Your interpersonal communication mottet pdf

COM200

Interpersonal Communication

This course is designed to aid students in understanding the dynamics of interpersonal

relationships. Verbal and nonverbal communication patterns between people in personal, social,

academic, and professional settings will be examined, and the nature of those interactions will be

evaluated using contemporary communication theory. The course will enable students to identify

their interpersonal communication behaviors and to more critically evaluate their own oral

communication and that of others. A primary goal of the course is to improve the quality of

students’ communication in their personal and professional relationships.

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Table of Contents

COURSE AT A GLANCE ...................................................................................................................................................................... 4

COURSE DESCRIPTION ............................................................................................................................................................................ 4

COURSE DESIGN ..................................................................................................................................................................................... 4

COURSE PREREQUISITES ......................................................................................................................................................................... 5

LEARNING OUTCOMES ........................................................................................................................................................................... 5

LEARNING RESOURCES .......................................................................................................................................................................... 5

Required Text .................................................................................................................................................................................... 5

Required Articles ............................................................................................................................................................................... 6

Required Multimedia ......................................................................................................................................................................... 6

Required Websites ............................................................................................................................................................................. 6

Recommended Articles ...................................................................................................................................................................... 7

COMPONENTS OF COURSE EVALUATION ................................................................................................................................... 8

DISCUSSIONS .......................................................................................................................................................................................... 8

QUIZZES ................................................................................................................................................................................................. 8

ASSIGNMENTS ........................................................................................................................................................................................ 8

FINAL PAPER .......................................................................................................................................................................................... 9

COURSE GRADING ................................................................................................................................................................................ 11

Grading Percent Breakdown ........................................................................................................................................................... 11

WEEK ONE ........................................................................................................................................................................................... 12

COURSE CONTENT ................................................................................................................................................................................ 12

Overview ......................................................................................................................................................................................... 12

Learning Outcomes ......................................................................................................................................................................... 12

Required Readings .......................................................................................................................................................................... 12

Discussions ...................................................................................................................................................................................... 13

Quiz ................................................................................................................................................................................................. 14

Assignments ..................................................................................................................................................................................... 14

WEEK TWO .......................................................................................................................................................................................... 16

COURSE CONTENT ................................................................................................................................................................................ 16

Overview ......................................................................................................................................................................................... 16

Learning Outcomes ......................................................................................................................................................................... 16

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Required Readings and Websites .................................................................................................................................................... 16

Recommended Readings .................................................................................................................................................................. 17

Discussions ...................................................................................................................................................................................... 17

Quiz ................................................................................................................................................................................................. 18

Assignments ..................................................................................................................................................................................... 18

WEEK THREE ...................................................................................................................................................................................... 20

COURSE CONTENT ................................................................................................................................................................................ 20

Overview ......................................................................................................................................................................................... 20

Learning Outcomes ......................................................................................................................................................................... 20

Required Readings and Websites .................................................................................................................................................... 20

Recommended Readings .................................................................................................................................................................. 21

Discussions ...................................................................................................................................................................................... 21

Assignments ..................................................................................................................................................................................... 22

WEEK FOUR ......................................................................................................................................................................................... 24

COURSE CONTENT ................................................................................................................................................................................ 24

Overview ......................................................................................................................................................................................... 24

Learning Outcomes ......................................................................................................................................................................... 24

Required Readings and Multimedia ................................................................................................................................................ 24

Discussions ...................................................................................................................................................................................... 25

Quiz ................................................................................................................................................................................................. 26

Assignments ..................................................................................................................................................................................... 26

WEEK FIVE .......................................................................................................................................................................................... 28

COURSE CONTENT ................................................................................................................................................................................ 28

Overview ......................................................................................................................................................................................... 28

Learning Outcomes ......................................................................................................................................................................... 28

Required Readings .......................................................................................................................................................................... 28

Recommended Readings .................................................................................................................................................................. 28

Discussions ...................................................................................................................................................................................... 29

Final Paper ..................................................................................................................................................................................... 30

COURSE MAP ....................................................................................................................................................................................... 31

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Course at a Glance

Course Description

This course is designed to aid students in understanding the dynamics of interpersonal relationships. Verbal and nonverbal

communication patterns between people in personal, social, academic, and professional settings will be examined, and the

nature of those interactions will be evaluated using contemporary communication theory. The course will enable students

to identify their interpersonal communication behaviors and to more critically evaluate their own oral communication and

that of others. A primary goal of the course is to improve the quality of students’ communication in their personal and

professional relationships.

Course Design

Many students consider interpersonal communication to be nothing more than common sense. If so, it is common sense

that is often not well practiced. This course design has been developed to help students communicate more effectively in

their interpersonal relationships through course readings, journal and magazine articles, quizzes, a media assignment, and

written assignments.

