123 Syllabus
- 1. Instructor: Caleb Malik Office Hours: 1-2 TH or by appt. Office: Fell Hall 280E Phone: 309-438-3672 Email: [email protected] Section: 002 Classroom: Fell Hall 162 Meeting time: T/TH 2p-3:15p TEXT (Required): Adler, R. B., Rosenfeld, L. B., & Proctor, R. F. (2013). Interplay: The process of interpersonal communication. New York: Oxford University Press. (Textbook materials with access codes available at University Barnes and Noble or Alamo II) ALSO REQUIRED • A working ISU email account that you check regularly. • A stapler* (anything handed in must be stapled, or it will not be accepted) INTERPERSONAL COMMUNICATION (COM 123) COURSE GOALS: 1) Students will become more competent interpersonal communicators (using knowledge, skill, motivation, and judgment). 2) Students will demonstrate an understanding of the interpersonal communication process. 3) Students will demonstrate the ability to apply interpersonal communication concepts such as active listening, perception, self-concept, and message systems (verbal and nonverbal) to everyday communication situations. 4) Students will become more competent in communicating in small group discussions and in-class activities (articulating and defending their own ideas as well as listening to and considering the ideas of others). 5) Students will demonstrate an understanding of the differences in interpersonal communication contexts. 6) Students will identify their own patterns of functional and dysfunctional interpersonal communication habits ASSIGNMENTS: * ALL PAPERS FORMAT: - All assignments must be typed. Handwritten will not be accepted unless discussed prior to due date. - All assignments are to be typed using 12pt. font and 1 inch margins. - All assignments are to be double-spaced (except for the header). - All assignments are to be STAPLED. Interpersonal Communication Com 123
- 2. - All references are to be cited using American Psychological Association (APA) Style (6th Edition). - All assignments must be turned in WITH THE RUBRIC or you will lose 10 points. HEADERS: Please make your headings for ALL assignments uniform. I have provided an example below that I will expect you to follow. Though your work will be double spaced (with the exception of your outlines), 12pt font, and will have 1 inch margins, the heading should be SINGLE SPACED, on the right-hand side, and on the first page ONLY. Your Name Teacher’s Name Course Title (COM 123) Assignment Date ASSIGNMENT DUE DATES: All artifacts, assignments and exams must be completed on the date assigned. No late work will be accepted unless I have previously approved an alternative due date. If you do not turn in an assignment on the date assigned, if you are unprepared to deliver a speech on your assigned day, or if you do not come to class on an exam date, you will receive a ZERO for that assignment unless an alternative due date has been previously approved or documentation has been provided for extreme circumstances. Make sure to anticipate predictable problems so you can prevent them. For example, running out of paper or ink, or losing computer files you failed to back up are problems that need not occur if you are looking ahead. If you work ahead of time, you will not be rushing to get your work done, so think ahead! I will work with you if you have a legitimate reason for your absence (determined by me) AND arrangements have been made with me prior to the class meeting. I want to help you in any way possible, but will not accept less than your full effort. Like most instructors, I am more understanding if you keep me informed: If you encounter problems, please let me know right away. All assignments are to be stapled together prior to coming to class, I do not want to lose any of your materials. If your assignments are not stapled together I will not accept it. ACTIVITIES: Activities will be done in class and cannot be made up. On 5 random days when the class does an activity, I will award “activity points” for showing up to class (10 points, @ 5 random days, for a total of 100 “activity points”). Detailed instructions will be given at the appropriate times. PARTICIPATION: Since this class is an INTERPERSONAL course, it is very important to have discussions and participation between classmates. Participation is a function of attendance,
- 3. demonstration of having read the material, asking questions that extend the thinking of the class and instructor, contributing relevant examples, and demonstrating respect for the contributions of classmates. Participation will be assessed through the demonstration of your attendance, preparation, and input in class. If you are disruptive or are not benefitting the learning environment of the classroom, this will be reflected in your activity point total. At the middle and end of the semester you will have the option to write a 1-2 page paper reflecting on your participation throughout the semester as an argument as to why you should receive a specific grade (this is detailed in the following section). PARTICIPATION JUSTIFICATION PAPERS: These are 1-2 page papers where the student argues how many points they feel they deserve for participation in the class. This papers will be due at the middle and at the end of the semester. These papers will be optional. If you believe that your participation does not need to be justified because you participate that often, you may choose to forgo this assignment. INSTRUCTIONAL DISCUSSION: You will be responsible for facilitating an instructional discussion of your assigned chapter. You will conduct research to find a scholarly article that goes along with the chapter you are assigned. You will compose an outline of discussion questions and learning objectives to orally pose to the