Comm.300 Interpersonal Communication
Fall 2004
Dr. R. S. Zaharna
Phone: (202) 885-3995
Office: Mary Graydon 301
email: zaharna@american.edu
Office hours: Mondays 10-12
Tuesdays 1-3, Wednesdays 1-2pm/5-6pm
My new web address is: http://www.academic3.american.edu/~zaharna
Sept 1 Introduction / Perception / Feedback
Sept 8 Verbal / Nonverbal Communication
Sept 15 Listening / Response Skills
Sept 22 Group Presentation: Tannen
Sept 29 Group Presentation: Covey
Oct 6 Exam
Oct 13 Self-Concept / Self-Disclosure
Oct 20
Intimacy & Relationships
Oct 27
Group Presentation: Sills
Nov 3 Conflicts & Relationships
Nov 10 Group Presentation: Goleman
Nov 17 Exam #2
Nov 24 Thanksgiving
Dec 1
Group Presentation: Seuss
Dec 8
Interpersonal Comm Analysis
Final exam: May 4, 8:10pm
This course explores the dynamics of interpersonal communication,
the communication
between two people. We first build a foundation for our study by looking
at the principal
tools and skills of interpersonal communication.The second half of the
course focuses on the
core of interpersonal communication, namely, self and others. We will
explore more complex
dynamics of interpersonal communication such as intimacy, communication
climates,
and interpersonal conflict.
Required Texts
** These books are available at the Campus Bookstore -- or, via
many online
and local book stores. [very sorry about the "expressive"
titles]
Deborah Tannen (2002), I Only Say This Because I Love You. NY: Ballentine Books.
Stephen R. Covey. (1990) The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People. NY: Fireside Books.
Judith Sills (1993) A Fine Romance. NY: Ballantine.
Daniel Goleman, Richard Boyatzis, Annie McKee (2004) Primal Leadership.
Boson: Harvard Business School Press.
Dr. Seuss (1990) Oh, The Places You'll Go. NY: Random
House.
Recommended***
Dale Hunter, Anne Bailey, & Bill Taylor. (1995) Zen
of Groups.
NY: Fisher Books.
.
1. Attendance & In-class Interpersonal Skills
You will be graded on your participation during class. We will also be
doing a lot of
experiential exercises that cannot be learned alone, you have to do it
to learn it. For this
reason, attendance and constructive participation is critical and will
be an important
part of your grade.
2. Exams I & II
The midterm and final are based on in-class lecture notes and the readings.
4. Team Presentation ( see guidelines)
Everyone will be assigned to a Work Team to prepare an oral group presentation
on
one of the readings. The Team presentation will be approximately 1 ½
hours long and
entail a summary of the main concepts in the book as well as group exercises
to illustrate
important points. The Team will receive one grade for all the members.
This will be discussed in class. VERY IMPT to follow guidelines
1 - Every team must meet together as a group for a total of 5 times over
the course of the
semester.
2 - NO more than 3 team meetings can be devoted to preparing the team's Oral Presentation.
3 - Each member of the team is responsible for leading at least one team meeting.
4. Each member who leads a team meeting MUSt conduct a team exercise
from Zen of Group
-- or any group icebreaker warm up exercise -- available from your experience,
the Internet,
or your creativity.
*** THIS IS important
Your Team members will provide an prepared evaluation of (1) how well you
conducted
the team meeting and (2) how well you selected and conducted the team
exercise.
5.** Self Assessments of Interpersonal Communication Skills
I will provide you with guidelines on how to prepare your comments
and evaluations.
Notes located at the end of syllabus
* Notes on Team Presentations
* Notes on Interpersonal
Communication Evaluations
1. In-class attendance (10 @ 5pts)
50 points
2. In-class skills (10 @ 2pts)
20
2. Exam 1
50 points
3. Exam 2
50 points
4. Team Presentation
100 points
6. Self-Assessment
50 points
A = 95% of total points
A- = 90-94%
B [80-89% total points]
C [70-79% total points]
D [60-69% total points]
** "Standards of academic conduct are set forth in the University's
Academic Integrity
Code. By registering, you have acknowledged your awareness of the Academic
Integrity
Code, and you are obliged to become familiar with your rights and responsibilities
as
defined by the Code.Violations of the Academic Integrity Code will not
be treated lightly,
and disciplinary action will be taken should such violations occur.
Please see me if you have any questions about the academic violations
described in the
Code in general or as they relate to particular requirements for this course.
