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COURSE OUTLINE
Communication and Theatre 4/510-001 on campus
Advanced Interpersonal Communication
Spring, 2006
Instructor: Steve Coffman
Online Office Hours:TR 1000-1030; T 1400-1500
Phone: 406-657-1726
Office: LA 608
e-mail:
TEXT: Galvin, K.M. & Cooper, P. (2003) Making Connections: Readings in Relational Communication. 3e. Los Angeles: Roxbury.
COURSE OBJECTIVES: This course is based on the assumption that meaningful, mature interpersonal relationships occur when interactants are capable of high drama. There are important life issues that need to be understood if we are to create ourselves as aware, thoughtful, careful, respectful, and responsible human beings in relationship. Some of these issues include: physical/spiritual concerns; self-in-relationship; cultural influence; being vs. doing or becoming; equality/discrimination; freedom vs. necessity; good vs. evil; the rational vs. the irrational; the real vs. the virtual; and, the finite vs. the infinite nature of human existence. We will explore as many of these tensions as possible in pursuit of the wisdom needed to move from low drama to the interpersonal. One final note: this is not a skills class. We, finally, cannot reduce interpersonal communication to a set of competencies. Instead, we will confront and think about our experience in an effort to articulate self-in-context. Then, if we choose to, we can craft and reveal selves to friends and family. To paraphrase John Stewart, who in turn was looking back to Martin Büber, awareness and choice constitute the methodology of interpersonal communication. This methodology enables us to engage in the highest quality communication of which we are capable.
COURSE FORMAT:
The bulk of our class time will be spent in thirteen seminar discussions of current issues in interpersonal communication. Each discussion will be based on the reading assignment and the lecture for that class.
GRADING:
Your attendance at and willingness to participate in discussions is expected. There are two free absences (including illness). After thatyou will earn a “0” for the participation grade for that session. Participation will count as 50% of your grade. Grades will be assigned as follows:
attendance = 70
attend + modest participation = 71-79
attend + active participation = 80-89
attend + excellent participation = 90-100
There will brief preparatory papers assigned most weeks for the readings due that week. The sum of the grades for these papers will count as other 50% of your grade. Please note that papers are due each week prior to class in which that topic is discussed.Once a deadline has passed for submission of an essay, it will marked late as follows: (1 day to 1 week = -10; up to two weeks = -20; more than two weeks = 0). So, plan carefully. Undergraduates are required to write 5 papers. Graduate students are required to write 8 papers. These papers must be emailed to me at the address above. The paper files must be attached to your email submission as follows: (your first initial/last name) (paper number) as in (scoffman paper 1). This is so that I will know who the paper is from without having to open the file. Papers should be submitted as word documents (.doc). (See illustration below.) If you use a Mac, submit papers via the rich text format (.rtf). Each paper will be graded as follows:
paper < 5 (undergraduates) or < 8 (graduates) = 0 (for each one missing)
poor paper < 70
average paper = 71-79
good paper = 80-89
excellent paper = 90-100
TENTATIVE COURSE OUTLINE:
week reading/case study/paper assignment
01/19/06 Introduction to the course.
01/24/06 Communication Foundations in Relationships. Reading: 1-33. powerpoint audio Class discussion of communication foundations in relationships.
01/26/06 Perception and Self-Concept. Reading: 35-51. powerpoint audio Class discussion on perception and self concept. Paper 1: Perception and Self-Concept paper due for all students.
01/31/06 Perception and Culture. Reading: 52-69. powerpoint audio Class discussion of perception and culture.
02/02/06 Perception and Family. Reading: 70-82. Powerpoint and audio are located in the 02/03 section.
02/07/06 Class discussion on perception and family. Paper 2: Culture and Family Paper due for graduate students only.
02/09/06 Perception and Gender. Reading: 83-110 and the Female-Male Case Study accessed here. powerpoint audio Also, we will look at gossiping. Click here for the article.
02/14/06 Class discussion on perception and gender + the case study. Paper 3: Perception and Gender Paper due for all students.
02/16/06 Catch-up day.
02/21/06 Elements of verbal communication. Reading: 111-121. powerpoint audio
02/23/06 Listening. Reading 122-131. The listening lecture is contained in the verbal communication powerpoint.
02/28/06 Class Discussion on verbal communication and listening. Paper 4: Verbal/listening paper due for all students.
03/02/06 Spring Break: no assignments.
03/07/06 Spring Break: no assignments.
03/09/06 Spring Break: no assignments.
03/14/06 Class discussion on nonverbal communication. Nonverbal communication Reading: 132-154. powerpoint audio No paper due.
03/16/06 Developing Relationships. Reading: 155-179. powerpoint audio
03/21/06 Class discussion on developing relationships. Paper 5: Developing Relationships paper due for all students.
03/23/06 Sustaining Relationships. Reading: 181-234. powerpoint audio
03/28/06 Class discussion on sustaining relationships. Paper 6: Sustaining Relationships Paper due for graduate students only. Powerpoint audio audio 2 (I split the audio into two parts to make downloading easier.)
03/30/06 Class discussion on struggling in relationships. Struggling in Relationships. Reading: 235-269 and the Conflict Case Study accessed here. We will also look at infidelity. Click here for article.
04/04/06 Ending Relationships. Reading: 271-295. Struggling Case Study accessed here. We will also look at secrets and aggression. Clear here for article.
04/06/06 catch-up day
04/11/06 Class discussion on ending relationships. Paper 7: Ending Relationships Paper due for all students.
04/13/06 Mini spring break: no assignments
04/18/06 Families. Reading 297-332; Friends. Reading 333-351 and Family Case Study accessed here. Click here for article on fast-paced couples.
04/20/05 Class discussion on family and friends. We will also looking at teasing. Click here for article. Paper 8: Friends and Family paper due for graduate students only.
04/25/06 Class discussion on guilt in relationship . Click here for guilt article.
04/27/06 Class discussion on grandparents raising grandchildren. Click here for article.
05/02/06 1000-1150 = Final Exam Period. I will be available to answer to answer final questions.