Interpersonal Communication 1
Speech 135 Interpersonal Communication
Course Syllabus
Professor: Dr. Lisa Brewster
Office: I 103 CUnits:3
Office Phone: 619-388-7701
Office Hours: M&W 8:30-9:30
Tuesday 5:00-6:00
Campus Email:
(please note there is no “r’ at the end of my name in my email address!, if you send the email to it will not get to me)
Advisory Prerequisite: Completion of English 51 & 56 with a grade of “C” or better
Required Materials for the class:
- The Interpersonal Communication Book by Joseph Devito
ISBN # 0205472885
2. Information Packet by Dr. Lisa Brewster (in bookstore and on website)
3. 1 Brand New VHS Video Tape (to be used the entire semester)
4. Access to a computer that has internet capabilities (MiramarCollege has a computer lab on campus if you do not have a computer at home)
Course Description:
The course emphasizes the development of effective interpersonal skills, strategies and practice in oraland written communication. Personal, situational, and cultural influences of interaction will be covered.It pays particular attention to human perception, interpersonal dynamics, listening, conflictmanagement, and verbal and non verbal symbol systems. The course is intended for students whocommunicate in a one-on-one situation including majors in communication, fashion, allied health,public service and business. This course is also intended for students who are interested in furtherdevelopment of effective interpersonal skills in work, volunteer, and personal environments.
The San Diego Community College District agreed upon Course Objectives are:
Upon successful completion of the course the student will be able to:
1. Identify and explain the functions and modes of speech
2. Contrast the nature of communication in general with a specific definition of interpersonal communication
3. Explain and analyze the following factors that affect interpersonal communication: psychological, social, cultural, and linguistic
4. Define and utilize specific skills within the following areas of the human communication process: perception, listening, and conflict management
5. Demonstrate interpersonal communication skills in the areas of listening, empathy, conflict, and semantics
6. Demonstrate an understanding of the following nonverbal arenas: proxemics, kinesics, haptics, olfactory, chronemics, and appearance
7. Identify, analyze, and apply problem-solving techniques.
My Course Learning Outcome is:
With the successful completion of this course, you will be able to recognize the role you play in maintaining an interpersonal relationship as well as be able to utilize predetermined behaviors to improve relationships you are currently involved in and future relationships.
Concepts you will master in this class:
Stages and types of relationships
Conflict management strategies
Relational Maintenance strategies
The concepts we will study in great detail in this class are:
Listening
Verbal and Nonverbal Communication
Relational Maintenance Strategies
Conflict Management Techniques
Stages and Types of Relationships
Acceptable behaviors in interpersonal relationships
You will be assessed and graded in the following ways:
35 % of your grade stems from Performance
(ability to integrate content into all types of speeches)
50% of your grade revolves around Content
(ability to complete all written assignments to standards set forth in class)
15 % of your grade is your level of Responsibility in this online class
(ability to interact as a member of the classroom)
Explanation of Assignments
All assignments are explained in greater detail in the information packet
Performance:
- Presentations:
You are required to deliver 3 graded presentations during the semester.
Each of these is explained in great detail in the information packet.
Written:
There are several written assignments in this class including but not limited to:
- Outlines
You will be required to turn in an outline and bibliography for each speech
- Chapter Quizzes
The web site is very extensive and has a lot of great resources for the textbook. I encourage you to use all of them So, I am rewarding those who utilize the chapter pre and post tests. Since we will cover 12 chapters in great detail and I know that sometimes life gets hectic, the points for this section will be scaled based on how many quizzes you take and pass with a 90% or greater. If you complete:
10-12 quizzes with a 90% or higher you will receive 20 points
7-9 quizzes with a 90% pr higher you will receive 15 points
5-7 quizzes with a 90% or higher you will receive 10 points
3-4 quizzes with a 90% or higher you will receive 5 points
you will not receive any point for 3 or less quizzes passed with a 90% or higher
- Journal
I consider the journal to be one of the most helpful tools of this class. Therefore, I encourage you to take it seriously and work on it throughout the entire semester. Do NOT do it the night before it is due as your lack of effort will be apparent. There are very specific guidelines for the journal both under the assignments page as well as in the information packet. Please refer to them.
