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► COST:1610 -- DYNAMICS OF HUMAN COMMUNICATION  ◄

 

            {Course Syllabus - FALL  2014          [[ last updated on 12/7/14 ]]

Dr. E. Plummer  [Department of Communication and the Arts] 

 e-mail: evelyn.plummer@shu.edu /or/ plummeev@shu.edu  

 mailbox: in FH-45 {Comm.Dept. mailbox room}

 { professor's home page: http://pirate.shu.edu/~plummeev }

 

REQUIRED TEXT:   Interpersonal Communication: Relating to others, (7th ed.)     Beebe, Beebe, Redmond 

 

COURSE DESCRIPTION:   [prerequisite: "COST 1600 or 1500"]         

 This course addresses the principles and implications of human behavior in face-to-face interaction including such contacts as family, relationships, and gender. Course content will explore these areas 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, in class Tests(2)

 

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

 
 5. The "Contracted" Investigative Assignments = 4-6 submissions /also see the  "Project Overview"   <Click link  for  this  assignment's basic  rationale/details> . Also refer to  the separate hardcopy handout for specific details)
 

 6.  Optional Semester Projects ("The Big Interview", "Real World Dynamics", "Conflict Case Study"). Additional optional opportunities will be assigned as opportunities arise.

 

 7. Of course, there is a no-electronic distractions policy for this class. This includes no-cell-phone-usage/ no-audible-pagers-or-alarms/ no texting, etc.  **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.]  Also you may be interested in reading about the "Myth of Multitasking"

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 Office on Disabilities Statement

 

BASIC EVALUATION PROCEDURE:    Remember, ATTENDANCE  affects grade! 

*  Contracted Investigative Projects page to be updated  including the "Mini-Report" 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, via Blackboard) - - -   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.  

Always check the "last updated on"  notation to ensure you are looking at correct version of the webpage.

 Any old links  that are flagged with: " page being updated ". means that the currently attached document = last semester's version. You can view it as an example while awaiting the updated version.

WEEK OF...

sectAA/MW3:30-4:45

 Unit of Study

   READINGS/      ASSIGNMENTS due on this date

       8/25 , 8/27 

 

                          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 

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

-- >>INTERVIEW "SPEECHES"<<

 

 

Chapter 1 - ASAP

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

 

  ____ , 9/3

   {add/drp  ends 9/2]

 

2

--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];

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

- in class, Sign up for an Individual Conference Appointment.

You should come prepared with: (1) any questions you have for me about the details of the specific contracted projects, (2) a clear conception of the areas of human communication that you are most interested in (3) a list (tentative or definite) of the 4-6 projects/papers you expect to complete.

 

 

Chapter 2  [sc]  [due  9/3 ]

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

 

►Exercises :- The Shield  [due  9/3]  

      {5th ed = also on  p. 65 #2 [middle-of-page] 


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

   

►Recommended:    p.60 [bottom-of-page].{5th ed. = p. 65}  Take any one of the online personality tests.  but-may not be accessible w/o access code.

 

Some alternate sites:

-psychcentral.com/personality-test/ start.php

- humanmetrics.com

 

    9/8 , 9/10

                                      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 on 9/10 & 9/18 & most  = during my regular office hours- [ all are by appt. so be sure you have signed up for one]   

 

 

 Chapter 3[percp] due 9/8

 - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -

skim Chap 4[div] due 9/19

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

optional extra credit : Communication Social Style   due 9/8 - {6th ed= Sociocommunicative Orientation=p.56 {5th ed = p.52} -  

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

 optional extra credit :  Willingness to Communicate  due TBA - via email / scores only

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

>tentative: if time:> Bring in "Same Difference" news clippings [as assigned] due TBA 

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

 ►Online Quiz - COMPLETE OnLine CHECKUP QUIZ# 1  VIA  BLACKBOARD  quiz will be available 9/10-9/13 {orig = 9/9-9/12} 

       9/15 , 9/17

4
  complete: Individual Project Conferences:   some =  during classtime & some = during my regular office hours-  [all are by appt. be sure you have signed up for one]   

-Begin  Perception basics

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

on 9/17 -NO FORMAL CLASS MEETING --Instead, start working on multi-step "Intro to Nonverbal communication: experiments, observations & implications"   [transmitting emotions & ideas without words]

-Begin "field work" {Teams-Meet-&-Plan} 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 M-9/29.

 

 

review Chap 3[percp]due 9/15

 

&

 

 skim Chap 7  due 9/15

 

Take the Johari survey!: http://pirate.shu.edu/~yatesdan/survey1.htm

 

   

   9/22 , 9/24  

                           5

 

 

Complete Perception basics, as necessary

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

 

 

Intro.  of Nonverbal Comm.

