NYU Steinhardt Department of Media, Culture, and Communication Interpersonal Communication E59.1830 Course Description and Objectives: This course is an advanced seminar designed to explore the field of ideas relating to human modes of communication and personal relationships in the shaping of our social environment. These general sets of ideas and research is what is commonly referred to as “Interpersonal Communication”. This course focuses not on developing a particular set of “skills” (communication competence), but to explore the overarching structures that influence interpersonal interaction and investigate research on some of the major topics of interpersonal communication. The course takes a “social constructionist” and “ecological” approach to the study of communication, meaning that individuals, through various sign systems and mediums, create and re-create our social worlds through a dynamic web of relationships within various contexts. Thus, this course will focus largely on how we construct these ecological networks. By the end of this course, students should be able to competently discuss the following: •
The various meanings and definitions of interpersonal communication and social interaction;
•
Overarching structures such as culture, mass media and gender, and their role in shaping interpersonal interaction; and
•
Dominant themes of contemporary research in interpersonal communication and social interaction; and
Textbook: Goffman, Erving. Interaction Ritual.
Bibliography of Course Reading Packet: 1. Hall, Edward T. (1982). The Hidden Dimension. New York: Doubleday. Chapters 10-12. 2. Hall, Edward T. (1983). The Dance of Life: The Other Dimension of Time. New York: Doubleday. Chapters 3-4. 3. Morris, Desmond. (1996). The Human Zoo. New York: Kodansha America, Inc. Chapters 2-3. 4. Vangelisti, Anita L. and Young, Stacy L. (2000). When word hurt: The effects of perceived intentionality on interpersonal relationships. Journal of Social and Personal Relationships, 17, 3: 393-424 5. Reeder, Heidi M. (2000). ‘I like you…as a friend’: The role of attraction in crosssex friendship. Journal of Social and Personal Relationships, 17, 3: 329-348. 6. Stewart, Stephanie., Stinnett, Heather., and Rosenfeld, Lawrence B. (2000). Sex differences in desired characteristics of short-term and long-term relationship partners. Journal of Social and Personal Relationships, 17, 6: 843-853. 7. Flora, Jeanne. And Segrin, Chris. (2000). Relationship development in dating couples: Implications for relational satisfaction and loneliness. Journal of Social and Personal Relationships, 17, 6: 811-825. 8. Kim, Min-Sun., Shin, Ho-Chang., and Cai, Deborah. (1998). Cultural influences on the preferred forms of requesting and re-requesting. Communication Monographs, 65: 47-66. 9. Burgoon, Judee K. and Le Poire, Beth A. (1999). Nonverbal cues and interpersonal judgements: Participant and observer perceptions of intimacy, dominance, composure, and formality. Communication Monographs, 66: 105124. 10. Afifi, Walid A. and Lee, Josephine W. (2000). Balancing instrumental and identity goals in relationships: The role of request directness and request persistence in the selection of sexual resistance strategies. Communication Monographs, 67, 3: 284-305. 11. Burgoon, Judee K. and Dunbar, Norah E. (2000). An interactionist perspective on dominance-submission: Interpersonal dominance as a dynamic, situationally contingent social skill. Communication Monographs, 67, 1: 96-121. 12. Solomon, Denise Haunani. (1997). A developmental model of intimacy and date request explicitness. Communication Monographs, 64: 99-118. 13. Bruess, Carol J.S. and Pearson, Judy C. (1997). Interpersonal rituals in marriage and adult friendship. Communication Monographs, 64: 25-46.
