TO BE UPDATED FOR CURRENT SEMESTER UPDATED FOR Spring  '19 this online version is slightly more detailed than hardcopy version & includes some examples

last updated 1/19/19 {pg ref. = Beebe 8e (7e)}

LIST OF CONTRACTED" INVESTIGATIVE PROJECTS  [S'19 -AA]

As part of this course, you are contracted to complete & submit a minimum of  4  of the attached investigative assignments (or a maximum of 6 - for extra credit) . All of these projects require some amount of out-of-class analysis/research/experimentation/observation, and each one requires about the same amount of work from each individual. The averaged grade received on these projects will =   40  % of the overall semester grade.

Your first project submission* {whichever one you choose} is due by:________ 2/20

Your second project submission* {whichever one you choose} is due by:______ 3/20 

Your third project submission* {whichever one you choose} is due by:_______ 4/10

   [* "submission" refers to the 2-4 page write up/discussion of the project findings][HARDCOPY / STAPLED / NORMAL FONTS & MARGINS ]

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Please note that "The Big Interview" Semester Project which was referred to in the syllabus is an additional, optional assignment which is NOT part of this current list of projects. It is assigned only as an individual, as-needed, extra item. If interested, inquire approximately one month before the end of the semester.

            #1:  ASSESSING YOUR OWN PERCEPTION PROCESS

            #2:   INTERPERSONAL RELATIONSHIPS IN THE FAMILY  [3 versions]

            #3:  LISTENING AND RESPONSE SKILLS

            #4:  MUSIC ? MUSIC !  [2 versions]

            #5: DYADIC ENCOUNTER: Developing an ongoing relationship

            #6: BUILDING SUPPORTIVE COMMUNICATION CLIMATES

         #7: YOUR CHOICE [you design it !]  [including a few topic ideas]

         #8:"WHY CAN'T WE ALL JUST GET ALONG?"- Diversity & Human Communication  / TOLERATING DIFFERENCES [2 versions this semester]

ASSESSING YOUR OWN PERCEPTION PROCESS  Adptd from S. Downey

  Instructions & Procedure: As humans, our perceptions are subjective, biased, incomplete, and often self-fulfilling. As a result, we have the tendency to draw erroneous inferences about others' behavior. However, you can create more accurate perceptions by learning the following three skills. "Testing Perceptions" requires that you do these three things:

1. DESCRIBE BEHAVIORS that you observe in others. In other words, objectively relate what you believe you are seeing/hearing. Then tell the other person what you have seen her/him say or do. This clarifies (for you for the other person) the actual behaviors that you are perceiving without evaluating or criticizing them.

2.INTERPRET BEHAVIORS [TWICE+] by mentally creating at least two different meanings or reasons that could account for the behaviors you described in step 1. This is because if you can attribute two possible interpretations of another's behavior, this  step will stop you from assuming that your first interpretation is the only "correct" one.

3. REQUEST FEEDBACK FROM THE OTHER person in order to assess the degree of accuracy of your interpretations. Allow the other person to verify this accuracy by agreeing/disagreeing/ possibly providing ANOTHER alternate perception .

Here's an Abbreviated Example of the 3 steps: "When you didn't show up at 7:00 p.m. as you said you would [BEHAVIOR] , I wasn't sure whether you had forgotten [1^st INTERPRETATION] or decided it wasn't important [2^nd INTERPRETATION] . Why didn't you keep our appointment? [REQUEST FOR FEEDBACK]

Project Exercise: Test your own perceptions by applying the three skills above to each of the 4 situations given below. Keep in mind that the purpose of this activity is to consider the overall accuracy and possible  tendencies of  your perceptual patterns. So, you may well find out that your initial impressions could be wrong.

  INTERPERSONAL RELATIONSHIPS IN THE FAMILY

Complete EITHER  A  or  B  or  C

A   -  Family Relationships - The View From TV

> Individual or Dyadic Project

> OBJECTIVE: To look below the surface of the fictitious families of TV (or film). [Of course, real life as depicted via mass media images is not quite "real"-- not even in so-called reality TV--, but media researchers often debate whether the inherent messages serve as reflections of our actual lives or as agents of socialization which shape our behaviors &  expectations .Whichever is true, most of what is shown in TV (or film)  families represents family dynamics that do exist somewhere within the society. 

