COMM 20 Elements of Interpersonal Communication (3 Units)

Long Beach City College Department of Communication Course Syllabus

Course Information:
Course Number: 20
Section Number: 74926
Class Time:
T, TH
1:00pm 2:25pm
Class Location:
LAC- T1326
Semester:
Fall, 2014

Instructor Information
Timothy Mount, M.A.
Email: tmount@lbcc.edu
Office time: E-mail for appointment

Course Description (official LBCC catalogue description): Formerly SP 20. This course takes an experiential
approach to the study of the process of communication at both the intrapersonal and interpersonal levels. Time will be
devoted to both the study of theories and experiments within the field of communication studies and their practical
applications as related to perception, listening, non-verbal communication, conflict resolution and ones self-concept.
Student Learning Outcomes:
1. Compare and contrast interpersonal communication theories
2. Examine methods of understanding self.
3. Analyze listening effectiveness.
4. Appraise characteristics of conflict.
5. Identify and define communication modes.
Learning Objectives
1. Differentiate the relationship between intrapersonal and interpersonal communication.
2. Distinguish between intrapersonal and interpersonal communication.
3. Explain and analyze the relationship between communication and behavior.
4. Recognize the ability to understand self and communication with others.
5. Identify and clarify individual values.
6. Analyze components of self-concept.
7. Appraise the impact of active, passive, and empathic listening.
8. Employ appropriate listening responses.
9. Structure appropriate listening environments.
10. Exercise management skills.
11. Compare and contrast types and responses.
12. Distinguish verbal and nonverbal communication.
13. Define basic nonverbal communication variables.
Required Text:

Adler, Ronald, B. & Proctor II, Russell, F. (2014). Looking Out, Looking In, 14th Edition. Cengage Learning.

Course Policies:
1.

There will be absolutely no forms of discrimination within the classroom! This includes any direct or
indirect language regarding ethnicity, gender, appearance, or sexual orientation. This will not be
tolerated and neither will any form of sexual harassment.

2.

Cell phones: Cell phones must be deactivated. If they ring, you will be asked to leave for the remainder of
the class period. This also includes texting during lectures, personal shares, or at any time during the course.
If you are asked to leave, you will miss all potential points/assignments for that class meeting. This is not an
option!!

3.

Attendance Policy:
o

Students are permitted one (1) absence and one (1) tardy throughout the term without penalization.

Ten (10) points will be deducted for each absence following the allowed one (1) absence.

Five (5) points will be deducted for each tardy following the allowed one (1) tardy.

Persons who have perfect attendance of zero (0) absences and zero (0) tardies will NOT have to
take the final at the end of the semester (Terms of Endearment) analysis.

Please keep in mind that too many absences may inhibit your successful completion of the class
based upon assignments missed. Therefore, if too many classes are missed and assignments not
completed students will receive grades accordingly.

4.

There will be no disruptive behavior. This includes, but is not limited to: inappropriate language, reading
other materials during class time, unwillingness to participate in class activities/group assignments, doing
homework, talking while your peers are talking, talking with one another during lecture, and sleeping. If any
of these disruptions should occur than you will be asked to leave class and will subsequently lose potential
activity/participation points for that day. Please be advised that there is a student code of conduct guideline
while in the classroom. If there are any further questions as to this guideline, I will be happy to go over it
with you.

5.

Make-Ups: For students that have an excused absence, I will allow you with a make-up opportunity for that
assignment. An excused absence will require a doctors note upon immediate return.

6.

I do not accept assignments via email. All paperwork is due at the beginning of that particular class meeting.

7.

I do not accept late work!

8.

At the beginning of every class meeting, you must be seated in a new seat and not your previous one.

9.

You may use laptops ONLY for the sole purpose of note-taking. They will not be used for anything else. If
this privilege is abused, I will discontinue student usage.

10. Please do NOT pack-up your belongings before the end of class. Its RUDE!
Course Assignments
1.

Participation/Citizenship: Participation and mature behavior in this class are a must! In order to receive full
points in this area, students must come to class prepared, be polite to one another, provide support to others
during their shares, and engage in class discussion/lectures.

2.

Chapter Quizzes: We will have seven (7) chapter quizzes throughout the semester. See syllabus for tentative
dates.

