CMM 413/513: Theories of Interpersonal Communication
Spring 2009, Tuesdays 6:30-9:00 pm; SH 261
Dr. R.B. Bookwalter; SH 245; 696-2815; bookwalt@marshall.edu
Office Hours: MTWF 8:30-noon; MTu 2-3; WTh 2-4
Text: Trenholm, S. & Jensen, A. (2008). Interpersonal communication; 6th edition. Belmont, CA: Wadsworth.
At the core of human communication is the study of interpersonal relationships. The ability to create and maintain productive interpersonal relations is central to the development of a healthy self concept, a functional family, and a satisfying emotional life. Contrary to conventional wisdom, however, interpersonal communication competence cannot be reduced to platitudes and cliches (e.g., Do unto others . . .” “If you can’t say anything nice . . .” “Opposites attract.” “Birds of a feather . . .” etc.). Interpersonal communication is a complex process and interpersonal relationships are enigmatic.
We will examine these complexities and explore the mysteries of relationships by imposing various theoretical and conceptual frameworks on our experiences and those of others.
Goals:
1. To improve our communication competence in interpersonal settings
2. To describe the factors that influence person-perception, including self concept
3. To use of verbal and nonverbal codes to accomplish communicative and relational goals
4. To identify social rules which guide goal achievement and relationship definition
5. To apply communication theory to a variety of interpersonal relationships, including family relations, intimate relations, working relations and intercultural relations
Assignments:
The goals outlined above will be accomplished by hard work of course.
Undergraduates will be expected to achieve the course objectives by reading, discussion, and writing two papers and an in-class group presentation.
Graduate students, as you can imagine, will not get off quite so easily. You will be expected to develop and demonstrate special expertise in some area of interpersonal communication. This includes preparing a paper proposal, including a reading list of sources to be used in your major paper, a full sentence outline of your paper for my review, a completed draft of your major paper, and an oral presentation of your final paper. Finally, there will be additional readings for graduate students, which will provide you with some exposure to both classical works and current literature in the field. These additional readings will be outlined in an annotated bibliography and an oral report on a classic text.
Additional Requirements:
Class sessions will involve discussion of readings, related material and experiences. We will occasionally have exercises or generate cases for discussion. Attendance and participation are essential to accomplish the goals of this course. Moreover, thoughtful preparation is important to your learning. Therefore, I expect you to:
¨ Read each assignment
¨ Identify at least three ideas that you find significant
¨ Relate those ideas to examples from your experience, and
¨ Be prepared to discuss your thoughts in class.
As you are all very near the end of your training as communication professionals, I don’t think that it is necessary to give points for such things as attendance, preparation, and participation in discussions. However, if you fail to meet these basic expectations, your grade may be adversely affected.
CMM 413/513
Spring 2009
Additional Policies:
Policy for Students with Disabilities: Marshall University is committed to equal opportunity in education for all students, including those with physical, learning and psychological disabilities. University policy states that it is the responsibility of students with disabilities to contact the Office of Disabled Student Services (DSS) in Prichard Hall 117, phone 304 696-2271 to provide documentation of their disability. Following this, the DSS Coordinator will send a letter to each of the student’s instructors outlining the academic accommodation he/she will need to ensure equality in classroom experiences, outside assignment, testing and grading. The instructor and student will meet to discuss how the accommodation(s) requested will be provided. For more information, please visit http://www.marshall.edu/disabled
or contact Disabled Student Services Office at Prichard Hall 11, phone 304-696-2271.”
Policy on Academic Dishonesty: There may be nothing in life more valuable than your personal integrity. I trust you to submit legitimate work for evaluation in this course. Violations of that trust will be handled in accordance with the Academic Dishonesty policy spelled out by the Board of Governors (see
http://www.marshall.edu/president/board/Policies/ Policy AA-12).
Course Requirements
Assignment for ALL STUDENTS:
A1. All students in the course will write a short (3-5 page) paper addressing the question, “What is Interpersonal Communication?” This paper should reflect your current informed opinion as to whether the study of interpersonal communication should address both intentional and unintentional communication, successful and unsuccessful message transmission, cooperative and non-cooperative goal situations, unintended message reception, one-way as well as two-way exchanges, etc.
