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Gordon F2014
The University of North Texas
Department of Communication Studies
COMM 2020 – Interpersonal Communication
Fall 2014
Instructor: Cynthia Gordon
Email: Office: GAB 302
Office hours: Tuesday 9:00-10:00 am, Thursday 9:30 – 10:30 am, & by appointment
Please note: Email is my preferred method of contact. Please allow 24 hours for me to respond to your emails. I will not check emails on the weekend.
Teaching Assistants
Ashley Trudeau
Kyle Hammond
Course Meeting Times
Lecture every Thursday in CURY 203, and once weekly recitation session:
Recitation 201: meet in ART 219 on Tuesday, 12:30 – 1:50 PM with Ashley Trudeau
Recitation 202: meet in ART 219 on Thursday, 12:30 – 1:50 PM with Kyle Hammond
Recitation 203: meet in LANG 305 on Tuesday, 2:00 – 3:20 PM with Ashley Trudeau
Recitation 204: meet in LANG 305 on Thursday, 2:00 – 3:20 PM with Kyle Hammond
Required Texts and Materials:
Guerrero, L. K., Andersen, P. A., & Afifi, W. A. (2014). Close encounters: Communication in relationships (4th ed.). Belmont, CA: Wadsworth.
Course Goals & Objectives
Successful interpersonal relationships require effective communication skills. The aim of this course is to help you develop a strong understanding of interpersonal communication situations, and improve the ways you manage verbal and nonverbal interactions. In this class, we will examine major communication theories, issues, concepts, and research findings relevant to initiating, developing, maintaining, and terminating relationships (be it romantic or family relationships, friendships, or co-worker relationships). Lecture, discussion, engagement exercises, activities, and “applied” research assignments are used to increase student knowledge and behavioral competence in interpersonal communication. Together we shall attempt to meet the following objectives:
Develop an awareness of the role communication plays in everyday life
Understand and recognize how communication processes work
Understand the role of context in communication situations
Understand and effectively demonstrate both verbal and nonverbal communication skills
Demonstrate communication competence by recognizing communication options
Apply interpersonal communication theory to real life situations
Course Policies:
Class Participation
Students are expected to attend each class session, to have read the assigned material, and to be prepared to participate actively and intelligently in class discussions. You will be unable to participate intelligently if you have not completed the reading assignment for the day.
Your classroom participation reflects directly on your grade. Our class time is NOT designed for you to work on homework for other classes, complete the crossword puzzle, or update your Facebook status. I promise to give you my undivided attention – please give me yours.
Class participation includes attending class regularly, being on time, doing all assigned work outside of class as directed, and being prepared to take part in all in-class activities. These may include informal writing and speaking exercises, as well as large and small group discussions. Please note that you need to balance speaking and listening, to direct comments constructively to the subject at hand, and to show respect to all speakers. Dialogue facilitates critical thinking and true learning.
Absences & Tardiness
Attendance is crucial to your participation success in this course. Exams will include some material that comes from lecture and is not in your textbook. If you arrive to class after we have taken attendance, you will be counted absent. If you miss more than 3 (three) class periods (this includes both lecture and recitation), you will lose 25 points from your overall grade for each absence (for example, if you have 5 absences, you will have 50 points deducted from your final grade). The three class periods include absences for work, illness, family emergencies etc. Absences for University Authorized events and activities will not count toward your absence total. If you have an ongoing family emergency or illness that requires you to miss more than three days of class, appropriate documentation will be required to waive the grade deduction noted above.
Please note: University Authorized Absences that are not cleared within two weeks of the date(s) of the absence(s) will remain on the roll as unauthorized absences. Absences related to work are not considered excused absences except in the case of extenuating circumstances. Prior permission from the instructor is required for any work related absences. Tardiness is a distraction, and therefore, I will not interrupt class to mark you as present once class has started.
You are responsible for keeping track of the number of absences you have accumulated. Help us maintain a good working relationship by contacting me, or your Teaching Assistant, in advance when you are going to be absent. Be proactive – not reactive.
Handing in Work
All written assignments must be typed and double-spaced unless otherwise specified. Assignments that do not follow these guidelines will not be graded. All papers should be typed using Times New Roman, 12 pt. font. All papers must be written utilizing APA formatting.
