MWF 1200-12:50 pm
COURSE DESCRIPTION/OBJECTIVES:
Interpersonal Communication is a course that introduces you to interpersonal concepts and provides
speech interaction in one-to-one and small group situations. It also explores group dynamics, barriers to
communication, conflict resolution, decision making, interpersonal perception, and listening skills.
Graded activities include tests, individual oral reports, written assignments over experiments dealing
with interpersonal concepts, and a group performance. Activities are based on the application of concepts studied during the semester.
Grading Policy: 30% Daily grades ( written papers, oral presentations, group participation, attendance,
attitude, classroom work)
40% Tests
30% Group project
Obviously, it is helpful for you to keep up with your grades and be aware of your average in the class.
A 90-100 0 Failure to hand in written work when it’s due.
B 80-89 0 Failure to take a test when scheduled.
C 70-79 0 Failure to produce any assigned work when scheduled.
D 60-69 0 Failure to comply with academic honesty policy.
F below 60
It is difficult to predict the exact length of time that some assignments will require. Additions, deletions,
and substitutions in the schedule are possible. Your cooperation is expected, and appreciated.
ATTENDANCE: Class room activities and lecture notes are an important part of this course. In order to learn this material, you will need to come to class. “In-class performance” is required, so your attendance is required. Upon your FIFTH absence, excused or not, you will be asked to drop this class if it is prior to the final drop day. If it is after that deadline, or you do not initiate the drop yourself, you will be instructor-dropped with a final course grade of “F.” If absences are due to circumstances truly beyond your control, AND you have contacted me according to requirements, you might be allowed to stay in this class. But, your final course grade will be lowered. TARDINESS exceeding ten minutes counts as an ABSENCE. THREE TARDIES count as one ABSENCE. Habitual tardiness, excessive tardiness will result in a negative adjustment to your final course grade. IF YOU ARRIVE AFTER ATTENDANCE HAS BEEN TAKEN, IT IS YOUR RESPONSIBILITY TO MAKE SURE THAT YOU HAVE NOT BEEN COUNTED ABSENT FOR THE CLASS.
According to the MSU Code of Conduct:
“Absences due to required participation in university-sponsored activities must be approved
by the College Dean or Athletic Director and the Vice President for Academic Affairs.
Students with written approval must present a signed letter or memo to each instructor
at least two days prior to the date of the absence. Only prior notification can guarantee lack
of penalty for these absences. It is the responsibility of the student to arrange with the instruct-
tor to make up work missed during an authorized absence.
Academically related activities (class field trips, attendance of conferences, etc.) do not qualify
as university sponsored activities. Excused absences for such activities may be given at the
discretion of the faculty member whose class is missed.”
If you know you are going to be absent from class, notify me prior to that class. If you are ill, you will need a medical doctor’s written excuse. Present this to me at the beginning of class when you return. Please, contact me by phone if you have an unexpected absence/emergency situation. Then I will know
that you do plan to return and do not plan to drop the class. The right to accept your excuse or not to
accept your excuse is the exclusive right of the instructor. Please do not schedule appointments of any
kind during the time you should be in class. Personal problems such as work and child care should be
managed so that you do not miss class. Missing class usually affects your grade and work in the class
adversely. It creates unnecessary work for the person who has to help you “catch up.” Unfortunately,
most people do not have that extra time to give you. Your attendance helps all of us to remain focused
and to facilitate learning.
In-Class Activities: Exercises will be used in class to illustrate various aspects of the course’s
content/objectives. It is important that you participate in order to better understand
course content/objectives. Please be on time for the beginning of each class. This is
necessary so that you will not miss essential instructions nor interrupt class
activities.
If you miss a test, you will probably not be allowed to make it up. If a make-up test
is allowed, it will be given at the convenience of the instructor.
Written assignments will be discussed in class and will be due on specific dates.
PLEASE REMEMBER THIS:
They are due at the beginning of the class on the due date. Late papers will not be
accepted. If you are not going to be in class on the day that written work is due,
another student may hand in your work for you. It may also be slipped under my
office door prior to class time on the date it is due. Again, late papers will not be
accepted under any circumstances.
