Instructor: Dr. Michelle L. Davis

Email: davisml1@lamarpa.edu

Phone: (409) 984-6341

Office Location and Hours: Tuesdays from 6:00pm - 7:00pm and Saturdays from 9:00am - 10:00am via Blackboard Collaborate

Additional Contact Information: I will respond to emails within 24 hours during the week and during Saturday office hours.

Application of communication theory to interpersonal relationship development, maintenance, and termination in relationship contexts including friendships, romantic partners, families, and relationships with co-workers and supervisors.

The course uses an Open Educational Resource (OER) textbook provided to you for FREE. The title of the text is Interpersonal Communication.

Textbook Purchasing Statement: A student attending Lamar State College Port Arthur is not under any obligation to purchase a textbook from the college-affiliated bookstore. The same textbook may also be available from an independent retailer, including an online retailer.

A secure and reliable WiFi connection and ability to access Blackboard by computer (not just by phone).

The ability to record and upload to YouTube. Accounts should be set to the setting requiring the person to have a link to view.

The ability to navigate Blackboard to download materials, upload assignment submissions and videos, and complete discussion boards.

Access to Microsoft Word.

There are no course pre/co-requisites.

1. Exhibit understanding of interpersonal theories and principles.
2. Demonstrate ability to analyze and critique verbal and nonverbal interactions in mediated and face-to-face contexts.
3. Identify perceptual processes as they relate to self and others.
4. Demonstrate critical thinking ability by effectively researching, evaluating, and applying communication theories in oral and/or written assignments.
5. Demonstrate understanding of the relevance of cross-cultural, co-cultural, gender and age influences on human communication.
6. Demonstrate ability to identify, evaluate, and apply conflict styles and conflict management techniques in dyads and/or groups.
7. Identify types of an barriers to effective listening.

Communication Skills: Students demonstrate effective written, oral, and/or visual communication.

Critical Thinking Skills: Students will engage in creative and/or innovative thinking, and/or inquiry, analysis, evaluation, synthesis of information, organizing concepts, and constructing solutions.

Teamwork: Students will demonstrate the ability to work effectively with others to support a shared purpose or goal and consider different points of view.

Personal Responsibility: Students will demonstrate the ability to connect choices, actions, and consequences to ethical decision-making.

I. Introduction to Communication

II. Communication and the Self

III. Emotions and Interpersonal Communication

IV. Interpersonal Communication and Listening

V. Conflict and Interpersonal Communication

VI. Communication in Relationships

VII. New Media and Interpersonal Communication

Course Calendar (as posted in Blackboard)

December 7, 2026 from 8:00am - 10:00pm

This course is graded using a point scale:

1000 - 900 Points = A

899 - 800 Points = B

799 - 700 Points = C

699 - 600 Points = D

599 - Below Points = F

Journal Entries (12) = 600 points = 60%

Tests (2) = 150 points = 15%

Papers (2) = 250 points = 25%

• Ask questions. If something is unclear to you, please ask me. I am happy to explain things in different ways to help you (and the entire class) understand course concepts and practical application.
• I do not accept late work. You are allowed to submit work early if you are not able to submit on the due date. Time management is key in an online course. I do understand that "life happens" at the worst times. Keep open communication with me should an issue arise.
• College-level writing, using correct grammar and punctuation, is expected in all work.
• Work should be submitted in a WORD document. I will not open links to documents.
• Your journals should reflect your own work. Plagiarism and the use of AI may result in a zero on the assignment. The journals often your opinion- nothing that needs to use AI.
• Follow directions. Work submitted not following directions will be given a grade of ZERO.

This course is 100% online. It is expected that students will check the Blackboard Course and LSCPA Email daily.

N/A

Be sure to check your campus email and Course Homepage using MyLSCPA campus web portal. You can also access your grades, transcripts, academic advisors, degree progress, and other services through MyLSCPA.

Academic honesty is expected from all students, and dishonesty in any form will not be tolerated. Please consult the LSCPA policies (Academic Dishonesty section in the Student Handbook) for consequences of academic dishonesty.

The Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) is a federal anti-discrimination statute that provides comprehensive civil rights for persons with disabilities. Among other things, this legislation requires that all students with disabilities be guaranteed a learning environment that provides for reasonable accommodation of their disabilities. If you believe you have a disability requiring an accommodation, please contact the Accessibility Services Coordinator, Room 119, in the Ruby Fuller Building. The phone number is (409) 984-6241.

No food or tobacco products are allowed in the classroom. Only students enrolled in the course are allowed in the classroom, except by special instructor permission. Use of electronic devices is prohibited.

This syllabus is part of LSCPA's efforts to comply with Texas House Bill 2504.

As per Texas law and LSCPA policy, all LSCPA employees, including faculty, are required to report allegations or disclosures of child abuse or neglect to the designated authorities, which may include a local or state law enforcement agency or the Texas Department of Family Protective Services. For more information about mandatory reporting requirements, see LSCPA's Policy and Procedure Manual.

LSCPA is committed to establishing and maintaining an environment that is free from all forms of sex discrimination, including sexual harassment, sexual violence, and other forms of sexual misconduct. All LSCPA employees, including faculty, have the responsibility to report disclosures of sexual misconduct, including sexual harassment, sexual assault (including rape and acquaintance rape), domestic violence, dating violence, relationship violence, or stalking, to LSCPA's Title IX Coordinator, whose role is to coordinate the college's response to sexual misconduct. For more information about Title IX protections, faculty reporting responsibilities, options for confidential reporting, and the resources available for support visit LSCPA's Title IX website.

For more information about the Clery Act and crime reporting, see the Annual Security & Fire Safety Report and the Campus Security website.

If you have a grievance, complaint, or concern about this course that has not been resolved through discussion with the Instructor, please consult the Department Chair.