COM 252

INTRODUCTION TO INTERPERSONAL COMMUNICATION

COM 252-J104 – Peoplesoft ID 46763 –Fall, 2019

Communications, History, Languages, and Social Sciences Division

202 Academic Technical Building, Cooper Campus (246-6231)

Instructor Information
Instructor Name Amanda Hankinson Email [email protected]
Office/Mailbox n/a Phone 859-806-6477 (cell)
Office Hours By Appointment
Division Information
CHLSS Assistant Dr. Jenny Jones [email protected] 859-246-6653 Newtown Campus
Dean CB 311F
Coordinator Greg Rickert [email protected] 859-246-6332 Cooper Campus,
238 Moloney Bldg
Area Website https://bluegrass.kctcs.edu/education-training/programs/communication/index.aspx
Bluegrass Community & Technical College Information
BCTC Website www.bluegrass.kctcs.edu Access Peoplesoft, Blackboard, Email, BCTC
Info
BCTC College https://bluegrass.kctcs.edu/academics/media/policies-and- College Contact Info, email, withdrawal,
Policies and procedures-updates/bctc_college_policies_and_resources.pdf accommodations, Student Code of Conduct,
Resources financial aid, emergency closing, tutoring info,
etc.
Blackboard https://elearning.kctcs.edu Course syllabus and other important course
information
KCTCS https://kctcs.sharepoint.com/sites/mypath Single Sign-on KCTCS portal to Email,
MyPath Blackboard, OneDrive, Student Self-Service,
STARFISH, and other resources.

COURSE DESCRIPTION
Examines basic verbal and nonverbal concepts affecting the communication process in various interpersonal contexts. Requires
participation in written and oral activities designed to develop and improve interpersonal skills. Includes perspective-taking,
relationship and conversation management, effective listening, conflict management, communication climate, communication anxiety,
and cultural/gender differences in interpersonal communication.

Pre-requisite Or Co-requisite: Current KCTCS placement scores for college level reading and writing, or consent of instructor.

COMMUNICATION 252 LEARNING 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.
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.

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COMMUNICATION 252 GENERAL EDUCATION OUTCOMES AND OBJECTIVES
Students should prepare for the twenty-first century by gaining:
A. Knowledge of human cultures and the physical and natural worlds through study in the sciences and mathematics, social
sciences, humanities, histories, languages, and the arts
B. Intellectual and practical skills, including
 inquiry and analysis,
 critical and creative thinking,
 written and oral communication,
 quantitative literacy,
 information literacy,
 teamwork and problem solving
C. Personal and social responsibility, including
 civic knowledge and engagement (local and global),
 intercultural knowledge and competence,
 ethical reasoning and action,
 foundations and skills for lifelong learning
D. Integrative learning, including synthesis and advanced accomplishment across general and specialized skills

In COM 252 Students will learn to:

1. Listen and speak competently in a variety of communication contexts, which may include public, interpersonal, and/or small-
group settings. (General Education Competencies B, C and D)
 Demonstrate knowledge of the components of the communication process.
 Differentiate between effective and ineffective listening.
2. Find, analyze, evaluate, and cite pertinent primary and secondary sources, including academic databases, to prepare speeches and
written texts. (General Education Competencies B and D)
 Identify cultural influences on communication behavior.
3. Identify, analyze, and evaluate statements, assumptions, and conclusions representing diverse points of view; and construct
informed, sustained, and ethical arguments in response. (General Education Competencies B, C and D)
 Exhibit knowledge of the role of ethics in interpersonal relationships.
 Identify cultural influences on communication behavior.
 Identify and explain elements of perception and the role of perception in interpersonal communication.
 Analyze and explain the development of the self and the role of self in interpersonal communication.
 Demonstrate knowledge of interpersonal conflict management strategies.
4. Plan, organize, revise, practice, edit, and proofread to improve the development and clarity of ideas. (General Education
Competencies B and D)
 Demonstrate knowledge of the components of the communication process.

INSTRUCTIONAL MATERIALS
Required Text:
Adler, Ronald.B., Lawrence B. Rosenfeld, and Russell F. Proctor II. Interplay: The Process of
Interpersonal Communication. 14th edition. New York: Oxford, 2018.

Blackboard: A Blackboard course site will be maintained for this class. At a minimum, your course syllabus and schedule will be
posted on the Blackboard site (www.elearning.kctcs.edu)

CLASS POLICIES
Attendance/Class Participation Policy:
Regular class attendance is necessary for success in COM 252. All absences have the potential of affecting your grade. If you must
miss class, please see a classmate regarding class discussions and assignments. NO MAKE-UP WORK IS AVAILABLE for oral
presentations, homework assignments, in-class exercises, quizzes, or exams, unless PRIOR arrangements are approved by me or if you
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submit a written request for make-up work with documentation requesting an excused absence. Granting of an excused absence is at
the discretion of the instructor. Participation points CANNOT be made up.

