Fall 2016

Room: LH-151
COMMUNICATION STUDIES 110 & 110W
INTERPERSONAL COMMUNICATION
Times: M-W 11-11:50 am

COURSE DESCRIPTION
110 LECTURE: Basic characteristics of the processes underlying the formation, maintenance,
and termination of interpersonal relationships; theoretical and practical implications of these
characteristics in various forms of interpersonal communication (Lecture: 2 hours per week).
110W (WORKSHOP/ACTIVITY): A companion to Interpersonal Communication, COMM
110. The purpose of this workshop is to provide planned exercises and activities designed to
develop interpersonal communication skills (Workshop/Activity: 2 hours per week).
***CO-REQUISITES: CONCURRENT ENROLLMENT IN COMM 110 & 110W***
COURSE OBJECTIVES

Structure and organize verbal and nonverbal messages for use in interpersonal contexts.
Analyze and adapt messages to specific interpersonal relationships.
Use verbal communication skills to initiate, develop, maintain, and dissolve interpersonal
relationships.
Listen actively and analytically in relationships with significant others.
Communicate assertively and empathically in relationships.
Enhance communicator confidence and reduce apprehension in interpersonal contexts.

REQUIRED TEXTS
110 Lecture: Rodrguez, J. I. (2014). Interpersonal communication for contemporary living.
Dubuque, IA: Kendall Hunt.
https://he.kendallhunt.com/product/interpersonal-communication-contemporary-living-ebook

CONTACT INFORMATION FOR COMM 110 LECTURE

Professor: Dr. Jos I. Rodrguez
Phone: (562) 985-7954
E-mail: Jose.Rodriguez@csulb.edu

Office: AS-368
Office Hours: 9:15 10:45 am, M-W

Course Coordinator: Mr. Manuel Pulido

E-mail: mannypulidoCOMM110@gmail.com

Office: AS-378
Office Hours: By appointment

Fall 2016

Room: LH-151

COURSE REQUIREMENTS 110 LECTURE

AttendanceREQUIRED: For many of you, this may be your first exposure to Interpersonal Communication. As a
result, you will need to attend class regularly to understand the complexities of our relationships with others.
Moreover, the issues discussed in this course will be pertinent to those learning activities you will experience in
COMM 110W. Consequently, your attendance is required. Do NOT miss class! Also, please COME TO CLASS
ON TIME. Please refer to the University attendance policy at http://www.csulb.edu/divisions/aa/
grad_undergrad/senate/documents/policy/2001/01/
Readings: Listed on the following pages are the reading assignments for the lecture portion of the class. You will
be responsible for all the readings assigned from the text (whether or not covered in lecture).
Exams: There will be three multiple choice, true/false type exams during the term. Each will cover information
from the lectures and the readings assigned. No make-ups will be granted for any exam unless you have written,
verifiable documentation in keeping with school sanctioned reasons for excusable absences. The Course Coordinator
must grant all excused absences from these exams. A grade of 0 (zero) will be assigned for unexcused absences.
Additionally, it is YOUR responsibility to set up a make-up exam for an excused absence.
Exam Requirements: For each exam, please bring your student picture I.D. and a computerized response form.
Have the first side of the response form completed before you arrive to the classroom (I.D. #, name, workshop
instructors name, workshop day and time, etc). Also, complete your I.D. number on the back again. Show the
completed form along with your student picture I.D. at the doorway prior to entering the classroom. No student
will be allowed to enter the classroom without both the completed answer sheet and I.D. Please purchase a ParScore
Student Enrollment Sheet from the Bookstore for Exams 1, 2, and 3. Be SURE it is ParScore form No. F-288-PARL. This form number can be found in the lower left corner of the appropriate ParScore Student Enrollment Sheet.
NOTE: The correct ParScore form for COMM 110 is approximately 11 x 6 and red and white, NOT green or
blue.
Make-up Exams: Make-up exams are only given to those who have "excused" absences. All make-up exams will be
administered at one time only: the last day of finals week. Please see the Course Coordinator for permission long
BEFORE that date (e.g., 4-6 weeks before the final exam).