Sept 1 Introduction Perception
/ Feedback
Readings: Tannen
Sept 8 Lecture: Verbal &
Nonverbal Communication
Readings: Tannen
Sept 15 Lecture: Listening & Response Skills
Sept 22 Team 1: Tannen,
That's Not What I Meant
Readings: Covey
Sept 29 Team 2:
Covey, Seven Habits
Oct 13 Lecture:
Self-Concept / Self-Disclosure
Readings: Sills
Oct 20 Lecture:
Intimacy
Readings: Sills
Oct 27 Team 3: Sills, A Fine Romance
Nov 3 Lecture:
Conflict
Readings: Goleman
Nov 10 Team 3: Goleman,
Primal Leadership
Readings: Goleman
Nov 24 Thanksgiving
Dec 1 Team 5: Seuss, Oh, the Places You'll Go
Dec 8 Last Class - Individual Self-Assessments due
Final Exam
_____________
NOTES
********
Team Presentation ----
total possible points 100
TEAM SPIRIT (20 points possible)
Group worked well together. Showed tolerance for each other’s
differences. Tried to keep each other motivated. Actively
helped each
other out with equipment, props, transitions. Evident that group
enjoyed working together; you could feel their enthusiasm. High
energy
present among all group members.
CREATIVITY (20 points)
Group had a theme and built their presentation around that theme.
Theme
was unique and original. Examples not taken only from book, but
came up
with original examples tailored for the student audience. Took original
approach to presenting concepts from the book. Used a variety
of media
to present material. Brought in outside materials to supplement
reading.
PROFESSIONALISM (20points)
High quality work and standards for every aspect of the project.
Paid
attention to details as well as overall presentation. Kept a positive
approach toward material and task despite set backs or challenges.
ORAL PRESENTATION OF MATERIAL (20 points)
Strong, consistent oral presentations by group members. Well
organized. Easy to follow. Clear. Comprehensive, covered
major
points. Presented in a lively, informative manner. Had activities
to
break lecture format. Involved audience in material through exercises
to reinforce concepts.
WRITTEN MATERIALS (20 points)
Well organized. Easy to understand. Comprehensive overview
of central
points. Explained important details of concepts. Consistent quality
throughout materials.
NOTES on PREPARING TEAM MEMBER EVALUATIONS
1 - You need to prepare an evaluation for each member of your team.
Put a numerical score and then add comments to clarify your assessment.
Comments are very important, more important than the scores.
2 - Do an assessment for each member of your team.
Please be honest and constructive. The goal of the class is not to get
an A, but to learn group communication skills that can help you
throughout your life. The class is only 2-3 months long. I hope the
skills you learn will help you move ahead for YEARS to come. You may
never have the opportunity to work so closely with others again and get
an honest, constructive feedback in a learning environment like the one
we have in this class.
SO -- be constructive and honest. By honest, I mean take the courage to
share your observations about each team member behaved. Be constructive
by stating what you found really helpful and beneficial, what the person
did to help make the experience enjoyable and rewarding, what the person
did to help achieve the goals of the team.
Be constructive also by stating "what you would have liked to see more
of . .." or "what frustrated you and how another approach such as _____
might have been more beneficial". Focus on behaviors that people
can
change that will enhance their performance with teams in the future.
Focus on behavior "tendencies" which you observed.
This is a your "gift of observation and feedback" that youcan give to
your team members. You will be providing an envaluable gift you help
them see and understand how their behavior affects others so that they
can then build new skills.
3 - Do an assessment for yourself as well.
I don't usually ask for this, but I think it would be helpful to see how
you see yourself versus how the other team members perceived your
behavior.
4 - Do not worry about "grading" your team members based on the
evaluations you write. That is my job. Your job is to prepare
constructive evaluations.
I will pull together all the information from the exams, attendence and
participation, and team evaluations to calculate the grade.
TEAM _____________________________
EVALUATION FOR : __________________________________
5 = Person was VERY GOOD! 4
= Good 3 = Okay, satisfactory
2 = Not okay, not helpful 1= Counter
productive, Hurt the team
Verbal Skills
_____ Express ideas so understood
_____ Able to adapt language, examples, vocabulary to fit listener
_____
COMMENTS, please
Nonverbal Skills
_____
_____
_____
COMMENTS, please
Listening Skills
______
______
______
Response Skills
______
______
______
COMMENTS, please
Relationship Building --
______ Trust
______ Self-disclosure
______ Reliability
Interpersonal Climate -- Intimacy & Conflict
______
*** What would you say is this person's major interpersonal communication
strengths?
*** What would you say is this person's possible weakness in working with
groups?