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► COST:1610 -- DYNAMICS OF HUMAN COMMUNICATION  ◄

 

            {Course Syllabus - Fall '08: }          [[[ last updated on 12/5/08]]]

Dr. E. Plummer  [Department of Communication] 

  office: Fahy Hall - 51  {dept office: Fahy Hall -  49}  

 phone: 973-275-2791 {dept phone: 973-761-9474} 

 e-mail: plummeev@shu.edu 

 mailbox: in FH-49 {Comm.Dept. Office}

 {{ general home page:  http://pirate.shu.edu/~plummeev }} 

 

REQUIRED TEXT:   Interpersonal Communication: Relating to others, (5th ed.)     Beebe, Beebe, Redmond

 

COURSE DESCRIPTION:   [prerequisite: "Oral Communication"]         

 This course will study the actions and implications of human behavior in face-to-face interaction. Course content will explored via: readings , lecture/discussion , projects , and various experiential techniques.  

 

SOME SPECIFIC COURSE OBJECTIVES:                                      

  1. To understand the elements of the communication processes as they occur in face-to-face settings

  2. To understand the communication-based connections to other fields which also  study human behavior      (ex:  psychology, sociology, anthropology)

  3. To increase your own skills of "Interpersonal" interaction (esp. in listening, nonverbal, empathy, & response skills)

4. To better understand the influences culture and/or gender have upon "Interpersonal" relations and communication encounters 

 

COURSE REQUIREMENTS: {also see following pages}

1.   Knowledge, Understanding, Analysis, and Application of the material covered in the text and/or lecture notes.
 

2.   Regular attendance and participation in class & conference sessions---
{no more than 3 hrs of absence or 3 tardies }
 

 3. Written Tests (2)

 

 4. On line quizzes/"assessments"- via the University's Blackboard software (3-4)

 
 5. The "Contracted" Investigative Assignments pages  being updated  (= 4-6 submissions /also see the basic  "Project Overview"  <Click link  for  assignment's basic   rationale/details> &  the separate hardcopy handout for specific details)
 

 6. [tentative] Optional Semester Project ("The Big Interview"). Additional optional opportunities will be assigned as opportunities arise.

 

 7. Of course, there is a no-cell-phone-usage/ no-audible-pager-or-alarm/ no-electronic-distractions policy for this class.

  **Your laptops will not be required in class for each session and in-class usage will be restricted to class-relevant applications only [i.e. no IM, no email, no chat, restricted notetaking, etc.]

8.   Internet source citations must list these 4 items: [1] URL, [2] the Title of the particular Webpage you used, [3] the Date that you accessed the page & [4] (If available) the last date that the page itself was updated.  It is also recommended that you refer to the guidelines in the Department of Communication's Policy on Academic Honesty

9. Additional important policy documents include:  

* Explanation of my Criteria used for assigning Letter Grades

*  SHU Disability Statement

 

BASIC EVALUATION PROCEDURE:   & Remember, ATTENDANCE AFFECTS GRADE! 

*  Contracted Investigative Projects  pages  being updated  [including the Oral Presentation] - [This course employs a type of "contract" system which will  allow students to select a commitment for completing 4, 5, or 6 of  these projects]   40%
*  "Classwork" [including Homework/Attendance/Additional Mini Presentations]-  25%
 *  Written Tests (2 scheduled in-class) & online quizzes (3-4 scheduled) - - -   35%
 

There will be few (IF ANY) opportunities for make-up work, and late submissions may not be read. 

COURSE CALENDAR {subject to change via online version, stay tuned!}

 

1. The following calendar lists the dates of the units of study and the accompanying readings in the required text.  Additional written assignments, oral activities, worksheets, computer projects, etc. will be added on a day-to-day basis.

2. Classroom time will be primarily devoted to the clarification, exploration, and discussion of the issues generated by the readings and students' research. In other words, class sessions will be based on your readings and research, but will not simply "rehash" the same exact material in a verbatim manner. You can be better prepared for the classroom activities & discussions if you keep up on your readings.