participants during the discussion. Also, you may utilize any instructional games, simulations, or activities that you think would complement the discussion. Presentations should be 10-15 minutes. Your rubric, outline, and article should be attached and turned in together. All of these materials, and examples, will be found on reggienet. I will also give an example presentation prior to the start of these projects. Evaluation Criteria • Did you compose and conduct clear, thought provoking discussion questions, which focused on key aspects or implications of the article? • Did you attempt to relate the discussion topic to previously discussed relevant topics? • Did you attempt to relate the discussion to your colleagues’ relevant experiences and interests? • Did you engage your colleagues in full discussion participation (i.e. they should be talking more than you)? ARTIFACTS (2): (2-3 pages double-spaced, typed): The artifacts are analyses of observations, experiences, conversations, newspaper clippings, television clips, advertisements, songs, magazine articles, cartoons, etc. that illustrate some concept or theme from the class. Therefore, be thinking throughout the semester of artifact ideas as they present themselves. Rubrics are to be attached to back of the artifact. If you do not attached the rubric you will lose 10 points on the assignment. Artifact should generally include three sections: 1) A description of the concept presented in text or in lecture
- 4. 2) A description of the artifact 3) An explanation of how the concept applies to the artifact The magazine articles, cartoons, newspaper clippings, and ads should be attached. There will be 2 artifact assignments throughout the semester with specific due dates, and they are 25 points each. EXAMS: There will be three (3) unit exams covering information from the text, additional handouts provided by instructor, and from lecture. No exam will be comprehensive. Exams will assess your understanding of interpersonal communication concepts and theories, as well as your application and integration abilities. FINAL PROJECT: (See rubrics on reggienet for project requirements): Since one goal for this course is to become a competent interpersonal communicator, the final project will be a “How-to- Guide to Communication” within an interpersonal relationship of your choice. (Examples of relationships that you can discuss are as follows: romantic relationship, friends-with- benefits relationship, cross-sex friendship, workplace or co-worker relationship, parent- child relationship, same-sex friendship, cross-cultural relationships, etc.). Your rubric, outline/script, and final project should be attached and turned in together. A second option for this assignment is to write a 6-page paper detailing the utility of interpersonal skills from a professional perspective. For example, if you want to be an HR professional when you graduate, you would go through the chapters and select the skills that you deem to be most important to this profession. You then would discuss these skills as they would be applicable to the profession and your success as an HR professional. For example, you may write a page about why listening skills would be important and how you would use appropriate listening to be better at your job. The third option will be to write a 6-page “theory paper” in which you will apply a theory from this course to an experience from your life or a media example. This will demonstrate your understanding of your chosen theory and related theories. The rubric can be found on Reggienet. EVALUATION: Exam 1 100 pts. Exam 2 100 pts. Exam 3 (final) 100 pts. Final Project 100 pts. Activity Points (5 at 10 pts.) 50 pts. Artifacts (2 at 25 pts.) 50 pts. Participation (2 at 25 pts.) 50 pts. Instructional Discussion 50 pts. “Any Old Bag” Speech 10 pts. TOTAL 610 pts. 90-‐100% A 80-‐89% B 70-‐79% C 60-‐69% D Below 60% F
- 5. ** Please note: If I feel the class has not been keeping up with the required reading, I reserve the right to administer pop quizzes at any point. **Assessments and point values subject to change. ** MY TEACHING PHILOSOPHY: Communication is crucial to success in college, in your future as professionals, and achieving stable relationships in day-to-day life. It is my responsibility to equip you with the skills you need for all of your future communication interactions. I am not here to make your life difficult or to embarrass you. However, I have very high expectations of you. I will always do my very best to make these expectations clear. However, I am human and, therefore, imperfect. If you are having trouble understanding my requirements, or you feel I have made a mistake, I will always welcome questions and comments. I do expect this to be done in a respectful and professional manner. The same goes for your interactions with your classmates. These interactions with your classmates will be frequent. This is a discussion-based class, and as such, you and your fellow students will be given many opportunities to state your opinions and beliefs. This creates a learning environment where we can all test out ideas and help each other refine our beliefs about the world. Argumentation is fantastic, attacks on the beliefs of others are not, and I will have zero tolerance for them. All of your fellow students are in the same boat as you so let us create a supportive classroom environment where we can all put ourselves out there and have fun doing it. Get stoked, it’s going to be a fun semester! COURSE POLICIES: ATTENDANCE: • You are expected to come to class prepared to discuss and participate in activities associated with the readings. I will synthesize the material into discussions and activities where you will play a