ac_logo.gif - 1895 BytesPST 311
INTERPERSONAL COMMUNICATIONS



WELCOME

Welcome to Interpersonal Communication. This course emphasizes the transactional nature of interpersonal relationship through contemporary scholarship and practical examples from everyday life. Although an expanded repertoire of skills and techniques are presented in this course, the emphasis is placed on learning to choose an approach that has the best chance of success when handled in a constructive, respectful manner.

This course integrates the influences of culture and gender on communication and the special problem encountered by public telecommunicators. However, it is stressed that the skills and techniques presented in this course in no way should take the place of Standard Operating Procedures used by individual agencies. It is not the goal of this course to supersede established procedures but rather allow the student to learn to apply the best approaches to any given situation within the framework of policies of individual agencies.

This course integrates the application of one-on-one communication and uses a wide array of techniques and models for a variety of situations encountered within and outside the work sphere. However, examples specific for public telecommunicators have been incorporated. Theoretical models and practical assignments stress the concepts of the textbook and related web links are listed for further practice. Through work-related assignments, skill-building exercises, and problem-solving models, students will be able to analyze and effectively respond to various situations. Through discussion board questions, web link assignments, and email assignments, students will have the opportunity to interface with the instructor and become skillful and competent communicators.

The rules for this course are available on the web site “Policies” page. Grading policies, email assignments, the discussion board, and the virtual chatroom are all listed on the course web site. Students should read all of these carefully before the beginning of the course.

Diligence is required and expected in the completion of this course. The schedule is as follows:
Class Schedule and Overview
Welcome and check in.
Week 1Chapter 1: A First Look at Interpersonal Relationships
Week 2Chapter 2: Communication and Identity: The Self and Messages
Week 3Chapter 3: Perception: What You See Is What You Get
Week 4Chapter 4: Emotions: Thinking, Feeling, and Acting
Week 5Chapter 5 (I): Language: Barrier and Bridge
Week 6Chapter 5 (II): Language: Barrier and Bridge, TTY-TDD
Week 7Chapter 6: Nonverbal Communication: Messages Beyond Words
Week 8Chapter 7 (I): Listening: More Than Meets the Ear
Week 9Chapter 7 (II): Paraphrasing in Public Telecommunications
Week 10Chapter 8: Communication and Relational Dynamics
Week 11Chapter 9: Improving Communication Climates
Week 12Chapter 10: Managing Interpersonal Conflicts
Final Exam

During the course, you will use email and some web links for assignments. You will use the Discussion Board for answers to specific questions and to communicate with other students. Other students will see your completed assignments on the discussion board and you are expected to react to these discussion questions and other students’ opinions. You must participate in these joint activities to pass the course.

All of your responses, both to the assigned questions for each chapter and to your fellow students’ answers, must be posted on the discussion board. Email should be used for the submission of specific weekly assignments to the instructor. You should also email to request help with an assignment or clarification of a concept.