SPCH 100H - Interpersonal Communication Honors
Course Description:

This course focuses on the oral communication that occurs in dyadic interactions, such as the rhetorical strategies to maintain and strengthen personal and professional relationships. Students become aware of theory and research related to the influences of language, nonverbal communication, and other communication aspects influencing the dyadic interaction. This course includes faculty-supervised, faculty-evaluated oral presentations in the presence of others. This course is designed for Communication Studies majors and anyone interested in the rhetorical and communicative principles involved in social interaction in interpersonal interactions. This course is intended for students eligible for the Honors Program.

I. Cover

CC Discipline/Department: Communications and Languages
Planning Department: Speech
Course Number: SPCH 100H
Course Title: Interpersonal Communication Honors
Units: 3.000 Units
Lecture: 54.000 Hours
Lab: 0.000
Discussion Hours: 0.000
Total Contact Hours: 54.000 Hours
Outside-of-Class Hours: 108.000 Hours
Total Student Learning Hours: 162.000 Hours
Advisory: ENGL C1000
TOP Code: 1506.00 - Speech and Rhetorical Studies
CIP Code 09.0101 - Speech Communication and Rhetoric
SAM Code: Non-Occupational

II. Need/Justification/Goals

This is a degree appropriate course and a general education course at Rio Hondo and four-year institutions. The honors component will allow the students to do in-depth analysis and study of communication theory and concepts as it applies to interpersonal communication. This course is one of the core classes students need to major in Communication Studies 2.0 AA-T at Rio Hondo College.

III. Title 5 Requirements

A. Entering Skills (“Upon entering the course, students should be able to…”):
Use critical thinking processes to clearly and logically explain and/or defend points of view. (ENGL C1000)
B. Exiting Skills (“Upon exiting the course, students should be able to”):
In a dyadic (two person) context, understanding the theoretical foundations of creating and sharing knowledge, including the canons of rhetoric and the Aristotelian proofs of ethos, pathos, and logos
Finding, critically examining, and using supporting materials from primary and secondary sources for credibility, accuracy, and relevance, such as in influence attempts during interpersonal interactions
Conceptualizing and effectively using compelling arguments in support of a guiding thesis and organizational pattern appropriate for the relational audience (e.g., personal or professional context), occasion, and across a variety of contexts
Knowing and adhering to ethical communication practices which include truthfulness, accuracy, honesty, and reason as essential to the integrity of communication
Demonstrating rhetorical sensitivity to diversity, equity, inclusion, belonging, and accessibility
Practicing and refining the concepts presented in the course through a faculty-supervised, faculty-evaluated speech delivered to a live dyadic audience of at least one person using effective delivery techniques and social influence theory typical of impromptu oriented interpersonal interactions
Employing effective verbal and nonverbal practices while communicating interpersonally and managing communication apprehension
Listening critically to provide constructive criticism to peers
Applying rhetorical principles to analyze historical and contemporary interpersonal discourse (e.g., rhetorical invention [pre-writing/thinking of the appropriate message] when speaking with work colleagues, family members, and strangers)
Conduct research on a philosophical topic culminating in an argumentative paper. (HONORS)
C. Minimum Required for a “C”:
Completion of all required work with at least 70% of all possible points
D. Grade Options:
  • Standard Letter

IV. Course Content

Lecture Outline:
  1.  Interpersonal Communication conceptualized
    1. Define and distinguish interpersonal communication
    2. The Communication Process
    3. Principles and misconceptions of interpersonal communication
    4. Communication Competence
    5. Computer-mediated communication
    6. Oral communication competency in dyadic interactions
  2. The Self & Self Disclosure
    1. Communication and Self-Concept
    2. Characteristics of Identity Management
    3. Self-Disclosure in Relationship Development
    4. Alternatives to Self-Disclosure (Deception/Deception detection)
    5. The rhetoric of self-disclosure
    6. Facework Theory in Interpersonal Communication
  3. Culture and Interpersonal Communication
    1. Cultural dimensions and how they influence interpersonal communication
    2. Race, Ethnicity, Gender, and other cultural-demographic influences on interpersonal interaction
    3. Anxiety Uncertainty Management Theory, Contact Theory, and Ethnocentrism effects on interpersonal communication competence.
  4. Perception
    1. The Perception Process
    2. Influences on Perception
    3. Perception accuracy
    4. Perception Checking to Prevent Misunderstandings
  5. The speaker-audience connection and empathy
    1. Empathy defined and distinguished from sympathy and apathy
    2. Orally communicating empathically
  6. Interpersonal Influence
    1. Defining interpersonal influence and social influence
    2. Elaboration Likelihood Model routes: Peripheral and Central Route messages
    3. Compliance gaining
    4. Rhetorical pre-suasion effects
  7. Emotions: expression of and influences of emotions in various Interpersonal Contexts
    1. Emotions defined
    2. Types of Emotions
    3. Influences on Emotional Expression
    4. Guidelines for Expressing Emotions
    5. Managing Difficult Emotions
  8. Language: Usage and effects in the Interpersonal Communication
    1. The Nature of Language
    2. The Impact of Language
    3. The Uses and Abuses of Language
    4. Gender and Language
    5. Culture and Language
  9. Nonverbal Communication
    1. Characteristics of Nonverbal Communication
    2. Differences Between Verbal and Nonverbal Communication
    3. Expectancy Violation Theory
    4. Types of Nonverbal Communication
  10. Listening
    1. Elements in the Listening Process
    2. Types of Ineffective Listening
    3. Why We Don’t Listen
    4. Informational Listening
    5. Listening To Help
  11. Communication and Relational Dynamics
    1. Why We Form Relationships
    2. Models of Relational Development and Maintenance
  12. Improving Communication Climates
    1. Communication Climates: Confirming and Disconfirming Climates
    2. Defensiveness: Causes and Remedies
  13. Managing Conflicts
    1. The Nature of Conflict
    2. Conflict Styles & how they are communicated
    3. Communicating assertively while minimizing Verbal Aggression
    4. Methods of Conflict Resolution
    5. Consensus (Win-Win) Communication
    6. Constructive Conflict: Questions and Answers
  14. The Darkside of Interpersonal Communication: Problematic Social Dynamics
    1. Managing unwanted pursuit/unrequited love
    2. Infidelity: when, where, and why
    3. Family Communication with difficult conversations
    4. Communicatively managing religious identity differences
    5. Bullying, Cyber-bullying, Bystander intervention
  15. Communication competency in dyadic interactions
    1. Communication competency in dyadic interactions: new acquaintances (e.g., a culturally different acquaintance, initiating interactions)
    2. Communication competency in dyadic interactions: established acquaintances (e.g., friendship maintenance, workplace interaction competence)
    3. Communication competency in dyadic interactions: close relationships (e.g., family, relationship partner, close friends)
  16. Research Component (HONORS CONTENT)
    1. Analysis of a current speech/speech act using a communication-based theory or concept(s)