The quantity and quality of your contributions to class discussions and activities will enhance your learning process and prevent class
sessions from becoming an instructor's monologue. Informed participation is expected and can be evaluated according to the following
criteria:
--Are you prepared for class discussions (e.g., completed reading, prepared for discussion questions)?
--Are you able to relate your own experiences and observations to class concepts?
--Do you respond to statements by others?
--Do you move the discussion along, not derail it?
--Do you ask questions and/or paraphrase when needed and appropriate?

CLASS REQUIREMENTS/EXPECTATIONS
General Class Requirements:
You are expected to:
1. Be on time for class.
2. Interact productively in small group activities.
3. Be prepared daily for discussion and quizzes by reading all assigned material BEFORE the day it is listed on the
course schedule.
4. Successfully deliver an instructional presentation. FAILURE TO DO THIS ASSIGNMENT WILL RESULT IN
AN "E" FOR THE COURSE.
5. Submit all written assignments at the BEGINNING of the class period on the designated date.

Instructional Modes
Class sessions will include lectures by the instructor, class discussion of assigned textbook readings, group work, audio/video
presentations emphasizing certain communication concepts and skills, oral presentations by the students, quizzes and exams. Out-of-
class work will include written exercises and research of communication concepts that are presented in oral presentations.

Make-Up Work/Late Work Policy:

Late work will be accepted only if PRIOR arrangements are approved by me, or if an excused absence is requested and granted (see
attendance policy, above).

Course Withdrawal Policy

The last day to withdraw from a course without instructor consent is Monday, October 14. After this date, instructor permission is
required. The last day to withdraw is Friday, December 6. Please see the BCTC webpage for the college withdrawal policy and
withdrawal procedures. For more information an instructions on how to withdraw from a class: https://bluegrass.kctcs.edu/current-
students/registrar/withdrawal-policy.aspx

Written Exercises/Classroom Activities:

Assigned written exercises will be completed at various times during the semester. Some of these may be completed during class
time, others may be completed outside of class.

Written Work:
FORMAT: For out-of-class assignments, only papers which meet these standards will be accepted:
1. All outside assignments must be typed, unless otherwise specified.
2. Do not use paper torn from a spiral notebook.
3. If a cover sheet is requested, list your name, your course and section number, the name of the assignment, and the
date. If a cover sheet is not requested, write your name and your course and section number on the upper right
corner of the first sheet.
4. Secure multiple pages with a staple or a paper clip.

Oral Assignments:
You will be expected to research, evaluate, and organize information in order to develop an effective instructional presentation. The
instructional presentation is a 5-10 minute individual oral report which MUST BE COMPLETED IN ORDER TO PASS THE
COURSE. The subject for this assignment will be developed from communication concepts discussed or alluded to in class.
Additional information will be provided later.

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Exams:
You will have two exams: one at midterm during a regular class period and a comprehensive final exam during examination week.
Specifics on exam procedures and content will be discussed in class.

Quizzes:
A portion of your final grade will be based on quizzes over required readings and material. I may choose to give quizzes without prior
announcement.

Plagiarism and Cheating

Plagiarism and cheating on any assignments, quizzes, or exams are serious offenses and will be strictly dealt with. See the KCTCS
Code of Student conduct for additional information regarding consequences of plagiarism: https://kctcs.edu/current-
students/academic-resources/code-of-student-conduct.aspx 

Grading Criteria
Grades will be calculated on the basis of a 1000 point scale.

Scavenger Hunt (on Blackboard) 20

Instructional Presentation 100 (50 pts media/written, 50 pts oral)
Chapter Reviews (12 x 10 points each) 120
Unit Assignments (3 x 50 points each) 150
Chapter Assignments (3 x 20 points each) 60
Class Participation (30 x 10 points each) 300
Midterm 100
Final 150

A = 895 – 1000 (90-100%) D = 595 – 694 (60-60%)

B = 795 – 894 (80-89%) E = Below 594 (50-59%)
C = 695 – 794 (70-79%)

COLLEGE POLICIES AND RESOURCES

Code of Student Conduct:

All rules and regulations set forth in the current edition of the KCTCS Student Code of Conduct will be followed in this course. It is
the student’s responsibility to obtain a copy of this publication at: https://kctcs.edu/current-students/academic-
resources/code-of-student-conduct.aspx 

Reasonable Accommodation:
Students with disabilities who require accommodations (academic
adjustments and/or auxiliary aids or services) for a course, must contact
BCTC’s Disability Support Services (DSS) Office. Students should not
request accommodations directly from the instructor.
• DSS Website: https://bluegrass.kctcs.edu/about/student-life/accessibility-services/index.aspx
• DSS Email: [email protected]
• DSS Toll-Free Phone: 1 - 866 - 774 - 4872 ext. 6728
Other College Policies and Resources
Please visit BCTC College Policies and Resources [https://bluegrass.kctcs.edu/academics/media/policies-and-procedures-
updates/bctc-college-policies-and-resources.pdf] for other pertinent college information and policies including:
 BCTC Website and phone numbers
 BCTC Academic Calendar

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  Weather or Emergency closing Information
 Title IX Information
 BCTC Tutoring Services & Library Services
 BCTC IT Services & Open Computer Lab Information
 Financial Aid/Satisfactory Academic Progress Statement
 BCTC Withdrawal Procedures

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COM 252 Course Schedule/Calendar