Psychology 3100 Interpersonal Communication (Hybrid) Fall Semester 2016

Transcription

1 Psychology 3100 Interpersonal Communication (Hybrid) Fall Semester 2016 Instructor: Dr. Erica Gannon Class meets: Wednesdays, 12:45-2:00 pm (G-101) Course site: D2L (accessed through the Swan portal) Phone: (678) (Note: is generally a better way to contact me.) Office: NBS-103 Office Hours: Tuesdays: 9:00 am-12:00 pm Wednesdays: 11:00 am-12:30 pm Thursdays: 9:30 am-11:00 am Other meeting times can often be arranged by request. NOTE: For office hours, I can be available via Skype if you notify me in advance that you d like to contact me that way. For Skype, search using my CSU or my Skype name: ericagannoncsu.) Course Description and Goals This course will address the use of basic helping and communication skills that would be applicable to a variety of work settings and situations, including the development of listening skills, knowledge about working with diverse populations, and increasing selfawareness with the goal of developing and maintaining successful working relationships. By the end of this course, students should be able to: Think critically about the communicative process and an array of interpersonal experiences Manage themselves and their communication with competence within personal and professional interpersonal relationships. Psychology Dept. Learning Outcomes that apply directly to this course: Understand and apply the major concepts, findings, and theoretical perspectives of psychology. Communicate effectively and professionally both orally and in writing, including the use of the Style Manual of the American Psychological Association. Course Requirements Texts: Reflect & Relate (4 th Ed.) by McCornack (2016). Course Website: You will need to access the course website on D2L (accessed through the SWAN portal) throughout the semester. Everything you need, including information on tests and reading, will be done through D2L. You are responsible for any information that is on the class site on D2L, so check it often. Account: Each student should have a CSU account, and must use it for this class. There may be times when I will communicate to the class via your

2 CSU , and you will be responsible for that information. When ing me, please use the address listed at the beginning of this syllabus instead of D2L s internal system. PowerPoint: Each student will need to have PowerPoint on his/her machine in order to view the notes on the web, which are posted as PowerPoint files. Microsoft Word: Written work should be prepared using the latest version of MS Word, and anything you submit online through D2L MUST be submitted in Word format. In-Class Notebooks: Each CSU student is required to have ready access throughout the semester to a notebook computer that meets faculty-approved hardware and software requirements for the student's academic program. For further information on CSU's Official Notebook Computer Policy, please go to In this course, you will not need to bring your notebook computer to class; you must only have access to all the above computing requirements outside of class (website, , PowerPoint, and Microsoft Word). Because of many problems with disruptive and unnecessary use of laptops during class in past semesters, I ask that students NOT use laptops in class unless they have a documented disability or other compelling reason to do so (please discuss with me individually). Basic Student Responsibilities Students must abide by policies in the Clayton State University Student Handbook and the Basic Undergraduate Student Responsibilities. o Student Handbook link: o Basic Undergraduate Student Responsibilities link: I am confident that we will all treat each other with mutual respect and create a climate in which everyone can feel comfortable. Behavior that disrupts the teaching and learning process during class activities will not be tolerated. While a variety of behaviors can be disruptive in a classroom setting, more serious examples include belligerent, abusive, profane, and/or threatening behavior. A student who fails to respond to reasonable faculty direction regarding classroom behavior and/or behavior while participating in classroom activities may be dismissed from class. A student who is dismissed is entitled to due process and will be afforded such rights as soon as possible following dismissal. If found in violation, a student may be administratively withdrawn and may receive a grade of WF. Attendance Policy The university s official attendance policy is as follows: Students are expected to attend and participate in every class meeting. Instructors establish specific policies relating to absences in their courses and communicate these policies to the students through the course syllabi. Individual instructors, based upon the nature of the course, determine

3 what effect excused and unexcused absences have in determining grades and upon students ability to remain enrolled in their courses. The university reserves the right to determine that excessive absences, whether justified or not, are sufficient cause for institutional withdrawals or failing grades. In this course, you are certainly expected to attend the course meetings, and there will be class-work/participation points most weeks that cannot be made up if missed. Therefore, excessive absences will negatively impact your grade. If you miss class when there is NOT a test, I do not need to know why you missed, nor do I need any excuse or documentation. Assignments/Grading Your final grade in this class will be determined based on the following components. Throughout the semester, grades will be posted on D2L; therefore, you can always find out where you stand in the course by adding up your total points earned and dividing by the total points possible (which will be easy for you to calculate, as each grade item on D2L indicates points possible). This calculation gives you a decimal that can then be transformed into a percentage, and that is your current grade in the course. (Standard grading system applies: A=90%-100% of total points, B=80%-89%, C=70%-79%, D=60-69%, F=59% or less.) Points 1. Tests (3 Tests) Dropbox Assignments/Quizzes (D2L online) Reflection Papers (2) Classwork/Participation 50 Total Points 500 Midterm Grades A midterm grade will be given prior to the last day to withdraw without penalty, which, for this semester, is October 7 th, So, the midterm grade will be entered into the DUCK prior to this date in order to help you make a decision about whether to consider withdrawing from the course. This grade will be composed of several assignments/classwork and your first test. Since many more of the points for this class will occur as the semester continues, your midterm grade should be considered a general snapshot of your performance up to that point. If you have any concerns about whether or not to withdraw from the course, please consult me. Tests The tests will cover both material in the reading and material covered in class that is not in your reading. Therefore, it is very important that you be in class. If you must miss class, please be sure to get the notes from a classmate. Tests may include multiple choice, true/false, short answer, and several short essay questions. In the case of a missed test, a make-up test will be given only in the case of extreme circumstances,