- Exam
There is one final exam in this class. This exam is all short answer and you will be graded not only on your responses but also the comprehensiveness of your understanding. Read all the instructions for the exam prior to taking it as the instructions are VERY specific.
Participation:
- Your participation in this course is required.
For example, reading materials extraneous to the course, sleeping, writing notes or letters, doing other homework from another class, and/or listening to a Walkman during classroom time is not allowed.
- Should you elect to partake in one of these, I will deduct points from your final grade in the course!
This class will also involve extensive group work. Please be prepared to occasionally meet outside of class when necessary.
Being Successful in my class:
1. Read the chapters before you come to class, it is easier to participate when you are prepared and the book gives you a great background for the lecture.
2. Participate in class, research shows that those students who talk and are active in class are generally more successful than those who sit there.
3. Plan on spending about 6 hours a week outside of class on this class. This class is very labor intensive and requires a lot of research
4. Start preparing your speeches once they are officially assigned. A good speech really does take 15-20 hours to prepare.
5. Start practicing your speeches 2-3 days before you are assigned to deliver them. It takes time for you to learn the art of public speaking and it is quite visible who waits to practice until the night before.
6. Always talk to me if you need help. I try to be a very hands on professor but if you do not ask me for help, often times I do not know exactly what you need.
This chart of points is flexible due to the participatory nature of this class and may change during the semester.
Speeches / Written / ParticipationNarrative 25 points / Outlines 45 points / Group Work 20 points
Informative 50 points / Chapter Quizzes 20 points / Discussion Board Responses 20 points
Persuasive 50 points / Journal 70 points / Participation 10 points
Final Exam 30 points
Homework 10 points
125 points total / 175 points total / 50 points total
Grading System
The grading scale is as follows:
90- 100 A
80 - 89 B
70- 79 C
60 - 69 D
Below 59 is an F
Course and District Policies
There are a number of policies that govern this course. Please read and UNDERSTAND the syllabus thoroughly, as it is critical to your success in this class. You are responsible for knowing and following the information in this syllabus. Understanding the syllabus and making note of dates assignments are due should help your success in the course and hopefully, lower both of our frustration levels.
Attendance:
Important Note:
Absences are NOT considered either excused or unexcused
Death of family and friends, vacations, travel, personal, family problems and medical problems are not excuses for not completing assignments, quizzes and other work required for this class. There will be no extensions of assignments. This is a non-negotiable policy. DO NOT contact me before or after an assignment is due and ask for an “extension” of the deadline for any reason (medical or otherwise) as it will not be granted.
Your attendance in class is not only expected but also mandatory to your success in this class. To achieve the objectives in the course, your involvement and participation are necessary.
- If you miss more than three classes during the semester, your final grade will be lowered 2% points off your final grade for each absence over the three.
Tardiness:
Arriving late to class is a distraction to the other students and me. Repetitive tardiness will result in your final grade being lowered a minimum of 1 full letter grade
Being dropped from the class:
District Policy 3100 states that students may be dropped after 6% of the class is missed (3.6 hours, which may include tardies and leaving class early). The policy also states that students may be dropped upon missing 12% of the class (7.5 hours, which may include tardies and leaving early combined). However, this does not mean that I will necessarily drop you from the class. It is your responsibility as a student to drop yourself should you choose to withdraw from a class BEFORE the drop deadline! Check the class schedule for the drop deadline!
Missed Speeches:
You are required to deliver your speech on the day assigned. No exceptions.
Should you have to miss your speech day, you MUST contact me before the scheduled class time. At that point, I will decide if it is possible to reschedule your speech.
**Should I reschedule your speech, your speech will be penalized a full letter grade.
Occasionally it is not possible to make up the missed speech, then you will receive a zero.**
If you do not contact me before the scheduled class session, you will not be able to make up the missed speech and will receive a zero.
