Carole F. Kenner (University of Memphis, 1969) specializes in interpersonal communication.  She has taught CMST 101, Interpersonal Communication at Vanderbilt since 1982.  Her interests include attraction in relations, conflict management and mediation.  She currently is a Tennessee Supreme Court approved mediator.  Other areas of interest and research include community dialogue and physician-patient interactions.
 
 

Interpersonal Communication - CMST 101
Syllabus - Spring 2002

Instructor – Carole Kenner
Office-Calhoun 213-D
Phone: Office- 322-3614   Home 385-3567
Email: carole.f.kenner@vanderbilt.edu
Office Hours:  11:00 - 12:30 MW, 9:40-11:30 TT and by appointment
Web site for CMST 101: www.vanderbilt.edu/AnS/Comm/kenner.htm

TEXTBOOKS:
(Required)
Canary, D.J., Cody, M.J. and Manusov,V.L. (2000) Interpersonal Communication:  A Goals Based Approach 2nd Ed. New York: St.Martin's Press

Stewart, John (Ed.) (1999) Bridges Not Walls: A Book About Interpersonal Communication.7th Ed. New York:McGraw-Hill

CALENDAR:

                          TOPIC                                                                        READING
Date              Canary, et al. Stewart                                                       **Res. Room
1-17/18         Definitions & Models Ch. 1    15-44                                 Reading #1
 
1-24/25         Verbal & Nonverbal     Ch. 3 & 4    93-98, 105-116        Reading #2
                       Fundamentals                                  168-174

2-6/7          Self Presentation         Ch. 2 & 5  122-131                           Reading #3
                      & Self                                       255-262

2-13/14     Behavior, Personality  Ch. 14 & 15  153-166
                      & Competence                             175-183
 
2-25/26         Relationship   Ch. 6 & 7  320-334                                     Reading #4
                     Development                   336-346

3-11/12         Relationship Goals  Ch. 8 & 9  348-360
                         362-372

3-21/22         Conflict Management Ch. 11,12 & 13  442-449                Reading #5
4-1/2              Relational Dissolution Ch. 10       265-274                        Reading #6

4-11/12          Relational Context     374-384
                                                        396-407

**These readings are available in the Reserve Room of the main library.
Readings 2-6 are from Interpersonal Communication: Readings in Theory and Research, Ed. Mark Redmond.   Reading #2 is Ch. 1, #3  is Ch.3, #4 is Ch.4, #5 is Ch. 13, and #6 is Ch.25.

GRADING SCALE:

The following required assignments are worth the points indicated below toward the course grade:
 
POINTS
Participation & Attendance       50
Short Essay Assignments      50
 Paper & Project      115
 Two (2) Test (80 points each)     160
 Final Exam       125
TOTAL POINTS      500

PAPER & PROJECT:
Group topics and dates (tentative) for the presentation are listed below.
Please see Class Pak for an extensive explanation about paper and project.
Feb. 8/9
Group I Verbal Communications & I General Interpersonal Communication Theory (see p. 25- Redmond) Language: 1) context, strategies, structures 2) meaning, influence, compliance.  Listening & Empathy.  Nonverbal Communication.

Feb. 26/27
Group II Self Presentation Strategies.  Affinity Seeking.  Uncertainty Reduction.  Attitude Similarity & Attraction.  Message & Goal Structure.

Mar. 22/23
Group III Communication Competence.  Impression Management.  Communication Apprehension.  Attribution Theory. Dissonance.  Self Disclosure.  Social Penetration Theory.  Norm of Reciprocity.  Vulnerability in Communication.

April 9/10
Group IV Conflict :1) management, 2)strategies 3)styles.  Relationship Termination: 1) patterns 2) disengagement styles 3) attributions 4) accounts.

TEST:
Test I will be  Feb. 20/21  It will cover all materials read and/or discussed between
 the beginning of the semester and the test date.
 Test II will be the week of Mar. 24  It will cover all the materials read and/or
discussed from Feb.25/26 through  Mar. 22/23

FINAL:
8 TR - 9 A.M. April .30        9MWF- 3 P..M. April 30      10MWF- 3 P.M. May 1        Alternate. - Noon April 25

COURSE DESCRIPTION & POLICIES:

The course presents an introduction to communication principles and practices.  Its focus is on interpersonal communication, exposing the student to a sampling of relevant theory concerning human relationships in general and dyadic relationships in particular. The course objectives are to:
 1. examine how meanings are created and behavior
  is influenced through communication;
 2. survey theories central to Interpersonal
  Communication as an area of study;
 3. demonstrate how theories and concepts apply to
  a variety of relational contexts.

NO LATE WORK WILL BE ACCEPTED WITHOUT PRIOR ARRANGEMENT.
Extensions of deadlines can be arranged only in the case of emergency.  Work submitted late without prior arrangement will be returned to the student with the grade of "F".  If some extenuating circumstance arises to prevent you from being in class on the day an assignment is due, you must find someone to deliver it to the classroom for you.  Work must be submitted at the beginning of the class hour on the date it is due.

Three components will constitute your final grade: (1) examinations, (2) research and writing, (3) participation.

ATTENDANCE;  A basic premise of the course is that there is much to be learned about communication from participating in it and observing others.  For this reason regular attendance is required. Cooperative participation in exercises and discussions is also expected. The maximum number of absences you may have is 3, except under extenuating circumstances. You are expected to  attend and participate in all scheduled class meetings.  You should note that attendance and your participation when you attend will affect your final grade.  You are expected to attend class regularly.  If you are absent for any reason, you are responsible for finding what happened during class. You will be held responsible for all lecture material, information, discussions, and assignments given during class.  The instructor reserves the right to adjust final grades or to have the student removed from the course by the Registrar's office due to excessive absences.  Decisions on whether or not an absence is excused will be made on a case-by-case basis by the instructor.

PARTICIPATION:  In addition to attendance, your participation in this course is based on the frequency and, more importantly, the quality of your contributions (relevance, insight, participation in exercises, etc.)  It is initially assumed that you will be an average participator, i.e., your participation grade is a "C" when you first enter the course. Throughout the semester that initial grade may be raised, lowered, or maintained, based on your performance.  A list of evaluation criteria is attached.

MAKEUP EXAMINATIONS are not normally allowed.  If you have some dire emergency arise, you must inform the instructor in advance of the examination and provide documentation of the emergency situation. CHEATING on an examination (or plagiarism in written work) will result in a grade of "F" for the course  and disciplinary action undertaken with the Dean's office

The above policies and guidelines are subject to change, all changes will be announced in class and it is the responsibility of the student to note such changes.