 

Chapter 7 [nv] due 9/22

 

&

 

 skim Chap 4[div] due 10/1 to enhance your understanding of how NVs are "culture specific"

 

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

In order to be prepared for the teamwork,  you should be THOROUGHLY familiar with your assigned item in the Nonverbal observation /experiment   so that you can confer with your partners  [click for link to assignment page]

 

        9/29 , 10/1

 

 

  

  

6

 

  Intro.  of Nonverbal Comm. via  presentations of your NV Investigations on 9/29

[[Teams that are absent or unprepared on that date = "0" grade]]

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

 - Overview: Culture & Communication beg 10/1, if poss.

 

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

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

read Chapter 4 [div] due 10/1

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

Paper #1 due 10/1

Contracted Projects Master Document[F14] 

      10/6 , 10/8 

 

  

   -

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: C-A-CoC] {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 [verb.lang] due 10/8

& 

Chapter 5 [list] due asap

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

 

►Online Quiz - COMPLETE OnLine CHECKUP QUIZ# 2 VIA  BLACKBOARD quiz will be available 10/7-10/10 

 

    10/13-10/14  Fall Break - NO CLASSES   Mon = Columbus Day. start observing families!

 _____ , 10/15

 

8

 

 in-classTEST #1 on 10/15

 

 

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

    10/20 , 10/22 

9

on 10/20 -- as nec. Complete "Create-A-Co-Culture"/ Culture & Diversity [Trooper/Lady insights] / Debrief midterm

 

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

 on 10/20 - begin: "Intro to Family Communication" via 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 10/22:  assignment of the Family Dynamics Teams:  oral presentations/skitsTeams Meet & Plan their family project debates roleplayed skits/discussions/illustrations click to go to assignment sheet .

--With your team members, meet & work on family skits & panels as assigned. NOTE: Panel discussion teams will need to submit a "discussion agenda". Skit/Roleplay teams will need to submit  a "scene sketch." Both worksheets are available at bottom of the linked assignment page.

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

 -- if time, Additional Listening activity: tba  

 [due 10/20 pp. 347-363  in Chap. 12 [fam] {6th ed=343-360 // 5th ed. = pp. 350-357 }

 

 

 

Paper #2 due 10/22

Contracted Projects Master Document[F14] 

 

 









EXTRA CREDIT OPPORTUNITY: : Writing a Case Study - due preferably by 10/27 - NLT 11/3-5pm click link for detailsNA FOR F'14

  10/27 , 10/29

   

10

 

(10/27if poss)  & 10/29 & 11/3 :  PRESENTATIONS: FAMILY TEAM PROJECTS (Debates)

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

--Family Relationships: Visible & Invisible Messages  (Mother) (Meet the Parents)

 

review Chap 12[fam rel] (esp. p. 347-360tba { 6th ed=353-360 // 5th ed = p.350-359}) due 10/27

 
   - Begin requesting scheduling slots for  Mini-Project Reports   page  being updated   click to go to assignment sheet [final schedule to be posted approx. 11/24(7pm)]

  
    11/3 , 11/5

 

11

 

11/3:Complete: Families  - our first relationships/ Review PPTR-F's  / The 8th PPTR-F ? (if nec: Mi Familia) (Monsoon Wedding)( Big Night) (Raymond)

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

11/5: - Intro to Relationships: Types , Formation , Maintenance &  De-escalation  (Andy G, Breakfast Club)

 

Chapter 9 [interp rela]  [due NLT11/5]





►Online Quiz - COMPLETE OnLine CHECKUP QUIZ# 3 VIA  BLACKBOARD  quiz will be available 11/11-11/14 originally scheduled for 11/4-11/7
    11/10 , 11/12
         
                      12

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

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

Relationships, cont: Types , Formation , Maintenance &  De-escalation  (Andy G, Breakfast Club)

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

Relationships: Power, Defensiveness, Supportiveness

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

Intro to Relationship/Interpersonal Conflict                  (Big Night) (Romy II) ( SKOM) (Anvil);

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


"Talking About Conflict" vocabulary list [& may be hard copies available in class]

 

review Chapter 9 {5th ed = Ch10 } [rel dev] &   
preview Chap 8 [CM] & Chap 10 [RelChall

--------------------------- 

Paper #3 due 11/12

Contracted Projects Master Document[F14] 

 

[ If you have contracted to complete  additional projects for extra-credit, you should prearrange the additional submission dates.]  

 
 

 

Case Study Analysis of "Interpersonal Conflict":  Assignment Document availaale in  BLACKBOARD ONLY

     TEAM I ( ______________):    /    /  

 

                    _____ & _____ & _____

     TEAM II ( ______________):    /    /  

                    _____ & _____ & _____

     TEAM III ( ______________):    /    /  

                    _____ & _____ & _____

    TEAM IV ( ______________):    /    /  

                    _____ & _____ & _____

     TEAM V ( ______________):    /    /  

                    _____ & _____ & _____

     TEAM VI ( ______________):    /    /  

                    _____ & _____ & _____

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

alternate groupings for Conflict Analysis activity:

CS # _ & CS # _ >  A_< [ A____/ A_____ ]

CS # _ & CS # _ >  A_< [ A____/ A_____ ]

CS # _ & CS # _ >  A_< [ A____/ A_____ ]

CS # _ & CS # _ >  A_< [ A____/ A_____ ]

CS # _ & CS # _ >  A_< [ A____/ A_____ ]

  

     11/17 , 11/19

 

13

Conflict & Relationships - (1) be prepared to serve as the "authority"on the Conflict term(s) assigned to you        (2) become familiar with the designated case studies  in order to be prepared for the in-class discussions.