If I am absent on during a speech round, and no substitute has been assigned, all speeches will be postponed by one class session. If a substitute has been assigned, you are to deliver your speeches for him/her to videotape so I can grade them.
You must deliver your speech on the day assigned, even if the room is not functioning properly: (i.e.) the computer, the overhead projector, the TV/, and/or any other equipment to be used for your visual aids is not working. Therefore, I recommend you always have a back up, just in case!
Missed Exam:
If you miss the scheduled exam without prior approval from the instructor, you will receive a zero.
Late Work:
Due to the overwhelming amount of work that is collected in this class, late work will only be accepted up to one week after the due date. Please note: however, if it is turned in late, it will only be worth half of the original point value, meaning if an assignment was worth 10 points, the most you can receive is 5 points.
- Please do not ask me to accept “just your assignment” if it is past the deadline, I do not make exceptions for one student that I would not make for every student in my classes.
Academic Integrity:
This class will be conducted in accordance with the college student Code of Conduct and basic standards of academic honesty. Cheating, plagiarism or other forms of academic dishonesty are not acceptable and will not be tolerated. Any form of academic dishonesty may result in failing an assignment or the class, and further academic sanctions from the Office of Student Services may be sought.
Plagiarism is a serious college level offense. Penalties are severe. If you are caught plagiarizing any material in this class you will automatically receive a zero for that assignment and will not be allowed to make up the assignment. For more information on what plagiarism is please visit
Cheating is also a serious offense. Should you be caught cheating on your quizzes or final you will automatically receive a zero and will not be given a chance to make it up.
Students with Disabilities
Students with disabilities who may need academic accommodations should contact me by e-mail as soon as possible. You and I can coordinate with the Disabled Students Programs and Services (DSPS) department to identify your appropriate accommodation. If you would like further information or have questions about DSPS services contact a DSPS counselor call (619) 388 -7312 or e-mail .
MiramarCollege has a vast number of programs to help you succeed in school. The more successful students are familiar with utilizing these services!
Counseling Department / (619) 388-7840 //stusvcs/counseling/index.asp
TransferCenter / (619) 388-7380 /
/ctc/index.asp
The Library / (619) 388-7310 or (858) 536-7310 /
The PlacE (the tutoring center) / (619) 388-7852 /
Financial Affairs / (619) 388-7864 /
/stusvcs/financialaid/index.asp
Veterans Affairs / (619) 388-7862 /
/stusvcs/veteransaffairs.asp
Computer and Software System Requirements for this class:
Even though this class is a traditional on campus class, there are expectations that I have regarding your computer and software needs. However, I recognize that not everyone has access to a computer or certain software at home, which is why my requirements do not exceed what Miramar provides for you at the ILC.
Some of the class will be conducted on the Course Compass website, which is provided by Allyn and Bacon, the distributors of your textbook. In order to use this website, you would have had to purchase the access code, which came with the textbook package. Once on the website, technical difficulties should be directed to the publisher. However, one suggestion I have it to please make sure you take the Browser Tune-Up to make sure your computer meets the minimum requirements for this website. (*the website did not run properly on my computer until I did this*)
Word Processing Software (Important—Read Carefully!)
When you are sending me attachments to view for this class, you must use Microsoft Word (the version in Office and NOT Works—all files you submit MUST have a .doc or .rtf extension after them!). I cannot currently open a Word file from Works (.wps) or Word Perfect. If I cannot open your document, then it is considered late or not turned in and will receive no credit for the assignment—no exceptions or extensions! Please make sure all your assignments that are turned in have a .doc or .rtf extension after them. Getting a 0 on a major assignment because you ignored this is a bummer!
The good news is, that you can create a document in Word Perfect and save it as Word file. Consult your Help screen in Word Perfect for directions on how to do this. Please pay special attention to how you save files for this class. It is important that they be Word (.doc) files so I can open them. Remember, I can’t grade what I can’t open. You may also save your document as a Rich Text file (.rtf), as these can be opened.