ipcspringOL85 2nd8wks2

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Course Syllabus
Interpersonal Communication

COM2725 OL85143S
Spring 2015 (2nd 8-weeks)

3/21/15 – 5/16/15

Credit Hours: 3

Instructor: Julie Rorabaugh

Phone: 316.721.7103 (office)

E-Mail: Please use Blackboard Messages (BbMessages)

Office Hours/Hours of Availability: I will check BbMessages a few times a day. Please allow 48
hours of response time for any messages or course questions, although I anticipate that I will respond
much more quickly than that. Allow a bit of extra time on weekends, though.

Textbook: Verderber, Verderber, and Berryman-Fink. Inter-Act: Interpersonal Communication
Concepts, Skills, and Contexts. Thirteenth Edition. Oxford: Oxford University Press, 2012.

Student Resources Web site:
http://www.oup.com/us/companion.websites/9780199836888/student/?view=usa

Link to Cowley College Bookstore:
http://www.cowley.edu/bookstore/index.html

Last Day to Withdraw with a “W” – May 7th

If you need to drop or withdraw from any course, please talk to your instructor and/or advisor first. If
an athlete, notify your coach to avoid impacting eligibility. Dropping or withdrawing from a class may
impact your financial aid, scholarship, or eligibility status.

Communication: Communication regarding this course will take place via Blackboard Messages.
Communication from Cowley administration or advisors will be delivered to student C-mail.
http://www.cowley.edu/cmail.html

Blackboard Messages is a private and secure text-based communication system which occurs
within a course among its Course members. Users must log on to Blackboard to send, receive, or
read messages. The Blackboard Messages tool is located on the Course Menu, on the left side of the
course webpage. It is recommended that students check their messages routinely to ensure up-to-

Notice: Changes within the course syllabus such as, procedure, assignments and schedule may be made at the
discretion of the instructor.

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date communication. This is the best way to communicate with your instructor privately. I will respond
to your messages within 48 HOURS. Please do not resend your email if 48 HOURS have not passed.

Instructors teaching online, hybrid, or using Blackboard to web enhance their face-to-face classes
may also require students to correspond using the Blackboard Messages within their Blackboard
course.

All student academic reports and current grades can be accessed through Campus Connect. Even
though the Blackboard grade book may be used to help students track their academic progress, the
official grade is posted in Campus Connect.

Computer Requirements: It is the student’s responsibility to have (or have access to) a working
computer with reliable Internet access. Computer assignments may be required by the instructor to
access course materials or to submit assignments using appropriate software. The college offers
computers for student use at the Cowley Eastside Center, Cowley Mulvane Center, and the Cowley
Arkansas City Campus.

Purpose or Goal of the Class: This course is open to students on the college level freshman or
sophomore and is designed to improve individual interpersonal communication skills.

Objectives of this Course: By understanding the elements of effective communication, students will
be able to create environments that will bring out the best in themselves and others. In addition,
students will learn how to better turn ideas and feelings into words, how to listen more effectively,
respond more appropriately to what others have said, and most important of all, how to maintain and
develop good interpersonal relationships with their family, their peers and fellow workers. Emphasis is
placed on small-group activities, interviewing skills and both verbal and non-verbal communication.
IPC will fulfill the 3-hour Public Speaking requirement at Cowley and at some of the four-year
universities in the state. However, students should check with their transfer university to verify that
this course will fulfill the Speech requirement for their program

Expectations of this Course: This is an online course, which means most (if not all) of the course
work will be conducted online. Expectations for performance in an online course are the same for a
traditional course. In fact, online courses require a degree of self-motivation, self-discipline, and
technology skills which can make these courses more demanding for some students.

Students are expected to:

 Review the How to Get Started information in the course content.

 Introduce yourself to your instructors and classmates during the first week by posting a self-
introduction in the appropriate discussion forum.

 Interact online with the instructor and peers and keep up with all assignments and activities.
Notice: Changes within the course syllabus such as, procedure, assignments and schedule may be made at the

discretion of the instructor.

