SPC 3301 - Interpersonal Communication 2021 Summer Session B
Instructor:	Dr. Harry Weger	Section Number:	BW60
Office:	-----------------------	Credit Hours:	3
Phone:	407-823-2859 (see below)	Meeting Days:	----------
E-Mail:	Harry.Weger@ucf.edu	Class Meeting Hours:	-----------
Virtual Office Hours:	M: 11-2 and T: 11-2	Class Location:	Web Only

Prerequisites: One of the following: SPC 1608, SPC 1603C, COM 1000, or Consent of Instructor

University Course Catalog Description

Nature of the communication process; variables affecting the process and the individuals involved. Analysis of communication models, interactant behavior, situational cues, verbal and non-verbal messages.

Course Overview

SPC 3301 is an introduction to interpersonal communication theory and practice. A combination of text, lecture, in-class activities and out of class assignments are used to facilitate both the knowledge of basic interpersonal communication principles and the ability to apply these principles in achieving interpersonal goals. Several topics associated with the social scientific study of interpersonal communication will be covered including: verbal and nonverbal communication; theories and principles of compliance gaining and conflict; communication behaviors associated with relationship formation, maintenance, and termination; self-presentation strategies; social perception; and communication across the lifespan.

Course Learning Objectives: By the end of the semester, each student will be able to:

1. Identify, describe, and define basic concepts associated with interpersonal communication.

2. Identify, describe, and explain basic elements of social scientific and humanistic theories of interpersonal communication.

3. Construct messages that apply concepts and theories to specific situations.

Required Texts and Materials:

All reading assignments will be available for free via our Webcourse page in the Learning Module Instructions for each week

Students are expected to have completed the reading assigned for each class meeting prior to the beginning of class.

Most of the reading assignments will come from the following text:

Canary, D. J., Cody, M. J., & Manusov, V. L. (2008). Interpersonal Communication: A Goals-Based Approach, 4th ed. Bedford/St. Martin's.

Reading assignments that do not come from this text will be noted.

Course Organization and Assignments:

This course is a fully online course. Each learning module will consist of instructions for completing the module; a reading assignment and/or video presentation(s) (videos should be treated as required reading). Because it is a summer course, we only have half the time to cover the same amount of information as a regular 12-week course. We will cover two modules per week. Every two weeks we will have an exam that covers the four modules. The short exams will be available starting Friday of the exam week and will be due by Saturday at midnight. 

Assignments and Grading:

To earn a particular course grade, you must meet or exceed the percentage of possible points associated with each letter grade listed below:

Course Grade	Percent of Possible Points Must Meet or Exceed
A	90%
B	80%
C	70%
D	60%

Exams (84% of final grade): There will be three (3) exams worth 28% of the final grade each. The exams will be some combination of true-false, matching, multiple choice and short answer questions. Exams may be taken using open book and open notes. Early and late exams will only be given in a documented emergency and I reserve the right to change the format, questions, mode of delivery, or any other aspect of the exam that I choose. If you know in advance you will not be able to complete the exam on the day it is scheduled, I require at least five days notice. Forgetting we have an exam is not a documented emergency. I use the proctoring tool Proctor Hub. This requires you to have a webcam available during each exam.

 

Concept Application Exercises (16% of the final grade): Twice during the semester, you will be asked to provide an example of a course concept based on some real interaction you have had. You will be given a list of concepts to choose from. You will need to define the concept, give an example of your own behavior that fits the example, and then explain briefly how your behavior either helped or hindered your ability to achieve the outcome you desired. Make-up or late assignments will only be allowed given a documented emergency or illness. Forgetting the assignment is due is not an emergency. Your assignment will be checked for originality (that is, to see that your work is your own original work and not the work of another student) using the Turnitin tool in webcourses.

 

Course Policies

Extra Credit: There may be some opportunities for extra credit assignments during the semester. Once final grades have been turned in, however, there will be no opportunities for extra credit. Final grades are final. If you are having trouble, it is your responsibility to come and see me WELL BEFORE the end of the semester.

Grade Dispute Policy: You are encouraged to see me during office hours if you feel that a grade for an assignment does not reflect the quality of the work. If we are unable to come to a conclusion regarding your grade and you wish to further challenge the grade, please consult the student handbook for the appropriate procedures for filing a formal grade dispute.

Active Military Deployment: Students who are deployed active duty military and/or National Guard personnel and require accommodation should contact their instructors as soon as possible after the semester begins and/or after they receive notification of deployment to make related arrangements

Grades of "Incomplete": The current university policy concerning incomplete grades will be followed in this course. Incomplete grades are given only in situations where unexpected emergencies prevent a student from completing the course and the remaining work can be completed the next semester. Your instructor is the final authority on whether you qualify for an incomplete. Incomplete work must be finished by the end of the subsequent semester or the “I” will automatically be recorded as an “F” on your transcript.