-_Instructions & Procedure: Observe a variety of different television families ( e.g. single parent, nuclear, extended, "blended", extra-terrestrial, etc). Look for common themes, communication patterns, implicit operational rules, and other messages in at least 3-4 different programs/films.

 -In the Discussion/Write-up, BASED ON THESE MEDIA IMAGES, what are the conceptual definitions, characteristics, and types of "Family" being depicted?  [also see & incorporate background concepts: pp. 330-332 [7e =347-354 ]

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B  -  My Family

> Individual Project

> OBJECTIVE: To examine and analyze the interaction dynamics often found in families in general & yours in particular.

- Instructions & Procedure: As you read the chapter material on family communication [Chap 12], keep your own ‘family’ in mind .

-In the Discussion/Write-up, discuss how your family has handled the Communication-related skills discussed on pp. 337-339 [7e =  351-356]. Also refer to the Models on pp. 334 & 336.

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C - A Family Evolves

> Individual Project

> OBJECTIVE: To investigate how families’ develop into their own unique system by trying to trace the source of some of your family’s norms of interaction

Instructions & Procedure: Talk with as many of your "older" relatives as you can about what makes your family unique and/or what gives your family its "personality". If you are in an blended or extended you will need to combine input from a variety of family segments.

Write your paper describing the evolution of your own family. Starting back as far as you can, try to determine which family themes/patterns/roles have survived the generations and which ones have characterized each successive generation.  Listen carefully to the stories & narratives your family members tell. You may also find applicable principles in the chapter on CULTURE & DIVERSITY!

 In the Discussion/Write-up,  be sure to include specific materials  & concepts from the text & class discussions to help develop your descriptions, explanations, and conclusions about the evolution of your family's systems, customs, and patterns-of-interaction. Utilize Chapters 4 & 12.    

LISTENING AND RESPONSE SKILLS

_Instructions & Procedure:

(1) Each member of the group engages in two interactions with different individuals outside of this class.

     - In Interaction _A_, you should consciously use Nonverbal Affinity Behaviors [e.g., facing the speaker, maintaining an open posture, leaning slightly forward, maintaining direct eye contact, using appropriate facial expressions, etc....] as well as using Active Listening Response Behaviors [e.g. paraphrasing thoughts & feelings, vocal backchanneling, etc....].

   - In Interaction _B_ , DON’T use any of these Attending/Listening/Response behaviors.

(2) The other members of your group should be nearby looking on during these interactions in order to observe all of the actions and reactions throughout each situation. They should be close enough to see what's going on but far enough away to have a wide visual perspective.

(3) As a team, compare & contrast each group member's 2 situations with respect to their process and outcomes.

(4)  In the Discussion/Write-up, write one (group) paper in which you: 

    [a.] describe the encounters & the methods you used (e.g. the time, place & circumstances of each encounter and the specific behaviors used/not used) {NB: you might want to indicate this info via a chart}

    [b.] present the findings/results of the encounters {charts & tables would work for this, too} [ see below]

    [c.] explain the findings/results of the encounters by trying to drawing conclusions about what you discovered (i.e. discuss what your findings mean with respect to communication dynamics).

 In the Discussion/Write-up,  be sure to include materials from the textbook  & class discussions to help develop your descriptions, explanations, and conclusions. (especially re: NV & Listening)

Note, since this is a group paper,  I expect it to be quite comprehensive. You may want to split up the writing duties (e.g. one person in charge of the chart indicating behaviors used & behaviors observed  // one person summarizes/synthesizes the patterns of your findings/results  //  someone else compares your results to the nonverbal/listening/response concepts in the book  //  another person can do some outside reading  & incorporate additional relevant sources, etc.

Tip:  In the past students sometimes created a chart of the data collected  to provide concrete evidence to support the conclusions  & insights written about in the paper. For example:

                                                MUSIC ?  MUSIC ! {complete EITHER A  or  B }

> Individual project [this applies to both A & B]  Complete EITHER  A or B 

   A__

(1) Select one song that represents some aspect of the characteristics/values of interpersonal communication (as discussed in the text)--with which you agree. Consider: Why do you agree with these particular characteristics/values?

(2) Then select one song that represents characteristics/values of interpersonal communication (as discussed in the text)--with which you disagree. Consider: Why do you disagree with these particular characteristics/values?

