Elizabethtown Community & Technical College

Com 252 Introduction to Interpersonal Communication

Course Syllabus Fall 2018

Doug Cole, Professor

Email: william.cole@kctcs.edu
Office: 105A Science Building
Office Hours: MW 12:00-3:00 TR 12:00-1:00 F: 10:00-12:00
Phone: 270-706-8655

*I do not check my email on weekends or holidays, nor past 4:30 on weekdays. Expect to
give me 24 hours to get back with you, although I usually respond much sooner.

Course Description
Interpersonal Communication “examines basic verbal and nonverbal elements affecting
communication between individuals in family, peer group, and work contexts. Course requires
participation in activities designed to develop interpersonal communication skills. Topics
include: strategy development, relationship and conversation management, effective listening,
conflict management, defensive communication, communication anxiety, and cultural/gender
differences in communication style” (KCTCS Catalog). In plain English, this course is dedicated
to making one more aware of the strategies often taken for granted within the world of
communication. This course requires participation and discussion for the application of
interpersonal communication to be effective. Com 252 is part writing, which means that writing
assignments will be evaluated following standard written English guidelines.
Components: Lecture Attributes: Oral Communication

This course section is a Web Hybrid section of COM 252. The Internet and Microsoft office suite
are tools used in this course. Students are expected to have computer skills in the above areas as
well as an understanding of the following: uploading, downloading, and attaching files to both
emails and websites. Students are expected to have activated and to use their KCTCS email
account. There are several areas on campus with Internet access. Your instructor will
communicate with you using this email account exclusively.

Pre-requisites/Co-requisites: Reading: ACT 20 or Compass 85-100 or completion

of RDG 030 or COM 185 or DRE 030 AND Writing: ACT 18 or Compass 74-100 score or
completion of ENC 091
Course Goals and Methods of Instruction
The instructor will utilize the lecture format, lead group discussions, assign group-based work
in/out of the classroom, and prepare the students for the course exams and all other related
assignments. The goal of the course is for the student to recognize and apply the basic
fundamentals of interpersonal communication.

Required Materials
 Text: Looking Out/Looking In by Adler, Ronald, B. & Proctor, Russell F. 15/e
ISBN: 978-1-305-07651-8
 http://www.elearning.kctcs.edu (to access your Blackboard page)

This course is an integral part of the general education program at ECTC designed to prepare
the student for twenty-first century challenges.  Below are the COM 252 course competencies
and how they accomplish the KCTCS General Education Outcomes.
COM 252 Introduction to Interpersonal Communication
COM 252 Course Competencies and General Education Outcomes
This chart demonstrates the relationship between required competencies for this course and
the ECTC/KCTCS General Education Outcomes (LEAP).

Course Competencies/Course Learner General Education Outcomes

Outcomes
1. Demonstrate knowledge of the
components of the communication
process.
2. Analyze and explain the development
of the self and the role of self in
interpersonal communication.
3. Exhibit knowledge of the role of ethics
in interpersonal relationships.
1. Listen and speak competently in a
variety of communication contexts,
which may include public,
interpersonal, and/or small-group
settings (LEAP B, C and D)
4. Identify, analyze, and evaluate
statements, assumptions, and
conclusions representing diverse
points of view, and construct informed,
sustained, and ethical arguments in
response. (LEAP B, C and D)
4. Identify, analyze, and evaluate
statements, assumptions, and
conclusions representing diverse
points of view, and construct informed,
sustained, and ethical arguments in
response. (LEAP B, C and D)
4. Differentiate between effective and
ineffective listening.
5. Identify and explain elements of
perception and the role of perception
in interpersonal communication.
6. Demonstrate knowledge of
interpersonal conflict management
strategies.
7. Identify cultural influences on
communication behavior.
LEAP (Liberal Education for America’s Promise)
The Essential Learning Outcomes
A. Knowledge of Human Cultures and the
Physical and Natural World
C. Personal and Social Responsibility
1. Listen and speak competently in a
variety of communication contexts,
which may include public,
interpersonal, and/or small-group
settings (LEAP B, C and D)
4. Identify, analyze, and evaluate
statements, assumptions, and
conclusions representing diverse
points of view, and construct informed,
sustained, and ethical arguments in
response. (LEAP B, C and D)
4. Identify, analyze, and evaluate
statements, assumptions, and
conclusions representing diverse
points of view, and construct informed,
sustained, and ethical arguments in
response. (LEAP B, C and D)
4. Identify, analyze, and evaluate
statements, assumptions, and
conclusions representing diverse
points of view, and construct informed,
sustained, and ethical arguments in
response. (LEAP B, C and D)
B. Intellectual and Practical Skills
D. Integrative and Applied Learning