Academic Dishonesty: The MSU Code of Student Conduct states:
Dishonest work on examinations is a serious offense as is
plagiarism, the act of using source material of other persons
(either published or unpublished) without following the ac-
cepted techniques of crediting, or the submission for credit
of work not the individual’s to whom credit is given. Neither
offense will be tolerated by the University and appropriate
disciplinary action will result. Additional guidelines on pro-
cedures in these matters may be found in the Office of the
Dean of Students.
VIOLATION OF THIS POLICY WILL RESULT IN THE STUDENT RECEIVING A
FAILING GRADE FOR THIS COURSE.
Student Conduct: The MSU Code of Student Conduct will be strictly followed. Briefly, this means that
any student conduct that is intentionally rude, disruptive, threatening, harassing, or
has the purpose or end result of interfering with an individual’s academic or work
performance will not be tolerated. Such behavior undermines University Policy and
interferes with the educational process. Violators will be appropriately dealt with at
the discretion of the instructor. This may include dismissal from the course without
credit and disciplinary action from the appropriate University officials.
“MSU actively promotes the philosophy that students are responsible for their own lives and learn responsibility when they bear the consequences of their actions and inactions.”
In addition, the University requires faculty to provide this statement to all students:
By enrolling in this course, the student expressly grants MSU a “limited right” in all intellectual property created by the student for the purpose of this course. The “limited right” shall include but shall
not be limited to the right to reproduce the student’s work product in order to verify originality and
authenticity, and educational purposes.
In accordance with the law, MSU provides students with documented disabilities certain academic accommodations. Students with disability must be registered with Disability Support Services before
classroom accommodations can be provided. If you are a student with a disability, please contact
me.
PRIVACY STATEMENT:
Conflict resolution of any type is best handled by you and your instructor. Federal privacy law prohibits the release of certain information about students without written consent. Even with written consent,
I will not, in most cases, discuss your academic progress with your parents or significant other. Please
Do not have them call me or visit my office.
College students are adults and are responsible for their actions or lack of action. ( See statement under
Student Conduct referred to as MSU Philosophy.)
ELECTRONIC AND OR TECHNICAL DEVICES CREATE DISTRACTIONS THAT ARE NOT ACCEPTABLE IN THIS
CLASSROOM. PREFERABLY, LEAVE THESE AT HOME OR IN YOUR VEHICLE. THEY MUST BE TURNED OFF
AND KEPT OFF AND OUT OF SIGHT DURING CLASS. THESE DEVICES HAVE BEEN KNOWN TO BE USED FOR
ACADEMIC DISHONESTY. THAT SERIOUS ISSUE HAS BEEN COVERED EARLIER IN THE SYLLABUS. IF YOUR
CELL PHONE, BEEPER, PAGER, ETC. MAKES ANY NOISE, THE INSTRUCTOR RESERVES THE RIGHT TO ASK YOU TO LEAVE CLASS AND NOT RETURN UNTIL THE NEXT CLASS MEETING. SO, THAT WOULD MEAN YOU WILL BE COUNTED ABSENT. REMEMBER THAT YOU ARE ALLOWED A LIMITED NUMBER OF ABSENCES IN THIS CLASS. THE INSTRUCTOR ALSO RESERVES THE RIGHT TO EMBARRASS YOU MERCILESSLY FOR SUCH AN OFFENSE.
Seriously, it isn’t necessary for you to do this. You will be safe and sound until class is over—even without the assistance of technology. It’s worked for generations.
Talking with others in class when you should be listening to your instructor hurts you and the other
people you are distracting. IT IS RUDE, INAPPROPRIATE, AND CANNOT BE TOLERATED. You might be able to handle conversation and listening at the same time—or at least fully believe that you can.
But, the person you are disturbing might not be able to do so. It can adversely affect your grade or
someone else’s grade. Consider that during a presentation, it’s upsetting to most presenters to see someone in the audience talking to someone, working on something else, or acting bored. You don’t want to be treated this way. So, just don’t do it. It’s a life skill that you need to learn if you have not done so already.
BY STAYING ENROLLED IN THIS CLASS AND ACCEPTING THIS SYLLABUS, YOU ARE INDICATING THAT
YOU UNDERSTSAND AND ACCEPT THE TERMS OF THIS SYLLABUS. THERE IS NO REFERENCE TO WHETHER YOU AGREE OR LIKE THESE TERMS, JUST THAT YOU DO UNDERSTAND WHAT IS EXPECTED
AND AGREE TO ABIDE. I KNOW…….