Fall 2023 Course Syllabus
Course: SPCH-1318 (Section: 73E, CRN: 92953)
Interpersonal Communications 		LSCPA Logo Image
Instructor Information
Instructor Dr. Michelle Davis
Email davisml1@lamarpa.edu
Phone (409) 984-6341
Office Educational I - Room: 133
Office Hours I will offer online office hours on Tuesdays and Thursdays from 6:00pm - 7:30pm. 
Check Blackboard for more information. 
Additional Contact Information
Course Information
Description Application of communication theory to interpersonal relationship development, maintenance, and termination in relationship contexts including friendships, romantic partners, families, and relationships with co-workers and supervisors.
Required Textbooks Textbook Purchasing Statement: A student attending Lamar State College Port Arthur is not under any obligation to purchase a textbook from the college-affiliated bookstore. The same textbook may also be available from an independent retailer, including an online retailer.

Required Text: 
Interpersonal Communication and You - An Introduction, First Edition
Author:  Steven McCornack
Bedford-St.Martin: MacMillan, 2015
978-4576-6253-9
Additional Materials/Resources None.
Corequisites/Prerequisites None
Learning Outcomes
 
Upon successful completion of this course, students will:
 

Exhibit understanding of interpersonal theories and principles.

Demonstrate ability to analyze and critique verbal and nonverbal interactions in mediated and face-to-face contexts.

Identify perceptual processes as they relate to self and others.

Demonstrate critical thinking ability by effectively researching, evaluating, and applying communication theories in oral and/or written assignments.

Demonstrate understanding of the relevance of cross-cultural, co-cultural, gender and age influences on human communication.

Demonstrate ability to identify, evaluate, and apply conflict styles and conflict management techniques in dyads and/or groups.

Identify types of and barriers to effective listening.
Core Objectives
  • Communication skills: Students will demonstrate effective written, oral and/or visual communication.
  • Critical Thinking Skills: Students will engage in creative and/or innovative thinking, and/or inquiry, analysis, evaluation, synthesis of information, organizing concepts and constructing solutions.
  • Teamwork: Students will demonstrate the ability to work effectively with others to support a shared purpose or goal and consider different points of view.
  • Personal Responsibility: Students will demonstrate the ability to connect choices, actions and consequences to ethical decision-making.
     
Lecture Topics Outline Introducing Interpersonal Communication

Interpersonal Essentials
  • Considering Self
  • Perceiving Others
  • Experiencing and Expressing Emotions
Interpersonal Skills
  • Understanding Culture
  • Listening Actively
  • Communicating Verbally
  • Communicating Nonverbally
  • Managing Conflict and Power
Interpersonal Relationships
  • Relationships with Romantic Partners
  • Relationships with Family Members
  • Relationships with Friends
Major Assignments Schedule None
Final Exam Date December 11, 2023 - 8:0 AM   Through  December 12, 2023 - 11:59 PM
Grading Scale This course will use a 1000 point scale to determine your grade:

895 -1000 = A
795 - 894  = B
695 - 794  = C
595 - 694  = D
594 or Below = F
Determination of
Final Grade

Journal Entries:           440 points    
Discussion Boards:     170 points    
Quizzes:                      170 points
Two Papers:                120 points
Two Tests:                   100 points
Course Policies
Instructor Policies 1. Late Work is not accepted.  You may submit work ahead of time but not late.  Plan your work time for completing these assignments. 

2. Sometimes "life" happens at the worst time.  For extraordinary circumstances the instructor may make exceptions to 1.  This includes severe illness, car accidents, death of a family member, or other emergencies. 

3.  Please do not attempt to complete this course typing on your phone.  There are length expectations for your journals and papers.  

4.  Submission of work is the first step.  The quality and accuracy of your work is what will determine your grade. 

5.  Monday - Friday I will respond to emails within 24 hours.  I am not always available to answer emails Saturday and Sunday.  Please go ahead and email me and I'll respond as I can, or by Monday evening. 

6.  I will discuss grades or other sensitive topics via video conferencing. I will only discuss grades through video conferencing. 

7.  This course may address topics sensitive to some students. Students will display mature behavior on the class discussion boards.  Students are responsible for their actions, and should treat their classmates, instructor, and self with respect at all times.