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 Log in to the course a minimum of twice per week.
 Respond to discussion boards within the designated timeframe.
 Respond to messages from your instructor.
 Submit assignments and activities by the corresponding deadline (see course schedule for

deadlines).
Course Grade/Points Possible:

Weekly Responses and 40% of course grade Grade Percent
Discussion A 100-90
10% of course grade B 89-80
Chapter Quizzes 10% of course grade C 79-70
D 69-60
Written or Multi-media 10% of course grade F 59 and below
Assignments 10% of course grade
10% of course grade
Part 1 Exam 10% of course grade

Part 2 Exam

Part 3 Exam

Final Project

Tutoring and Remediation:
If student needs tutoring or assistance with course material, Cowley College offers tutoring for
specific courses online via Tutor.com and on campus in Mulvane and Arkansas City.

Refer to the following preferred link

On campus http://www.cowley.edu/academics/tutoring/tutorschedule.html

Online http://www.cowley.edu/academics/tutoring/tutorschedule.html

Weekly Responses and Discussion: Students will be required to complete weekly responses to
questions about the required course readings/viewings/surveys and to discuss these items with
classmates. These responses will be largely academic but can (and should) also contain references
to real-life instances of interpersonal communication. Responses and discussion will comprise 40%
of the final grade. Please post early in the week (by Thursday) so that your classmates can read your

Notice: Changes within the course syllabus such as, procedure, assignments and schedule may be made at the
discretion of the instructor.

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postings and respond to you. A statement of “I agree,” or “I disagree,” is not an acceptable posting. It
does nothing to add to or move the discussion along. We’re here to communicate!

VERY IMPORTANT: Every discussion forum, including surveys, requires you to respond at least
twice: one initial reply to the question/s and one response to a classmate. That is the minimum. Of
course you can make more postings than that, and I encourage you to do so. Each forum is graded
“all-or-nothing”—this means that if you only respond to the initial question/s and do not respond to
one of your classmates’ postings, you will receive zero points for that forum.

Also, as this is a college-level course, “text-speak,” lack of capitalization of the word “i,” and obvious
grammatical and spelling errors are not acceptable. Proof read and run spell check before you
post. A deduction of .5 points will be made for the previously listed errors.

Chapter Quizzes: There will be 14 quizzes, one for each chapter. These will be a combination of
multiple-choice and True/False questions and will comprise 10% of the final grade. They essentially
are a “check” to determine if students are reading the material.

Written and Multi-media Assignments: In addition to the aforementioned assignments, students
will prepare Communication Improvement Plans or other written/multi-media assignments on selected
topics. These will comprise 10% of the final grade.

Exams: There are three exams in this course. Each will count as 10% of the course grade. These
exams will be a combination of multiple-choice, True/False, and brief essay questions. They will be
open text book, but each will be timed.

Final Project: As the course progresses, students will receive more information concerning the Final
Project, which comprises 10% of the final grade. There will be a variety of options to choose from to
demonstrate comprehension of the communication concepts learned throughout the semester.

Extra Credit: Some will be offered, but it is just what it’s called, “Extra.” If you study and do all of the
regular assignments, there will be no need to depend on Extra Credit to supplement your grade.

Attendance Policy:

Hybrid Courses – You will be required to log into the class a minimum of 2-3 times weekly and
complete work both online and in the classroom.

Online Courses – You will be required to log into the class a minimum of 2-3 times weekly and
complete work online within the course management system in order to stay current with the class.

Pay close attention to deadlines, and allow yourself plenty of time to complete assignments,
discussion questions, quizzes, and exams.

Notice: Changes within the course syllabus such as, procedure, assignments and schedule may be made at the
discretion of the instructor.

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Weekly attendance for the online class runs from 12:00 a.m. Wednesday until 11:59 p.m. the
following Tuesday. You MUST complete at least one online assignment (i.e. discussion board
post, quiz, exam, or an assignment submission) at least once during that week, or you will be
counted absent.

http://www.cowley.edu/policy/policy257.html (Institutional Policies: Academic Affairs Council: Series
200.00: 257.00 Attendance and Classwork)
Late Work: Late work is not accepted. As this is a communication class, it’s important to stay with the
class and to interact with the other students (and instructor) in a timely manner.

