CMST& 210: Interpersonal Communication

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Class Program
Communication Studies
Distribution
Humanities Lecture
Credits 5 Lecture Hours 55
This course is a study of effective interpersonal skill development with the goal of improving personal and work relationships. Emphasis is placed on the personal, situational, and cultural influences of interaction. Topics include human perception, interpersonal dynamics, listening, conflict management, communication as shared meaning through the use of verbal and nonverbal symbol systems. The course is intended for students who communicate in one-on-one situations, including social work, healthcare, public service and business majors. This course is intended for students who are interested in improving interpersonal skills in work, volunteer, and personal environments.
Quarters Offered
Fall,
Winter,
Spring,
Summer
Course Outcomes

Upon successful completion of the course, students should be able to demonstrate the following knowledge or skills:

  1. Explain and demonstrate interpersonal communication as a skill which can be learned
  2. Articulate the difference between self-concept and self-esteem, but also how they are related
  3. Define the barriers to accurate perception
  4. Explain some of the obstacles to effective listening
  5. Define and explain strategies for active listening
  6. Define nonverbal communication and identify its major functions
  7. Describe the effect of culture, identity, and society on interpersonal interactions
  8. Summarize the Transactional Communication Model
  9. Explain the stages of an interpersonal relationship
  10. Make conscious and effective choices in interpersonal language
  11. Effectively respond to differences of opinion and other forms of conflict when engaged in interpersonal communication
  12. Participate effectively in groups with emphasis on listening, critical and reflective thinking, and responding
  13. Locate, evaluate, and synthesize in a responsible manner material from diverse sources and points of view
  14. Evaluate personal communication patterns and identify strategies for strengthening and improving interpersonal communication skills
Institutional Outcomes
IO1 Students will be able to communicate clearly and effectively.
IO3 Students will be able to demonstrate teamwork, ethics, appropriate safety awareness and/or workplace specific skills
Course Content Outline
Suggested Topics Include:
  1. Definitions of interpersonal communication and explanation of the Transactional Model
  2. Self-concept and self-esteem
  3. Relationship between self-concept and interpersonal communication
  4. Strategies toward effective interpersonal perception
  5. Nonverbal communication
  6. Relationship dynamics and their effect on communication
  7. The effect of culture and society on communication interactions
  8. Appropriate communication choices for specific audiences
  9. Self-monitoring through journaling or some other assignment
  10. Personal attitudes, behaviors, concepts and beliefs regarding diverse communication partners
  11. Identity and diversity in interpersonal communication
  12. Active listening, and feedback skills
  13. Research interpersonal communication
  14. Communication of ideas and feelings
  15. Effects of language choice and use upon interpersonal communication dynamics
  16. Models of conflict resolution in interpersonal communication
  17. Technology and interpersonal communication
  18. Mindfulness
  19. Self-assessment
Department Guidelines

PO4 should be assessed: Students will be able to recognize or articulate personal/interpersonal aspects of, or connections between, diverse cultural, social, or political contexts.
PO5 should be assessed: Students will be able to solve problems by gathering, interpreting, combining and/or applying information from multiple sources