COMM 4420
Communication and Relational Development |
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Text: Wood, J. T. (2000). Relational Communication: Continuity and change in personal relationships (2nd ed.). Belmont, CA: Wadsworth. Additional readings will be provided Course
Objectives: COMM 4420 examines the major communication theories,
issues, and concepts related to the study of interpersonal relationships.
Upon completion of this course, you should be able to: 1.
Identify and describe the major theories and practices of
interpersonal communication. 2.
Apply the major theories and practices of interpersonal
communication to your personal and professional relationships. 3.
Understand
and recognize the essential role communication plays in interpersonal
relationships. 4.
Critically
analyze your roles and others’ roles in interpersonal relationships. 5.
Develop
a critical understanding of various elements of communication that
contribute to effective interpersonal relationships such as self-concept,
perception, verbal and nonverbal messages, listening, emotions and
conflict. 6.
Successfully participate in interpersonal relationships. Attendance
and Participation: In order for this class to be successful, your
attendance and participation are imperative. We will conduct this class as
a seminar, performing the roles of teachers and learners simultaneously.
This is possible only if everyone prepares in advance for class by giving
thoughtful attention to the assigned readings and assumes a constructive
role in class discussions, asking questions, thoughtfully attending to the
ideas of others, and sharing your own insights. Beyond three absences,
your grade will reduce by 3 points per absence. Absences
need never be discussed with me unless you are providing a documented
note excusing late work. Late work will not be accepted without a documented
official university absence or doctor’s note (there will be no
exceptions). You cannot make up quizzes. If you are unable to attend class
on the day an assignment is due, you must email that assignment to me by
12:30 if you want to avoid penalties for lateness. Access
Policy: Students needing accommodations should register with
UNT’s Office of Disability Accommodation (565-4323/University Union,
#318A). Please let me know if accommodations are necessary and I will be
happy to oblige. Academic
Conduct: One fundamental goal of achieving a university degree
is betterment of self; upon obtaining your degree you should be a better
writer, a better thinker, and, overall, a better person. To accomplish
this goal and realize your true potential, all work should be uniquely
your own in both word and thought. You should correctly document all words
and ideas belonging to others according to APA (American Psychological
Association) or MLA (Modern Language Association) guidelines. Otherwise,
you will not only fail yourself, but the course as well. Please consult
the Code of Student Conduct on the university website (www.unt.edu)
for further information. Plagiarism
and/or cheating will result in a failing grade for this course. Distractions: Turn off all cell phones and pagers. Assignments: You will sign
up for due dates for the first two assignments on the second day of class. Choose one
of the following two
assignments: 1. This assignment grants you the chance to illustrate
how popular media (radio, film, television, magazines, etc.) reflect
cultural attitudes about interpersonal communication and/or interpersonal
relationships. For example, one could show how changes in attitudes about
casual sex and/or promiscuity were apparent in the music released before
and after the cause of AIDS was determined. Although I would prefer that
you demonstrate change in cultural attitudes, I am open to alternative
interpretations to this assignment if you discuss it with me ahead of
time. Your paper should be 4-5 pages, typed, well-written, proofread, and
use at least 5 credible outside sources. Internet
sources, unless used to access academic libraries, journals and
research, should not
be used. Although you are welcome to use the readings for this class
for your paper, they do not count as outside sources Research Paper
on Interpersonal Issues: Select one area of interpersonal relationships that you would like to study in more depth. For example, how do people maintain relationships? How can divorce be prevented? What contributes to domestic violence? What issues of power are evident in relationships? How can conflict in relationships be handled effectively? Your paper should be 4-5 pages, typed, well-written, proofread, and use at least 5 credible outside sources. Internet sources, unless used to access academic libraries, journals and research, should not be used. Although you are welcome to use the readings for this class for your paper, they do not count as outside sources. 2. You will interview a person who is from a different
culture than you. How are relationships different? How are they the same?
How is communication (both verbal and nonverbal) different? How is it the
same? Relationship maintenance? Dating? Gender roles? Household tasks?
Childrearing? Finances? You should type a 4-5 page summary of your
interview, that is typed, well-written, proofread, and uses at least 5
credible outside sources. Internet
sources, unless used to access academic libraries, journals and
research, should not
be used. Although you are welcome to use the readings for this class
for your paper, they do not count as outside sources. 3. You will interview a couple (romantic or friendship)
who has been together 15-20 years. You will listen to their stories of
their relationship and analyze it using the concepts you have learned
throughout the semester. How
have relationships changed? How are they the same? How has communication
(both verbal and nonverbal) changed? How is it the same? How have families
changed? How are they the same? You should type a 4-5 page analysis of
your interview. Your paper should include 5 additional sources concerning
interpersonal relationships that help further your understanding of the
interpersonal processes involved in this relationship, that provide
historical and/or economic information that help contextualize the
relationship, or that otherwise lend additional information to
understanding the relationship. 4. You will have many opportunities this semester to
demonstrate your superior understanding of the course material and
readings through 11 unannounced quizzes over the readings, of which you will drop one. Questions will cover readings from the
current day up to two class periods before, and may include information
covered in the lecture. Quizzes
are given to make sure you are keeping up with the reading: as long as you
read carefully, you should excel. Quizzes will always be given at the
beginning of the class period. Quizzes cannot be made up. If you are late
to class and miss the quiz, that quiz cannot be made up. 5. The midterm and final consist of both multiple choice
and short essay questions. If you would like to contribute questions to
either exam, please email the questions to me 3-4 days before the exam. Grading scale:
A:
92-100 |