large role. In order to assess your preparation for class, you will complete the participation requirement as stated above. Thus, regular attendance is expected. Being absent will deprive you of valuable class discussions and will also prevent you from fulfilling certain graded in-class activities, which cannot be made up. Excessive absences will affect your participation grade in this class. If you are absent from class more than two times during each participation period (two halves), you cannot earn higher than a B for participation during that half of the class; more than three you cannot earn higher than a C for participation; more than four you cannot earn higher than a D for participation; and more than five you will not any points for participation. • You are always responsible for all material distributed in your absence. Also note, any/all materials are handed out only once. If you are not in class to receive them, you should obtain the information from a fellow classmate. • I do not make distinctions in terms of "excused" vs. "unexcused" absences. If you talk to me in advance (not the day of class) about missing or have an emergency
- 6. that you let me know about with documentation as soon as possible, I make sure that you are able to turn in assignments for full credit. • Please try to be in class on time. Remember attendance is taken at the beginning of each class. Tardiness will result in deduction of participation points. o Tardiness will not be tolerated. Every two times that you show up late, it will be considered an absence. If you feel that you have a legitimate reason for being tardy, come talk to me the first week of class. I understand that unexpected things come up in life; if you have a legitimate reason for not being in class, you must contact me as far as possible in advance. I am willing to work with you and work something out that benefits both parties, but you have to communicate with me and keep me informed. If you are involved in any university activities that will cause you to miss class, I need a schedule of classes that you will miss and a signed note from your coach or advisor verifying that you are on the team. *PROFESSIONAL COURTESY: Professional courtesy includes respecting others' opinions, not interrupting in class, being respectful to those who are speaking, working together in a spirit of cooperation, and being ethical communicators. Since this is an interpersonal class, the discussion may become intimate with personal narratives, thus what is discussed in the classroom shall not leave the classroom. Please demonstrate these behaviors at all times in this class. I expect that my students remain professional and mature when discussing controversial ideas and remember that debate is an academic process, not an opportunity for personal attacks. HOSTILITY DURING THESE OPEN DISCUSSIONS WILL RESULT IN PENALTIES TO YOUR PARTICIPATION GRADE. We are a support system for each other because public speaking can be a scary experience for some individuals. I expect you to be in class on all instructional discussion days. Show up to class and support your classmates because they will do the same for you. COMMUNICATING WITH ME: Email is the best way to get in contact with me if you have questions or concerns. Please allow at least a 24-hour response time, 48 hours on the weekends. For example, if you email me an hour before class starts, do not assume I will respond to that email within the hour. It is expected that email communication be of professional quality. When writing through e-mail to an instructor, please identify yourself and the subject matter in the subject line of the email. Please be sure to address me in a professional manner. Always sign your name in your e-mails. Please follow these guidelines so your e-mail is given full consideration. SPEECH ETIQUETTE: On presentation days, you have dual responsibilities as a speaker and an audience member. When you are presenting, you will be expected to dress professionally or appropriately for you topic (how you dress impacts your credibility as a speaker). When you are an audience member, you will be attentive, think critically throughout each presenter’s speech, and be prepared to ask challenging but constructive questions when
- 7. the speech is finished. Because most people are nervous when they give a speech, you will be supportive both verbally and nonverbally. Please do not enter or leave the room while a speech is in progress and remember to turn off cell phones. If you do not show up for other classmates’ speech days you will lose 10 pts. from your speech grade. If your phone rings during a speech you will lose 20% from your speech grade. Also, if you are late on a speech day, NEVER come into the classroom during a speech. Wait outside until you hear applause and the conclusion of the speech. CELL PHONES/TEXTING: Laptops will be allowed for note taking purposes only. However, all other electronic devices are to be turned off and put away before class begins. If you are not paying attention in my class, I do not feel that you have truly attended my session and thus will mark you absent for the day. IF YOUR PHONE RINGS DURING AN EXAM, I WILL DEDUCT 20% FROM YOUR GRADE. If it rings during someone else’s Instructional Discussion or another presentation, you will lose 10 points off your own evaluation. CHEATING/PLAGIARISM: Students are expected to be honest in all academic work, consistent with the academic integrity policy as outlined in the Code of Student Conduct. All work is to be appropriately cited when it is borrowed, directly or indirectly, from another source. Unauthorized and unacknowledged collaboration on speech topics and/or the presentation of someone else’s work warrants