Assignments, Grades, and Expectations =500 Points

All assignments are submitted via Blackboard unless instructed otherwise

 Exams: 300 points (3 @ 100 points each)

 Responses 200 points (4 @ 50 points each)

TOTAL POINTS: 500 points

All assignments will be written professionally (such as proper headers/greeting and

grammar/punctuation). This is a communication class—and your communication to me
will be reflected in the grading process.
Expectations

 Students are expected to attend all class periods. Students should come to class prepared,
such as have writing utensils along with paper/notebook. In addition, students should
also be prepared to discuss the concepts/issues brought up in the classroom, for without
such feedback, interpersonal communication in the classroom will be lacking. Students
will not leave class early without prior arrangement with the instructor. If tardiness
becomes a problem, then appropriate action will be taken to eliminate the problem. The
instructor reserves the right to award extra credit to students in a manner where every
class attending student (4 absences or less) may benefit equally.

 All cell phones and other noisy instruments that serve no purpose to our class will be
turned off/deactivated while our class is in progress.

 My basic teaching philosophy is of an objective and subjective nature. If the instructor

believes that a student is not performing up to their standards, then the instructor reserves
the right to evaluate classroom communication/activities accordingly.

 Late/make-up work policy: Students will be given their assignments in advance if it is

an out-of-class assignment; many of the assignments are done in the classroom. Selected
assignments are part of this course’s hybrid methodology: some of these hybrid
assignments have submission dates and others do not. The instructor reserves the right to
deduct points from an assignment if it is past its due date.

 Concerning email: Do not email the instructor using poor grammar. Poor grammar
indicates poor communication skills (refer to prerequisite scores for this course). Do not
email the instructor asking for class notes if you are absent. It is the student’s
responsibility to acquire missed lecture notes and/or handouts from another student. Do
not assume that the instructor checks email every hour of the day, on holidays or the
weekends (see above contact information).

 The instructor’s role is to teach effective communication skills to the students via the
COM 252 platform. I make every effort (and expect student effort) to communicate
effectively and responsibly. I will respond to properly written emails (follow the rules
for Standard English) in a timely manner. I encourage students to email me if they have
questions pertaining to the course.

Exams/Tests

**There is no final exam for this course

Regarding Tests
The instructor will inform students when they are to take their tests. As you will discover once
you have proceeded to take a test, you will be timed respectively. If a student exceeds the
allotted time, then the instructor reserves the right to deduce 10% from that test’s overall score.
If a problem/error happens to occur, contact the instructor immediately so that an evaluation can
be made.

Please note: the instructor reserves the right to reset a test via Blackboard. The instructor may
reset a student’s test only once. The student may expect to retake the test in paper-format
without the use of notes and text in the event there are technical difficulties beyond our control.

{{Please be aware that the instructor has record of all student activity online (how long
spent taking a test; how often student accesses all online activity, etc.}}

REQUIRED SATISFACTORY ACADEMIC STANDARDS

In order to be eligible to receive financial aid, a returning student is required to have met certain
standards of satisfactory academic progress during his or her previous attendance, whether or not
financial aid was received.
1. A student is required to complete sixty-seven percent (67%) of all cumulative credits
attempted, as expressed by the number of hours successfully completed divided by the
number of hours attempted. Successful completion would be grades of A, B, C, D, or
Pass; unsuccessful grades would be E, F, W, Z or Incomplete.
2. A student is required to meet a minimum cumulative grade point average. ECTC uses a
4-point scale for Grade Point Average (GPA) and requires students to have a 2.0 grade
point average after each measured term.
3. Students are expected to complete their degree/diploma/certificate program within a
Maximum Time Frame (MTF) of 150% of the required number of credit hours to
graduate. e.g., programs requiring 72 credits will have a 108 credit maximum. All
attempted hours are counted, including transfer hours, whether or not financial aid was
received, or whether or not the coursework was successfully completed.
Students with questions about the required Satisfactory Academic Standards above should
contact the Financial Aid Office.

Extra Credit

The instructor reserves the right to assign extra credit, which may come in the form of activities,
papers, research, or any type of assignment pertaining to the concepts learned in this course. The
instructor does not allow individual extra credit; extra credit will be announced in such a manner
that allows all class-attending (4 absences or less) students to have an equal chance to acquire the
same credit.