General Classroom Guidelines
Cell phones are both helpful and distracting. I recognize you may use your smartphone for taking notes, and I believe they can be great tools when used appropriately in the classroom. Please ensure your cell phone has been turned to silent if you plan on having it out during class. Taking calls, texting, Facebook/Instagram/Twitter/whatever is not good use of your classroom time and is distracting to other students. If you are engaging in these activities and you are distracting other students, you will be asked to turn your phone off for the class period. Repeat offenders may be removed from the course.
COMM Library Copier Use Policy
Students conducting research in the Communication Studies Library associated with departmental coursework have access to a printer/photocopier located in the office adjacent to the library. I encourage students to make use of this resource to print research accessed online in the library or to copy essays from any of the department’s holdings. Students may not use this resource for other purposes, such as printing courses assignments, class notes, scripts, etc. Students who use the copier for uses other than those outlined above will lose copying privileges.
UNIVERSITY POLICIES
Access Policy
“The University of North Texas is on record as being committed to both the spirit and letter of federal equal opportunity legislation; reference Public Law 92-112-The Rehabilitation Act of 1973 as amended. With the passage of new federal legislation, entitled Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) pursuant to section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act, there is renewed focus on providing this population with the same opportunities enjoyed by all citizens.”
I will cooperate fully with the University’s Office of Disability Accommodation to provide reasonable accommodation to students who require help. Students who wish to self-identify should register with the ODA no later than the second day of class.
Firearms Policy
It is unlawful to bring firearms on the campus of the University- even if you hold a permit.
Policy on Incompletes
An “Incomplete” will be awarded only in cases where 75% of the coursework has been completed AND the grade is warranted by an excuse (e.g., medical, military). Inability to complete coursework in a timely fashion does not constitute an acceptable reason for requesting or receiving an incomplete.
Code of Student Conduct
All persons shall adhere to the Code of Student Conduct regarding academic dishonesty, including acts of cheating and plagiarism.
Cheating. The willful giving or receiving of information in an unauthorized manner during an examination, illicitly obtaining examination questions in advance, using someone else’s work or written assignments as if they were your own, or any other dishonest means of attempting to fulfill a requirement in this course.
Plagiarism. The use of an author’s words or ideas as if they were your own without giving proper credit to the source, including but not limited to failure to acknowledge a direct quotation. Exact wording from a source must be identified by quotation marks and citation of the author. Concepts and ideas from sources should also be identified by citation of the author. Rules for citing quotes and ideas can be found in the Publication Manual of the American Psychological Association, 6th edition.
Punishments for cheating or plagiarism range from a grade of ZERO points on an assignment in question to failure of the course.
Acceptable Student Behavior:
Student behavior that interferes with an instructor’s ability to conduct a class or other students' opportunity to learn is unacceptable and disruptive and will not be tolerated in any instructional forum at UNT. Students engaging in unacceptable behavior will be directed to leave the classroom and the instructor may refer the student to the Center for Student Rights and Responsibilities to consider whether the student's conduct violated the Code of Student Conduct. The university's expectations for student conduct apply to all instructional forums, including university and electronic classroom, labs, discussion groups, field trips, etc. The Code of Student Conduct can be found at www.unt.edu/csrr
Disrespectful behavior aimed toward a classmate will NOT be tolerated and may warrant removal from the class.
Disclaimer
This syllabus should not be construed as a binding contract between the instructor and the students. The instructor reserves the right to change any aspect of the course without notice.
Blackboard
This class will utilize Blackboard as a classroom-learning site. Additional information will be provided as needed. Your grades will be available throughout the semester on BB and you may have various assignments that will be due utilizing BB features such as journaling, discussion prompts, quizzes, exams, etc.
Crisis Contingency
In the event of the university closing for weather-related reasons or illness outbreak, e.g. flu, please visit the course website on Blackboard. I will provide instructions on how to turn in assignments and how the class will proceed utilizing Blackboard's Announcements function.
SETE Evaluations
The Student Evaluation of Teaching Effectiveness (SETE) is a requirement for all organized classes at UNT. This short survey will be made available to you at the end of the semester, providing you a chance to comment on how this class is taught. Student feedback is important in order that the classroom environment can continue to evolve to meet the needs of students at UNT. Thus, the SETE is an important part of your participation in this class. Students may access the online SETE evaluation through their my.unt.edu page. SETE is administered from Monday, November 17th to Sunday, December 7th. Extra credit may be available for the completion of SETE and students who complete the SETE will have access to their grades earlier than other students.
Assignments
Exams (200 total points, 20% of your grade)
There will be two exams during the semester. Each exam will consist of objective (i.e., multiple choice, true-false, matching, etc.) questions. A review sheet will be provided on Blackboard for each exam. Each exam is worth 100 points.