COURSE REQUIREMENTS 110W (Workshop/Activity)

Attendance and Participation: You are required to attend all class meetings and to arrive on time. Excused absences
require documentation. For each unexcused absence, 5 points will be deducted from your final course grade;
additionally, 2 tardies equal 1 absence. In addition to attending class, you are expected to actively participate in all
classroom activities and discussions.
Preparation: You are expected to read the assigned readings and complete assigned activities prior to class. You
should also bring your text materials to each class meeting. Due Dates: You must meet all assigned due dates. All
due dates are posted on your 110W course outline.
INFORMATIVE SPEECH: One oral presentation is required. Your report should be approximately 5 minutes long,
supplemented with 2 outside references (i.e., in addition to course text) and a typed outline. The topic of your
presentation will focus on some application of the interpersonal principles discussed in class to be assigned at a
later date.
SMALL GROUP ROLE PLAY: As a member of a small group, you will be assigned the task of performing a
particular interpersonal skill in front of the class. The specific skill(s) your group will be assigned to demonstrate,
along with the criteria for evaluating that performance, will be assigned at a later date.
INTERPERSONAL PORTFOLIO & ACTIVITIES: The majority of the course will involve both in and out-of-class
activities. Each graded activity will require you to participate in a given activity and then write a response essay,
adhering to the prompts provided. Evaluations will be based on the degree of thoroughness of each assigned
activity, as well as the quality of that work. One of the major assignments of this class involves critical analysis and
self-reflection on the skills you are learning.
REFLECTIONS ON LEARNING PAPER: The final assignment is a three to four page "reflections on learning"
paper. Details for this assignment will be given at a later date.

Fall 2016

Room: LH-151

***Grades for 110 & 110W are combined***

GRADING FOR 110 & 110W
YOUR GRADE IN THIS COURSE WILL BE DETERMINED AS FOLLOWS:
COMM 110 (LECTURE) EXAMS
110 Exam 1 40 pts
110 Exam 2 40 pts
110 Exam 3 40 pts
COMM 110W (ACTIVITY) ASSIGNMENTS
Reflection Paper
30 pts
Informative Speech
30 pts
Group Role Play
30 pts
Portfolio Assignments 1-4 40 pts

TOTAL POINTS 250

250 to 225 = A
224 to 200 = B
199 to 175 = C
174 to 150 = D
Below 150 = F

NOTE-TAKING AND TECHNOLOGY IN CLASS

To help ensure a productive learning environment for yourself, your classmates, and the
entire COMM 110 instructional team, we STRONGLY DISCOURAGE the use of laptops,
tablets, or cell phones during class time. For more information about the rationale for this
policy, please visit the following links:

http://www.theatlantic.com/technology/archive/2014/05/to-remember-a-lecture-bettertake-notes-by-hand/361478/
http://www.educationnews.org/technology/study-laptops-in-the-classroom-can-distracthinder-learning/
If a student wishes to use a technological device during class time, it may only be used for
COMM 110 note-taking purposes. Any individual choosing to utilize his/her laptop,
tablet, or cell phone for note-taking during class time MUST SIT ON THE AISLE,
remain on-task, and be prepared to turn-off the device if requested to do so.

Videotaping, audio-recording, or photographing any portion of the class material

presented is strictly prohibited without obtaining instructor permission.

Fall 2016

Room: LH-151

SPECIAL NOTES:

This course has a complete online center that may be found at beachboard.csulb.edu.
You should have a CSULB e-mail account (they are free) to access the online portion of
this course. ALL grades will be posted online, and you only have access to your own
graded work. Some assignments are only available online; therefore, you must use the
online portion of this course!

If you have any technological problems or need assistance navigating BeachBoard, please
contact the Technology Help Desk:

If you have a physical challenge or condition that could impair your participation in 110W
and/or your performance in this course, it is your responsibility to notify your 110W
instructor or the Course Coordinator immediately.

Disagreements over grades should be resolved in a calm and professional manner

immediately after the grade is assigned (within five working days).

The University plagiarism policy will be enforced (see CSULB Bulletin). Please refer to
the General Regulations and Procedures in the CSULB Catalog.

We do NOT offer extra credit work. Please do not ask for any allowances; the curriculum
affords plenty of opportunity to do well in the course. (Remember, unexcused absences
cause 5 points to be docked from your gradei.e., dont miss class!)

There are over 270 students enrolled in Communication Studies 110 each semester. When
questions arise about class related issues, please contact your 110W instructor FIRST;
remember your 110W instructor keeps all your records for this class.

The University withdrawal policy will be enforced (see CSULB Bulletin). Please refer to
the General Regulations and Procedures in the CSULB Catalog.

NO reading, working on assignments, or talking is permitted, especially while another

person is speaking. Please LISTEN to others!

NO racist, sexist, homophobic, xenophobic, anti-Semitic or other offensive behavior will

be tolerated. Making these types of comments or engaging in this type of behavior will
result in serious censure and even possible removal from class, for the day and/or
permanently. Please consider this good rule of thumb: when in doubt, DONT say it,
DONT do it! In other words, if you think something might be offensive, inappropriate, or
unethical, then it probably is. Feel free to get clarification from the professor, but when in
doubt, DONT say it, DONT do it!

