COURSE SYLLABUS
COURSE OBJECTIVES
This course is designed so that participants will:
- See interpersonal relationships as cultures that develop within cultures.
- Be able to illustrate the cultural contexts of interpersonal communication.
- Be able to identify communication patterns by which relationships
are created, maintained, terminated, and revived.
- Report a greater range of conscious options for managing interpersonal communication.
- Increase skill in listening, assertiveness, and dialogue.
- Be able to illustrate course concepts by examples from everyday life.
READINGS
Assigned readings are presented with approximate due dates in the course calendar.
- C. J. Orr & K. Hess Lada, Dyadic Communication Workbook,
Referred to in course calendar as WORKBOOK.
- S. Trenholm & A. Jensen, Interpersonal Communication, 3rd Edition. Referred to as T&J.
- H. Lerner, The Dance of Anger. Referred to as LERNER.
- H. Bracey, et.al., Managing from the Heart. Referred to by title.
COURSE OUTLINE
I. Introduction to Interpersonal Communication
A. Introduction to Interpersonal Communication.
B. Messages that Create and Maintain Interpersonal Cultures.
- Verbal Messages
- Non Verbal Messages
II. The Intra personal Context of Interpersonal Communication
A. A Transactional Analysis Picture
B. An Object Relations Theory View
C. A Symbolic Interaction View
D. A Dramatistic View
E. An Intra personal Needs Perspective
III. Models of Interpersonal Communication
A. A Systems Model
B. A Developmental Model
C. A Perceptual Model
IV. Models of Interpersonal Competence
A. Helping Models
B. Assertiveness Models
C. A Dialogue Model
THE BASIS FOR GRADES
- Success on three exams.
- Success on a written assignment that will be described in class.
- Class participation: Frequent participation in discussions, role plays,
and demonstrated interest in learning about interpersonal communication in everyday life.
GRADE DISTRIBUTION:
Each exam is worth a maximum of 100 points. The paper is worth 100
points. Additional points may be given for outstanding contributions to
class discussions.
GROUND RULES
I will try to provide an interesting, useful and good
course. In candor; however, I will expect the following from you:
- Attend class. If you don't you will not be able to pass the exams.
- Attendance will be governed by the rules of WCU, as outlined in the
University catalogue.
- Do not ask to be dismissed from an exam because of other school work .
- Only serious illness is an acceptable reason for missing a test.
- Do not submit late papers. One grade will be reduced for each late day.
No grade Higher than "D" will be given to a final paper presented after
the announced deadline.
- Please keep a copy of all submitted work. If a paper does not reach me,
I will ask for a second copy. Without a copy the paper will need to be
considered an "F."
- Please secure a University e-mail address so I can communicate with the class.
A Thought for the Class:
The ideal class is one where "friendly people, educated, lively,
on a footing of equality, civilized but natural, come together and tell...
stories about the meaning of their {life's} longing. Allen Bloom
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