Each assignment in this course has been specifically created and evaluated to coincide with the learning outcomes of

COM 200. Not only do the elements of this course seek to fulfill the learning outcomes of COM 200 but they also attempt

to engage students and increase their overall interest in the field of interpersonal communication. This course has been

designed to provide students with the tools necessary to apply current and relevant research and skills into their

professional, academic, and personal lives.

Effective and constructive interpersonal communication is the building block of all other areas of communication. This

course should lead to a broad understanding of interpersonal communication and the elements within. COM 200 focuses

on dyadic relationships and the communication process that drives relational development, maintenance, and

disengagement. Students will have the opportunity to test their own assumptions in light of current research and in the

discussion interaction atmosphere of an online classroom setting.

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Course Prerequisites

There are no prerequisites for COM200.

Learning Outcomes

Upon successful completion of this course, students will be able to:

1. Explain the principles and misconceptions in effective interpersonal communications.

2. Identify the barriers to effective interpersonal interactions.

3. Describe the process by which self-concept is developed and maintained.

4. Assess their personal communications and improve their communication competencies.

5. Develop strategies for active, critical, and empathic listening.

6. Recognize how words have the power to create and affect attitudes, behavior, and perception.

7. Understand how perceptions, emotions, and nonverbal expression affect interpersonal relationships.

8. Define emotional intelligence and its role in effective interpersonal relationships.

9. Evaluate appropriate levels of self-disclosure in relationships.

10. Describe strategies for managing interpersonal conflicts.

11. Recognize how self-concept and defensive and supportive messages and behaviors create positive and negative

communication climates.

12. Understand the impact of gender and culture on interpersonal communications.

Learning Resources

Required Text

Sole, K. (2011). Making connections: Understanding interpersonal communication. San Diego, CA: Bridgepoint

Education, Inc.

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Required Articles

Close relationships sometimes mask poor communication. (2011, January). U.S. News & World Report, 1. Retrieved from

ABI/INFORM Global. Document ID: 2270370591. (PDF available in online classroom)

Bower, B. (2010, November). Shared talking styles herald new and lasting romance. U.S. News & World Report, 1.

Retrieved from ABI/INFORM Global. Document ID: 2223940991. (PDF available in online classroom)

Schoenberg, N. (2011, January 17). Can we talk? Researcher talks about the role of communication in happy marriages.

McClatchy-Tribune News Service. Retrieved from ProQuest Newsstand. Document ID: 2240370261. (PDF

available in online classroom)

Required Multimedia

Brooks, J. (Director). (2004). Spanglish [Motion picture]. Los Angeles: Gracie Films.

Cohen, B. (Producer), & Mendes, S. (Director). (1999). American beauty [Motion picture]. Los Angeles: Dreamworks.

Goldwyn, T. (Director). (2006). The last kiss [Motion picture]. Los Angeles: Dreamworks.

Haggis, P. (Director). (2004). Crash [Motion picture]. Los Angeles: Bob Yari Productions.

Mordaunt, W., Tadross, M. (Executive Producers), &Tennant, A. (Director). (2005). Hitch [Motion picture]. Los Angeles:

Sony Pictures.

Required Websites

(n.d.). Willingness to listen measure. Retrieved from http://www.jamescmccroskey.com/measures/wtlisten.htm

Ashford University. (n.d.). Ashford Writing Center. Retrieved from http://ashfordwritingcenter.com/

Pennebaker Conglomerates Inc. (n.d.). Language style matching. Retrieved from http://www.utpsyc.org/synch/

http://www.jamescmccroskey.com/measures/wtlisten.htm
http://ashfordwritingcenter.com/
http://www.utpsyc.org/synch/
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Recommended Articles

Carter, K. A. (2003). Type me how you feel: Quasi-nonverbal cues in computer-mediated communication. et Cetera,

60(1), 29-39. Retrieved from Research Library. Document ID: 351058451.

Holohan, E. (Reporter). (2011, January 14). To nab that job, check your posture: Experiments find more abstract thinking,

willingness to take action in people with 'expansive' posture. U.S. New & World Report. Retrieved from

http://health.usnews.com/health-news/family-health/brain-and-behavior/articles/2011/01/14/to-nab-that-job-

check-your-posture

Hood, J. (2011, March 8). Students' anti-slur fliers upset some: Derogatory words were listed to curb use, foster

discussion. Chicago Tribune. Retrieved from Chicago Tribune. Document ID: 2285640451.