14. Livingston, Jennifer A. and Testa, Maria. (2000). Qualitative analysis of women’s perceived vulnerability to sexual aggression in a hypothetical dating context. Journal of Social and Personal Relationships, 17, 6: 729-741. 15. Weinstock, Jacqueline S. and Bond, Lynne. (2000). Conception of conflict in close friendships and ways of knowing among young ocllege women: A developmental framework. Journal of Social and Personal Relationships, 17, 45: 687-696. 16. Hojjat, Mahzad. (2000). Sex differences and perceptions of conflict in romantic relationships. Journal of Social and Personal Relationships, 17, 4-5: 598-617. 17. Sillars, Alan., Roberts, Linda J., Leonard, Kenneth E., and Dun, Tim. (2000). Cognition during marital conflict. Journal of Social and Personal Relationships, 17, 4-5: 479-502. 18. Philipsen, Gerry. (2000). Permission to speak the discourse of difference: A case study. Research on language and Social Interaction, 33, 2: 213-234. 19. Edmondson, Willis J. (1981). On saying you’re sorry. In Florian Coulmas (Ed.) “Conversational Routine: Explorations in Standardized Communication Situations and Prepatterned Speech.” New York: Mouton Publishers, pp.273-288. 20. Labov, Teresa. (1990). Ideological themes in reports of interracial conflict. In Allen D. Grimshaw (Ed.) “Conflict Talk: Sociolinguistic Investigations of Arguments in Conversations.” New York Cambridge University Press, pp.139159. 21. Psathas, George. (1990). Transcription Symbols. In George Psathas (Ed.). “Studies in Ethnomethodology and Conversation Analysis.” Maryland: University Press of America. Pp. 297-307. 22. Schegloff, Emanuel., Jefferson, Gail., and Sacks, Harvey. (1992). The preference for self-correction in the organization of repair in conversation. In George Psathas (Ed.). “Studies in Ethnomethodology and Conversation Analysis.” Maryland: University Press of America. pp. 31-61. 23. Zimmerman, Don H. (1992). The interactional organization of calls for emergency assistance. In Paul Drew and John Heritage (Eds.) “Talk at Work: Interaction and Institutional Settings. New York: Cambridge University Press. pp. 418-469. 24. Button, Graham. (1992). Answers as interactional products: two sequential practices used in job interviews. In Paul Drew and John Heritage (Eds.) “Talk at Work: Interaction and Institutional Settings. New York: Cambridge University Press. pp. 212-231. 25. Garcia, Angela Cora. And Jacobs, Jennifer Baker. (1999). The eyes of the beholder: Understanding the turn-taking system in quasi-synchronous computermediated communication. Research on Language and Social Interaction, 32, 4: 337-367.
26. Maynard, Douglas W. (1998). Praising versus blaming the messenger: Moral issues in deliveries of good and bad news. Research on Language and Social Interaction, 31, 3-4: 359-395. 27. Gunthner, Susanne. And Luckman, Thomas. (1998). Are secrets immoral?: The construction of secrets in everyday conversation. Research on Language and Social Interaction, 31,3-4: 327-358. 28. Hopper, Robert. And LeBaron, Curtis. (1998). How gender creeps into talk. Research on Langauge and Social Interaction, 31,1: 59-74. 29. Lingis, Alphonso. (1993). The Community of Those Who Have Nothing in Common. *Additional readings may be assigned during the course of the class. Assignments: Exams One component of assessing your knowledge of the course material will include a midterm and final (not cumulative) exam. These exams are designed to assess your identification of major terms, theories and researchers in the field of interpersonal communication as well as your understanding of how each relate to another. Exams will include a wide-range of question types including matching, multiple choice, short answer and essays. Interpersonal Journal Each student will be required to keep an “interpersonal journal”. This journal will include students’ reactions, reflections, conclusions, etc. of specialized assignments given throughout the semester regarding each topic section of the course (approximately 8-10). For instance, one assignment may ask you to observe and record (if possible) the conversations of to or more people in a natural setting and respond to specific questions regarding how how the conversation was “pulled off”. Or you may be asked to reflect on a prior or current relationship in which you are engaged and reflect on certain aspects of the development of the relationship. Each of these journal entries will be due at an assigned time, usually the following second class meeting. While the journal will be graded in its entirety at the end of the semester, the professor will periodically take up journals to monitor progress. Failure to have all journal entries current at that possible time will result in a penalty assessed to the students grade. Students may also periodically be asked to discuss in class their journal entries. Final Research Paper A final research paper (15-25 pages in length) covering some topic of interpersonal communication will comprise a significant portion of the student’s grade for this course. Papers will be first assigned immediately following the mid-term exam and will be due the week prior to the final exam. Students may work individually or in groups of up to four people for the paper. However different specifications will be given for those working individually and those working in groups. As well, those who choose to work in groups must also adhere to certain agreed-upon standards for group work. Once the final
