View Course Syllabus - Finger Lakes Community College

Department: Visual & Performing Arts
Date: 3/8/12
I. Course Prefix and Number: COM 115
Course Syllabus
Course Name: Interpersonal Communication
Credit Hours and Contact Hours: 3 credit hours and 3 contact hours
Catalog Description including pre- and co-requisites: The course focuses on the
development of the interpersonal communication skills necessary for building and maintaining
positive relationships in both a personal and professional environment. Topics of study will
include an orientation to interpersonal communication, verbal and non-verbal communication
in career and personal relationships, perception of self and others, listening, managing
conflict, response skills, cultural and gender considerations, characteristics of leadership and
effective work groups, and job interviewing. Students will study various theories and practice
skill development.
II. Course Outcomes and Objectives
Student Learning Outcomes:
1. Be able to explain the major concepts of interpersonal communication.
2. Be able to recognize these concepts in their own experiences.
3. Be able to access a range of choices concerning their communication behavior.
4. Be able to integrate the above choices in their personal and professional lives.
5. Possess the knowledge to continue the process of lifelong development of the
communication process.
6. Understand and utilize information technology to communicate interpersonally and to a
group.
Relationship to Academic Programs and Curriculum:
The course meets the oral communication requirement for a number of programs at Finger
Lakes Community College and at four-year colleges and universities; fulfills a SUNY Gen-Ed
requirement for Basic Communication.
College Learning Outcomes Addressed by the Course:
writing ethics/values
oral communications citizenship
reading global concerns
mathematics information resources
critical thinking
computer literacy
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III. Instructional Materials and Methods
Types of Course Materials:
Textbook (s)
Methods of Instruction (e.g. Lecture, Lab, Seminar …):
Lectures, group discussions, audio-visual materials, student presentations and role-playing.
IV. Assessment Measures (Summarize how the college and student learning outcomes
will be assessed):
1. Student participation in classroom presentations, role-plays, problem solving situations and
general participation. (oral communications, critical thinking, ethics/values, information
resources, computer literacy)
2. Written examinations and/or quizzes over the contents of the assigned readings to
assess learning outcomes. (reading, critical thinking, ethics/values)
3. Completion of written assignments: (personal journal entries, skill improvement plans,
etc.) to assess learning outcomes. (oral communications, critical thinking, ethics/values,
computer literacy)
V. General Outline of Topics Covered:
A. Understanding Interpersonal Communication
1. Communication Process
2. Social Perceptions
3. Communicating in Relationships
4. Verbal Communication
5. Nonverbal Communication
B. Developing Interpersonal Communication Skills
1. Conversational Skills
2. Listening Effectively
3. Empathic Responsiveness
4. Self-Disclosure and Feedback
5. Interpersonal Influence
6. Managing Conflict
C. Using Interpersonal Communication Skills
1. Communicating in Intimate Relationships
2. Communicating in the Workplace
3. Electronically Mediated Interpersonal Communication
* Gender and cultural considerations are addressed with each relevant
topic.
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