ROWAN UNIVERSITY Communication Studies Department
INTERPERSONAL COMMUNICATION
CMS 06.206, Spring, 2008
Tues, Thurs

Dr. Foulger

Compact Semester Syllabus

A more detailed version of this syllabus is available online at http://davis.foulger.net/rowan/spring2008/interpersonal/syllabus.htm .

Course Description

We live in our communication, and no form of communication occupies more hours our days than our interpersonal interaction with others in dyads (pairs, couples, twos, etc) and informal small groups. It is in our interpersonal communication, more than anything else, that defines who we are and the nature of our relationships with others. Interpersonal communication is not just something we do, it is something we live. It is the dominant form of communication in most of our lives, whether we are talking to parents, friends, significant others, spouses, salespeople, coworkers, bosses, employees, etc. Even if we make a career in the mass media as journalists or broadcasters, it is our interaction with others (interpersonal interviews and interactions with colleagues) that will shape our careers and career opportunities. We will find, build, sell, and often even write our stories through interaction with others.

This course will explore face-to-face communication, one of the oldest forms of human communication, and its variants, including the many technological mediated interpersonal communication systems that you use every day (telephones, cell phones, texting, instant messaging, computer conferencing, etc. The course will mix theory with research and daily practice as we look for ways to improve our friendships, relationships, and our social and business interaction with others.

Required Text

• Galvin, K.M. and Cooper, P.J. (2006). Making Connections, Fourth Edition. Roxbury Press.

Additional Materials

• A package of 3"x5" index cards. This should cost you no more than a dollar or so.

• The Class Schedule and Assignments for this class are available on the Internet. See http://davis.foulger.info/rowan/spring2008/interpersonal/index.htm.
• The Discussion Notes for this class will be available via the Internet. See http://evolutionarymedia.com/student.htm?InterpersonalSpr2008.

Learning Objectives

1. Students should understand a variety of interpersonal communication theories well enough to usefully apply them to improving their own communication and understanding the communication successes and failures of others.

2. Students should be able to distinguish the fundamental structures and processes associated with interpersonal communication, whether mediated or face to face, and usefully compare the different theories they have studied.
3. Students should know how to find, read, and analyze research in interpersonal communication, including theoretical descriptions of the communication process, empirical tests of those theories, and systematic observations of real world communication.

Outcomes Assessment

Your understanding of interpersonal communication theories and research will be assessed through two exams (36% of your grade), a reflective paper (8% of your grade), a research paper (24% of your grade), an interpersonal resume (8% of your grade), and several different kinds of participation, including participation in discussions (8% of your grade), submission of questions (8% of your grade), and submission of "think" assignments (8% of your grade). The reflective paper will be relatively short (~3 pages), but you should aim to write research paper that is at least nine pages long (not including the cover page or references), that explores an topic in interpersonal communication in more detail.. You will be expected to BOTH find, read, and make use of at additional original references and to apply the theory to your own life. We'll discuss detailed expectations as you start work on the papers, but the maximum grade for five pages is a C and the maximum grade for seven pages is a B. The two exams will take the form of classic question and answer testing. Essay questions will require you to compare different theories of interpersonal communication we have studied during the semester. Other questions will probe your specific knowledge of the readings and class discussions. The second exam will be comprehensive, covering all of the material in the course.

Grading

Just to be clear. In my class A means exception, B means above average, C means average, D means below average, and F means you did not meet expectations. I generally give out a small number of A's and a much larger number of B's. If you keep up with the course and take it seriously, you should have no trouble getting one. I do not give students A's simply because they want (or think they need) a higher GPA. You have to earn it my my standards.

Discussion Notes

My usual practice is to make my lecture/discussion notes directly available to the class via the Internet. If it is possible to do so I will display those notes during class. You can print them out later. You may be able to print them out before class, but I don't guarantee that you will. I frequently change my discussion notes right up to the beginning of class (and sometimes during class). The version posted at the end of class can generally be considered to be reliable, but I occasionally modify them after class based on class discussions.

Online Discussion Group

A class discussion group may be maintained for the class, either via Blackboard CE (which replaces Web-CT this year or using Moodle. When it is set up, you can also use the group to exchange of any class-related information or questions, especially those questions you didn’t want to ask in class. Only class members will be able to post to the forum or read messages on the forum. I will provide additional information when it is available.

Course Rules

1. Attendance is required for all classes, including the final exam period. Punctuality is much desired.
2. Complete reading assignments, questions, and think assignments prior to coming to class. Be prepared to discuss readings.
3. Write in your own words. Reference the ideas you use to the original sources. Plagiarism and cheating will are unacceptable.
4. Papers should be printed out for submission. Double space your papers and print them out using standard 12 point fonts (Ariel, Times Roman, and Courier are all acceptable). I will notice attempts to pad the length of your papers with oversized fonts, margins, and line spacing and count it against you.
5. Unexcused late papers will be penalized 1/2 of a letter grade if one period late and one full grade thereafter.

Good Advice

1. There will be reading and writing assignments associated with most clases. Most writing assignments will be brief, but you don't want to fall behind. If you can't keep up with the readings, papers, or other assignments, you may want to drop the course early on and try again in another semester.
2. Keep a copy of any paper you submit, just in case the original gets lost.
3. Write your name on the front of any assignment you submit, including questions, think assignments, and papers.
4. Assuming you work on a computer, maintain backups of your paper in a reliable and convenient format. USB flash drives work on just about all computers now, can be readily obtained for less than $20.00, and are much less likely to fail than diskettes. Assume the worst. Maintain two backups.
5. If at any time you find yourself confused or have questions, especially in terms of the writing assignmentss, please ask me (either in class or in private) for help. One person's question may help countless others in class. If you can't meet me during my office hours, we can probably find another time.
6. If you have a disabling condition which might interfere with their ability to successfully complete this course, please speak to me confidentially. I will work with you to identify alternate means of demonstrating your knowledge where there is a demonstrable need.