It is the student's responsibility to be prepared for class by anticipating the units and discussion assignments. NB:  Some updates and specifications also may be distributed via e-mail and/or my web page.  

   

WEEK OF... F'08AA   / MW 2:30 shrt sem

    UNIT_OF STUDY 

   READINGS/      ASSIGNMENTS due for this date

          9/3  

 

                            1

 -Intro to Course; Interview session (W.A.I.?);

 - Roundtable disc: "The Importance of Interpersonal Communication & Interpersonal skills" {as based on your personal experiences}  

  -Review the Basic Communication Process;  

 Chapter 1 - ASAP

review "Contracted Project Overview" [click for link to basic information about this assignment]

 

  9/8, 9/10{end:add/drp}

 

2

 >INTERVIEW "SPEECHES"< 

-Theories & Principles of Interpersonal Comm [incl. Plummer's Principles to Remember]; [click for link to information page]

-Who Am I's  - part 2

 -Self Concept/Self Awareness & their impact on  relationships & daily interactions; Social  
Cognition  [ i.e. how you access the world around you];

- Sign up for Individual Conference appointment.

Chapter 2  [sc]  [due 9/8]

►Exercises in text:

>p. 65 #2[middle-of-page] - The Shield  due 9/10   

& 

 

 

    

>Recommended: p.65[bottom]. Take any one of the online personality tests.  asap - NA for current text

     9/15 , 9/17

                                      3

-Understanding your own "Interpersonality" &  Skills of  self-assessment;   

-Perception [incl. cultural & contextual filters] {No-- we don't all see the same thing}  

also:

  Individual Project Conferences:   some =  during classtime & some = during my regular office hours-  [all are by appt. be sure you have signed up for one]   

 

-Perception , cont.

 Chapter 3[perc] due 9/15

 skim Chap 4[div] due 9/17

&  >p.52 -  Sociocommunicative Orientation  due 9/15

 tent: &  >p.___ - Willingness to Communicate page to be updated   due 9/15

 tent:> Bring in "Same Difference" news clippings [as assigned] due tba 

 ►Online Quiz - Due F 9/19:  COMPLETE OnLine CHECKUP QUIZ# 1  VIA  BLACKBOARD  COURSE:COST1610 - AA quiz will be available _9/16-9/19

   9/22 , 9/24

4

-Complete Perception basics

-Intro to Nonverbal communication: 
experiments, observations & implications    [transmitting emotions & ideas];   

review Chap 3[perc]; skim Chap 7  due 9/22

    9/29 , 10/1

 

                           5

 

-Complete Perception basics

-Begin field work: With your team members, meet ( in & outside of class) & work on the-Nonverbal observation /experiment [click for link to assignment page]    All of these explanations+ presentations are due for W-10/1  [[Teams that are absent or unprepared = "0" grade]]

 

 

Chapter 7 [nv] due 9/29

In order to be prepared for the teamwork,  you should be THOROUGHLY familiar with your assigned Nonverbal observation /experiment  item  by 10/1  [click for link to assignment page]  

& skim Chap 4[div] due 10/1

      10/6 , 10/8

6

 

 Complete Intro.  of Nonverbal Comm. via  remaining presentations of your NV Investigations on 10/6

- - - - - - - - - - - - -  &  - - - - - - - - - - - - - - 

 - Overview: Culture & Communication beg.10/8

- - - - - - - - - - - - -  &  - - - - - - - - - - - - - - 

-Issues of Diversity (incl. gender,ethnicity, age, culture, etc.);     ( Trooper & the Lady) (Mi Familia) (Monsoon Wedding) (Soul Food)

read Chapter 4 [div]due 10/6

 

Paper #1 due 10/8

Contracted Projects Master Document]-F08 pages  being updated

  10/13Columbus. Day , 10/15

7

 

--Issues of Diversity, cont. (incl. gender,ethnicity, age, culture, etc.);    

