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COST:1610 -- DYNAMICS OF HUMAN COMMUNICATION  

 

            {Course Syllabus - SPRING  2016          [[ last updated on 4/13/16 ]]


 

Dr. E. Plummer  [Department of Communication/Coll. Comm & the Arts] 

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

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

 e-mail: evelyn.plummer@shu.edu / 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  [ also check out: https://www.vitalsource.com/textbooks?term=9780133556957 ]

COURSE DESCRIPTION:   [prerequisite: COST 1600 or COST 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" &  Face-to-Face  interaction (esp.  listening, nonverbal awareness, empathy, response skills)

  4. To better understand the influences that 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  textbook 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.  Online quizzes/assessments- via Blackboard  (3-4)

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

 6. [tentative] 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/ 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 at least 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  old link/updated version below 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...

sect AA/MW 12:30-1:45_S16

    UNIT_OF STUDY 

   READINGS/ ASSIGNMENTS due on this date

       1/11 , 1/13 

 

                          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]

 

  ____ , 1/20

   {add/drp ends 1/19]

 

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  1/20]

Exercises :- The Shield  [due  1/20]  

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

 

 

 

    

>Recommended: tba 6th ed = p.60 [bottom-of-psge].{5th ed. = p. 65}  Take any one of the online personality tests.  but-may not be accessible w/o access code. Could also search online for similar personality assessments

     1/25 ,  1/27

                                      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 1/27 & most  = during my regular office hours- [ all are by appt. so be sure you have signed up a slot]   

 

 

 Chapter 3[perc] due 1/25

 - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -

>skim Chap 4[div]due 1/27

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

 

>optional extra credit : Communication Social Style  due 1/25 -  p.57 {6th ed = p56} -  

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

 

>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 1/26-1/29

        2/1 , 2/3

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 a slot  

-Complete Perception basics

-Intro. to Nonverbal communication: experiments, observations & implications   [transmitting emotions & ideas without words];

review Chap 3[percp]; skim Chap 7 due 2/1

 

 

   

   2/8 , 2/10abbrv [classes cancelled 12-1: Ash Weds Mass]

                           5

 

 

-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 W-2/10. NOTE: abbreviated class meeting on 2/10 

 [[Teams that are absent or unprepared for NV presentation  = "0" grade]]

 

 

Chapter 7 [nv] due 2/8

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

 by 2/8 : In order to be prepared for the teamwork,  you should be THOROUGHLY familiar with your assigned item so that you can confer with your partners  [click for link to assignment page] Nonverbal observation /experiment

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

& skim Chap 4[div] due 2/10 to enhance your understanding of how NVs are "culture specific"

 

   2/15 , 2/17

 Mon = Pres Day.Classes DO meet

 

  

  

6

 

  - Intro.  of Nonverbal Communication,cont. via remaining presentations of  NV Investigations on 2/15

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

 - Overview: Culture & Communication beg 2/17, 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 2/17

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

Paper #1 due 2/17

Contracted Projects Master Document[S16] 

      2/22 , 2/24 

 

  

   -

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 [lang] due 2/24

Chapter 5 [list] due asap or tba

 

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

 

Online Quiz - COMPLETE OnLine CHECKUP QUIZ# 2 VIA  BLACKBOARD quiz will be available 2/23-2/27 

 

    2/29-3/6 Spring Break - start observing families!    

    3/7 , 3/9

 

8

 

 on 3/7 - Listening- II (Interactive Responding & Paraphrasing) Continue Listening Slide Show &  Interactive Listening Activity- 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.

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

if nec, Complete: Culture & Diversity : Trooper/Lady insights

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

 

 in-classTEST #1 on 3/9

 

 review Chaps 5 & 6  [due 3/7]  

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

 

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

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

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

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

    3/14 , 3/16

9

on 3/14 -- if nec. Complete "Create-A-Co-Culture"/Debrief midterm

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

 on 3/14 - 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 3/16:  assignment of the Family Dynamics Teams:  oral presentations/skits Teams Meet & Plan their family project roleplayed skits/discussions/illustrations) click to go to assignment sheet .

