CMM 406-506 Interviewing Syllabus Fall 2008
C. A. Brammer, Ph.D. Office: 248SH
Office Hours: Posted Phone: 696-2810 (office)
CMM 406/CMM 506 W 4-6:20PM 522-2194 (home)
E-mail: brammer@marshall.edu
TEXT: Stewart, C. J. and Cash, W. B., Jr., (2007). Interviewing: principles and practices
(13th ed.). Dubuque, Iowa: W. C. Brown.
COURSE DESCRIPTION: In every area of our lives, and almost on a daily basis, we encounter the interview. We interview with sales representatives, auto mechanics, or real estate representatives. Teachers conduct interviews with students. Managers evaluate employees= skills through an interview. Journalists conduct news conferences and investigative interviews. Doctors interview patients. Counselors and clergy conduct counseling interviews. Attorneys discuss legal problems with their clients. Census takers gather demographic information for a geographic area.
In each of these instances, individuals seek information from one another through the interview. Differing from a conservation, interviewing is a purposeful, planned form of interpersonal communication, where inquiry and response are involved in dyadic interaction. In this course, both theory and application of skills are emphasized. Axiomatic to our study is that interviewing is an art as well as a skill that one can learn to use well.
COURSE OBJECTIVES: Upon completion of this course, students should be able to:
$ Define and describe the interviewing process, identifying the different types and techniques employed.
$ Understand interviewing as applied to various business/ research/ media contexts comprising contemporary society.
$ Practice active listening.
$ Examine strategies relative to planning and conducting of interviews.
$ Identify and apply steps in structuring an interview.
$ Develop questioning strategies in an interview.
$ Recognize and evaluate personal interviewing skills and adapt those skills to the demands of particular settings.
$ View effective interviewing as both an art and a science.
COURSE REQUIREMENTS:
$ ATTENDANCE - is required and expected. If you must be absent please inform me as soon as possible. Excessive absence will negatively affect your final grade in the class.
$ PARTICIPATION and READING: Active participation is expected. In order to facilitate participation, all reading assignments should be completed prior to the class session in which they will be discussed.
$ ASSIGNMENTS: All assignments should be prepared in a professional manner.
ASSIGNMENTS:
? CRITICAL FOCUS ANALYSIS: Students will analyze three selected video segments of professional interviews to test their understanding of the principles, practices, and procedures as applied to business/ research/ media arenas. The 2-3 page assessment should discuss findings and present recommendations for improvement. (50 points)
? CHAPTER ACTIVITIES: Students will complete three activities from the text. These are at the end of each chapter. You may not select three activities from the same chapter. (25 points each)
? CLASS ACTIVITIES: These will occur at various times during the semester. Time will determine how many are completed. (10 points each)
? Graduate Students will prepare two abstracts on Interviewing from current literature (50 points each)
? Graduate Students will analyze a >survey instrument/questionnaire= using the procedures and guidelines discussed by Stewart and Cash. The analysis should be approximately 2-3 pages in length and follow APA style format. Include a copy of the survey with your analysis paper. (50 points)
? MIDTERM (50 points)
? FINAL EXAM (100 points)
GRADING SCALE:
100 - 93% = A 84 - 76% = C
92 - 85% = B 75 - 68% = D
Course
SCHEDULE
Aug. 27 Overview
Sept. 3 Introduction to Interviewing Chapter 1
Sept. 10 The Interviewing Process Chapter 2
Sept. 17 Questions and Their Uses Chapter 3
Sept. 24 Structuring the Interview Chapter 4
Oct. 1 The Probing Interview Chapter 5
(1st Video/Audio Analysis Due)
Oct. 8 The Survey Interview Chapter 6
(1st Abstract Due)
Oct. 15 MIDTERM
Oct. 22 The Recruiting Interview Chapter 7
(2nd Video/Audio Analysis Due)
Oct. 29 The Employment Interview Chapter 8
Nov. 5 The Performance Interview Chapter 9
(3rd Video/Audio Analysis Due)
Nov. 12 The Persuasive Interview: Chapter 10
The Persuader
(2nd Abstract Due)
Nov. 19 The Persuasive Interview: Chapter 11
The Persuadee
(Survey Analysis Due)
Nov. 26 THANKSGIVING BREAK
Dec. 3 The Counseling Interview Chapter 12
The Health Care Interview Chapter 13
Dec. 10 FINAL EXAM
UNDERGRADUATE
SCHEDULE
August 21 Overview
August 23 An Introduction to Interviewing Chapter 1
August 28 Chapter 1 con=t.
August 30 Discussion
September 4 Labor Day
September 6 -11 The Interviewing Process Chapter 2
September 13-18-20 Questions and Their Uses Chapter 3
September 25-27 Structuring the Interview Chapter 4
October 2-4 The Probing Interview Chapter 5
October 9-11 Review and Midterm
October 16-18 The Survey Interview Chapter 6
October 23-25 The Recruiting Interview Chapter 7
October 30/
November 1 The Employment Interview Chapter 8
November 6-8 The Performance Interview Chapter 9
November 13-15 The Persuasive Interview : Chapter 10
The Persuader
November 20-22 THANKSGIVING
November 27 The Persuasive Interview: Chapter 11
The Persuadee
November 29 The Counseling Interview Chapter 12
December 4 The Health Care Interview Chapter 13
FINAL EXAM: THURSDAY, DECEMBER 11, 2008 TIME:12:45 P.M. to 2:45 P.M.