Spring 2025 Course Syllabus
Course: SPCH-1318 (Section: 71L, CRN: 11398)
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 Office Hours:  I am available by appointment for phone or video conversations. 

I am available by email Monday 8:00am - Saturday at noon.  I will respond to your emails within 24 hours during that time. 
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.

The course uses an OER textbook created by College of the Canyons.  
The textbook is posted in the Blackboard course. 
Additional Materials/Resources The ability to create presentations via PowerPoint. 
The ability to create videos posted on YouTube (shareable only, not public)
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 I.     Introduction to Communication
II.    Communication and the Self
III.   Emotions and Interpersonal Communication
IV.   Interpersonal Communication and Listening
V.    Conflict and Interpersonal Communication
VI.   Communication in Relationships
VII.  New Media and Interpersonal Communication
Major Assignments Schedule SPCH_1318_71L_202510_P00339312.pdf
Final Exam Date May 12, 2025 - 8:0 AM   Through  May 13, 2025 - 10:0 PM
Grading Scale 1000 - 900 points = A
899 - 800 points = B
799 - 700 points = C
699 - 600 points = D
599 and below =  F
Determination of
Final Grade		 Journal Entries -  12 x 50 =     600 points
Midterm / Final -    2 x 75  =    150 points
Two Papers -        1 x 100 =    100 points
                             1 x 150 =    150 points
Course Policies
Instructor Policies I do not accept late work.  If you are not able to submit your assignment on the date it is due, you will need to submit it early. Exceptions are given at the discretion of the instructor and considered only if you email me BEFORE the assignment is due with your reasoning.  

This course is heavy on written work since it is online. The majority of course points are for journal entries.  When writing your responses, remember that this is a college course. Your responses must be well-thought out, incorporate the content/terms of the week's readings, and show a high level of maturity when discussing sensitive topics.  

All work should be typed using WORD and saved as a .doc file unless otherwise noted.  

All citations should follow APA format (7th edition).  Further information can be found Googling 'Purdue Owl, APA'. 
Attendance Policy Active participation is expected in this online course.  Students should check email and announcements daily for any updates or changes to the course schedule or assignments. 
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
Inmate Instruction
Chair:Dr. Steven Zani
Email:zanisj@lamarpa.edu
Phone:(409) 984-6431