Course Syllabus
Syllabus for the Course as a Word Document
Interpersonal Communication
Credit hours: 5 – online only
This class DOES NOT have any pre-arranged times or dates to meet, this is a FULLY ONLINE course.
Instructor: Professor Sonandre
Office hours: Online, email as well as discussion board in Canvas – response to any concern or question within 24 hours unless it is a weekend or holiday.
dsonandre@tacomacc.edu - The best way to reach me is e-mail. Do not hesitate.
You are responsible for checking Canvas’ Announcements area daily or as frequently as possible
Catalog Description of the Course:
This course focuses on aspects of interpersonal communication in relationships that include philosophical, theoretical, and applied exploration of self-concept, perception, emotions, language, nonverbal cues, listening, and conflict.
Degree Learning Outcomes (DLO)
Tacoma Community College has identified six college-wide student-learning outcomes that form the foundation of our educational emphasis:
- Core of Knowledge (COK): Demonstrate a basic knowledge of each of the distribution areas (Written Communication, Humanities, Quantitative Skills, Natural Sciences and Social Sciences; or, as applicable, specific professional/technical programs), integrate knowledge across disciplines, and apply this knowledge to academic, occupational, civic and personal endeavors.
- Communication (COM): Listen, speak, read, and write effectively and use nonverbal and technological means to make connections between self and others.
- Critical Thinking & Problem Solving (CRT): Compare, analyze, and evaluate information and ideas, and use sound thinking skills to solve problems.
- Information & Information Technology (IIT): Locate, evaluate, retrieve, and ethically use relevant and current information of appropriate authority for both academic and personal applications.
- Living & Working Cooperatively/Valuing Differences (LWC): Respectfully acknowledge diverse points of view, and draw upon the knowledge and experience of others to collaborate in a multicultural and complex world.
- Responsibility & Ethics (RES): Demonstrate an understanding of what constitutes responsible and ethical behavior toward individuals, the community, and the environment.
Program Learning Objectives (PLO)
- Craft, develop, and support a specific, debatable thesis. DLO: 1, 2, 3
- Draft and refine a well-organized essay, speech, or other forms of communication appropriate to context and audience. DLO: 1, 2, 3
- Read critically and research effectively to support thesis. DLO: 3, 4
- Use appropriate writing and or communication strategies, standard grammar, and academic documentation conventions. DLO: 1, 2
- Demonstrate ethical standards in all phases of the writing and or communication process to include using collaboration within academically appropriate guidelines. DLO: 5, 6
Course Learning Objectives (CLO) - Interpersonal
- Capable of effectively monitoring, analyzing, and adjusting communication behavior. PLO 3,5
- Demonstrate appropriate and effective conflict management strategies. PLO 3,5
- Recognize the ethical dimensions of interpersonal communication PLO 3,4
- Practice effective interpersonal conflict management principles PLO 4
- Evaluate listening habits and practice effective listening skills PLO 4
- Capable of addressing perceptual differences in relational communication for effective outcomes. PLO 2, 4, 5
- Demonstrate proficiency in formal writing, including correct use of a designated style of source citation, such as APA. PLO 4, 5
- Construct appropriate messages for a variety of contexts/situations. PLO 1, 4
Instructional methods used in this section of Interpersonal will include the following tools:
- Discussion board postings – Primary posts, Feedback posts and Response to feedback posts
- Written work
- Online Readings
- Online Quizzes
- Online assignments
- Online interactions
- Online exam
Textbooks and supplemental materials
Readings as well as online lectures will be used. No formal textbook will be purchased although the instructor reserves the right to recommend textbooks and other forms of reading each week.
Assignments for the Course:
PARTICIPATION: 40% of the course
Formal Posting to the Discussion Board using APA Formatting
Primary Posts as assigned
Feedback to peers
Response to feedback provided by peers
QUIZZES/FINAL EXAM: 30% of the course
Quizzes as assigned
Final Exam at end of term
WRITING ASSIGNMENT: 30% of the course
Research Paper using APA Formatting – 8-10 pages with scholarly citations
The Application of Letter and Non-letter grade options
Grading Standards All course work listed above will be graded on the following standard
100%-95 = A
94-90 = A-
89-87 = B+
86-83 = B
82-80 = B-
79-77 = C+
76-73 = C
72-70 = C-
69-67 = D+
66-60 = D
Note: For some assignments, the “E” grade may be assigned zero (0) points. This will be at the discretion of the instructor.
