Fall 2024 Course Syllabus Course: SPCH-1318 (Section: 71T, CRN: 93421) Interpersonal Communications

Instructor Information
Instructor	Mary Dubois
Email	duboismr@lamarpa.edu
Phone	(409) 984-6330
Office	Educational I - Room: 131
Office Hours	None. This is an online course.  You should direct all questions to me at duboismr@lamarpa.edu.  I am happy to schedule a zoom or phone conversation with you.
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. Textbook : OER EBook Interpersonal Communication. An Open Educational Resource published by College of the Canyons *This Textbook is provided within the Blackboard Course and is available in the Electronic/Online Format and easy PDF Download for all students.
Additional Materials/Resources	None.
Corequisites/Prerequisites	None
Learning Outcomes	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	Core Objectives: Communication Skills, Critical Thinking Skills, Teamwork & Personal Responsibility Communication Skills: Students will demonstrate effective written, oral and visual communication Critical Thinking Skills:  Students will engage in creative and/or innovative thinking, 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	Lecture Topics: Introducing Interpersonal Communication Considering self Perceiving others Experiencing and Expressing Emotions Understanding Culture Listening Actively Communicating Verbally Communicating Nonverbally Managing Conflict and Power Relationships with Romantic Partners Relationships with Family Members Relationships with Friends
Major Assignments Schedule	Methods of Assessment Interpersonal Communication Grading (For Reference)   Discussions 5 @ 10 points=50 Points What do You Think (WDYThink) Responses 5 @10=50 Journals 12 @ 25 points=300 Points Midterm Exam = 100 Points Personality Assignment=100 Points Movie Analysis Assignment=100 Points Group Final Analysis Paper/Powerpoint/Evaluation=200 Points Final Exam = 100 Points Grading Scale: 1000-900=A 899-800=B 799-700=C 699-600=D 599 & Below=F This course is writing intensive.  There will be public discussions and private journals along with self analysis papers and research assignments. Please read the expectations below:   Discussions - For discussions, you will be expected to initially respond to the prompt with a paragraph and respond to at least two (2) students on the discussion board. There are 5 Discussions at 20 points each. You will be graded on your thoughtful and thorough answering of the question.  And also your response to 2 others in the Discussion Board.   Journals  - There are twelve (12) journal entries in our course, each journal entry is worth 25 points. The journal entries are based on an understanding of the chapter readings.  Most entries have 2 questions/thought considerations. You are required to respond in paragraph form to both questions to receive credit.  THE JOURNALS ARE COMPLETELY PRIVATE AND BETWEEN YOU AND ME. THESE WILL NOT BE SHARE PUBLICALLY OR WITH THE CLASS.   Exams – You will have to online exams.  One Midterm and One Final exam.  These exams will have 50 questions based on the textbook and readings.  The exams are timed and you take them online. You only have one attempt for your midterm and final exams!   Written Assignments: Personality Assignment, Movie Analysis Assignment, Final Analysis Paper All written homework assignments must be submitted electronically. References that are turned in must be done in accordance with the most recent APA style guide – see www.purdue.edu(https://owl.english.purdue.edu/owl/) for excellent information.   All work should be free of spelling and grammar errors and include content appropriate for an academic discussion. The assignments & submissions will be checked for plagiarism using SafeAssign. Plagarism will not be tolerated.  Minimum failure of the assignment for the first offense. Future offenses result in a grade of F for the Course. Work not following the directions will not be graded. Do Not Email work, documents, or assignments.  The will not be accepted.  All work will be submitted and graded in Blackboard. Late work is not accepted.  Plan ahead.  Read assignments ahead of time.  Do not wait until the last minute.  Do not email late assignments.
Final Exam Date	December 3, 2024 - 8:0 AM   Through  December 3, 2024 - 8:0 PM
Grading Scale	Methods of Assessment Interpersonal Communication Grading (For Reference)   Discussions 5 @ 10 points=50 Points What do You Think (WDYThink) Responses 5 @10=50 Journals 12 @ 25 points=300 Points Midterm Exam = 100 Points Personality Assignment=100 Points Movie Analysis Assignment=100 Points Group Final Analysis Paper/Powerpoint/Evaluation=200 Points Final Exam = 100 Points Grading Scale: 1000-900=A 899-800=B 799-700=C 699-600=D 599 & Below=F
Determination of Final Grade	This course is points based.  Grading Scale: 1000-900=A 899-800=B 799-700=C 699-600=D 599 & Below=F
Course Policies
Instructor Policies	Course/Classroom Policies   The following rules and guidelines about class behavior are to be memorized, internalized, and strictly adhered to. Failure to do so will negatively impact your experience of this class, not to mention your grade.   Deadlines:  All deadlines for this course are non-negotiable and fixed. The due dates listed on our Blackboard site serve as your guide. If you fail to turn in an assignment or speech (via the appropriate channels) by 11:59:00 PM CST (Central Standard Time) of the due date, you will receive zero points for the assignment, regardless of extenuating circumstances. Because life happens, I strongly encourage you to turn in all work early. There will be absolutely no deviation from this late work policy. I will not respond to emails requesting extra time on ANY assignment. Participation: Course Check in  and participation is strongly encouraged.  Your active participation in all class discussions and activities is very important to the success of this course and is expected. It is expected that students will display mature behavior in the course.   Be responsible for your words, responses and online behaviror.  Treat your classmates, instructor and yourself with mutual respect at all times. Failure to do so may result in your removal from thecourse.    Methods of Instruction   This is an online class, and as such it may include assigned readings, discussions, presentations, videos, electronic documents, PowerPoints, and more. A secure and reliable wifi connection and ability to access Blackboard is necessary for your successful completion of this course. It is recommended that you us a desktop or laptop to submit work.   Also, Google Chrome and Firefox work better than Microsoft edge for downloads. For help with accessing Blackboard or for Technical Support: Need assistance, email HelpDesk@lamarpa.eduor call (409) 984-6150   Civility In Professor Dubois Course we: Respect the dignity and essential worth of all individuals , promote a culture of respect within the course and throughout the college community, respect the privacy, property, and freedom of others, reject bigotry, discrimination, violence, or intimidation of any kind, practice personal and academic integrity and expect it from others, promote the diversity of opinions, ideas, and backgrounds of each individual. Netiquette Practice all forms of Netiquette, as outlined below: Netiquette is a set of rules for behaving properly online. Your instructor and fellow students wish to foster a safe online learning environment. All opinions and experiences, no matter how different or controversial they may be perceived, must be respected in the tolerant spirit of academic discourse. You are encouraged to comment, question, or critique an idea but you are not to attack an individual. Working as a community of learners, we can build a polite and respectful course community. The following netiquette tips will enhance the learning experience for everyone in the course: Do not dominate any discussion. Give other students the opportunity to join in the discussion.  Do not use offensive language. Present ideas appropriately.  Be cautious in using Internet language. For example, do not capitalize all letters since this suggests shouting. Popular emoticons can be helpful to convey your tone but do not overdo or overuse them. Never make fun of a person’s ability to read or write. Keep an open-mind and be willing to express even your academically informed opinion. Think and edit before you push the Send button. Do not hesitate to ask for feedback.  Using humor is acceptable.
Attendance Policy	None. THis is an online course.  All assignements/work/tests are due each week on  Sunday at 11:59pm.
Additional Information
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 Disability Services Coordinator, Room 117, in the Student Sucess Center. 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	General Education and Developmental Studies Chair: Dr. Steven Zani Email: zanisj@lamarpa.edu Phone: (409) 984-6431