Graduate students in particular will be expected to draw on some basic literature in developing their papers. (25 possible points; due January 27)
UNDERGRADUATE Students ONLY:
UG1 Undergraduate students will work together on a group project worth 50 points, studying a specific theory related to interpersonal relationships. Your group will be expected to:
a. Choose a theory that all members can agree to study.
b. Create a videotaped episode or choose a film clip representing the key concepts and theoretical relationships posited by the theory. In particular you should focus on the elements of interpersonal communication which your theory can help explain.
c. Provide discussion of the theory and its appropriateness in explaining the episode in question. All members of the group should be involved in the discussion. Interaction with the class should be encouraged. The group should also provide a handout summarizing the guidelines they plan to emphasize.
d. Be sure to emphasize the value of this theory in understanding IPC and avoiding or resolving common problem which might arise in our everyday conversations and/or relationships.
UG2 Your second paper will examine your interpersonal communication competence in each of the five areas of competence outlined in our text. Using the information in Chapters 3-9, you will assess your own level of message competence, interpretive competence, self competence, role competence, and goal competence. You will be expected to strengthen your self-assessment by requesting feedback from relational partners who can discuss your interpersonal communication patterns with you. You will receive a more detailed description of this assignment at a later date. (100 points; due April 7)
CMM 413/513 Spring 2009
GRADUATE Students ONLY:
G1 Your principle concern should be the preparation of your term paper. This assignment requires that you:
a. Choose a topic, theory or concept related to IPC. Skim the text and review our class discussions for likely topics. Three particular approaches to term papers are common:
1) a paper might explain a single theory, discuss the research related to that theory and address the strengths and limitations of the theory as well as its future use and heuristic value;
2) a paper might compare and contrast the value of two or more theories as they attempt to explain and predict interpersonal communication phenomena and relationships;
3) a paper might review and evaluate the research related to a particular interpersonal dynamic, such as trust, self disclosure, deception, power, attraction, intimacy, relationship development, etc.
b. Submit a written proposal a) identifying the topic you will address, b) briefly (1-3 paragraphs) arguing for the significance of the topic as a subject of a major paper in interpersonal communication, and c) identifying at least 15 key sources from which your initial ideas about the topic have been drawn. (25 points; due March 11)
c. Prepare a complete full-sentence outline of your proposed paper (all main points and subpoints should be stated as complete sentences), to be submitted for my review.
(25 points; due April 7)
d. Write a paper advancing some argument or position as to the utility, scope, and or direction of scholarly work related to the topic reviewing the knowledge you have gained. Your paper should be well-organized, thorough, supported with readings other than our text, and it should indicate how much you have learned about the topic in question. (100 points; due April 28)
G2 You will work on an Annotated Bibliography related to a theory of interest to you. You will need to search the literature for both theoretical and research pieces related to your theory. Review these sources and write a brief annotation for each source. (50 points; due March 18)
G3 Graduate students will also be expected to prepare an oral report to be delivered in class. You will read and report on one “Classic Text” in IPC. You should prepare a brief (1-2 page) outline, copied for the students in the class. Oral presentations should be limited to 10 minutes and will be delivered on May 5. This assignment is a condition of graduate credit and will not be graded.
Grading:
Grades will be awarded on a straight percentage basis.
Undergraduates: Graduates:
Short Paper 25 points Short Paper 25 points
Assessment Paper 100 points Annotated Bib 50 points
Group Project 50 points Proposal /Reading List 25points
Outline 25 points
Term Paper 100 points
TOTALS 175 points 225 points
Tentative Course Schedule
CMM 413/513 Spring 2009
Date Reading Topic/Assignment
Jan 13 Introduction/Overview/Definitions
Jan 20 Martin Luther King, Jr. Holiday
Jan 27 Ch 1 Elements of Interpersonal Competence
Due: IPC Definition Papers
Feb 3 Ch 2 Interpersonal Relationships
Feb 11 Ch 6 Interpretive Competence: Social Cognition and IPC
Feb 18 Ch 8 Self Competence: Creating Personal Identities
Feb 24 Ch 3 Message Competence & Nonverbal Codes
March 3 Ch 4 Message Competence & Verbal Codes
March 11 Ch 5 Message Competence & Relational Patterns
Due: Graduate Paper Proposals & Reading Lists
March 18 Ch 7 Role Competence: Social Roles and Rules
Due: Graduate Annotated Bibliographies
March 24 Spring Break
March 31 Ch 9 Goals, Influence & Compliance Gaining
April 7 Ch 10 Interpersonal Communication & Family Interaction
Due: Graduate Paper Outlines
Due: Undergraduate Assessment Papers
April 14 Ch 11 Intimate Relations
April 21 Ch 12 IPC in Professional Relationships
April 28 Ch 13 Cultural & Historical Influences on IPC
Undergraduate Group Presentations
May 5 Graduate Final Reports