 

►Prepare for your participation in the analytical discussion  with the class  on the case study that you have been assigned ( see lists below) . All Case Studies & areas-of-authority ae in a master bocument located within  the COURSE INFORMATION section in Blackboard)  Also see "Talking About Conflict" vocabulary list.

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

if time, Maximizing your interpersonal influence in relationships; via selected activities: e.g.  Panel Discussions  / or/ Interactive Listening page to be updated    / or/ Conflict&Relationships Workshop  /or/ Personal Ads /or/ TBD

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

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

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

all week: Troubleshooting real life interpersonal situations: via Conflict & Relationships CASE STUDIES-v2 [click here for a sample document of past CASE STUDIES

 

Tentative Discussion Schedule: updated 12/2/14

11/17 - CS#1 & The Proposal & tbd

11/19 = CS#2 & CS#3 & (Anvil)

11/24 - CS#4 & CS#5 (Big Night)

12/1 & 12/3 & 12/8 = if time CS#6 & (Trooper and the Lady)

 

THIS semester's Case Studies all are accessible only via Blackboard  [in a  separate folder within Course Information section.] Go to Blackboard] 

 

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

  >Mini-Project Reports  page to be updated 11/19[3]

 

Chapter 8  [CM]  

 

&

 

Chapter 10 {6th & 5th ed =Ch11}  [Rel Chall] 

 

&

review Chap 5 [list] 

 

   11/24 , ____ 

14

 

all week,  Troubleshooting real life interpersonal situations: via Conflict & Relationships CASE STUDIES This semester's CS document  available only via Blackboard 

 

 CS#6 & CS#7 & CS#8

 

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

begin>Mini-Project Reports page to be updated 11/24[0] ;  

Chapter 11 & 12  [Rel Types]

 
    11/26-11/29  Thanksgiving  Break - NO CLASSES     
 

      12/1 , 12/3

                        15    

all week, Troubleshooting real life interpersonal situations: via Conflict & Relationships CASE STUDIES This semester's CS document  available only via Blackboard 

 

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

Remaining Discussion Schedule: updated 12/2/14

12/1=  CS#5 & 6 

12/3 - CS#10 & CS#12 +  (tent: Big Night)

 

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

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

  


►Online Quiz - COMPLETE OnLine "Last Chance/Optional "CHECKUP QUIZ# 4 VIA  BLACKBOARD  quiz will be available - approx 12/5 through 12/12 [  but if not posted by 12/9, will not be posted at all )]

        12/8,  ____

                      16

 

>Mini-Project Reports 12/8[2], /[]  

 CS# tbd +  (Big Night)

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

all week,  Troubleshooting real life interpersonal situations: via Conflict & Relationships CASE STUDIES This semester's CS document  available only via Blackboard 

Paper #4 due 12/8

Contracted Projects Master Document[F14] 

 

[ask about special deadlines/procedures for extra credit hardcopy submissions]

 

EXAM SESSION: Mon 12/15/14@ 10:10-12:10

 in the usual classroom

 

 

 

Only if absolutely necessary [DOCUMENTED EMERGENCIES ONLY] : >Mini-Project Reports [_] .

AND

 (final)TEST #2  page being  updated - 90% done

  

 

 

 Click link at left for Test study Preview Sheet -including  3 advance questions!!! [+1 bonus ques.]

 

 

  EXTRA CREDIT OPPORTUNITY: 

    ► Real_World"Dynamics" ongoing  updates/additions - last updated 8/22/12

 

 

 

 

 

 

to fit in,  if time:

misc. items: insert when possible:    

►- Listening- II & III (More Interactive Responding & Paraphrasing) (adapting to diverse communication patterns) 

►Continue Listening Slide Show

►  Interactive Listening Activity- page to be updated   click to go to assignment sheet.  Be prepared for your listening role. Be sure you click on the correct section in order to go to the correct grid.

►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

 

 

 

Be prepared for your listening role. (see link at left}   

 review:  6th ed:  Chaps 5 & 6  [due tba]  

  & review pp.140-145 (in ch5){5th ed = 137-143} paraphrasing & empathic response}  

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

(c) 2014

 last updated  12/7/14

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Below = Additional LEFTOVER ITEMS: to fit in where possible  

page to be updated     RESCHEDULED TO __tba___

full class assignment: complete the wksht:   Conflict&Relationships  [click to go to assignment sheet ]     due  by email ONLY -  no.later than 11/12-  4pm 

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

 if there is 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