ______
Informative Speech Outline 50 ______
Informative Speech Peer Evaluation (In class) 25 ______
Informative Speech PowerPoint (In class) 25 ______
Informative Speech Citations Assignment 25 ______
Listening Activity (In class) 20 ______
Organizing Activity (In class) 20 ______
Group Movie Activity (In class) 20 ______
Critical Analysis Movie Activity (In class) 20 ______
Nonverbal activity (In class) 20 ______
Group Problem Solving Activity (In class) 20 ______
Test 1 (In class) 50 ______
Test 2 (In class) 50 ______
Test 3 (In class) 50 ______
Test 4 (In class) 50 ______
Final Exam (In class) 100 ______
Extra Credit:
Summary Journal Entry 50 ______
FINAL GRADE ______/1000
A= 900-1000 B= 800-899 C= 700-799 D= 600-699 F= Less than 599
*Course Schedule, class activities, and assignments are subject to change. All changes will be announced in class.