Textbook: DeVito, 'The Interpersonal Communication Book' - 12th Edition Southwestern Michigan College  •  Fall 2009
Introduction to Human Communication (SPEE-104, Section 1413)
Professor: Mark Bottita
Mon & Wed 1:50—5 p.m. • Niles 158
Syllabus: (HTML)  |  General Class Overview Schedule: (HTML)

  < Textbook: DeVito, The Interpersonal Communication Book, 12TH Edition



Assignments Due at the Start of Class On:


Fri 12/18:

  • Exam 2 (Chapters 8 through 13 + Dead Poets Society). NOTE the EXAM DATE and TIME!: Fri 12/18, 1:00 pm - 3:00 pm in our usual room (158).


Mon 12/14:

  • Read and be prepared to discuss Chapter 13 - "Interpersonal Power and Influence."
  • WA 10: Critical Thinking Questions 1 through 6, p.316-17. Choice Points topics covered in class.
  • Receive Exam 2 Study Sheet covering Chapters 8-13 and Dead Poets Society.


Wed 12/09:

  • Read and be prepared to discuss Chapter 12 - "Interpersonal Conflict and Conflict Management".
  • WA 9: Critical Thinking Questions 1 through 7, p.296. Choice Points topics will be discussed in class.
  • Film: Dead Poets Society.


Mon 12/07:

  • WA 7: My Cousin Vinny.
  • Read and be prepared to discuss Chapter 11 - "Interpersonal Relationship Types".
  • WA 8: Critical Thinking Questions 1 through 7, p.273. Choice Points topics will be discussed in class.


Wed 12/02:

  • Read and be prepared to discuss Chapter 10.
  • Complete Critical Thinking Questions 1 through 5 and Choice Points Questions 1 through 4. Illegible or late assignments will not be accepted.
  • In-Class Film related to current material: My Cousin Vinny


Mon 11/30:

  • Discuss Chapter 9.
  • No WA Assignment due for today.


Wed 11/25:

  • Read and be ready to discuss Chapter 8: "Conversational Messages."
  • No WA Due for today.


Mon 11/23:

  • Exam 1 (Chapters 1 through 7). May be comprised of any combination of T/F, mulitple choice, fill-in-the-blank, matching, short-answer or essay questions.


Wed 11/18:

  • Read and be prepared to discuss Chapter 7 - "Emotional Messages." (Remember that thoughtful participation is a significant part of your grade).
  • No WA due for this chapter.
  • Receive Study Guide for Exam 1 in class today.
  • Film #3 in class (to be announced).


Mon 11/16:

  • Read and be prepared to discuss Chapter 6 - "Nonverbal Messages."
  • Answer Critical Thinking Questions 2, 3, 4, 5
  • Talk Radio assignment (completed neatly on your own paper).


Wed 11/11:

  • Read and be ready to discuss Chapter 5 - "Verbal Messages."
  • No Writing Assignment due today.
  • Film 2: "Talk Radio" (in class).


Mon 11/9:

  • Read and be ready to discuss Chapter 4 - "Listening in Interpersonal Communication."
  • Answer Critical Thinking Questions 1, 2, 3, 5.
  • Complete The Breakfast Club assignment neatly on your own paper (preferrably typed/printed).
  • Grade Worksheet (You will also receive a hard copy in class on Mon 11/9. This will help you keep track of your class progress and grades.)


Wed 11/4:

  • Read and be prepared to discuss Chapter 3 - "Perception and the Self in Interpersonal Communication."
  • Answer Critical Thinking Questions 3, 6, 8 on p.76 and Choice Points question 2 on pp.76-77.


Mon 11/2:

  • Read and be prepared to discuss Chapter 2 - "Culture and Interpersonal Communication."
  • (Neatly!), answer Critical Thinking Questions 2, 3, 5, 6, 7 on page 52. Will we continue to share some of our answers aloud with the class.


Wed 10/28:

  • Read and be ready to discuss Chapter 1 - "Foundations of Interpersonal Communication."
  • On p. 27, answer Critical Thinking Question #3, and Choice Points questions #1 through 5.


Mon 10/26:

  • Course Introduction, Syllabus