4 such as car accidents, death in the family, severe illness, etc. You must contact me prior to the start of the test (by or phone message) to let me know that such a circumstance has occurred, and you must have some kind of documentation supporting the reason for your absence; otherwise, you will not be allowed to make up the test and will be assigned a zero. A make-up exam must be arranged as soon as possible and completed as soon as possible upon your ability to return to school. Assignments/Quizzes Throughout the semester, all assignments and quizzes will be posted on D2L (through the Dropbox or Quiz tab). For the written assignments (that will be submitted via Dropbox), there will not be one right or wrong answer involved in these, but you will be graded on several components, including: the thoroughness of your discussion, the thoughtfulness, insight, and critical thinking apparent in your answer, and the quality of your written communication. I will accept late assignments, but for each day they are late, the grade will be reduced by one letter grade (10%). Classwork/Participation Points Most weeks during the semester, we will spend some of our class time doing a communication exercise or discussion of some kind, generally in pairs or small groups. In most cases, these will be worth 5 points. In the case of this classwork, if you participate in it, then you earn the 5 points (hence my use of the term classwork/participation ). If you miss class that day, you have missed the classwork and cannot make it up. Reflection Papers Two short reflection papers are required in this class; the first is due in class on Oct. 12 th, and the second in class on Nov. 30 th. They should be 2-3 pages in length, not including the cover page. The purpose is to integrate your understanding of the course material and apply this learning to the process of communication in your own relationships. More details about these papers and their specific topics will be provided later in the semester and will also be posted on the course website on D2L, although the papers themselves will be turned in as hard copies in class on the appropriate due date. I will accept late papers, but for each day they are late, the grade will be reduced by one letter grade (10%). About Reading This class will cover a great deal of information, so it s imperative that you keep up with the reading and assignments! We will not always discuss every piece of information from your reading, but you are responsible for it nonetheless. I assume that, as adults, you can read the assigned text chapters and will be willing to ask questions about concepts that you do not understand or about which you would like more information. Class will not be about me repeating all of what is in your book it will be about expanding upon and deepening your understanding of the information. So, the takehome message is: READ and ASK QUESTIONS!

5 Academic Dishonesty Academic dishonesty is a serious offense and will be dealt with in accordance with the CSU Handbook. This means that the minimum penalty issued will be a zero on the assignment for which academic dishonesty occurs, but depending upon the severity of the situation, additional penalties (such as failure of the class) may be imposed. Plagiarism is one form of academic dishonesty. If you copy someone else's work and don't give them credit (e.g., if you use information from a book and don t properly cite the source), that is plagiarism, and it will be taken very seriously! If you have any questions about plagiarism, please ask it is better to be safe than sorry! If you are suspected of committing academic dishonesty, your case may be referred to the Office of Student Conduct, and they will follow the judicial procedures described in the Student Handbook. Other Issues Electronic devices (including cellphones, tablets, etc.): It is potentially disruptive to those near you, and definitely problematic for your own learning, to be looking at smartphones, tablets, etc. during class; therefore, I ask that you keep them put away, which means somewhere that you cannot see it! I understand that some people have childcare or other responsibilities that necessitate them being available via phone, so you may keep your phone on vibrate in your pocket, and quietly step out of the classroom if it is absolutely necessary for you to take an emergency call. Testing procedures: During tests, you will NOT be allowed to leave and re-enter the classroom once you have begun the test, so plan accordingly. You will also be required to clear everything off of your desk space, including phones, other electronic devices, purses, and backpacks. Please arrive on time for tests; if you are more than 25 minutes late for a test (which is 1/3 of the way into a 75- minute period!), I will not let you take the test unless you have a compelling reason that can be verified (e.g., unexpected closure of a major roadway, minor accident on the way to campus, etc.) Tardiness/Leaving Early: Please make every effort to arrive on time; consistently arriving late is disruptive and therefore disrespectful to other students, as is leaving early. On a related note, please avoid leaving class to get food, use the restroom, etc., as this is also disruptive. Disabilities Individuals with disabilities who need to request accommodations should contact the Disability Services Coordinator, Edgewater Hall 255, , disabilityservices@clayton.edu.

6 Schedule for Fall Semester (May be amended or changed on course site on D2L!) Wed., 8/17 Introduction to Class Wed., 8/24 Chapter 1-Introducing Interpersonal Communication Wed., 8/31 Chapter 2-Considering Self Wed., 9/7 Chapter 3-Perceiving Others Wed., 9/14 Chapter 4-Experiencing and Expressing Emotions Wed., 9/21 Test #1 (covers Chapters 1, 2, 3, & 4) Wed., 9/28 Chapter 5-Understanding Culture Wed., 10/5 Chapter 6-Listening Actively Note: Last day to drop without penalty (receiving a grade of W ) is October 7 th. Wed., 10/12 Chapter 7-Communicating Verbally Reflection Paper #1 Due Wed., 10/19 Chapter 8-Communicating Nonverbally Wed., 10/26 Test #2 (covers Chapters 5, 6, 7, & 8 in Ethics text) Wed., 11/2 Chapter 9-Managing Conflict and Power Wed., 11/9 Chapter 10-Relationships with Romantic Partners

7 Wed., 11/16 Chapter 11-Relationships with Family Members Wed., 11/23 Thanksgiving Holiday! Wed., 11/30 Chapter 12-Relationships with Friends Reflection Paper #2 Due Final Exam Day Wed., Dec. 7 th at 12:30 pm (Final Exam will be Test #3 covers Chapters 9, 10, 11, 12, & Appendix)