Johnson, T. (2011, March). Healthy relationships lead to better lives. The Nation's Health, 41(2), 20. Retrieved from

Research Library. Document ID: 2291829641

Jung, H. Y., & McCroskey, J. (2004). Communication apprehension in a first language and self-perceived competence as

predictors of communication apprehension in a second language: A study of speakers of English as a second

language. Communication Quarterly, 52(2), 170-181. Document ID: 668175501

Martz, D., Petroff, A., Curtin, L., & Bazzini, D. (2009). Gender differences in fat talk among American adults: Results

from the psychology of size survey. Sex Roles, 61(1-2), 34-41. Retrieved from Research Library. Document ID:

1753327631

Miczo, N., Segrin, C., & Allspach, L. E. (2001). Relationship between nonverbal sensitivity, encoding, and relational

satisfaction. Communication Reports, 14(1), 39-48. Retrieved from Research Library. Document ID: 72022836.

Mottet, T. P. (2000). The role of sexual orientation in predicting outcome value and anticipated communication behaviors.

Communication Quarterly, 48(3), 223-239. Document ID: 72038418

Preston, P. (2005). Nonverbal communication: Do you really say what you mean? Journal of Healthcare Management,

50(2), 83-6. Retrieved from ABI/INFORM Global. Document ID: 814698921.

http://health.usnews.com/health-news/family-health/brain-and-behavior/articles/2011/01/14/to-nab-that-job-check-your-posture
http://health.usnews.com/health-news/family-health/brain-and-behavior/articles/2011/01/14/to-nab-that-job-check-your-posture
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Components of Course Evaluation

Multiple measures of evaluation are used in the course, allowing students opportunities to demonstrate their learning in

more than one way, and giving consideration to individual learning styles. Course components that will be evaluated

include:

Discussions

Each week students will participate in online discussions with classmates, which are related to the week’s readings. These

discussions replace the interactive dialogue that occurs in the traditional classroom setting. Each week, students’ initial

discussion posts are due by 11:59 p.m. (of the time zone in which each student resides) on Day 3 (Thursday). Students

will have until 11:59 p.m. on Day 7 (the following Monday) to make the required minimum number of response posts to

classmates. Discussions represent 35% of the overall course grade.

Quizzes

In Weeks One and Two, students will demonstrate and reinforce their understanding of the week’s content by taking

open-book quizzes. Students have up to 12 hours to complete a quiz once they begin. The quiz must be completed in one

sitting, by Day 6 of the week in which it is due. The questions are multiple choice and true/false. Each quiz is worth five

(5) percent. Quizzes represent 15% of the overall course grade.

Assignments

There is a written assignment due in Weeks One through Four of this course. These assignments must reflect college-level

writing and critical thinking. Assignments represent 25% of the overall course grade.

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Final Paper

The final assignment for this course is a Letter of Advice. The purpose of the Letter of Advice is to provide you with an

opportunity to demonstrate the foundational communication skills you have acquired through the course. The Final

Paper represents 25% of the overall course grade.

Focus of the Final Paper

Imagine that a newly engaged couple hears that you are taking a course in interpersonal communication, and wants advice

for their relationship. Based on what you have learned in this course, what advice would you give them regarding how to

effectively use interpersonal communication in their relationship? Write your paper in the form of a letter.

Instructions

Choose at least five (5) of the twelve (12) course learning outcomes below to help guide your letter. For each of the five

learning outcomes that you use, create a separate section with a heading that reflects the learning outcome that you are

using.

1. Explain the principles and misconceptions in effective interpersonal communications.

2. Identify the barriers to effective interpersonal interactions

3. Describe the process by which self-concept is developed and maintained

4. Assess their personal communications and improve their communication competencies

5. Develop strategies for active, critical, and empathic listening.

6. Recognize how words have the power to create and affect attitudes, behavior, and perception.

7. Understand how perceptions, emotions, and nonverbal expression affect interpersonal relationships.

8. Define emotional intelligence and its role in effective interpersonal relationships.

9. Evaluate appropriate levels of self-disclosure in relationships.

10. Describe strategies for managing interpersonal conflicts.

11. Recognize how self-concept and defensive and supportive messages and behaviors create positive and negative

communication climates.

12. Understand the impact of gender and culture on interpersonal communications.

Write an eight to ten page paper (excluding title and reference pages) in the form of a letter. In this paper, address at least

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five concepts (choose the concepts that you feel are most important to successful communication within interpersonal

relationships). Your advice cannot be based on your own opinions; you must back up your advice with research, which

may include readings from this course or from outside sources. In total, your paper must include at least five (5)

sources, including at least two (2) from ProQuest. This is a formal paper and should utilize proper grammar, complete

sentences, appropriate paragraphs, and correct citations/references in proper APA (6 th edition) style. However, you will

write this paper in the format of a letter to the newly-engaged couple, and may address the couple throughout the paper.

For example: “Dear Sara and Tim, my advice to you for a successful relationship is…” Along with explaining concepts

and including research, you may also use your personal experiences as examples of the research and advice that you are

offering.

The paper must be formatted according to APA style. Cite your resources in text and on the reference page. For

information regarding APA samples and tutorials, visit the Ashford Writing Center, within the Learning Resources tab on

the left navigation toolbar, in your online course.