Disability Access: The University of Central Florida is committed to providing reasonable accommodations for all persons with disabilities. This syllabus is available in alternate formats upon request. Students with disabilities who need accommodations in this course must contact the professor at the beginning of the semester to discuss needed accommodations. No accommodations will be provided until the student has met with the professor to request accommodations. Students who need accommodations must be registered with Student Disability Services, Student Resource Center Room 132, phone (407) 823-2371, TTY/TDD only phone (407) 823-2116, before requesting accommodations from the professor.

Schedule Changes: In the event that the course schedule changes, I will announce the change in class and send an announcement using webcourses. I will also update the schedule on webcourses as soon as possible.

COVID19 Related Notifications

Notifications in Case of Changes to Course Modality

Depending on the course of the pandemic during the semester, the university may make changes to the way classes are offered. If that happens, please look for announcements or messages in Webcourses@UCF or Knights email about changes specific to this course.

COVID-19 and Illness Notification

Students who believe they may have a COVID-19 diagnosis should contact UCF Student Health Services (407-823-2509) so proper contact tracing procedures can take place.

Students should not come to campus if they are ill, are experiencing any symptoms of COVID-19, have tested positive for COVID, or if anyone living in their residence has tested positive or is sick with COVID-19 symptoms. CDC guidance for COVID-19 symptoms is located here: ( https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/symptoms-testing/symptoms.html )

Students should contact their instructor(s) as soon as possible if they miss class for any illness reason to discuss reasonable adjustments that might need to be made. When possible, students should contact their instructor(s) before missing class.

In Case of Faculty Illness

If the instructor falls ill during the semester, there may be changes to this course, including having a backup instructor take over the course. Please look for announcements or mail in Webcourses@UCF or Knights email for any alterations to this course.

Course Accessibility and Disability COVID-19 Supplemental Statement

Accommodations may need to be added or adjusted should this course shift from an on-campus to a remote format. Students with disabilities should speak with their instructor and should contact  sas@ucf.edu  to discuss specific accommodations for this or other courses.

Academic Misconduct:

Cheating and Plagiarism will not be tolerated. According to the University of Central Florida’s “Golden Rule”:

• Cheating is a violation of student academic behavior standards. The common forms of cheating include:
  1. Unauthorized assistance: communication to another through written, visual, or oral means. The presentation of material which has not been studied or learned, but rather was obtained through someone else’s efforts and used as part of an examination, course assignment or project. The unauthorized possession or use of examination or course related material may also constitute cheating. This includes use of any materials obtained through third party websites or services such as “course hero” “quizzlet” or any other provider of such information. Also, obtaining, OR PROVIDING, assistance to another student during exams using forums such as groupme or similar systems will be considered a violation of the Golden Rule and will be treated as such.
  2. Plagiarism: whereby another’s work is deliberately used or appropriated without any indication of the source, thereby attempting to convey the impression that such work is the student’s own. Any student failing to properly credit ideas or materials taken from another is plagiarizing.
• Any student who knowingly helps another violate academic behavior standards is also in violation of the standards.
• “Z” Grade Designation – As a result of academic dishonesty in a course, an appropriate grade will be assigned to a student that is preceded by the letter Z. The impact on the grade for the course depends on the severity of the violations and may result in a zero for the assignment, resulting in the lowering of the final grade (e.g. ZA, ZB, ZC, ZD), or may result in an F in the course (ZF)).

Work for all assignments must be conducted independently by each student. CO-AUTHORED WORK OF ANY KIND IS UNACCEPTABLE. Exams must be taken without the aid of other students and without notes. Students do not have permission to examine copies of the current or previous exams before the examination except as explicitly provided by the instructor. Students may not retain copies of exams after the examination. Misappropriation of exams before or after the examination will be considered academic misconduct. Turning in a paper written for another course is unacceptable. Students in this class can neither give nor receive unauthorized assistance on exams or written assignments. Any misrepresentation of information having to do with exams or written assignments will also be considered academic misconduct. If there is any doubt about whether an activity constitutes academic misconduct the student should refer to the code of conduct and/or ask the instructor if a particular action constitutes academic misconduct. Academic misconduct of any kind will result in failure for the entire course and will be referred to the Dean of Students for additional penalties.

 

Tentative Course Schedule
Dates	Module Due	Topic	Assignment Due
June 28-June July 3	Modules 1 and 2	Conceptualizing Interpersonal Communication; Language and Meaning	Syllabus Quiz
July 5-July 10	Module 3 and 4	Nonverbal Communication; Cognition and Communication	Exam 1
July 12-July17	Module 5 and 6	Identity and Communication I; Identity and Communication II	Concept Application Paper #1
July 19 - July 24	Module 7 and 8	Relationship Escalation; Relationship Maintenance	Exam 2
July 26 - July 31	Module 9 and 10	Relationship Termination; Conflict	Concept Application Paper #2
August 2 - August 8	Module 11 and 12	Compliance Gaining; Social Support	Exam 3; Make up Concept Application Paper