(3) Select one song that seems to represent a particular "culture" within the United States. How is that "culture" being presented and what might this representation imply about the dynamics of about communicating with members of this culture? (i.e. what does the song seem to be saying about how to communicate with that culture/co-culture?)

(4) Select one song that affronts, challenges, or might be offensive to a particular "culture" in the United States. What is the affront and what are the implications of this song in respect to communicating with members of this culture?

In the Discussion/Write-up, use material from the text & class discussions (particularly language / culture) to help develop the descriptions, explanations, & conclusions that you draw from the 4 songs. Remember, song lyrics are a type of "rhetoric" in which the writer (who might or might not also be the performer) expresses his/her implicit or explicit values -- structured in a way as to influence the listening audience. Utilize all relevant chapters- esp. 4 & 6.

INCLUDE ALL OF THE FULL SONG LYRICS to illustrate the messages being conveyed.

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   B__

(1) Select a particular time period for investigation:1930s, 1940s, 1950s, 1960s, 1970s, 1980s or 1990sm or early 2000s

(2) Research songs related to these specific years, noting attitudes and messages implicitly and explicitly reflected in the lyrics.

(3) Select 4 representative songs to analyze and evaluate by applying various interpersonal communication concepts.( Be aware that 4 songs out of a whole decade is a very small research sample so choose wisely  but objectively. )

In the Discussion/Write-up, realize that this project is actually an examination of Verbal Communication ( i.e. Language & Rhetoric). Use material from the text & class discussions (esp. language/ culture) to help you explain any patterns you may notice in the way in which lyricists use language to express their  view of the reality in a given decade and how they try to communicate that reality to the listeners,  Much has been written about the effects of the messages in music. You may want to do some reading in Mass Communication sources to help you draw your conclusions about  the 4 songs.  Utilize all relevant chapters- esp. 4 & 6.

INCLUDE ALL OF THE FULL SONG LYRICS to illustrate the messages being conveyed.

                                    DYADIC ENCOUNTER: Developing an ongoing relationship

> Individual Project

> OBJECTIVE: To explore a current "relationship" in your life via mutual Self Disclosure and controlled risk-taking. All relationships benefit from periodic renewal & re-evaluation.

>> BASIC PROCEDURE: This project should be completed with a person with whom you have had some continuing interaction on a personal level. Prompts have been placed within the list of statements to remind you to use such techniques as paraphrasing, perception checking , and expression-of-feelings.  Please note: this an ORAL, Face-To-Face encounter -- not via phone, not via email, not via letters, not via Skype/Facetime, etc., not via a written questionnaire & certainly not via text message.

 -Both persons should complete each of the 27 statements, but... [see * below].

-Also, you are encouraged to amplify the discussion by adding to each statement. Proceed with the statements in order, but alternate turns on who responds first. Each partner responds to each statement before continuing on with  the activity.

>>> GUIDELINES:  

(1) Be open & accepting of your partner's responses

(2) Talk about your own feelings: use "I" statements rather than "you" statements. 

(3) [*] Feel free to skip any item that makes either of you feel uncomfortable

(4) Use this activity to share information rather than to solve problems or to interrogate

(5) Be willing to take risks 

(6) Be Honest.

>>>>The STATEMENTS:

1. The first time we met was...

2. The amount of time we have known each other is...

3. The kind of relationship we have is...

4. One adjective to describe our relationship would be...

5. One way in which we are alike is...

6. One way in which we are different is...

7. If our relationship was a movie, it would be called...

8. A peak experience in our relationship was...

9. When we meet new people, I...

10. When I am with you in a social situation, I feel...

11. Right now I feel...

[Listening Check: "Are you saying that...?]

12. One of your greatest assets is ...

13. I am proud of you when...

14. Something you have helped me learn about myself is...

15.One of the feelings with which I have the most trouble is..

16. I assume you know that...

17. If I could make you over, I would never change...

18. I am afraid...

19. I like it when you...

20. You annoy me when...

21. A habit of mine that bothers me most is...

22. Your greatest strength is...

[Listening Check: "Are you saying that...?]