- - - - - - - - - - - - -  &  - - - - - - - - - - - - - -   

-Language & Communication - Part I [transmitting emotions & ideas];  ( Lucy)  

- - - - - - - - - - - - -  &  - - - - - - - - - - - - - -   

-Culture-influenced variations in comm. style & interpretation [Diversity immersion activity] {tent: the-messages-in-the-music, Diversity Bingo} 

- - - - - - - - - - - - -  &  - - - - - - - - - - - - - -   

-Listening-I (techniques of decoding & processing) {Do you know how to hear; do you know how to listen?}  

Chapter 6 [lang] due 10/13

& 

Chapter 5 [list] due 10/15

►Online Quiz - Due F 10/17 : COMPLETE OnLine CHECKUP QUIZ# 2  VIA  BLACKBOARD  COURSE:COST1610-CC quiz will be available _10/14 -10/17

 

 

    10/20 , 10/22

 

8

-on 10/20: -Listening- II (Interactive Responding & Paraphrasing) Continue Listening Slide Show &  Interactive Listening Activity--  click to go to assignment sheet.  Be prepared for your listening role. 

 

 

 

 in-classTEST #1 on 10/22

 

  review Chaps 5 & 6  [due 10/20]  

  & review pp.137-143 paraphrasing & empathy (in ch5)   

 

Be prepared for your listening role.

Click link at left for Test Study Preview Sheet -including  advance question(s)

 

 observe families!  

 

   10/27 , 10/29

9

on 10/27--Intro to Family Communication &  Plummer's  Principles to Remember - Family  click to go to this information sheet.

 

 --Viewing  families as homestatic, cultural systems

 (Mi Familia) (Monsoon Wedding) (Soul Food)( Meet The Parents)

-- on 10/29: assignment of the Family Dynamics oral presentation+skit (Teams Meet & Plan their  family project roleplayed skits/discussions/illustrations) click to go to assignment sheet

--With your team members, meet & work on family skits & panels  that was assigned to you.  NOTE: Panel discussion teams will need to submit a "discussion agenda". Skit/Roleplay teams will need to submit  a "scene sketch"

   -if time, Additional Listening activity : tba

 

 [due 10/27 pp. 350-357 in Chap. 12 [fam]

 

 

Paper #2 due 10/29

Contracted Projects Master Document-F08 page to  be updated 

 

   11/3 , 11/5

   

10

(11/3) & 11/5 & 11/10: PRESENTATIONS: FAMILY TEAM PROJECTS  

- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -

  -Family Relationships: Visible & Invisible Messages

(Mother) ( Meet the Parents)

review  Chap 12[fam rel] (esp350-359)

    

 

     11/10 , 11/12 

 

11

 - Begin scheduling slots for  Mini-Project Reports   click to go to assignment sheet [final schedule to be posted by 11/18 (9pm)]

-----------------------------------------------------

11/12:  if nec, Complete:  Families  - our first relationships/ Review PPTR-F-s (Mi Familia) (Monsoon Wedding)( Big Night) (Raymond)

-----------------------------------------------------

11/12:  If time--Intro to Relationships: Types , Formation , Maintenance &  De-escalation   (Andy G, Breakfast Club) 

if time: Slang terms for  close friends / Pick up lines / Opposites attract?;

Chapter 9 [rel]  [due 11/12]

 

 

►Online Quiz - Due 11/14: COMPLETE OnLine CHECKUP QUIZ# 3  VIA  BLACKBOARD  COURSE:COST1610CC quiz will be available _11/11-11/14_

   11/17 , 11/19 

 

12  

►Conflict&Relationships - complete the p.1 case study that you have been assigned. Due 11/17n.a. for this semester 

----------------------------------------------------

Relationships: Power, Defensiveness, Supportiveness; 

-----------------------------------------------------

if time: Intro to Relationship/Interpersonal Conflict (Big Night) (Romy II)

---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

review--Intro to Relationships: Types , Formation , Maintenance &  De-escalation

---------------------------------------------------------------------------

>Mini-Project Reports  11/19[2]

Paper #3 due 11/19 [ If you have contracted to complete  additional projects for extra-credit, you should prearrange the additional submission dates.]  

