Course Information

Course Title:

Interpersonal Communication

Course Number:

SPCH277

Course Description:

This course explores ways in which people interact verbally and nonverbally, and teaches basic principles of interpersonal communication including perception, self-concept, persuasive communication, nonverbal communication, semantics, roles and norms, and communication barriers. Activities include participation in groups, pairs, and interactive communication situations.

Course Prerequisites:

N/A

Course Specific Requirements

Enter content here, if necessary.

Software Citation Requirements

This course uses open-source software, and as the end users of this software, students are required to cite the software for any student work, such as assignments, labs, or projects, where the software has been utilized. Open-source software does have end-user license agreements, and all students should read the entire agreement for a software prior to installation or usage. In order to use the software in this course, software citations have been created for students and can be located on the Open Source Applications page. These software citations must be included in all student work submissions that have used the software.

Textbooks and Resources

Required Textbooks

The following books are required for this course:

Essentials of Human Communication

8th Edition

by Joseph A. DeVito




E-book Details

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Campus Additional Information

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Terminal Course Objectives

DeVry University course content is constructed from curriculum guides developed for each course that are in alignment with specific Terminal Course Objectives. The Terminal Course Objectives (TCOs) define the learning objectives that the student will be required to comprehend and demonstrate by course completion. The TCOs that will be covered in detail each week can be found in the Objectives section for that particular week. Whenever possible, a reference will be made from a particular assignment or discussion back to the TCO that it emphasizes.

1

Given a range of communication circumstances including intrapersonal, interpersonal, group, and public situations, analyze the situations, identifying causes for difficulties and reasons for success based on fundamental communication concepts and axioms of interpersonal communication.

2

Given a communication problem based on two individuals perceiving an event differently, explain the variability inherent in the perception process and propose strategies to reduce the discrepancies between the individuals’ perceptions.

3

Given an unsatisfactory communication outcome, identify the relationship between the self-concept and effective communication and suggest ways of establishing and maintaining a realistic self-concept to support more effective communication.

4

Given an academic, professional, or social communication situation in which language is misinterpreted, analyze the communication's purpose and audience, and revise its language to strengthen clarity and reduce ambiguity.

5

Given an oral communication situation in which communication is misinterpreted, demonstrate the power of non-verbal communication by applying strategies to improve clarity through non-verbal means.

6

Given a communication situation in which the information exchanged is detailed and substantial, such as a lecture, communication of instructions, or explanation of an interpersonal event, apply effective listening strategies to get the most out of the information presented.

7

Given an interview in a workplace situation, for such purposes as gathering information, hiring employees, conducting performance appraisals, or managing situations involving conflict, demonstrate effective interview techniques that also comply with legal and ethical guidelines.

8

Given a complex communication task, such as preparing a group presentation or solving an interpersonal problem in the workplace, demonstrate effective small-group teamwork in completing the task.

9

Given an academic, professional, or social communication situation requiring the creation and delivery of an informative or persuasive oral presentation, such as a team project presentation, status report, or speaker introduction, organize and deliver the message using verbal and non-verbal communication characteristics that effectively convey the message to the intended audience.

Lab Schedule

Week 1

None
Citrix
RKON
Skillsoft
Toolwire
WebServer
ACC COMAT
ACC NonCOMAT
CWP

Week 2

None
Citrix
RKON
Skillsoft
Toolwire
WebServer
ACC COMAT
ACC NonCOMAT
CWP

Week 3

None
Citrix
RKON
Skillsoft
Toolwire
WebServer
ACC COMAT
ACC NonCOMAT
CWP

Week 4

None
Citrix
RKON
Skillsoft
Toolwire
WebServer
ACC COMAT
ACC NonCOMAT
CWP

Week 5

None
Citrix
RKON
Skillsoft
Toolwire
WebServer
ACC COMAT
ACC NonCOMAT
CWP

Week 6

None
Citrix
RKON
Skillsoft
Toolwire
WebServer
ACC COMAT
ACC NonCOMAT
CWP

Week 7

None
Citrix
RKON
Skillsoft
Toolwire
WebServer
ACC COMAT
ACC NonCOMAT
CWP

Week 8

None
Citrix
RKON
Skillsoft
Toolwire
WebServer
ACC COMAT
ACC NonCOMAT
CWP

Course Schedule

Week, TCOs, and TopicsReadings and Class PreparationActivities and Assignments
Week 1

TCOs 1, 2, 3 and 4

How Well Do You Communicate?