8.  All work must be typed, 12 point font and regular margins.  Please do not be 'creative' in changing those things to make your paper meet a length requirement.  Spelling and the use of correct grammar will be considered in grading. 

9.  Plagiarism or the use of AI products is  prohibited in this course.  The first known offense will result in a grade of zero on the assignment.  A second known offense will result in an F in the course.  The instructor has the right to regrade any previously graded work once plagiarism is detected.  You will get the most out of the class by learning and applying the concepts to your own thoughts and experiences. 

10. I make mistakes too!  If you see an error in an assignment not opening or other things like that, PLEASE let me know ASAP. 
Attendance Policy Attendance in an online course should be frequent, maybe even daily.  The course is designed to open on Sunday evening, time for readings, a Quiz due on Wednesdays, Discussion Board on Thursdays, and a Journal Entry by Saturday evenings.  You can work ahead within the week, but not from one module to the other. 

Attendance is not simply logging in.  Attendance in the online environment means attending to- so attend to your readings and your assignments. 
Additional Information I have a full-time job outside of LSCPA which limits my availability during the day. Please email or post your questions when you have them knowing I will respond that evening. 
Institutional Policies
MyLSCPA Be sure to check your campus email and Course Homepage using MyLSCPA campus web portal. You can also access your grades, transcripts, academic advisors, degree progress, and other services through MyLSCPA.
Academic Honesty Academic honesty is expected from all students, and dishonesty in any form will not be tolerated. Please consult the LSCPA policies (Academic Dishonesty section in the Student Handbook) for consequences of academic dishonesty.
ADA Considerations The Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) is a federal anti-discrimination statute that provides comprehensive civil rights for persons with disabilities. Among other things, this legislation requires that all students with disabilities be guaranteed a learning environment that provides for reasonable accommodation of their disabilities. If you believe you have a disability requiring an accommodation, please contact the the Office for Disability Services Coordinator, Room 231, in the Madison Monroe Building. The phone number is (409) 984-6241.
COVID 19 Information The Lamar State College Port Arthur (LSCPA) Student Code of Conduct COVID 19 Policy requires students who have been diagnosed with COVID 19 to report their condition directly to their local health department. Students should also contact their course faculty to report their quarantine status. In addition, this policy requires all students to wear face coverings when directly exposed to COVID 19 in compliance with the criteria included in the policy. For more information please refer to the COVID 19 link on the LSCPA website.
Facility Policies No food or tobacco products are allowed in the classroom. Only students enrolled in the course are allowed in the classroom, except by special instructor permission. Use of electronic devices is prohibited.
HB 2504 This syllabus is part of LSCPA's efforts to comply with Texas House Bill 2504.
Mandatory Reporting of Child Abuse and Neglect As per Texas law and LSCPA policy, all LSCPA employees, including faculty, are required to report allegations or disclosures of child abuse or neglect to the designated authorities, which may include a local or state law enforcement agency or the Texas Department of Family Protective Services. For more information about mandatory reporting requirements, see LSCPA's Policy and Procedure Manual.
Title IX and Sexual Misconduct LSCPA is committed to establishing and maintaining an environment that is free from all forms of sex discrimination, including sexual harassment, sexual violence, and other forms of sexual misconduct. All LSCPA employees, including faculty, have the responsibility to report disclosures of sexual misconduct, including sexual harassment, sexual assault (including rape and acquaintance rape), domestic violence, dating violence, relationship violence, or stalking, to LSCPA's Title IX Coordinator, whose role is to coordinate the college's response to sexual misconduct. For more information about Title IX protections, faculty reporting responsibilities, options for confidential reporting, and the resources available for support visit LSCPA's Title IX website.
Clery Act Crime Reporting For more information about the Clery Act and crime reporting, see the Annual Security & Fire Safety Report and the Campus Security website.
Grievance / Complaint / Concern If you have a grievance, complaint, or concern about this course that has not been resolved through discussion with the Instructor, please consult the Department Chair.
Department Information
Inmate Instruction
Chair:Steven Zani
Email:zanisj@lamarpa.edu
Phone:(409) 984-6431