COM 103

INTERPERSONAL COMMUNICATION

SPRING, 2002 COURSE SYLLABUS

Text:    Wood, Julia T. (2002). Interpersonal Communication Everyday Encounters.       Belmont, CA:  Wadsworth.

Instructor:            Martha Waitkun

mwaitkun@home.com  (the best way to reach me)

401-874-7486 (office)

Office address:  309 Ranger

Office hours:  Tu, Th  12:00-1:30pm

Class Participation – You will be graded on class participation.  This does not necessarily mean the amount of time you spend talking in class.  Your presence (or lack thereof) will be noted in each class meeting.

Journals – 10 total assigned entries for the semester – each 1-2 pages typed.  They will be checked FOUR TIMES during the semester.  I am looking for an understanding and ability to apply the weekly material to life experiences.  Journal assignments will generally be expected after we have covered the material and certainly after the reading assignment has been completed.  Journal assignments follow the syllabus.  Feel free to complete at your own pace, however, note four collection dates.  I recommend that you keep up, rather than scramble.  And since you have the entire assignment now, and my e-mail address, late work will not be accepted.

Examinations – there will be two exams this semester – a midterm and a final.  The exams are designed to determine your understanding of the course material.  The exams (and how well you do on them) will make up 50% of your total class grade.

Final Project – each student will choose a topic of interest (from our list of topics) and write a 5-7 page typed (12 point double spaced) paper.  This will allow you to explore a subject in greater depth.  I expect you to explain the concept and apply the concept to something in your personal experience – life experience; a movie, a sit-com, series of advertising campaigns, etc.

A poster presentation of the project will take place in the last two class meetings.   With this, I would expect that you will – most of all, have fun.  It is a creative way for you to present your hard work to the class.  You can create a poster (a-la science project) or use video/audio support for your findings. 

Summary of grading:

Class participation/Journals             20%

Mid-Term Exam                          25%

Project                                                            30%

Final Exam                                        25%

Journal Entries/Assignments

Journal 1 – Describe an I-It; I-You and I-Thou relationship in your life.  Analyze differences in communication and personal knowledge in the three relationships.

Journal 2 – Identify a situation where stereotypes (as a schemata used in organizing perceptions) are useful and helpful in a communication situation.  Next, identify a situation where that same stereotype becomes unproductive and perhaps damaging.

Journal 3 – Language – in interaction today and the next few days, select one gender prescription for verbal behavior and violate it intentionally – for example women, interrupt, give minimal responses, etc.; men, be emotionally expressive, use tag questions, etc.  (You will get more ideas in the reading).  Note the reactions of others.  Also, how did you feel when deviating from gender expectations?

Journal 4 – Nonverbal – observe people in a public environment.  Distinguish between two people who are friends and two people who are romantically involved based on their nonverbal communication.  What types of nonverbal communication did you use to distinguish the different interaction?

Journal 5 – Listening – Analyze you own listening effectiveness.  Using the reading (chapter 6) to guide you, analyze your strengths and weaknesses for effective informational listening and effective relational listening.  Identify two listening skills you would like to improve and describe how you plan to develop greater competence in each.

Journal 6 – Emotions – NOTE:  we will discuss this journal exercise in class on 3/21 – The purpose of this journal exercise is to analyze how emotions and emotional expression are portrayed in popular culture using song lyrics.  Visit www.lyrics.com and select certain song lyrics that portray emotions and their expression.  Look at key concepts such as feeling and framing rules; obstacles to effective communication of emotion, etc.  How are emotions expressed in song lyrics?  What are some cultural assumptions regarding emotions?

Journal 7 – Climate/other disclosure – In terms of the Johari Window, one way for information to move from the hidden window to the open window is through self-disclosure.  However, information can also move from the hidden window to the open window by “outing” someone.  With outing, another person discloses information they know about a person to others.  Describe a situation where you have been outed, where you have outed anyone, or where you have heard of someone being outed.  How might it feel to by outed?  Is outing an ethical form of communication?

Journal 8 – Conflict – Describe a situation in which you had a conflict with a close friend or romantic partner and you managed to work it out.  Analyze what happened by discussing how your behavior and your partner’s followed or violated principles for effective conflict discussed in the text.

Journal 9 – What, in your opinion is the main difference between friendships and romantic relationships?

Journal 10 (Option 1)  – make interpersonal communication observations of the end of year gatherings and events you attend – how have your views of relationships/friends and or romantic relationships different?  Are you aware of interpersonal communication behaviors since taking this course?

Journal 10 (Option 2) – the movie we watch will be loaded with material we have covered in this course.  While watching, make observations of those concepts/behaviors we have learned this semester.

Final note:  I am willing and eager to comply with

University regulations to accommodate students’ disabilities.

Please come to me either after class or during office hours to discuss.