[CMST-101-44543] Syllabus

COMMUNICATION STUDIES 101: INTERPERSONAL COMMUNICATION
(CMST-101-44543)

SANTA ANA COLLEGE

SPRING 2018

Instructor: Mari I. Harris

Course Hours: TTH 8:40AM Room: C-202

Messages: harris_mari@sac.edu

                        Class handouts will not be distributed through emails.

Purpose of Course: Humans are social beings; we spend the majority of our time communicating with others and/or within ourselves. In order to be a competent communicator, we need to gain understanding of the processes and dynamics of interpersonal communication. In this course, we will examine and explore selected issues of human communication through lectures, discussions, activities, readings, and writing assignments.

Course Objectives:
1. Alert the student to the role, impact, and practice of effective interpersonal communication in relation to selected issues.
2. Gain understanding of the concepts and theories involved in the genre of interpersonal communication.
3. Develop the student's awareness of the different approaches used in various settings of human interaction.

Course Student Learning Outcomes:
1. Students will demonstrate the ability to compose written and oral examples of appropriate and effective communication strategies/messages.
2. Students will demonstrate flexibility and adaptability when communicating with others.
3. Students will identify and demonstrate perception checking, active listening techniques, conflict resolution, appropriate self-disclosure, and assertion techniques.

Text: Adler, Ronald B., Lawrence B. Rosenfeld, and Russell F. Proctor II.
Interplay: The Process of Interpersonal Communication
13th ed. Oxford: Oxford University Press, 2015.

Lectures: Lectures will provide much supplemental information that cannot be found in the text. Be sure to take careful notes. Please note that students are responsible for obtaining missed information due to absences. The instructor will not loan her notes.

Attendance and Drop Policy: Your regular attendance is necessary in order for you to successfully complete this course. Two un-excused absences will be permitted so long as they are not on an examination day or the due date for an assignment. After the second absence, you may be dropped from the class. However, do not quit coming to class simply assuming that you will be dropped. Should you choose to drop, it is your responsibility to complete the procedure with the Admissions and Records Office before the deadline. Failing to complete the procedure may result in receiving an F.

Examinations: Three written examinations will be given. The examination will be any combination of objective (true/false and multiple-choice) questions. Each examination will cover readings from the text and lectures/discussions in class. A study guide will be provided before each examination. Make-up examination will not be given unless prior arrangements are made with the instructor or in the event of a verifiable emergency or illness. Regardless of the reason, make-up examinations, if given at all, will be considerably harder. No extra credit will be offered for this class.

Additional Assignments: One paper, one short speech, and one group presentation will be assigned. Specific requirements for the assignments such as the subject, format, grading criteria, and due date will be discussed fully in class. Late assignments will be penalized severely. Written assignments must not be submitted via email; they must be submitted in class.

Students with disabilities: A student with a disability, who would like to request an academic accommodation, is responsible for identifying herself/himself to the instructor and to the Disabled Student Program and Services (DSPS). To make arrangements for academic accommodations, contact the Disabled Student Office (VL-203) or call (714) 564-6295.

Academic honesty: Students have a responsibility to uphold the principle of academic honesty in all of their academic work.  The college's policy on academic honesty is strictly enforced in this class.  In case where a violation of academic honesty is discovered, the instructor will file an "Academic Misconduct Report" form and the student will receive a grade of "F" on the assignment.

Important policy: No electronic devices are allowed during class sessions including cell phones, laptops, and tablets. They must be turned off and put away, out of your reach and out of sight.t

Grade Distribution: Grading Scale:

Exam#1  50     225-250 A
Exam#2  50     2 00-224 B
Exam#3  50    175-199  C
Paper     40     150-174  D
GP          30       0 -149  F
Speech   30
Total 250