Contracted Projects Master Document-F08]pages  being updated   

--------------------------------

Chapter 10 [rel dev] &   
   preview Chap 8 [CM] 

  > complete the wksht:   Conflict&Relationships  [click to go to assignment sheet ]     due  by email ONLY -  no.later than 11/17-  4pmn.a. for this semester 

 

    11/24 , ___

 

13

- tba:  via either Panel Discussions  / or/ Conflict&Relationships Workshop  /or/ Personal Ads    /or/ TBD ACTIVIT Yn.a. for this semester 

 

-----------------------------------------------------

Maximizing your interpersonal influence in relationships;

-----------------------------------------------------

if nec.: Complete "buzz sessions"  on relationship dynamics; Intro to Relationship/Interpersonal Conflict (As Good as it Gets, Big Night, The Elliotts)

-----------------------------------------------------

all week: Troubleshooting real life interpersonal situations:  via completed  & edited

CASE STUDIES n.a. for this semester 

 

-----------------------------------------------------

 

 

>Mini-Project Reports  11/24[4]

 

Chapter 8  [CM]  

&

Chapter 11  [Rel Chall] 

&

review Chap 5 [list] 
  T H A N K S G I V I N G     B R E A K  

      12/1 , 12/3 

14

 

all week, if time: Troubleshooting real life interpersonal situations:      via completed  & edited CASE STUDIES pn.a. for this semester 

>Mini-Project Reports   12/1[5],12/3[5]

 

 ►Online Quiz - Due 12/2: (orig. for 11/14)  COMPLETE OnLine CHECKUP QUIZ# 3  VIA  BLACKBOARD  COURSE:COST1610CC quiz will be available _ 11/25 - 12/2  ((orig. for 11/11-11/14)

 
 

    12/8 , ____

                       15    

 

>Mini-Project Reports 12/8[5]

 

all week, if time: Troubleshooting real life interpersonal situations:                        via completed  & edited

CASE STUDIES  n.a. for this semester 

 

Paper #4 due  12/8  (also accepted 12/10 [ask about special hardcopy submission procedures]

Contracted Projects Master Document-F08]pages  being updated   

 

EXAM SESSION: 

F 12/12/08 @ 8:45am-10:25 am; in the usual classroom

PROCTORED BY PROFESSOR HADODO
 

 

 complete >Mini-Project Reports [3] 

AND

 in class   TEST # 2 

  

 

 Click link at left for Test study Preview Sheet -including   3 advance questions !!!  

 

 

 TENT. EXTRA CREDIT OPPORTUNITY:  ►Online Quiz - Due _12/17__: COMPLETE OnLine CHECKUP/exam review QUIZ# 4  VIA  BLACKBOARD  COURSE:COST1610-AA quiz will be available TBA  If not posted by 12/14, it probably won't be

 

 

 

 

 

 

to fit in,  if time:

misc: insert when possible:    

Listening II & III (More Interactive Responding & Paraphrasing)+(adapting to diverse communication patterns) ; the-messages-in-the-music ;  the Barry melrose incident (extra credit opportunity) ;  "What were they thinking"  Perception Activity + Oral Presentation  ; Nonverbal Observations, continued:  the Portrait Gallery"

>FRIEND-FOR-LIFE-INTERVIEWS

 

 

 

 

 

 

(c) 2008

 

last updated 12/5/08

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Below = Additional LEFTOVER ITEMS: to fit in where possible  

page to be updated     RESCHEDULED TO __tba___

NOTE: CONFERENCES ONLY ON ___tba___.         THERE IS NO CLASS MEETING ON THAT DAY

11/15:   no class meeting : Instead, you should...

1 - work next 2 papers, 

2 - send instructor an requesting a specific presentation date 11/27-12/15)  (see possibilities below) for your   Mini-Project Reports 

3 - complete online quiz #3