23. If I had all the money in the world, I would...

24. When we have an intellectual discussion...

25. You tend to talk a lot about...

26. When I don't want to answer questions, I...

27. This experience...

In the Discussion/Write-up, note that I do NOT need to know each of the actual answers given by you & your partner.  Instead, you should write your paper as an analysis and you can cite some, interesting or relevant answers to support your analysis.  Make use of the material in the textbook on Relationships--esp. the concepts of stages & maintenance.  Discuss the 2-3 significant things that this project enabled you to learn about yourself or your partner or relationships or interactive listening or nonverbal dynamics,  etc. etc.—i.e.  whatever areas constituted the  most significant insights. Be sure to include material from the text & class discussions.   Depending upon your particular results with this project, almost every chapter could be applicable.    

> Dyadic Project (possibly Individual)

> OBJECTIVE: To perceive the effects of using verbal confirming, disconfirming, defensive, & supportive behaviors

>>>PROCEDURE: Read the chapter on Verbal Communication—paying special attention to: How to Manage Misunderstandings (pp. 157-165)  &  How to use Words of Support & Comfort (p.165-170)  & How to Have a Conversation (pp. 170-173) & How to Apologize (p.172-3).  [7e equiv. = Words of Support: pp.173-183]

>> Complete the “Assessing Your Skills"  activity for any three(3) of these verbal techniques—exercises are located on  p. 177 or p. 178.

 Also, be aware that his project is an examination of how language can be used as a TOOL in the creating of positive (or negative) communication situations.     

  YOUR CHOICE [you design it !]

> Individual, dyadic, or small group project

> OBJECTIVE: To complete a project of your own design. You will need to hand in/email an advance outline for your proposal  - - indicating  your Interpersonal "research" objective & specifically what you plan to do. Instructor approval is necessary for any Your Choice project. 

>>PROCEDURE: Whatever the actual project/investigation, the submitted paper for the Your Choice project should follow these guidelines:

1. Select an aspect of interpersonal communication that you wish to study. (Recent topics have included: Nonverbal in Everyday Life , Impact of Facebook/Twitter Space on relationships , Phrenology , the problems with the Self Esteem Movement  , Family Conflict , mPatterns of Nonverbal behavior at Rock Concerts ,  Revisiting 'My Shield' : how I've evolved during this semester. Also see the Professor brainstormed list below.**

2. Read the applicable sections in the text and also read followup references. It may also be helpful to use computerized bibliographic indexes (e.g. PsychINFO, Ebsco, Sociofile, etc.).

3. Any such  supporting reference sources should be listed  in the bibliography of this paper. Use APA or MLA style. There should be at least 3 annotated references listed.-- not including the textbook.  (i.e. in addition to listing the citation information, include  2-3 sentences explaining the key ideas & relevance of the source in your reference list.)

4. Write a paper in which you describe your research & observations and discuss their meaning - in light of the literature ( writings and research)  in the area.

5. Timely advance submission of a preliminary outline/research plan is HIGHLY recommended. (in order to get maximum points for this project)

** some additional Yr.Chce. topic ideas

►Modern day Semiotics—analyzing laptop stickers ( & other such “identity markers” such as bumper stickers)

►Nonverbal principles & insights for restaurant servers & others (your tips could depend on it)

►Patterns of nonverbal behaviors commonly found at rock concerts ( context specificity rules!) 

►Research and investigation into graphology – or “the study of handwriting."  ( What does your handwriting reveal  about  you?)

►The Dark side of social networking

►"Punctuation" (as in human perception) is the root of all/most  conflict.

►21st Century effects on Human Communication

► Evolving Gender Roles

► Comparative Cultural Examination of Significant Other Relationships

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     "WHY CAN'T WE ALL JUST GET ALONG?" - Diversity & Human Communication

> Individual Project

> OBJECTIVE: " Multicultural Interview": To appreciate cultural diversity and to identify communication similarities and differences in a specific culture.

Instructions: You should interview someone who is a member of a culture different than yours. "Cultures" include nationality, ethnic, racial, color, generational, gender or sexual groupings. Conduct your interview so that you will be able to answer/address all of these questions below. Note that, as with all good interviews, both parties learn something about themselves as well as each other. When you have completed your interview of the individual, write a paper based on the "discussion" guidelines at the bottom.

1. What is the nature of the interviewee's culture(s) - Consider ethnicity, co-culture, age, gender, place of origin, & length of residency in the United States [if relevant].

2. Have there been any misconceptions and stereotypes you [the interviewer] have had to cope with or counteract when interacting with members of your interviewee's co-culture? Is your interviewee aware of these misconceptions/stereotypes that people have about his/her co-culture? How does he/she deal with them?

