Course Outline for Communication Studies 10
Interpersonal Communication

Effective: Fall 2025
SLO Rev:

Catalog Description:

COMM 10 - Interpersonal Communication

3.00 Units

An introductory course designed to help students develop interpersonal communication competencies. Students begin by exploring personal identity, including race, culture, gender, and family. Then examine how these individual identities impact personal relationships. Finally, we will identify strategies to reduce miscommunication and conflict in interpersonal relationships. Overall, through readings, lecture/discussion, and assignments we will examine the power of communication and its effects on our lives and relationships.
Strongly Recommended: ENGL C1000 (Formerly ENGL 1)
CB03: TOP Code 1506.00 - Speech Communication
CIP Code 09.0101 - Speech Communication and Rhetoric.
Course Grading: Optional
Type Units Inside of Class Hours Outside of Class Hours Total Student Learning Hours
Lecture 3.00 54.00 108.00 162.00
Total 3.00 54.00 108.00 162.00

Measurable Objectives:

Upon completion of this course, the student should be able to:
  1. Identify the essential elements of an interpersonal communication event;
  2. Describe ways that communication creates, develops and changes personal identities;
  3. Demonstrate an understanding of how, when, and why people communicate in interpersonal relationships;
  4. Diagnose conflict in interpersonal relationships and demonstrate appropriate conflict resolution methods;
  5. Describe the effects of communication on interpersonal relationships and social/cultural realities;
  6. Demonstrate an understanding of similarities and differences in communication founded on communication theory and research.

Course Content:

  1. Communication theory
    1. Defining Communication as the symbolic transfer of meaning.
    2. Defining Interpersonal as creating meaning in dyads.
    3. Exploring the nature of verbal and nonverbal messages.
  2. Self-concept
    1. Examining perception as the process of selecting, organizing, and interpreting the world around us.
    2. Identifying influences and outcomes on self-concept.

                                        i.    Family

                                       ii.    Peers

                                      iii.    Media

3.  Human interaction
    1. Defining listening as perceiving, responding, and remembering messages.
    2. Improving clarity and respect in verbal and nonverbal messages.
    3. Identifying emotions and improving emotional expression.
4.  Relational Dialectics – Tension in relationships
    1. Exploration of climate development in dyads.
    2. Applying strategies to maintain positive climate.
    3. Identifying options to reduce conflict. 
5.  Varying contexts
    1. Varying stages, cultural rules, and ethical choices for interpersonal relationships.

                                        i.    Friendships

                                       ii.    Romantic relationships

                                      iii.    Workplace communication

Methods of Instruction:

  1. Communication activities
  2. Constructive critiques
  3. Individual and small group projects
  4. Journal keeping
  5. Lecture/Discussion
  6. Activity play
  7. Verbal explanation and demonstration.
  8. Textbook reading assignments
  9. Distance Education

Assignments and Methods of Evaluating Student Progress:

1. Typical Assignments
  1. Conflict Resolution: Maintain a journal identifying interpersonal communication conflicts you have experienced. Then after reviewing your entries, write an essay about how you did/plan to resolve them based on course concepts.
  2. Interpersonal Handbook: Each pair will research one interpersonal topic to complete your own handbook on how to improve your chosen interpersonal topic. This is will be a hands-on experience in interpersonal communication.
  3. Tech Analysis: The use of technology (cell phones, computers, etc.) has increased over time, promising more enhanced communication. Students will explore examples of constructive versus destructive uses of technology in interpersonal relationships. Then, in pairs, write an essay about how to reduce the negative impacts of technology, based on course concepts, such as perception, emotion, verbal, and conflict management.
  4. Interpersonal Observation: Observe one character in a TV program, movie, or play who appears to be proficient at one chosen interpersonal skill (such as listening or conflict resolution). In an essay, identify specific, constructive examples of verbal and nonverbal communication. Afterward, explain what you learned and how you can apply it to your life.
2. Methods of Evaluating Student Progress
  1. Exams/Tests
  2. Quizzes
  3. Papers
  4. Projects
  5. Group Projects
  6. Oral Presentation
  7. Final Examination
  8. Class Work
3. Student Learning Outcomes
Upon the completion of this course, the student should be able to:
  1. analyze, select, and demonstrate relational management in dyadic communication;
  2. listen to, evaluate, and respond appropriately to the ideas of others;
  3. recognize, define, and apply the principles of practical communication and interpersonal communication theory;
  4. understand the variety of value systems people use in interpersonal communication.

Textbooks (Typical):

  1. Gamble, T. K., Gamble, M. W. (2020). The Interpersonal Communication Playbook Sage Publications.
  2. Adler, R., B., & Proctor, R. F. II. (2017). Looking Out, Looking In (15th). Wadsworth/Cengage.

Abbreviated Class Schedule Description:

An introductory course designed to help you develop your interpersonal communication competencies by examining identity, human interaction, and conflict management in personal relationships. Through readings, discussion, and assignments we will examine the power of communication and its effects on our lives and relationships.
Strongly Recommended: ENGL C1000 (Formerly ENGL 1)

Discipline:
Speech Communication*