SPCH 10 | CRN 50892

Interpersonal Communication
MTW 1:30-4:20pm | Summer 2017

Professor: Allan Axibal-Cordero

Email: via Canvas
Office Hours
By Appointment
Voicemail: 626-585-7097
Mailbox and Division Office: CA 119
Office: C 109

Your Professors Teaching Philosophy

I believe that education is about three things:

Adversity We progress because of our struggles. The more challenges we overcome, the more we
learn. There is no education like adversity.

Discovery The purpose of education is to replace an empty mind with an open one. Not to fill it with
my or anybody elses thoughts, but to prime it for learning and the ability to differentiate between what
you know and what you dont know. Education is a progressive discovery of our own ignorance.

Humanity Education should be about improving the quality and service of our relationship to
humankind. Education should function as a means for social change while simultaneously reminding us
of our own humanity.

***The aforementioned ideas are not unique. They are an amalgamation of the following thinkers:

Martin Luther King Jr. | Anatole France | Will Durant | Malcolm Forbes | Frederick Douglas
Benjamin Disraeli | Paul Von Blum

Course Description
This course explores the concepts and theories of interpersonal communication processes. You will be
encouraged to practice, refine, and adopt specific interpersonal communication skills that can increase
your interpersonal competence and ability to form healthy relationships.

Student Learning Objectives

1. Appraise the role of self in communication.
2. Recognize, compare, and contrast interpersonal communication concepts.
3. Employ problem solving and conflict management skills.
4. Demonstrate active listening.
5. Demonstrate an understanding of ethical interpersonal communication founded on
communication theory and research.

Student Performance Objectives

1a. Demonstrate, through class discussion, a knowledge of how the student interacts with their
environment.
1b. Evaluate the intervening variables (semantics, attitudes, etc.) that cause communication breakdowns
to occur.

2a. Compare the theories of interpersonal communication to other modes of public speaking.
2b. Employ communication concepts in one-on-one and small group communication.
2c. Demonstrate increased perception of verbal and nonverbal messages that are common in the work
world by reporting outside experiences.
2d. Analyze the ability of fellow students as sender and receiver of verbal and nonverbal messages in
written critiques.
 SPCH 10 | CRN 50892
Interpersonal Communication
MTW 1:30-4:20pm | Summer 2017

3a. Demonstrate problem solving and conflict resolution through role-playing

3b. Demonstrate methods to ameliorate communication breakdowns through role-playing.

4a. Demonstrate more critical listening ability through small group discussion.
5a. Demonstrate the understanding of ethical interpersonal communication through classroom
discussions, activities, paper, and/or assessments.

Course Text
Interplay: The Process of Interpersonal Communication, 13th edition. By Adler, Rosenfeld, & Proctor,
copyright 2015. Oxford University Press

Required Materials
For this course, you will need a current Microsoft word program. PCC offers the entire Microsoft Office
software for free. I will provide you with the link on Canvas. If you do not have Microsoft word, you will
need to convert all documents into PDF format before submitting them online. Failure to submit
documents in a format that can be downloaded and opened will result in a 0 for that assignment.

Missed/Late/Make-up Work & Attendance

****IMPORTANT
An absence is defined as missing 20 minutes or more of class. If you arrive 20 minutes late or leave with
20 minutes of class time left or more, it will be counted as an absence, rather than a tardy. If you come
in late, it is your responsibility to check in with me and make sure that you are marked as tardy, not
absent.

If you are absent, it is your responsibility to find out what you missed that day. Please do not email or
see me asking What did I miss? expecting me to repeat the entire lecture. Get that information from a
fellow classmate and if you have specific questions after that, then contact me.

If you are absent on the day that something is due, you must still turn it in and on time. Most
assignments will be due via Canvas anyway.

If you are absent on a performance day or an in-class activity, you will not be permitted to make up that
assignment and will receive a score of 0 for that assignment.

If you are tardy or absent on a performance day and it is not your turn to speak, you will receive a
penalty.