Engagement Exercises (100 points each/total 600 points, 60% of your grade)
Throughout the semester, you will complete six Engagement Exercises designed to allow you to deepen your understanding of the materials covered in class, as well as your readings. Each Engagement Exercise will be assigned the week before the assignment is due and will be due at the beginning of large lecture.
These exercises may include a variety of learning opportunities including, but not limited to, reaction papers, essays, & creative endeavors. All writing assignments must be composed using proper grammar and writing style. Points will be deducted for poor grammar, spelling, word choice, and failure to properly edit your responses. No late responses will be accepted without a documented, excused absence form.
Relationship Portfolio (200 total points, worth 20% of your grade)
For your final project, you will create a relationship portfolio. For this assignment, you will be required to apply what you have learned in this class to an interpersonal relationship in which you are currently involved. The portfolio will consist of case studies based on four (4) course concepts of your choosing. The case studies require you to apply your chosen concepts to your relationship and provide a written description in which you will apply the concept to events that have occurred in your relationship. This assignment requires outside research related to the theories or concepts used as your framework of analysis. Each case study should put the theory in the context. The paper needs to be typed, well written, proofread, and include at least 6 academic sources to add depth and insight to your analysis. Additional, non-scholarly outside sources are accepted but will not count as your minimum requirements. Additional details will be provided by your instructor.
Overall Grading Summary
Assignment / Possible Point Value / Points Earned / Due DateExams
Mid-term
Final / 100
100 / October 9th
December 9th
Engagement Exercises
Exercise #1 / 100 / September 18th
Exercise #2 / 100 / September 25th
Exercise #3 / 100 / October 2nd
Exercise #4 / 100 / October 23rd
Exercise #5 / 100 / November 6th
Exercise #6 / 100 / November 20th
Relationship Portfolio / 200 / December 4th
Total Possible Points / 1000
Grading Scale: Percentage
A: (excellent, above & beyond) 900-1000
B: (very good, impressive) 800-899
C: (average college level) 700-799
D: (below average) 600-699
F: (failing) < 599
COMM 2020
INTERPERSONAL COMMUNICATION
FALL 2014
· This is a tentative schedule for the semester. You are responsible for keeping track of any revisions throughout the semester.
· Please make sure to check blackboard for announcements.
· You should read all assignments prior to class.
Thursday Lecture CURY203 / RecitationAugust 28 / Introduction to Course
Preview Chapter 1 / Getting acquainted
Color me what???
September 4 / Communication & Identity
READ: Chapters 1 & 2 / Blackboard Review
Social Media & Identity
September 11 / Attraction: Perception & Expectations
READ: Chapter 3 / Writing Style
Group Activity
September 18 / Relationship Stages
READ: Chapters 4 & 5
DUE: Engagement Exercise #1 / Uncertainty Expectation Violations
September 25 / Truth, Lies, & TMI
READ: Chapter 6
DUE: Engagement Exercise #2 / Self-disclosure
October 2 / How close is too close?
READ: Chapter 7
DUE: Engagement Exercise #3 / Communicating closeness
Midterm Review
October 9 / MIDTERM EXAM – CURY 203
Exam covers Chapters 1-7 & Lecture material / Relationship Portfolio Workshop
October 16 / Attached at the hip?
READ: Chapters 8 & 9 / Attachment Styles
October 23 / Relationship Maintenance
READ: Chapter 10
DUE: Engagement Exercise #4 / Good Behaviors
October 30 / Conflict
READ: Chapter 11 / Conflict Activity
November 6 / The Dark Side of Interpersonal
READ: Chapter 12
DUE: Engagement Exercise #5 / Nonverbal & Power
November 13 / Relational Transgressions
READ: Chapter 13 / Deception
November 20 / Healing Strategies & Reconciliation
READ: Chapter 14
Due: Engagement Exercise #6 / Relationship Repair
November 27 / THANKSGIVING HOLIDAY – NO CLASS / Tuesday recitation WILL MEET AS SCHEDULED!
December 4 / Saying Goodbye is So Hard To Do
READ: Chapter 15
DUE: Relationship Portfolios / NO RECITATIONS WILL BE HELD THIS WEEK
Tuesday
December 9 / Final Exam 8:00-10:00 am
FINAL EXAM WILL BE HELD
IN CURY 203
Exam Covers Chapters 8-15 &
Lecture material / NO RECITATION SECTIONS ARE HELD DURING FINALS WEEK