I. General Information

1. Course Title:
Interpersonal Communication

2. Course Prefix & Number:
COMM 1420

3. Course Credits and Contact Hours:

Credits: 3

Lecture Hours: 3

4. Course Description:

This course is a study of communication behaviors in dyads (pairs) and their impact on personal relationships. Learners analyze the common variables of interpersonal communication and learn techniques to overcome barriers to effective communication. Students will learn techniques of interpersonal competency improving one-on-one skills for verbal and non-verbal communication, perception, self-disclosure, listening and feedback, sharing emotions, assertiveness, coping with conflict, appropriate mediated interpersonal communication and communicating with family and friends and in the workplace. MnTC Goal 1

5. Placement Tests Required:

Accuplacer (specify test):

Reading College Level CLC or Reading College Level

Score:

6. Prerequisite Courses:

There are no prerequisites for this course.

9. Co-requisite Courses:

There are no corequisites for this course.

II. Transfer and Articulation

1. Course Equivalency - similar course from other regional institutions:

Alexandria Technical College, COMM 1435 Interpersonal Communication, 3 credits
Century College, COMM 1031 Interpersonal Communication, 3 credits
Inver Hills Community College, COMM 1100 Interpersonal Communication, 3 credits

III. Course Purpose

2. MN Transfer Curriculum (General Education) Courses - This course fulfills the following goal area(s) of the MN Transfer Curriculum:
Goal 1 – Written and Oral Communication

IV. Learning Outcomes

1. College-Wide Outcomes

College-Wide Outcomes/Competencies	Students will be able to:
Demonstrate written communication skills	Analyze and evaluate their own communication habits and behaviors in interpersonal situations and describe steps needed for improvement.
Demonstrate interpersonal communication skills	Construct appropriate/effective verbal and nonverbal strategies for various interpersonal contexts.
Apply abstract ideas to concrete situations	Explain the role of emotion and process of emotional management as it pertains to communication competency.
Discuss/compare characteristics of diverse cultures and environments	Discuss the influence cultural variables may have on the communication process.

2. Course Specific Outcomes - Students will be able to achieve the following measurable goals upon completion of the course:

• Analyze the role of verbal and nonverbal communication in various interpersonal episodes and diverse contexts (MnTC Goal 1);
• Develop skill sets in managing active listening, perception, disclosure, and conflict (MnTC Goal 1);
• Articulate the role of interpersonal and intercultural processes in the development and maintenance of diverse relationships within face to face communication and mediated contexts (MnTC Goal 1);
• Identify barriers that impede effective interpersonal communication and develop logical coherent messages for resolution (MnTC Goal 1);
• Analyze how to use one's individual voice to appropriately engage in reflection of one's own interpersonal communication strengths and weaknesses (MnTC Goal 1); and
• Define the purposes and processes of communication, communication modes, communication models and communication theories (MnTC Goal 1).

V. Topical Outline

Listed below are major areas of content typically covered in this course.

1. Lecture Sessions

1.  INTRODUCTION TO INTERPERSONAL COMMUNICATION
• Why We Communicate
• The Process and models of Communication
• Communication Principles and Misconceptions
• What Makes an Effective Communicator?
2. INTERPERSONAL COMMUNICATION AND SOCIAL MEDIA
• Mediated versus Face-to-Face Communication
• Benefits and Drawbacks of Mediated Communication
• Influences on Mediated Communication
• Competence in Social Media
3. COMMUNICATION AND IDENTITY: CREATING AND PRESENTING THE SELF
• Communication and the Self Identity
• Presenting the Self: Communication as Impression Management
• Self-Disclosure in Relationships
• Alternatives to Self-Disclosure
4. PERCEPTION
• The Perception Process
• Influences on Perception
• Perception Checking
• Empathy and Communication
5. EMOTIONS: FEELING, THINKING, AND COMMUNICATING
• What Are Emotions?
• Influences on Emotional Expression
• Guidelines for Expressing Emotions
• Managing Emotions
6. Verbal Communication and language
• Language Is Symbolic
• Understandings and Misunderstandings
• The Impact of Language
• Gender and Language
• Culture and Language
7. NONVERBAL COMMUNICATION
• Characteristics of Nonverbal Communication
• Influences on Nonverbal Communication
• Types of Nonverbal Communication
8. LISTENING
• Listening Defined
• Elements in the Listening Process
• The Challenge of Listening
• Types of Listening Responses
9. COMMUNICATION AND RELATIONAL DYNAMICS
• Why We Form Relationships
• Models of Relational Dynamics
• Characteristics of Relationships
• Communicating about Relationships
• Maintaining and Repairing Interpersonal Relationships
10. INTERPERSONAL COMMUNICATION IN CLOSE RELATIONSHIPS
• Intimacy in Close Relationships
• Communication in Families
• Communication in Friendships
• Communication in Romantic Relationships
11. IMPROVING COMMUNICATION CLIMATES
• Communication Climate and Confirming Messages
• Defensiveness: Causes and Remedies
• Saving Face
12. MANAGING INTERPERSONAL CONFLICTS
• The Nature of Conflict
• Conflict Styles, Patterns, and Rituals
• Constructive Conflict Skills