If you fail to turn in an assignment, I may grant half credit depending on how late you turn it in after the
deadline and if you have communicated to me a good reason for missing the due date such as an
extraordinary life circumstance (definitions of extraordinary life circumstances can be found below).
Otherwise, no late work is accepted. If I grant you partial credit without any communication from you, I
am not beholden to continue doing so under the same circumstances.

Exceptions:
1) Any student who is absent for a college-approved activity (such as a field trip, athletic competition, or
leadership conference) and notifies the instructor in advance of the absence will not be penalized for the
absence and will be allowed to make up graded work whenever possible, but that will depend on the
availability of the professor. And in-class activities might not be granted late credit, if the circumstances
of the activity cannot be reproduced properly.
 SPCH 10 | CRN 50892
Interpersonal Communication
MTW 1:30-4:20pm | Summer 2017

2) Other exceptions will be made for extraordinary circumstances such as mandatory court appearance,
military service, hospitalization of the student or funeral, BUT valid documentation must be provided.
The student will not be penalized for the absence and will be allowed to make up the equivalent points
for graded work that was missed, including speeches, through any means determined by the instructor.

Students whose exceptional circumstances require them to miss a substantial number of graded
assignments may be advised to pursue a withdrawal.

Add Policy
You must obtain an add code to add the course. The add code can only be given by the instructor. Once
the add code is obtained, it is the students responsibility, not the teachers, to add the course before the
add deadline. Once the add deadline has passed, you can no longer add the course.

Drop Policy
According to the Pasadena City College Attendance and Drop Policy 4025.20, the instructor may:
Drop students who fail to attend the first meeting of class
Drop students who arrive late at the first meeting of class
Drop students who fail to attend the second meeting of class
o unless they have made prior arrangements with that instructor

Also, instructors are required to drop all students who become non-participants by the census date.
Non-participants are defined as students who have continuous or cumulative absences totaling
at least 11 percent of the total hours the class is scheduled to meet.
11 percent of a 15 week course that meets twice a week is about 4 class meetings.

It will be my policy in this class to drop students who reach non-participant status even if
the census date passes.

BUT Do not depend on the teacher to drop you for you. If you stop attending, but dont take the
time to drop the course and the teacher does not drop you either, you will continue to be graded for
missing assignments and will most likely receive an F by the end.

Grading and Evaluation

In-Class Activities %20
Group Presentation - PSA %20
Exams x3 %30
Practical Application Tests x3 %30

Grading Scale
A = 100-90 | B = 89-80 | C = 79-70 | D = 69-60 | F = 59 and Below

What Grades Mean:

A: Excellent Work
You went above and beyond simply meeting the class requirements. You have added both extra effort
and originality to the assignments with no virtually no problems or errors and the class has learned
something valuable from you because of it.
B: Very Good Work
Your work has been thorough and consistent throughout, but with some errors
C: Average Work
You have done what was asked, no more, no less. There have been errors in the assignment and you
have had problems with consistency over the term.
D: Poor Work
 SPCH 10 | CRN 50892
Interpersonal Communication
MTW 1:30-4:20pm | Summer 2017

You have done quantitatively and qualitatively less than the minimum expected of a student in this class.
F: Time for Self-Reflection
You have consistently shown little to no effort to meet the requirements of the assignments given or of
the course generally. Also, you are barely turning in that work.

Anything Else I Need To Know?

PCC College Academic Integrity Policy

PCC College is a community of scholars, which emphasizes the mutual responsibility of all members to
seek knowledge honestly and in good faith. Students are responsible for doing their own work, and
academic dishonesty of any kind will not be tolerated anywhere in the college. Cheating/ plagiarism
(representing somebody elses words or ideas as ones own) of any kind will earn you an F on the
assignment in question or an F for the entire course depending on the seriousness of the offense.
Cases of plagiarism may be reported to the Dean of Students.

