CMN 003Interpersonal Communication Competence (Fall 2015)

**You are required to know all the information presented in this course syllabus.

Lecturer: Virginia Hamilton, Ph.D.

Course Time: Lecture: Ms @ 3:10-4:50 pm (no break)
Office Hours: Ms 10:30-11:30 am, and Ws 2:30-4:00 pm.
Office Location: 485 Kerr Hall
E-mail: vohamilton@ucdavis.edu
Course Description: This course focuses on the communication you experience in your
daily life with friends, family, and significant others. You will be learning specific theories
and principles regarding all variables involved in the interpersonal communication
process. You will also spend time reflecting on these principles and then actively
applying them to yourself and others around you. The goal of the course is to raise your
awareness of what transpires when two or more people attempt to share meaning
through the exchange of messages and in so doing, increase your skill and effectiveness
in all of your relationships.

Required Textbook: (Must be purchased used or through the publisher; not available
at the campus bookstore.)

Interpersonal Communication Competence. Edited by Virginia Hamilton. First Edition.

Cognella.

ISBN#: 978-1-62661-736-0

To purchase the textbook, please follow the instructions below:

Step 1: Log on to https://students.universityreaders.com/store/.
Step 2: Create an account or log in if you have an existing account to purchase.
Step 3: Easy-to-follow instructions guide you through the rest of the ordering process.
Payment can be made by all major credit cards.
Step 4: After purchasing, you can access your full or partial e-book by logging into your
account and clicking My Digital Materials to get started on your readings right away.

If you experience any difficulties, please email orders@cognella.com or call

800.200.3908 ext. 503.
Grading Criteria: You will be evaluated and graded on the following course
requirements.

1. Midterm exam40 multiple choice questions (all from Section I lecture material)
2. Midterm exam40 multiple choice questions (all from Section II lecture material)
3. Final exam40 multiple choice questions (100% from textbook material)
4. Group oral presentation30 points (You are allowed to miss discussion section
one time; after that, for each day missed, your group presentation grade will go
down one point. For example, if your group grade was 28/30 and you missed two
discussion sections, your grade for the oral presentation will be 27/30.)

TOTAL = 150 points

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Two points of extra credit may be earned by participating in a research study; OR, by
doing a one page written assignment (TBA).

Attendance: Attendance is mandatory in the discussion sections. You cannot pass the
class if you miss more than three discussion sections. You are allowed one free
absence from the discussion section. Every absence over one, will result in a deduction
of one point from your group presentation grade.

All absences are treated equally; meaning, we will deduct the point from your
presentation grade whether or not your absence is excused. If you know that you will
be unable to have near-perfect attendance in your discussion sections, you should take
this course during a different quarter.

Participation: Participation is a necessary, important, and a required part of the

discussion sections. This class is designed for active student participation. Lack of
participation may result in reduction of points even if you attended class.

Arriving on Time: Punctuality is required in your discussion sections. Interrupting a

discussion class after its underway is highly disruptive to everyone and requires the
instructor to repeat him/herself. If you are not present by the time roll is taken you will be
considered absent from the course.

Make-Up Exams: Make up exams will be allowed for only university sanctioned events
(such as, known religious holidays) or extraordinary circumstances (illnesses, accidents,
family emergencies, etc.) Proof of the circumstance will be required. Unless its
impossible to do so, you must notify Hamilton about missing an exam before the exam.
In some cases, points may be deducted from a make-up exam.

Academic Integrity: Plagiarism, cheating, and removing exams from the classroom or
office are serious violations of your contract as a student. I expect that you will know and
follow the Universitys policies on cheating and plagiarism. Any suspected cases of
academic misconduct will be handled according to University regulations.

Course Concerns: If you have any questions or concerns regarding lecture material,
textbook readings, or exams, please talk with me (Hamilton). If you have questions
regarding the grading of your presentations, please talk with your TA. (Of course, if you
are having an issue with your TA, feel free to talk with me about any concerns.)

Course Expectations: In order to foster a classroom environment in which our

discussions will benefit our understanding, we must work together to make it a respectful
forum. If you have question or concerns about this element of the course, I encourage
you to talk with me or your TA.

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 Fall 2015 Course Schedule
(Subject to change)

Date Lecture Topics Discussion Section

Activity
9/28 Introduction to Course/ No Discussion
Defining Communication/ Sections held
Communication Competence
10/5 Small Group Communication Form Groups/
Icebreaker activities
10/12 Communicator Traits Describing CMN
competence exercise
10/19 Verbal Communication Verbal clarity exercises/
Free time in groups
10/26 Nonverbal Communication/ Dear Abby letters/
Free time in groups
11/2 Exam #1 Free time in groups
11/9 Relational Communication/ *No discussion sections
Stages of Relationship held (Veterans holiday)
11/16 Relational Communication/ Presentations
Friendships/Marriage types (Groups 1, 2, 3 & 4)

11/23 Relational Communication/ No discussion sections

Conflict held (Thanksgiving
holiday)
11/30 Exam #2 Presentations
(Groups 5, 6 & 7)

Final Exam: Tuesday, December 8 @ 3:30-5:30pm

* Being able to coordinate schedules is very challenging, so we highly encourage you all to use
this holiday time off to get together with your group to practice your group presentations
especially, if your discussion section is not held on Wed. 11/11.