Foundations of Communication

  • Chapter 1: The Essentials of Human Communication
  • Chapter 2: Perception of Self and Others
  • Chapter 4: Verbal Messages

Written Assignment 1: Communication Competence Analysis and General Improvement Strategy

Course Project: CCC Part 1

Graded Discussion Topics

Week 2

TCOs 4, 5, 6 and 8

What Did You Say?

Foundations of Communication
  • Chapter 3: Listening in Human Communication
  • Chapter 5: Nonverbal Messages
Interpersonal Communication
  • Review “Culture and Human Communication” (pp. 16–21).

Written Assignment 2: Listening Analysis and Public Speaking Strategies

Course Project:

  • CCC Part 2 (first part due)
  • CCC Part 3 (due Week 3)

Graded Discussion Topics

Week 3

TCOs 1, 2, 3, 4 and 9

What Is Your Conflict Management Style?

Interpersonal Communication

  • Chapter 6: Interpersonal Communication and Conversation
  • Chapter 7: Interpersonal Relationships
  • Chapter 8: Managing Interpersonal Conflict

Public Speaking

  • Chapter 11: Public Speaking Preparation (Steps 1–6)
  • Chapter 13: The Informative Speech

Topic Selection for Individual Speech Presentation

Written Assignment: Conflict Analysis

Course Project

  • CCC Part 2 (all parts due this week)
  • CCC Part 3 (due this week)

Graded Discussion Topics

Week 4

TCOs 6, 8 and 9

Can We Solve This Problem Together?

Group Communication
  • Chapter 9: Small Group Communication
  • Chapter 10: Members and Leaders in Small Group Communication
Public Speaking
  • Chapter 11: Public Speaking Preparation and Delivery (Steps 1–6) (Review)
  • Chapter 12: Public Speaking Preparation and Delivery (Steps 7–10)
  • Chapter 14: The Persuasive Speech

Individual Speech Presentation: Draft

Written Assignment: Team Collaborative Outline Exercise

Course Project: CCC Part 4

Graded Discussion Topics

Week 5

TCOs 4, 8 and 9

Let’s Get Organized!

Interpersonal Communication

  • Review “Culture and Human Communication” (pp. 16–21).

Public Speaking

  • Handout: “How To Make a Presentation Survival Guide”
  • Chapter 12: Public Speaking Preparation and Delivery (Steps 7–10) (Review)

Speech Written Assignment: Final Outline, Description of Visuals, and References

Course Project

  • CCC Part 5
  • CCC Part 6

Graded Discussion Topics

Week 6

TCOs 8 and 9

How Well Do You Deliver?

Public Speaking

  • Chapter 11: Public Speaking Preparation and Delivery (Steps 1–6) (Review)
  • Chapter 12: Public Speaking Preparation and Delivery (Steps 7–10) (Review)
  • Chapter 13: The Informative Speech (Review)
  • Chapter 14: The Persuasive Speech (Review)


Speech: PowerPoint Presentation

Course Project: CCC Part 7 (due Week 7)

Graded Discussion Topics

Week 7

TCOs 1, 7, 8 and 9

What Is Your Interviewing Style?

Interpersonal Relationships

  • Chapter 7: Interpersonal Relationships (Review)
  • Chapter 8: Managing Interpersonal Conflict (Review)

Written Assignment 7: Analyzing Interpersonal Relationships and Conflict Styles

Course Project: CCC Part 7 (due this week)

Graded Discussion Topics

Week 8
All TCOs
Final Exam

Blended E-Learning

This course is an 8-week, intensive course that includes both classroom-based and e-learning activities. Your participation in both areas is essential to your success in this course. You should expect to spend time each week participating in the prescribed activities both before and after our class meeting.

Participation before, during, and after class meetings is critical to your success in this intensive environment.

To get the most out of our weekly class meetings, it is essential that you come to class prepared. The weekly readings listed in the Course Schedule will prepare you for class. Our class meetings, in turn, will prepare you for upcoming exams and assignments.

Through the DeVry e-learning platform, you will be able to

  • review the Syllabus and weekly assignment information;
  • submit completed work for grading;
  • take quizzes and exams;
  • obtain copies of class handouts and notes;
  • e-mail the instructor and other students; and
  • participate in online discussion of class material.

iConnect Live

This course contains iConnect Live sessions that provide students with the opportunity to attend live presentations, which cover course materials, projects, and assignments. Please see the iConnect Live items for the days and times of the live sessions and for the link to enter each session. You will also receive e-mail reminders each week.