paper is assigned, students will be rquired to periodically turn in summaries of work to help monitor your progress. More details aboiut the final paper will be given at the time it is assigned. Standards of Academic Performance: The professor assumes that your acceptance into this university and department distinguishes you as students who know how to think, work hard, and accomplish what is expected. Thus, you will be held to these standards. Students are expected to do original work, to turn in assignments on-time and according to the professor’s specifications, to monitor one’s own progress and behave in a collegial manner. Attendance: Attentance is mandatory. There are only two reasons why you should miss class: 1). You’re in the hospital; 2). You are deceased. Seriously though, there may be times when reasons not included here may cause you to miss class. Because your professor is so understanding and sensitive you get 3 such absences before points will be taken off of your grade. In the event that reason 1 or 2 apply, please be prepared to provide documentation. In the event that you are absent, it is your responsibility to make up work that you may have missed. You have other colleagues in this class. If you miss class please do not expect me to repeat, just for you, an entire lecture or discussion or explanation of assignments. Approach your colleagues first and then, if you have questions, feel free to contact me. By the way, missing class does not exempt you from turning in assignments on time. Late Assignments: Acceptable reasons for late assignments include those listed above. Late assignments, without a proper excuse, will result in a 10% decrease in that assignments grade each day the assignment is late. Professor’s Promise: As your professor, I believe that we are both in this course together – we all have the same objective, for you to get as much as possible out of this course. It is my promise to aid you in any and every way that I can to ensure that this objective is accomplished. I promise to be prepared for class (and expect that you will also) and will give you direction so that you will know what is going on as far in advance a s possible. Even though my time is spent preparing for and administering this course, conducting research and writing – there is always time for you. I have an open-door policy. While it is ideal for you to come to my office during the specified office hours, any time that you find me in my office, if I am not working on something that is urgent at the time, I am free to talk. Please remember – “nothing ventured, nothing gained”. Don’t put off coming to me with a burning question or problem just because you think it might be a waste of my time. Try me first. If I can help you answer a question I will. If I can’t I will try my best to point you in the direction where you can have it answered. If I can help with a problem, I will, or I will point you in the direction of someone who may be able to serve you better. Grading: Mid-Term Exam
100 Pts.
Final Exam
100 Pts.
Journal
200 Pts.
Research Paper
200 Pts.
Misc.
50 Pts. __________ 650 Pts.
Total A= B= C= D= F=
650 – 585 Pts. 584 – 520 Pts. 519 - 455 Pts. 454 – 390 Pts. 389 – Below
*Failure to complete in any (1) of these assignments will result in a failing grade for this course. Reasonable Accomodation Policy: If you have a disability that effects your performance in this course, please notify me at the beginning of the semester and necessary special arrangements can me made to accommodate you.
COURSE OUTLINE Topic Area 1: What is Interpersonal Communication? Major Concepts & Terminology • • • • • • • •
Conversation Patterned Social Interaction Social Networks Perspectives & Definitions of Interpersonal Communication Theoria, Praxis, Poesis; Episteme; Phoronesis, Techne Models of Communication Symbolic Interactionism Self Presentation
Readings: Textbook, Chapter 1; Reading #29 Topic Area 2: Language and the Construction of “Social Worlds”. Major Concepts & Terminology • • • • • • •
Heteroglossia, Polyphony & Polysemy Social Construction of Language Monologue & Dialogue Coordinated Management of Meaning Language-Games Conversational Competence Speech Act Theories
Readings: Textbook, Chapter 2 Topic Area 3: Structural Influences on Interpersonal Interaction Major Concepts & Terminology • • • • • • •
Culture Mass Media Gender Dissociation High-Low Context Cultures Monochronic/Polychronic Time Exoticism
Readings: Articles #1, 2, 3, 8, 28
Topic Area 4: Special Topics in Interpersonal Communication Topics Include: • • • • • • •
Romantic and Intimate Relationships Friendship Family Interaction Dating Interpersonal Interaction in Public Social Settings Interpersonal Interaction in the Workplace Interpersonal Conflict
Readings: Textbook, Chp. 5; Articles #4, 5, 6, 7, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 20, 24, 25, 26, 27, Topic Area 5: Approaches to the Study of Interpersonal Communication • • •
Coversation Analysis Survey Research Ethnography
Readings: Articles #18, 19, 21, 22, 23 TENTATIVE COURSE SCHEDULE
(1) (2) (3) (4) (5) (6) (7) (8) (9) (10) (11) (12) (13) (14) (15) (16)
WEEK Sep.5 Sep.10 Sep.17 Sep.24 Oct.1 Oct. 8 Oct.15 Oct.22
TOPICS Introductions Topic Area 1 Topic Area 1 Topic Area 2 Topic Area 2 Topic Area 3 Topic Area 3 Topic Area 3
Oct.29 Nov.5 Nov.12 Nov.19 Nov.26 Dec.3 Dec.10
Topic Area 4 Topic Area 4 Topic Area 4 Topic Area 4 Topic Area 5 Discussion & Wrap-Up Discussion & Wrap-Up
ASSIGNMENTS None Journal Entry #1 Journal Entry #2 Journal Entry #3 Journal Entry #4 Journal Entry #5 Journal Entry #6 Mid-Term Exam; Research Papers None Journal Entry #7 Journal Entry #8 None None None Research Papers (Due) Final Exam
Student Information Sheet
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