3. What values are accepted by your interviewee? These values may include family, religion, personal aspirations, sex/gender roles, etc. How do these values compare to your (the interviewer) own culture? How do they compare to values prevalent in the “mainstream” culture?

4. What contributions does your interviewee's co-culture make to contemporary "mainstream" society?

5. Is your interviewee satisfied with the status currently held of her/his co-culture in the United States? Are you satisfied? If not how would you ideally like it to be?

6. TURNING THE TABLES:  In discussion with your interviewee, consider how you believe  others outside of your co-culture tend to perceive you.   Do think others  (both inside & outside of your co-culture) usually perceive you the same way you perceive yourself?   Share & discuss these insights with your interviewee. You can even ask your interviewee to disclose how he/she perceived you before you started interacting.

7. What insights  ( about culture & communication) have you gained as a result of this interview?

8. If you were to "walk a mile in the shoes" of your interviewee, what would it feel like?

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PROJECT 8B

                    TOLERATING DIFFERENCES / INTERPERSONAL CONFLICT ‑ Diversity   & Human Communication {Drama / Culture / Conflict}   

= Alternate Version for Project #8 - via a production at the SHU Theatre/ Theater-In-The-Round-

                          

> Individual, dyadic, or small group project  > OBJECTIVE: To appreciate the concept of co-cultural diversity as depicted in literature/drama and to apply contemporary concepts to (universal) interpersonal dynamics of similarities and differences.

                                 

      

                 

>>PROCEDURE: Attend a performance of  THEATER-IN-THE-ROUND/SHU THEATRE  

  S'19:

Approximating Mother A contemporary comedy, written by Kathleen Tolan, about today's maternity boom. In the play, two women friends from the city, and a pregnant Midwestern teenager, discourse on the pros and cons of parenting, motherhood and shady adoptions, all the while coping with their own impending deliveries and/or childbearing deadlines. A play written by Kathleen Tolan. Performed in the Theatre-in-the-Round, February 28th- March 2nd at 8 p.m. and March 3rd at 2 p.m. The Spitfire Grill A compelling musical about a young woman, a feisty parolee, who has dreams of a new life. She wanders to a small Wisconsin town where finds a job at The Spitfire Grill. Here, she is surrounded by the warmth and good will of the local inhabitants who help her discover herself. Written by Fred Alley, James Valcq and Lee David Zlotoff.  Performed at the South Orange Performing Arts Center, May 2nd-4th  at 8 p.m. and May 5th at 2 p.m.

 All dramatic literature is based on depicting  "dynamics of human communication". This means any play that you see will contain some variation of  interpersonal conflict and that conflict may well contain factors that correspond to factors found in the study of cultural & diversity [e.g. differences over elements / differences over what is valued / differences in the communicative influence of  context].

 Both of the productions this semester address the issue of the tolerance/intolerance of  persons  who are perceived to be  different from others, yet they explore the concept in very different ways. For example, a play may represent one of Western cultures' most iconic depictions of cultural intolerance or a given era's use of comedy of manners to poke fun at societal prejudices about class differences..

     1. Read about Culture and Diversity and Interpersonal Conflict in your text. & also in some "outside" sources. Formulate some of your own preliminary theories about WHY-- throughout history--diversity & difference have often been treated negatively. In other words, before seeing the play, you should already have done some reading/thinking on the topic so that you can watch the performance in a "focused" way-- so that you can watch it more for analysis than pure entertainment.

     2. Attend a Performance. Be a respectful audience member but be sure to take notes on the aspects of culture / diversity / and/or  tolerance (or lack of tolerance). 

     3. Even if you have previously read or seen these plays, be sure to base your comments on THIS production,  THESE actors' performances & THIS director's interpretation. Be aware that I will have seen the productions, so make your references to it clear and specific.

     Discussion/Writeup: This paper is more than a simple summary of the play's plot. Summarize the major diversity-based, conflict-based  &/or tolerance  insights gained from viewing the production. In addition, identify common themes, common stereotypes, and potential sources of (multicultural) intolerance. Also incorporate relevant background material on culture &/or conflict (from textbook, other sources, etc.). Finally, offer some recommendations on ways to improve tolerance of difference among diverse groups & co-cultures.