Fall 2024 Course Syllabus
Course: SPCH-1318 (Section: 75E, CRN: 93004)
Interpersonal Communications 		LSCPA Logo Image
Instructor Information
Instructor Desiree Pete
Email mayfielddn@lamarpa.edu
Phone (409) 984-6305
Office Educational I - Room: 114
Office Hours

Virtual Office Hours: Thursday: 4 p.m. – 5 p.m.; Friday: noon – 2 p.m.; excludes holidays/weekends (Video and phone call appointments are required and can be made via ConexEd in the MyLSCPA portal.) 
Additional Contact Information None
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.

For this course we will use an OER Digital Textbook (which means it is free, you don't have to buy a textbook for this class). Available on the first day within the course. 

ETextbook Title: Interpersonal Communication: A Mindful Approach to Relationships; Wrench, Punyanunt-Carter and Thweatt (2022)
Additional Materials/Resources

Students will need a notebook and pen, the ability to print documents (if needed), a laptop or desktop computer with a working webcam, video equipment (cell phone, desktop/laptop computer or tablet), access to visual aid materials and MS PowerPoint, and access to Blackboard.
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.

* Social Responsibility: Students will demonstrate intercultural competency and civic knowledge by engaging effectively in local, regional, national and/or global communities.

* Personal Responsibility: Students will demonstrate the ability to connect choices, actions and consequences to ethical decision-making.
Lecture Topics Outline

Lecture topics:

Chapter 1: Introduction to Human Communication
Chapter 2: Overview of Interpersonal Communication
Chapter 3: Intrapersonal Communication
Chapter 4: Verbal Elements of Communication
Chapter 5: Nonverbal Communication
Chapter 6: Cultural and Environmental Factors in Interpersonal Communication
Chapter 7: Talking and Listening
Chapter 8: Building and Maintaining Relationships
Chapter 9: Conflict in Relationships
Chapter 10: Friendship Relationships
Chapter 11: Family & Marriage Relationships
Chapter 12: Interpersonal Communication in Mediated Contexts
Chapter 13: Interpersonal Relationships at Work
Chapter 14: The Dark Side of Interpersonal Communication
Major Assignments Schedule SPCH_1318_75E_202490_P00137221.pdf
Final Exam Date December 8, 2024 - 8:0 AM   Through  December 10, 2024 - 11:59 PM
Grading Scale

1000 – 900     A

899 – 800       B

799 – 700       C

699 – 600       D

599 – 500       F
Determination of
Final Grade

Journal entries= 50%
Discussion boards= 20%
Tests= 20%
Quizzes= 5%
Participation= 5%
Course Policies
Instructor Policies Communication between students and the instructor is essential for success. You are required to check your LSCPA email every 24 hours. Questions or concerns about assignments must be addressed with the instructor via email prior to the due date. Students must use their Lamar PA email account when sending emails to the instructor. Please allow 24 hours for a response to emails during the week; weekend emails will be replied to on Mondays. Requests for virtual meetings should be submitted through ConexEd in MyLSCPA. 


All written work must be typed using correct grammar and spelling and submitted as specified in the assignment instructions. Student assignments are accepted solely on Blackboard. Work will not be accepted via email or in person. It is the student’s responsibility to learn to use Blackboard appropriately. Blackboard training is offered to students at no cost. 


This is an online course. Please do not try to complete your work on your cell phone, as there is a word requirement on most assignments. You will need use of a desktop or laptop computer, or a tablet. If you’re having an issue with equipment, please reach out to me via email. Participation is a critical portion of your final grade. Participation includes participating in class activities, discussions, as well as being an active and respectful audience member during classmates’ speeches. 


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. 


Research has shown a cause-and-effect relationship between attendance and college success. Although this is a fully online course, attendance is and participation are expected. Attendance will be collected by checking your logins and performance. Students are responsible for all information presented in the course regardless of attendance record. 


Plagiarism, written or oral, will result in a zero on the assignment (1st offense) and failure of the course (2nd offense). If a student plagiarizes an assignment, the instructor will regrade all previously submitted assignments. The use of artificial intelligence (AI) to complete coursework is not allowed in this class. This includes journal entries, discussion boards, assignments, tests and quizzes. If a student is found to be using AI to complete coursework the instructor reserves the right to regrade ant prior assignments to check for authenticity. 


Students are not required to complete a group project for this course, so please be careful with sharing your personal contact information with your classmates. Please use the Blackboard email function or a text app (i.e. WhatsApp, GroupMe, etc.). 
Attendance Policy

Research has shown a cause-and-effect relationship between attendance and college success. Although this is a fully online course, attendance is and participation are expected. Attendance will be collected by checking your logins and performance.   Online participation of less than 32 hours in the Blackboard portal will result in a loss of participation points.  Students are responsible for all information presented in the course regardless of attendance record.
Additional Information N/A
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