-  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 3/14 pp. 347-363 within in Chap. 12 [fam]6th ed= 343-360    { 5th ed. = pp. 350-357 }

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

Paper #2 due 3/21{ orig = 3/16}

Contracted Projects Master Document[S16] 

 

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



EXTRA CREDIT OPPORTUNITY: : Writing a Case Study - due preferably by 3/23 - NLT 4/1-5pm click link for details

   3/21 ,  3/ 23

   

10

(3/21if poss)  & 3/23 & 3/30 PRESENTATIONS: FAMILY TEAM PROJECTS

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

--Family Relationships: Visible & Invisible Messages

(Mother) (Meet the Parents)

review Chap 12[fam rel] (esp. p.p.347-360 { 6th ed =    353-360 {5th ed = p.350-359}) due  3/21    

 

 - You can begin requesting scheduling slots for  Mini-Project Reports    click to go to assignment sheet  ongoing  updates of names [final schedule to be posted approx. 4/17 (10am)]
3/24 -- 3/28  Easter BREAK

  
    _____ ,  3/30
 

 

11

3/30:Complete: Families  - our first relationships/ Review PPTR-F's  / The 8th PPTR-F ? (if nec: Mi Familia) (Monsoon Wedding)( Big Night) (Raymond)

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

 

Chapter 9 [interp rela]  [due NLT4/4]

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

Online Quiz - COMPLETE OnLine CHECKUP QUIZ# 3 VIA  BLACKBOARD  quiz will be available 3/30-4/1  3/31-4/4
    4/ 4/6
         
                      12

 

4/4: - Intro to Relationships: Types , Formation , Maintenance &  De-escalation  (Andy G, Breakfast Club)

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

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

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

Intro to Interpersonal Conflict        (Big Night) (Romy II) ( SKOM) (Anvil); Relationships: Power, Defensiveness, Supportiveness

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

case study analysis: doc. posted  only in Blackboard <__> Analysis leaders via teams:

CS #X.1 & CS # 6 & C.S.# 13 >  Team 1 / "V" __< [roommates /_]

CS #X.1_& CS #X.1  & CS # 9 >   Team 2 / "W" _< [power / _ ]

 

CS # 7&   CS # 11    > _ Team 3 / "X" __< [ still friends?  / ___]

 

CS # 10 & CS # 6 & CS #5>  Team 4 / "Y" _< [ nonsensitive/ _ ]

 

CS # 12_ & CS #  4_ >   Team5 / "Z" < [getting along  /  ]

CS # _ & CS # _ >  _____________< [ ________ / ________  ]

CS # _& CS #   _>   ______________< [________ i / _______ ]

 

CS #   _ & CS #  _  > _  ______________< [ ________  / ________ ]

 

CS #   _& CS # _ > _  ______________< [ ________ / ________  ]

CS #  _ & CS # _ >  _____________< [________  / ________  ]

 

 

"Talking About Conflict" vocabulary list [also via hard copy in class]


 

review Chapter 9 [ intrp rela]  {5th ed = Ch10  - rel dev} &   
   preview Chap 8
[CM] 
& Chap 10 [Rela ChallM] 

--------------------------- 

 

Paper #3 due 4/6

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

Contracted Projects Master Document[S16] 


--------------------------- 

     4/11 ,  4/13

 

13

Conflict & Relationships - complete the case study analysis that has been assigned to you.

  ►Prepare for your  discussion  with the class  on the case study that you have been assigned ( see lists below) . All Case Studies will be located in a document  within  the COURSE INFORMATION section in Blackboard)  Also see "Talking About Conflict" vocabulary list

 

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

Maximizing your interpersonal influence in relationships; via selected activities: e.g.  Panel Discussions  / or/ Interactive Listening   / 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- probably starting with Case #tbd [click here for a sample document of past CASE STUDIES] <<

 This link =  Past year's case studies only.

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

 

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

 for 4/13: Conflict C.S.: X.1 & 6 & 10 ( if time)

 

Chapter 8  [CM]  

&

Chapter 10 {5th ed =Ch11 [Rel Chall] 

&

review Chap 5 [list] 

 

    4/18 , 4/20 

14

 

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

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

begin>Mini-Project Reports 4/18[1/2 ] ;  4/20[ 3]

Chapter 11 & 12  [Rel Types]

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

Online Quiz - COMPLETE OnLine "Last Chance/Optional "CHECKUP QUIZ# 4 VIA  BLACKBOARD  quiz will be available - approx 5/2-5/7 ( but if not posted by 5/3, will not be posted at all )]

 

 

          4/25, 4/27

                        15    

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

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

>Mini-Project Reports 4/25[4 ],4/27[4 ]  

 

        5/2 ,  ____

                      16

 

>Mini-Project Reports 5/2[4 ], /[]  

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

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

Paper #4 due 5/2

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

Contracted Projects Master Document[S16] 

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

 

EXAM SESSION: _Fri-5/6/16 @ 12:20  -2:20 p.m.

 in the usual classroom

 

 

 

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

AND

 (final) TEST #2

  

 

 

 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 _3/16____

 

 

 

 

 

 

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) 2016

 last updated  4/13/16

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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 

 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