Virtual Office Hours: Thursday: 2 p.m. – 4 p.m.; Friday: 2 p.m. – 4 p.m.; excludes holidays/weekends

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. 

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.

* 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:

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

1000 – 900     A

899 – 800       B

799 – 700       C

699 – 600       D

599 – 500       F

Journal entries= 50%
Discussion boards= 20%
Tests= 20%
Quizzes= 5%
Participation= 5%

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.

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.).

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.