Letter grades: Will be assigned based on the grading scale included above. Students may also check their grades at any time online in the classroom by clicking on “my grade.”
Grades will only be discussed via email.
Incomplete grades (I): Will be not be assigned.
Written Work (Web or otherwise)
ALWAYS RETAIN A COPY OF YOUR WORK, SAVED AND ACCESSIBLE. While content is important, errors in grammar or punctuation, poor organization of material, lack of support for details, and careless proofreading will make it difficult for your reader to follow your ideas and will reduce the grade. If you are unsure about your writing skills, utilize the Writing Center. It is a free resource and they are willing to tutor you online.
Late Work Policy
As a policy, late work is not accepted (subject to exception in extreme cases). For those rare cases in exception, late online assignments are discounted 20% of the total points per calendar day. You are responsible for your work; part of that responsibility is managing your time well. That said, things happen and I am willing to work with students but you must contact me and we must work out a plan.
Course Etiquette
Distractions should be avoided
- Texting and other wireless interaction will not be permitted during any interactive sessions. Violations of these may be met with a reduction of participation points.
- Students are discouraged from having children and/or animals present while working online as they can be distracting and/or disruptive.
- Canvas: Our virtual environment should be treated in the same manner as a campus classroom. That is, the same decorum, respect for others, and consideration for a learning environment is integral and expected.
Respect is one of the foundations of an environment conducive to learning. In this class, I have a commitment to creating a positive and respectful learning
Academic Dishonesty:
“As stated in the TCC catalog, ‘Students are expected to be honest and forthright in
their academic endeavors. Cheating, plagiarism, fabrication or other forms of academic
dishonesty corrupt the learning process and threaten the educational environment for all
students.’ The complete Administrative Process for Academic Dishonesty is available
on the TCC website at: http://www.tacomacc.edu/catalog/11-12catalog/1604.htm
In this course, sanctions for academic dishonesty will be as follows: …
- First offense: Failure for the assignment
- Second offense: Failure for the course
- Further offenses will be referred to the appropriate authorities and may result in expulsion.
Accommodations for disabilities
Students with Special Needs: Students are responsible for all requirements of
the class, but the way they meet these requirements may vary. If you need
specific auxiliary aids or services due to a disability, please contact the Access
Services office in Building 18 (253-460-4437) or accesstesting@tacomacc.edu They will require you to present formal, written documentation of your disability from an appropriate professional.
When this step has been completed, arrangements will be made for you to
receive reasonable auxiliary aids or services. The disability accommodation
documentation prepared by Access Services must be given to me before the
accommodation is needed so that appropriate arrangements can be made.
Chain of command in classroom concerns/disputes
If you have questions or concerns about this class, please contact me. If there is
an issue or concern be sure to make this clear in the subject line. Make needed
time frames clear. I will do my very best to assist in understanding your point of
view and work to resolve the concern.
If your concerns are unresolved, you may talk next with the Program Chair,
Professor Ken Fox. His office is in building F1, office 51 and his phone number
Is 253.566.5277, and his email address is kfox@tacomacc.edu
Caveats:
- This syllabus and schedule are subject to change in the event of extenuating circumstances. It is your responsibility to check the “Announcements” area in classroom on a regular basis.
- To challenge a grade a student has one week to contact the instructor with specific arguments and supportive evidence regarding the disputed grade. This is to only be done via email, again be sure to provide supportive evidence in your email disputing the grade.
- The instructor may take disciplinary action against any student who is guilty of any of the following acts.
- Sharing information that is false, deceptive, or misleading. Incompetence, negligence, or malpractice that results in harm or damage to another or that creates an unreasonable risk of harm or damage to another.
- Failure to cooperate with the disciplinary authority in the course by failing to furnish papers or documents requested.
Course Summary:
| Date | Details | Due |
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