3.

Homework: Throughout the term, there will be homework assignments pertaining to in-class lectures,
chapters, and other activities.

4.

Formal Share: Students will share some facet of their life with the class informally once during the semester.
There will be a written and oral component to this assignment.

5.

Midterm: On Golden Pond Film Analysis: The final will consist of questions from our in-class film viewing
of, Terms of Endearment. Students will use the short answer/essay method to respond to questions pertaining
to this film. These questions are related to materials used within the class and our textbook.

6.

Personal Legacy Share: For this assignment, each of us will informally share with the class what we wish
for our personal and professional legacy to entail. The share will also include a written segment.

7.

Final: Terms of Endearment Film Analysis: The midterm will consist of questions from our in-class film
viewing of, Terms of Endearment. Students will use the short answer/essay method to respond to questions
pertaining to this film. These questions are related to materials used within the class and our textbook.

Grade Percentages/Assignments
Assignments
Participation/Citizenship
Formal Share
Midterm: On Golden Pond
Film Analysis
Chapter Quizzes
Personal Legacy Share
Final: Terms of
Endearment Film Analysis
Homework

Points
100
50
35

Grade
A

Percentage
90%

80%

70
30
40

C
D

70%
60%

50

FAIL

59% & BELOW

Grade Appeals: Once I have returned a graded assignment, I will not be open to discussion during class time. If you
have a concern, please see me either after class or make an appointment with me.
AmericanswithDisabilitiesActof1990(Excerpt from the college catalogue):
The Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) of 1990prohibits discrimination against people with disabilitiesin
employment, public services including public andprivate transportation, public accommodations and
telecommunications services. SupportservicesforstudentswithadisabilityareprovidedthroughtheDisabled
StudentServicesProgram.Anyoneneedinginformationaboutourservicesforstudentswithadisabilityshould
contactthisofficeat(562)9384558voiceor(562)9384833TDD.
PolicyonAcademicHonesty(Excerptfromthecollegecatalogue):ItisthepolicyoftheLongBeachCommunity
CollegeDistricttoestablishanacademicenvironmentinwhichinquiryisnurtured,individualresponsibilityis
rewardedandacademicdishonesty,cheatingandplagiarismarenottolerated.

Tentative Class Schedule

Date

Schedule

Due

Tues., 08/26
08/28
09/02
09/04
09/09
09/11
09/16
09/18
09/23

09/25

Class overview and syllabus

Ice breaker
Chapter 1, A First Look at
Interpersonal Communication
Chapter 2, Self-Concept
Chapter 2, Self-Concept
Chapter 4, Emotions
Chapter 4, Emotions
Flex Day
Formal Share
(In-class sharing)

10/02
10/07
10/09
10/14
10/16
10/21
10/23
10/28
10/30

Formal Share
(In-class sharing)
Formal Share
(In-class sharing)
Chapter 9, Close Relationships
Chapter 9, Close Relationships
Chapter 6, Nonverbal
Chapter 6, Nonverbal
Chapter 8, Relational Dynamics
Chapter 8, Relational Dynamics
Chapter 11, Conflict
Chapter 11, Conflict
On Golden Pond Film

11/04
11/06

On Golden Pond Film

Chapter 7, Listening

11/11
11/13

Chapter 7, Listening
Chapter 10, Improving
Communication Climates
Personal Legacy Share
Typed paper
Personal Legacy Share
(In-class sharing)
Personal Legacy Share
(In-class sharing)
Thanksgiving
Terms of Endearment Film
Terms of Endearment Film
Individual Grades
Individual Grades

09/30

11/18
11/20
11/25
11/27
12/02
12/04
12/09
12/11

No reading
No reading
*Book required for class

Quiz
NO CLASS
Quiz
Formal Share
(typed paper)
Formal Share
(typed paper)
Formal Share
(typed paper)

Quiz
Quiz
Quiz
Quiz
Midterm Film Analysis Assigned
Midterm Film Analysis Due

Quiz
Personal Legacy Share
Typed paper
Personal Legacy Share
Typed paper
Personal Legacy Share
Typed paper
NO CLASS
Final Film Analysis Assigned
Final Film Analysis Due
Instructor Farewell
Instructor Farewell