Please Note: An outline of this assignment will be submitted for credit during Week Three, on Day 7. You will receive

feedback on this draft so that you can make the necessary improvements for your Final Paper submission during Week

Five.

Writing the Final Paper

The Final Paper:

1. Must be eight to ten double-spaced pages in length, and formatted according to APA style as outlined in the

Ashford Writing Center.

2. Must include a title page with the following:

a. Title of paper

b. Student’s name

c. Course name and number

d. Instructor’s name

e. Date submitted

3. Must begin with an introductory paragraph that has a succinct thesis statement.

4. Must address the topic of the paper with critical thought.

5. Must end with a conclusion that reaffirms your thesis.

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6. Must use at least five (5) scholarly sources, including a minimum of two (2) from ProQuest, found in the Ashford

Online Library.

7. Must document all sources (both within the text and on a separate reference page) in APA style, as outlined in the

Ashford Writing Center.

8. Must include a separate reference page, formatted according to APA style as outlined in the Ashford Writing

Center.

Course Grading

Grading Percent Breakdown

Discussions 35% Quizzes 10%

Assignments 30%

Final Paper 25%

Total: 100%

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Week One

Course Content To be completed during the first week of class

Overview

Assignment Due Date Format Grading Percent

Post Your Introduction Day 1

Discussion 1

Learning New Skills Day 3 (1

st post)

Discussion 3

The “Self” and Communication Day 3 (1

st post)

Discussion 3

Week One Quiz Day 6 Quiz

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Article Critique: Masking Poor Communication Day 7 Assignment

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Learning Outcomes

This week students will:

1. Identify the basic principles of interpersonal communication.

2. Identify common misconceptions and barriers in interpersonal communication.

3. Reflect critically on how to improve communication competency.

4. Analyze how self-concept, self-image, and self-esteem affect interpersonal communication.

Required Readings

1. In order to successfully complete this week’s assignments, read the following chapters in the text Making

Connections: Understanding Interpersonal Communication:

a. Chapter One – Introduction to Human Communication

b. Chapter Two – Overview of Interpersonal Communication

c. Chapter Three – Intrapersonal Communication

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2. In order to successfully complete this week’s assignments, read the following article from the ProQuest database

found in the Ashford Online Library:

a. Close relationships sometimes mask poor communication. (2011, January). U.S. News & World Report, 1.

Retrieved from ABI/INFORM Global. Document ID: 2270370591.

(This article will help you identify common misconceptions about effective communication. PDF

available in online classroom)

Recommended Readings

1. In order to successfully complete this week’s discussions, it is recommended that you read the following articles

from the ProQuest database found in the Ashford Online Library:

a. Johnson, T. (2011, March). Healthy relationships lead to better lives. The Nation's Health, 41(2), 20.

Retrieved from Research Library. Document ID: 2291829641

(This article discusses the importance of healthy relationships and the positive impact this can have on our

lives.)

b. Martz, D., Petroff, A., Curtin, L., & Bazzini, D. (2009). Gender differences in fat talk among American

adults: Results from the psychology of size survey. Sex Roles, 61(1-2), 34-41. Retrieved from Research

Library. Document ID: 1753327631

(This article discusses body image, gender, and self-acceptance.)

Discussions

Participate in the following discussions:

1. 1st Posting Due by Day 1. Post Your Introduction. Post your introduction in the discussion forum titled “Post

Your Introduction” found in Week One. Respond to at least two of your classmates’ posts by Monday, Day 7.

(You must create one initial post and at least two responses, for a minimum of three posts for this discussion.)

2. 1st Posting Due by Day 3. Learning New Skills. Many people believe that communication skills are easy and

should come naturally. As we have learned this week, learning effective interpersonal communication skills

requires a lot of time and practice. Of all the skills listed in Chapter Two of Making Connections: Understanding

Interpersonal Communication, which skill(s) are you most excited about improving in your interpersonal

relationships? Why do you feel that you need to make improvements in this area? Based on the course material

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that you read this week, what are some ways that you plan to use these skills in your everyday life?

Your initial response should be 150-200 words in length and is due by Thursday, Day 3. Respond to at least two

of your classmates’ posts by Monday, Day 7. (You must create one initial post and at least two responses, for a

minimum of three posts for this discussion.)

3. 1st Posting Due by Day 3. The “Self” and Communication. In Chapter Three of Making Connections:

Understanding Interpersonal Communication, the author lays out many psychological concepts concerning the

“self.” How do all these concepts relate to interpersonal communication? Also, give an example of how your

“self-concept,” “self-image,” or “self-esteem” has affected your interpersonal communication.

Your initial response should be 150-200 words in length and is due by Thursday, Day 3. Respond to at least two

of your classmates’ posts by Monday, Day 7. (You must create one initial post and at least two responses, for a

minimum of three posts for this discussion.)