Psychological Services
Since 1950, the Psychological Services Program has been an integral part of the educational experiences
here at PCC and has been helping students to creatively handle the college stresses of life. Learning to
master these challenges will enhance a students psychological, interpersonal, educational, and career
development while at PCC and long after leaving the campus.
Room: L108
Phone: 626-585-7273
Email: rabeyer@pasadena.edu
Website: www.pasadena.edu/studentservices/psychservices

PCC Colleges Students with Disabilities Policy

In compliance with ADA guidelines, students who have any condition, either permanent or temporary,
that might affect their ability to perform in this class are encouraged to inform the instructor at the
beginning of the term. The college will work with the appropriate faculty member who in determining
what accommodations are suitable based on the documentation and the individual student needs. The
granting of any accommodation will not be retroactive and cannot jeopardize the academic standards or
integrity of the course. We have an amazing service for this called DSPS Disabled Student Program
Services. Here is their contact information:
Room: D 209
Phone: 626-585-7127
Email: dsps@pasadena.edu
Website: www.pasadena.edu/studentservices/dsps

The Speech Center

The Speech Center is a resource center for speech students. We currently have four Academic Support
Assistants. When visiting the Speech Center, please bring with you the assignment guidelines and
assignment rubric. These tutors can help with topic selection, understanding research and oral citations,
speech outline/organization, and speech delivery/presentation.
Speech Center Hours
Monday: 2:00pm 6:00pm
Tuesday: 11:00am 5:00pm
Wednesday: 10:30am 6:00pm
Thursday: 9:00am 5:00pm
Friday: 10:00am 6:00pm
Please take this survey after every visit: http://pcclac300.wixsite.com/intake/copy-of-music-
center-beta
 SPCH 10 | CRN 50892
Interpersonal Communication
MTW 1:30-4:20pm | Summer 2017

In-class etiquette
It is also extremely important that you be fair and congenial participants. Follow this rule when
communicating in this classroom: THINK. Is what youre saying True, Helpful, Inspiring, Necessary, or
Kind? If it isnt, then it doesnt belong in the critique or the class. It is important that everyone does
her/his best to be respectful of everyones thoughts and opinions, especially if they differ from your own.
There is room for disagreement, but this must be done with respect and courtesy.

Class Conduct, Rules and Policies

Remember, we all want a comfortable, respectful atmosphere for optimal learning and success. In
addition, here are a few more rules and policies for my class:
Absolutely no liquor, firearms, weapons, explosives or animals.
You must give presentations, in-class assignments and take exams on the day that they are
assigned. Unless you have a documented, excused absence, NO MAKE-UPS WILL BE GIVEN
AFTER THE DESIGNATED DAYS!
All written work must be typed in order to receive credit.
No late work is accepted! Plan ahead!
No headphones, iPods etc. are allowed during presentations or exams.
All cell-phones, and noise-making devices, etc. must be silenced prior to the
beginning of class. If your cell phone becomes a problem, I will ask you to leave and
you will be marked as absent.
Also, please do not text-message in class. If you do, you will be asked to leave and
receive an unexcused absence.

Social Contract
Within the class, we will foster an environment that is friendly, supportive, safe, and non-threatening.
With this in mind, we will attempt to acknowledge and respect the diverse experiences, cultures, and
preferences of each person (as reflected in their attitudes, beliefs, values, and behaviors) while
contributing to a common classroom culture of mutual support and respect.

You voluntarily enter this contract by maintaining your enrollment in this class. If you
continue to be enrolled through the semester, you indicate your agreement to maintain these standards.
 SPCH 10 | CRN 50892
Interpersonal Communication
MTW 1:30-4:20pm | Summer 2017

Note: this schedule is tentative and is subject to change according to the whims of
life.

Week Day Date Topic Due

1 M 6/26 Syllabus and Overview | Chapter 1
T 6/27 Chapter 1 & 2
W 6/28 Chapter 3
2 M 7/3 Chapter 4
T 7/4 NO CLASS
W 7/5 PAT 1
3 M 7/10 Exam 1 | Chapter 5
T 7/11 Chapter 5 & 6
W 7/12 Chapter 6 & 7
4 M 7/17 Chapter 7 & 8
T 7/18 PAT 2
W 7/19 Exam 2 | Chapter 9
5 M 7/24 Chapter 9 & 10
T 7/25 Chapter 10 & 11
W 7/26 Chapter 11 & 12
6 M 7/31 PAT 3
T 8/1 Exam 3
W 8/2 PSA Group Presentations