Fall 2016

Room: LH-151

COURSE OUTLINE: COMM 110 LECTURE

Week

Date

Day

Topic

Assignment Due

8/22
8/24

M
W

Overview of class
Interpersonal Communication: The Basics

Bring copy of syllabus

Chapter 1

8/31

Interpersonal Communication: The Basics

Communicating with Others: Perspective
Matters

9/5

Campus Closed in observation of

Labor Day
Communicating with Others: Perspective
Matters

Recognize our societys

workforce!

9/12

Communicating Personal Identity

Chapter 3

9/19
9/21

M
W

Communicating Social Identity

Communicating Social Identity

M
W

Perceiving Relational Messages

Perceiving Relational Messages

M
W

Communicating Nonverbally
Communicating Nonverbally

6
7
8
9
10
11

8/29

9/7

9/14

Communicating Personal Identity

9/26
9/28

M
W

Exam Review
EXAM 1

10/3
10/5

10/10
10/12
10/17
10/19
10/24
10/26
10/31
11/2

M
W

M
W
M
W

Communicating Verbally
Communicating Verbally

Managing Interpersonal Conflict

Managing Interpersonal Conflict
Exam Review
EXAM 2

Chapter 1

Chapter 2

Chapter 2
Chapter 3
Chapter 4
Chapter 4

Chapters 1, 2, 3, 4
Chapters 1, 2, 3, 4
Chapter 5
Chapter 5
Chapter 6
Chapter 6
Chapter 7
Chapter 7
Chapter 8
Chapter 8

Chapters 5, 6, 7, 8
Chapters 5, 6, 7, 8
5

Fall 2016

Room: LH-151

Week

Date

Day

Topic

Assignment Due

12

11/7
11/9

M
W

Initiating & Developing Relationships

Initiating & Developing Relationships

Chapter 9
Chapter 9

13

11/14

14

11/21

15
16
17

Deteriorating & Terminating

Relationships
Deteriorating & Terminating
Relationships

11/16

11/23

FALL BREAK No classes

11/30

Communicating Ethically

12/12

11/28
12/5
12/7

FALL BREAK No classes

Communicating Ethically

M
W

Cultivating Communication Sentiment

Cultivating Communication Sentiment
EXAM 3 (Chapters 9, 10, 11, 12)

Chapter 10
Chapter 10

Happy Thanksgiving!
Happy Thanksgiving!
-Chapter 11
Chapter 11

Chapters 12
Chapter 12

(see below for specifics)

+11:00am LECTURE - Monday, December 12 at 10:15am+

*NOTE: PLEASE BE AWARE OF THE EXAM SCHEDULE, AND PLAN TO ATTEND
ON THESE VERY IMPORTANT DAYS.
**NOTE: ALL ASSIGNMENTS AND EXAMS ARE GRADED FOR YOUR TOTAL
POINTS IN 110 (LECTURE) AND 110W (WORKSHOP/ACTIVITY). YOUR FINAL
GRADE WILL BE A TOTAL OF THE POINTS RECEIVED IN BOTH PORTIONS OF
THE COURSE.
***NOTE: This schedule is tentative. In other words, it is subject to change. Please understand
that any schedule or assignment adjustments will be announced in class and/or posted on
BeachBoard.

Fall 2016

Room: LH-151

GRADE CALCULATION WORKSHEET

Name:
ID:
COURSE ASSIGNMENTS

*MY SCORE

Portfolio Assignment 1: 10 points

Portfolio 1:

Portfolio Assignment 2: 10 points

Portfolio 2:

Portfolio Assignment 3: 10 points

Portfolio 3:

Portfolio Assignment 4: 10 points

Portfolio 4:

Exam 1: 40 points

Exam 1:

Exam 2: 40 points

Exam 2:

Exam 3: 40 points

Exam 3:

Group Role-Play Assignment: 30 points

Group Role-Play Assignment:

Informative Speech: 30 points

Informative Speech:

Reflections Paper: 30 points

Reflections Paper:

COURSE TOTAL: 250 points

MY TOTAL:

GRADING SCALE:
A = 250 to 225
B = 224 to 200
C = 199 to 175
D = 174 to 150
F = Below 150

I did outstanding work and felt committed to making the grade!

I did very good work and improved my skills!
I did what was required, attended all the classes and turned my work in on time.
I didn't put too much effort into this class; next time, I'll attend class!
Ok, I tanked! See you next time.

*This sheet is for your records only and does NOT constitute evidence of your actual score on a
graded assignment. All grades are kept and recorded by your COMM 110 Activity Instructor.
Please consult your activity instructor if you have questions, issues, or concerns about your
grades. Generally, all grades are posted on your COMM 110 Activity Course - BeachBoard
page. Make sure that posted grades are consistent with graded work returned to you. Follow up
on all grade concerns immediatelyand keep ALL graded work, as you MUST have the
original documentation to contest a score.
7