Make-up work/tests: Make up work/tests will not be offered.

Emergency Preparedness: In the case of an event that causes disruptions to normal campus
functions, go to the college website at www.cowley.edu for emergency notifications.

Disability Services Program: Cowley College, in recognition of state and federal laws, will
accommodate a student with a documented disability. If you have a disability which may impact your
work in this class and for which you require accommodations, please contact Mark A. Richardson, the
Disability Services Coordinator. Phone number: Arkansas City Campus: 620.441.5557, E-mail:
[email protected]
Grade Change/Appeal: http://www.cowley.edu/policy/policy263.html (Institutional Policies: Academic
Affairs Council: Series 200.00: 263.00 Student Appeal of Course Grade)

Student Code of Conduct: http://www.cowley.edu/policy/policy403.html (Institutional Policies: Student
Affairs Council: Series 400.00: 403.00 Student Code Of Conduct)

Academic Code of Conduct: Cowley College is committed to instilling in its students a high level of
academic integrity. Integrity in the classroom is a definite expectation. Students who compromise the
integrity of the academic process are subject to disciplinary action by the college.

Review the academic code of conduct policy at: http://www.cowley.edu/policy/policy402.html
(Institutional Policies: Student Affairs 400:402 Academic Code of Conduct)

Credit Hour Definition: http://www.cowley.edu/policy/policy280.html (Institutional Policies: Academic
Affairs 200:280 Credit Hour Definition)

Netiquette Statement: http://www.cowley.edu/online/current/netiquette.html

Notice: Changes within the course syllabus such as, procedure, assignments and schedule may be made at the
discretion of the instructor.

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Course Schedule

Note: This schedule may change at the discretion of the instructor.

PART 1 – UNDERSTANDING INTERPERSONAL COMMUNICATION

3/21-27 Week 1
Course Introduction

Chapter 1 An Orientation to IPC
Chapter 2 Forming and Using Social Perceptions
Complete weekly readings/viewings, assignments, quizzes and discussions by 11:55PM CST on
3/27

3/28-4/3 Week 2
Chapter 3 Intercultural Communication
Chapter 4 Verbal Messages
Complete weekly readings/viewings, assignments, quizzes and discussions by 11:55PM CST on
4/3

4/4-10 Week 3
Chapter 5 Nonverbal Messages
Chapter 6 Communication in the Life Cycle of Relationships
PART 1 EXAM (Chapters 1-6)
Complete weekly readings/viewings, assignments, quizzes, Part 1 Exam, and discussions by
11:55PM CST on 4/10

4/11-17 Week 4
Chapter 7 Listening Effectively
Chapter 8 Holding Effective Conversations
Complete weekly readings/viewings, assignments, quizzes and discussions by 11:55PM CST on
4/17

4/18-24 Week 5
Chapter 9 Supporting Others
Chapter 10 Communicating Personal Information: Disclosure and Privacy
Complete weekly readings/viewings, assignments, quizzes and discussions by 11:55PM CST on
4/24

4/25-5/1 Week 6
Chapter 11 Using Interpersonal Influence
Chapter 12 Managing Conflict
PART 2 EXAM (Chapters 7-12)

Notice: Changes within the course syllabus such as, procedure, assignments and schedule may be made at the
discretion of the instructor.

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5/9-14
Complete weekly readings/viewings, assignments, quizzes and discussions by 11:55PM CST on
5/1

PART 2 – DEVELOPING INTERPERSONAL COMMUNICATION SKILLS

Week 7
Chapter 13 Communicating in Intimate Relationships: Families, Friendships, Marriages, and
Other Life Partnerships
Chapter 14 Communicating in the Workplace
PART 3 EXAM (Chapters 13-14)
Complete weekly readings/viewings, assignments, quizzes and discussions by 11:55PM CST on
5/8

Week 8
Course wrap-up and Final Project.
Complete weekly readings/viewings, assignments, quizzes and discussions by 11:55PM CST on
5/14

Notice: Changes within the course syllabus such as, procedure, assignments and schedule may be made at the
discretion of the instructor.

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