If you are unable to attend the live session, you can watch the recorded session by clicking on the Recordings link that will appear in the iConnect Live item after the lecture has concluded. Please contact your instructor with any questions.

Please note that because of unavoidable technological issues and presenter availability, the live lectures may be substituted with prerecorded lectures.

Due Dates for Assignments & Exams

Unless otherwise specified, the following applies.

  • Access to most weeks begins on Sunday at 12:01 a.m. mountain time (MT).
  • All assignments are to be submitted on or before Sunday at the end of the specified week that they are due, by 11:59 p.m. (MT).
  • All quizzes and exams are to be completed on or before Sunday at the end of the specified week that they open, by 11:59 p.m. (MT).

Note: Week 8 opens at 12:01 a.m. (MT) on the ending Sunday of Week 7. Any assignments or exams must be completed by 11:59 p.m. (MT) Saturday of the eighth week.

Due Dates for Assignments & Exams

All assignments, quizzes, and exams are to be completed per the schedule indicated by your instructor.

Assignment Values and Letter Grades

The maximum score in this class is 1,000 points. The categories, which contribute to your final grade, are weighted as follows.

AssignmentPointsWeighting
Discussions (36 pts., Weeks 1–7)25225.2%
Written Assignments (40 pts., Weeks 1, 2, and 7)20020%
Speech Outline Final Draft (100 pts., Week 5)10010%
PowerPoint Presentation (120 pts., Week 6)12012%
Course Project (30 pts. for Weeks 1–4, and 7; 60 pts. for Week 5—Parts 5 and 6)21021%
Course Project—Part 8 (118 pts., Week 8)11811.8%
Total Points1,000100%

All of your course requirements are graded using points. At the end of the course, the points are converted to a letter grade using the scale in the table below.

Letter GradePointsPercentage
A900–1,00090% to 100%
B800–89980% to 89%
C700–79970% to 79%
D600–69960% to 69%
F599 and belowBelow 60%

DeVry Graduate Academic Policy and Relevant Resources

DeVry Undergraduate Academic Policy and Relevant Resources

Frequently Asked Questions

When are grades calculated, and how can I view my grades?

  • You must complete any quizzes and post your written assignments (if necessary) to the weekly Dropbox by Sunday 11:59 p.m. (MT) each week, except Week 8 which closes at 11:59 p.m. (MT) Saturday.
  • Once your work is reviewed, you should see comments and total points for each assignment in the Gradebook. Instructors should have Discussion work graded by the following Tuesday and all other assignments by the following Friday.
  • You may check your progress at any time by going to the Gradebook, selecting the week and then your name.
  • Click on the points earned for each assignment in the Gradebook to see any instructor comments.

What should I do if a discrepancy is found with my grade?

  1. Double-check the error and try to determine what caused it.
  2. Send your instructor an email explaining your findings.
  3. Trust that any error in grading will be corrected quickly

What if I cannot get my work submitted on time?

  • If you have an emergency that will cause your work to be late, please contact your instructor in advance of the due date so that arrangements can be made. Your instructor may reserve the right to deduct points for work turned in late based on the reason and the timeliness of notice.
  • If a technical problem prevents you from meeting the scheduled due date, please contact the Help Desk at 1-800-594-2402 and immediately email your instructor about the situation.

How can I get extra credit?

Extra credit is not an option.

Questions and Concerns

Please feel free to contact me for help with coursework or other areas that may impact your progress. Here are some examples.

  • Do you have general questions about attendance, deadlines regarding your courses, student financial aid, or other areas? 
  • Are you a member of the military service? Do you need to adjust your schedule due to active duty, or do you have questions about your GI Bill® benefits or have other unforeseen military and veteran-related issues that have developed?
  • Do you need supplementary student assistance? Please let me know if you are having academic difficulty and would like an ADA accommodation. Although I can talk with you about getting assistance, an excellent point of contact is the Office of Student Disability Services. You can reach the Office by calling 877-496-9050, option 3, or by e-mailing adaofficer@devry.edu or adaofficer@keller.edu.

Regardless of your situation, please feel free to contact me for assistance in whatever area of concern you might have. I will do everything I can to assist you or put you in contact with University colleagues who are trained to assist you in whatever area of concern you might have.

"GI Bill® is a registered trademark of the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA). More information about education benefits offered by the VA is available at the official U.S. government website: www.benefits.va.gov/gibill.”