plagiarism. Students found to inadvertently commit acts of dishonesty will receive appropriate penalties specific to the assignment in question. Students found to commit intentional acts of dishonesty will receive a failing grade in the course and will be referred for appropriate disciplinary action through Community Rights and Responsibilities. To put it simply…DON’T EVEN THINK ABOUT DOING IT! SPECIAL NEEDS: Any student needing to arrange a reasonable accommodation for a documented disability should contact Disability Concerns at 350 Fell Hall, 438-5853 (voice), 438-8620 (TDD). MENTAL HEALTH RESOURCES: Life at college can get very complicated. Students sometimes feel overwhelmed, lost, experience anxiety or depression, struggle with relationship difficulties or diminished self-esteem. However, many of these issues can be effectively addressed with a little help. Student Counseling Services (SCS) helps students cope with difficult emotions and life stressors. Student Counseling Services is staffed by experienced, professional psychologists and counselors, who are attuned to the needs of college students. The services are FREE and completely confidential. Find out more at Counseling.IllinoisState.edu or by calling (309) 438-3655. UNIVERSITY BEREAVEMENT POLICY Students who experience the death of an immediate family member or relative as defined in the University Student Bereavement Policy will be excused from class for funeral
- 8. leave, subsequent bereavement, and/or travel considerations. Students are responsible for providing appropriate documentation to the Dean of Students office and for contacting the instructor as soon as possible to make arrangements for completing missed work. More information is available in the Student Bereavement Policy at http://www.policy.illinoisstate.edu/2-1-27.shtml SCHOOL OF COMMUNICATION RESEARCH POOL WEBPAGE: This website is dedicated to research projects approved by the School of Communication which students enrolled in communication courses may participate during the semester. Students are encouraged to participate in research projects found on this website for 10 EXTRA CREDIT points (up to five projects, two points each). The website can be found at: https://sites.google.com/site/isucomresearch
- 9. TENTATIVE SCHEDULE FOR COM 123: *NOTE: I reserve the right to modify our schedule at any point throughout the semester. Week Date Day CHAP. Material Covered Assignment Due 1 1/13 T Course Orientation / Introductions / Interview as a Biographer / Syllabus Overview Assign Any Old Bag Speech Think about choices for Instructional Discussion Read Syllabus Show Up 1/15 Th Any Old Bag Speeches Sign up for Instructional Discussions Presentations Pick Instructional Discussion Chapter 2 1/20 T 1 Interpersonal Process Syllabus Contract Due Read Chapter 1 1/22 Th 1 Interpersonal Process Review Chapter 1 3 1/27 T 3 Communication and the Self Assign Artifact 1 Read Chapter 3 1/29 Th 3 Communication and the Self/Instructional Discussion Review Chapter 3 4 2/3 T 4 Perceiving Others Read Chapter 4 2/5 Th 4 Perceiving Others/ Chapter 4 Instructional Discussion Review Chapter 4 5 2/10 T 8 Emotions Read Chapter 8 2/12 Th 8 Emotions/Instructional Discussions Review Chapter 8 Artifact 1 Due 6 2/17 T **Exam 1 Review Day** Review Chapters 1, 3, 4, & 8 2/19 Th **Exam 1: Unit 1: Chapters 1, 3, 4, & 8** Exam Day
- 10. 7 2/24 T 5 Language Read Chapter 5 2/26 Th 5 Language/Instructional Discussions Assign Artifact 2 Review Chapter 5 8 3/3 T 6 Nonverbal Communication Read Chapter 6 3/5 Th 6 Nonverbal Communication/Instructional Discussion Review Chapter 6 9 3/17 T 7 Listening: Understanding and Supporting Others Assign Optional Participation Justification Paper Read Chapter 7 3/19 Th 7 Listening: Understanding and Supporting Others/Instructional Discussion Review Chapter 7 Artifact 2 Due 10 3/24 T 10 Communication Climate Read Chapter 10 Participation Justification Paper Due 3/26 Th 10 Communication Climate/Instructional Discussions Review Chapter 10 11 3/31 T ** Exam 2 Review Day** Review Chapters 5,6,7, & 10 4/2 Th **Exam 2: Unit 2: Chapters 5, 6, 7, & 10** Exam Day 12 4/7 T 9 Dynamics of Interpersonal Relationships Read Chapter 9 4/9 Th 9 Dynamics of Interpersonal Relationships/Instructional Discussions Review Chapter 9 13 4/14 T 2 Culture and Communication Read Chapter 2 4/16 Th 2 Culture and Communication / Chapter 2 Instructional Discussion Review Chapter 2 14 4/21 T 11 Managing Climate Chapter 11 Notes 4/23 Th 11 Managing Climate / Chapter 11 Instructional Discussion Review Chapter 11
- 11. 15 4/28 T 12 Communication in Families and at Work Read Chapter 12 Final Projects Due (Tentative Date) 4/30 Th 12 Communication in Families and at Work/Instructional Discussions Research Pool Webpage (Extra Credit) Closes Review Chapter 12 Final Exam Day: Short Exam Review, Exam, Final Projects Returned, and Participation Justification Papers Due.
- 12. Syllabus Contract I have read the syllabus for Caleb Malik’s Com 123 and agree to the terms for required coursework and acceptable classroom behavior. Signature: ____________________________________________________________ Name (please print) ___________________________Date____________________ Major: ________________________________________________________________ What do you do in your free time (hobbies/extracurricular activities)? What is one thing about you that might surprise people who don’t know you? What is your dream job/career interests? What is your favorite song, music artist, or music video? Please list at least 2 goals you hope to meet through this course: Briefly, how do you see the information and skills learned from this class applying to your career? What do you believe is your greatest strength academically?