Psy_1313_304_33402_20092: Human Relations
Course Syllabus
Spring 2009
Psy 1313-304—Human Relations I
# 33402: THURSDAY: 6:00-8:50 PM
Instructor: Carolyn Simpson, M.A., LPC
To Leave a Message: Contact Academic & Campus Services (595-7673); if you need to speak to me right away, you may call me on my cell phone at 637-2305.
You may also contact
Liberal Arts Division
Room 4107
Phone: 595-7780
COURSE DESCRIPTION:
This is an experiential course involving the direct application of psychological principles to Human Relations situations. Special emphasis will be placed on group dynamics and personal adjustment factors as related to communication, decision-making, and problem-solving in human interchanges.
TEXTBOOK AND MATERIALS:
Becoming Aware (Tenth Edition): A text/workbook for Human Relations and Personal Adjustment by Velma Walker & Lynn Brokaw.
Colored pens/markers
You might also want to bring a calculator to class.
GOALS AND OBJECTIVES:
A. The student will understand the qualities necessary in establishing and maintaining interpersonal relationships.
B. The student will achieve an increased awareness of self and be able to appreciate his/her individual uniqueness.
C. The student will gain an understanding of learning theory as it relates to relationships with others, as well how self-image evolves and is sustained.
D. The student will understand how to achieve balance between emotional expression and emotional control.
E. The student will be able to identify effective communication styles and use them appropriately in an effort to function more effectively in his/her interpersonal relationships.
F. The student will be able to identify appropriate task and maintenance roles in groups and how to effectively handle hidden agendas and nonfunctional behaviors (including defense mechanisms) in group interactions.
G. The student will gain an increased awareness of how to recognize and manage stress.
H. The student will understand some of the processes for identifying and prioritizing values, which is essential for establishing a lifestyle with meaning and purpose.
I. The student will develop an awareness of how to conceptualize failure in order to take appropriate risks to maximize success in life.
METHODS & PROCEDURES:
This is primarily an experiential class and will include
A. lectures
B. activities in pairs or small groups to illustrate subject matter
C. films to illustrate subject matter
D. discussion in small group setting as well as classroom
E. participation in role playing (optional) and games (for extra credit).
METHODS OF EVALUATION:
A. Class participation: Learning is based upon participation in activities as well as self-reflection. Since that can be difficult to assess, I assign weekly journal entries for you to process what happened in the class that night (or what interested/confused etc you in the reading). Each journal entry is worth 5 points if fully and adequately filled out and turned in on time. 12 journals X 5 points = 60 points. An additional journal is worth 10 points. Total = 70 points possible.
B. Exams: There will be 2 exams over reading assignments and class activities. There will be NO MAKEUP EXAMS. Each exam is worth 25 points. Total points for exams = 50 points possible.
C. An additional and longer assignment: The NAMES AND FEEDBACK binder is worth 50 points. For this assignment, you will be expected to keep a binder with the first and last names of each student in this class, as well as positive information about them gleaned from class. 50 points.
D. Short written assignments:
a. Your Interpersonal Style
b. Anger
c. What do you communicate nonverbally?
d. Project on space
e. Group roles
Written assignments are due and will be collected at the beginning of each class. Late assignments will be accepted up to one week late, but will be reduced in value. I expect outside papers (with the exception of the journal entries) to be typed or neatly written in ink. Papers torn from your notebook will NOT receive a grade. Each paper is worth 25 points except the first paper which is worth 50 points for a total possible of 150 points.
E. Final paper: You will write a final paper (instead of an exam) on the following topic: What I learned about Human Relations that will help me in a) my relationships with others, b) my career, and c) understanding myself. This will be a reflection on class activities, journaling and the reading. It is worth 30 points.
F. Grading scale:
350 points possible
315-350 A
280-314 B
245-279 C
210-244 D
Below 210 F
ATTENDANCE POLICY:
Attendance in this class is crucial to your success and final grade in the course. Students are held responsible for all material covered during their absence and any changes made in the agenda. If you miss 3 classes, you will need to consult with me for permission to remain in the course. If you miss 4 classes, you will be subject to administrative withdrawal from the course.
LATENESS: If you miss more than 35 minutes of a class, it will be counted as an absence. Because of the interactive aspects of learning in this class, I must issue this directive to ensure full student attendance.
Course Withdrawal: The deadline to withdraw from a course shall not exceed 3/4 the duration of any class. Contact the Counseling Office at any TCC campus to initiate withdrawal from a course ('W' grade) or to change from Credit to Audit. Check the TCC Academic Calendar for deadlines. Students who stop participating in the course and fail to withdraw may receive a course grade of “F,” which may have financial aid consequences for the student.
Communications:
a. Email communications: All TCC students receive a designated “MyTCC” email address (ex: ). All communications to you about TCC and course assignments will be sent to your MyTCC email address; and you must use MyTCC email to send email to, and receive email from, the instructor regarding this course.
b. Inclement Weather: TCC rarely closes. If extreme weather conditions or emergency situations arise, TCC always gives cancellation notices to radio and television stations. This information is also posted on the TCC website (www.tulsacc.edu).
General Education Goals: General Education courses at TCC ensure that our graduates gain skills, knowledge, and abilities that comprise a common foundation for their higher education and a backdrop for their work and personal lives. TCC’s General Education goals are: Critical Thinking, Effective Communication, Engaged Learning, and Technological Proficiency.
Classroom Etiquette: Open and mutually respectful communication of varied opinions, beliefs, and perspectives during classroom or online discussion encourages the free exchange of ideas that is essential to higher learning and to the ability to learn from each other. Use of any electronic device is at the discretion of the instructor.
Syllabus Changes: Occasionally, changes to the syllabus may be necessary. Students will be notified of any changes to the syllabus in writing.
Students with Disabilities: TCC provides accommodations for qualifying students in compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act. For information, students may contact the disabled Student Resource Center, 918-595-7115, or the Resource Center for the Deaf and Hard of Hearing, 918-595-7428V, 918-595-7434TTY.
Academic Dishonesty: Academic dishonesty (cheating) is defined as the deception of others about one’s own work or about the work of another. Academic dishonesty or misconduct is not condoned or tolerated at campuses within the Tulsa Community College system. Tulsa Community College adopts a policy delegating certain forms of authority for disciplinary action to the faculty. Such disciplinary actions delegated to the faculty include, but are not limited to, the dismissal of disrespectful or disorderly students from classes. In the case of academic dishonesty a faculty member may:
§ require the student to redo an assignment or test, or require the student to complete a substitute assignment or test;
§ Record a "zero" for the assignment or test in question;
§ Recommend to the student that the student withdraw from the class, or administratively withdraw the student from the class;
§ Record a grade of "F" for the student at the end of the semester.
Faculty may request that disciplinary action be taken against a student at the administrative level by submitting such request to the Dean of Student Services.
Institutional Statement: Each student is responsible for being aware of the information contained in the TCC Catalog, the TCC Student Policies & Resources Handbook, and semester information listed in the class schedule. All information may be viewed on the TCC website: www.tulsacc.edu
Special Notes:
Please turn off/silence cell phones and pagers when entering class. IT IS ALSO EXPECTED THAT YOU WILL BE ON TIME FOR CLASS SO THAT THERE IS MINIMAL DISRUPTION ONCE CLASS HAS BEGUN!
I want you to do well in this class. Please contact me about any difficulties you experience with this course so that we can work together to solve the problem. I realize some students do not respond well to “experiential” classes; if you do not think you can handle the interactive aspects of this course, please talk to me after class. I will assist you in getting into a more suitable class, if necessary.
Most important of all: Have a great semester! J