Western Connecticut State University

Department of Communication

COM 348 Advanced Interpersonal Communication

In interpersonal communication class, you looked at an overview of the field of relational communication.  In your other courses, you looked at specific elements of relational communication.  In this course, we will look at some of the basic original texts which were instrumental in the development of this field.  We will approach each text to understand what it means, why it was important in its time, what it contributed to the field, and then extend its ideas in some way.

The Texts

Games People Play, by Eric Berne was first published in 1964.  This book was at the forefront of what was called transactional analysis in psychology.  In communication studies, it was an application of transactionalism and uses and gratifications theory.  Viewing communication events as transactional games provides a model which explains relational communication as strategic and rational, even when it appears otherwise.

Stigma, by Erving Goffman was published in 1963 and took a sociological view of communication behavior.  Goffman was interested in the strategies people use when they are unable to conform to social conventions because of some difference.  Obvious differences create communication events filled with tension and Goffman looked at the ways people deal with them.  "Secret" differences create tension for the stigmatized person, and in looking at them, Goffman discovered that these strategies are common to all of us.

Pragmatics of Human Communication is the result of the Palo Alto group, where psychologists (led by Paul Watzlawick) developed models in the firm conviction that communication events must be looked at as transactions in environments, not as isolated behaviors by one person.  Their axioms of communication have been incorporated into almost every introductory communications text.

Requirements

• Three papers (based on each of the texts).  7-8 pages, in APA style.  Details will be discussed in class. (graded, 60%)
• Other writing assignments.  (P/F 25%)
• Attendance and  punctuality. (10%)
• Assignments and other material will be available online only.  You will need to have internet access.

                Class website:

http://people.wcsu.edu/petkanasw/

Click "Info for students"

Click "COM 348 Advanced Interpersonal Communication"

                Or, go directly to:

http://people.wcsu.edu/petkanasw/348%20Info.htm

CLASS POLICIES

If this is not your first semester here, it is probably obvious to you that each professor has his or her own policies.  It is your responsibility to understand what my policies are, how they differ from other professor’s policies, and act accordingly.  My policies may be different from other professors you have had, even in the Communication Department.  Some of my policies differ from course to course.  Please read this syllabus carefully and keep it for reference during the semester.

Attendance:  I take attendance at the beginning of class and give points to people who are present at the beginning of class.  You do not get points if you are late to class.  I find people who enter class late distracting and offensive.  You do not get points if you miss class.  If you cannot come to class on time, reconsider taking this course.  If you see considerable conflicts in your schedule with employment or other activities, reconsider taking this course.  I make no distinctions  between different types of absences, as some professors do.  Therefore,  I do not expect any notifications of any kind from doctors, coaches, or university officials.

Assignments must be typewritten, never handwritten.  They must be handed in during the class they are due to get credit.  They may be e-mailed to me, for example if you are not going to make class that day or your printer is not working, but I must receive them before the class.  Never later.*  There are no make-ups for missed assignments.  If you miss a class, it is your responsibility to e-mail me (no phone calls).  I will then e-mail you back the assignment for the next class. 

Plagiarism:  Since the development of the Internet, there has been a drastic increase in the number of cases of plagiarism.  When I detect a plagiarized paper, it is my policy to give a student an "F" for the course and report the case to the Dean of Student Affairs.  I have done this in all cases, without exception.  I will explain what constitutes plagiarism in class. (The excuse that "I didn't know this was plagiarism" will not be acceptable).

Class demeanor and etiquette:  No eating in class.  You are expected to take care of meals and snacks at some other time.  Beverages are permitted; those containing caffeine are encouraged.  Cell phones are not permitted to be on or out during class (except for some special circumstances). 

I shouldn’t have to mention this, but I do … let’s just say that you are expected to have an adult level of bladder control and tolerance for sitting still.  I bring this up because leaving class has increased dramatically in the last two years, (even in 50 minute classes).  I find it distracting and disrespectful and hope you will keep this in mind.

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* More on assignments:  You are expected to bring the assignment to class and hand it in.  This is a very simple concept and yet many people have trouble with what this means.  Here are come interesting, but not acceptable, excuses collected over the last year, followed by "can I hand it in?"  Which is followed by, "Sorry, no."

• "I left it in my car."
• "I had it last class but forgot to give it to you." 
• "The library printer wouldn't work." 
• "I e-mailed it to you but it bounced back."
• "I wasn't here last class."

New excuses will not be accepted either, but I will be happy to add them to this list.

FALL 2005

TENTATIVE SCHEDULE OF CLASSES