Withdrawal and Incomplete Grade Policy

“From the end of the drop/add period through the official midterm date for this course (Oct. 8th),
a student may withdraw from the course and receive a “W.” From the first day after midterm
until the last day of course work of the session, a student may, at the instructor’s discretion,
withdraw from a course, and the instructor may assign a grade of “W.” Please note: I will sign
withdrawal forms until the beginning of class of the last scheduled class meeting. I will not sign
withdrawal forms during the week of final examinations.

The Incomplete Grade Policy is as follows: will only be given on the student’s request when: (1)
there is an extreme emergency; and (2) the student still has the opportunity to pass the class, and
(3) the student is currently passing the course. “Extreme emergency” should be understood to
mean something that the student could not control—such as a death in the family or illness.
Failing to complete assignments fully or on time is not an example of an extreme emergency.
College policy requires that the work be complete within one academic year.

Course Alert/Changes/Modifications
In the event of emergency campus closure (such as inclement weather, etc.) you may be required
to attend class additional days to complete course competencies.

The instructor reserves the right to make any changes to the syllabus as deemed necessary to
enhance overall student learning.

Academic and Student Conduct Policy

“Faculty and students at Elizabethtown Community and Technical College are bound by
principles of truth and honesty that are fundamental for an educational community. Information
about academic rights and academic offenses and the student’s right to appeal is located in
ARTICLE II ACADEMIC POLICIES AND PROCEDURES (2.1-2.9) in the KCTCS Code of
Student Conduct (Revised June 2002). Under no circumstances will student misconduct be
accepted in the classroom. Academic and student misconduct consists of, but not limited to:
cheating, plagiarism, fighting, and abusive language. Students that violate these rules will
receive zero credit in the classroom.

SYLLABUS STATEMENT REGARDING SEXUALIZED VIOLENCE DISCLOSURES & CSU

INTERPRETATION OF TITLE IX

• In the event that you choose to write or speak about having survived sexualized violence,
including rape, sexual assault, dating violence, domestic violence, or stalking and specify
that this violence occurred while you were an ECTC student, federal and state
education laws require that, as your instructor, I notify the Title IX Coordinator for the
College. The Title IX Coordinator will contact you to let you know about accommodations
and support services at ECTC and possibilities for holding accountable the person who
harmed you.

• If you do not want the Title IX Coordinator notified, instead of disclosing this information to
your instructor, you can speak confidentially with the following people on campus and in the
community. They can connect you with support services and discuss options for holding the
perpetrator accountable.

PROCEDURES RELATING TO DISCRIMINATION, HARASSMENT, AND SEXUAL

MISCONDUCT
1. If a student thinks that he/she has been discriminated against, the student shall
inform the chief student affairs officer or his/her designee with thirty (30) calendar
days of the occurrence of the alleged incident. The chief student affairs officer or
his/her designee shall conduct a preliminary investigation of the discrimination
grievance.

2. The student, chief student affairs officer or his/her designee, and other involved
parties shall work informally to negotiate a solution within fourteen (14) calendar
days. The informal student discrimination grievance procedure shall be completed
within forty-four (44) calendar days of the occurrence of the alleged incident.

3. If the grievance is not resolved to the satisfaction of the student through the informal
grievance procedure, the student may file a formal appeal according to the KCTCS
Student Code of Conduct.

4. If a student feels he/she has been subject to sexual misconduct, those complaints
should be made to the College Title IX Coordinator or other college administrator.
Such complaints shall be handled in accordance with the Sexual Misconduct
Procedure.

5. The Chief Student Affairs Officer at Elizabethtown Community and Technical

College is Dr. Dale Buckles. His phone number is (270) 706-8431 and office
location is 100 RPC. If your home college is a college other than Elizabethtown
Community and Technical College, please contact the chief student affairs officer at
your home college.

Americans with Disabilities Act Statement: If you

need accommodation because of a documented
disability (psychological disability, medical disability,
learning disability, and/or physical disability), you
must register with ECTC Disability Services each
academic term you are enrolled. To register,
contact Noel Helm, ECTC Disabilities Coordinator, in
Room 129A RPC, or call 270/706-8455. In the
event of an emergency while you are on campus or
attending class at an off-campus location, notify
ECTC Disability Services immediately if you require
assistance.