V. Course Objectives

The Student Will Be Able To:
In a dyadic (two person) context, understanding the theoretical foundations of creating and sharing knowledge, including the canons of rhetoric and the Aristotelian proofs of ethos, pathos, and logos
Finding, critically examining, and using supporting materials from primary and secondary sources for credibility, accuracy, and relevance, such as in influence attempts during interpersonal interactions
Conceptualizing and effectively using compelling arguments in support of a guiding thesis and organizational pattern appropriate for the relational audience (e.g., personal or professional context), occasion, and across a variety of contexts
Knowing and adhering to ethical communication practices which include truthfulness, accuracy, honesty, and reason as essential to the integrity of communication
Demonstrating rhetorical sensitivity to diversity, equity, inclusion, belonging, and accessibility
Practicing and refining the concepts presented in the course through a faculty-supervised, faculty-evaluated speech delivered to a live dyadic audience of at least one person using effective delivery techniques and social influence theory typical of impromptu oriented interpersonal interactions
Employing effective verbal and nonverbal practices while communicating interpersonally and managing communication apprehension
Listening critically to provide constructive criticism to peers
Applying rhetorical principles to analyze historical and contemporary interpersonal discourse (e.g., rhetorical invention [pre-writing/thinking of the appropriate message] when speaking with work colleagues, family members, and strangers)
Conduct research on a philosophical topic culminating in an argumentative paper. (HONORS)

VI. Methods of Instruction:

Activity (individual)
Case Studies
Discussion (classroom)
Discussion (group)
Lecture
Presentations
Project

VII. Assignments:

  1. Group Oral Presentation - Students create a presentation with another student(s).
  2. Term Paper - Research Component: Write a research paper on a topic related to Interpersonal Communication, such as an analysis of a speech/speech act using a communication-based theory or concept(s). (HONORS CONTENT)
  3. Individual Oral Presentation - Students demonstrate oral communication competency in a dyadic interaction.
  4. Read assigned course material - Read, analyze, and discuss case studies and/or academic journal research.
  5. Guided Discussion - Discuss a reading or film including comparisons with interpersonal concepts and theory.
  6. Individual Oral Presentation - Students create a presentation demonstrating knowledge of theory and research in an interpersonal area while demonstrating mastery of public speaking.

VIII. Methods of Evaluation:

Measure understanding of course material through objective exams and quizzes containing multiple choice, true-false and/or short answer questions.
Assess group projects for evidence of collaborative work, organization, clarity and accuracy.
Appraise written journal entries for assignment specific content and understanding.
Assess discussions for course specific content and understanding.
Evaluate individual presentations for evidence of individual work, organization, clarity and accuracy.
Measure understanding of conceptual relationships among course ideas for accuracy and relevant content.
Assess skill development for evidence of improvement, understanding, and consistency.

IX. Student Learning Outcome

  1. When in a communication interaction, students will understand the cultural influences upon an interaction; and utilize that understanding to communicate ethically and competently
  2. When in a communication interaction, students will demonstrate their communication competency in personal and professional relationships.
  3. When in a communication interaction, students will be able to display various nonverbal competencies (e.g., body language, eye contact, facial expressions, etc.).
  4. When in a communication interaction, students will be able demonstrate awareness of emotions (e.g., positive and negative), and the influences of those emotions to heighten their communication competence including effective conflict management.
  5. When in a communication interaction, students will apply various verbal competencies(e.g., Sapir-Whorf Hypothesis, directness/indirectness, etc.) .

X. Texts/Instructional Materials:

Textbooks:
Ronald B. Adler and Russell F. Proctor, Interplay: The process of interpersonal communication, Oxford University Press, (ISBN: 9780197666128) (2023)
Kory Floyd, Interpersonal Communication, 4th Edition, McGraw Hill, (ISBN: 9781260007077) (2021)
Beebe, S.A, Beebe, S.J., & Redmond, M. V., Interpersonal Communication: relating to others, 9th Edition, Pearson, (ISBN: 9780134890364) (2020)
Guerrero, L.K., Anderson, P.A., & Afifi, W. A. , Close Encounters: Communication in Relationships , Sage, (ISBN: 9781544349220) (2021)