Skagit Valley College

Catalog Course Search Details

 Course Title:   Interpersonal Communication: D

 Title Abbreviation:   INTRPERSNL COMMUNICAT(D)

 Department:    CMST&

 Course #:    210

 Credits:    5

 Variable:     No

 IUs:    5

 CIP:    231001

 EPC:    n/a

 REV:    2018


 Course Description  

Uses theory and practice to develop self-awareness, confidence, and skill in communicating effectively, building healthy relationships with others, and managing conflict. Explores the impact of self-concept, perception, language, emotions, and nonverbal behavior on communication.

 Prerequisite  

Prerequisite: Grade of 2.0 or higher in ENGL 097, or AESL 098, or appropriate test score.

Additional Course Details

Contact Hours (based on 11 week quarter)

Lecture: 55

Lab: 0

Other: 0

Systems: 0

Clinical: 0


Intent: Distribution Requirement(s) Status:  

Academic Communication  

Equivalencies At Other Institutions

Other Institution Equivalencies Table
Institution Course # Remarks
CWU 253
SPU 1101
U of W 103
WSU 185

Learning Outcomes

After completing this course, the student will be able to:

  1. Identify and explain the model, components, and common terminology of interpersonal communication.
  2. Listen and respond actively, critically and respond appropriately in an interpersonal context.
  3. Identify how personal and cultural values shape interpersonal communication
  4. Recognize and describe how self-concept, perception, empathy, emotions, language, nonverbal behavior, climate, and conflict affect interpersonal communication.
  5. Identify personal self-disclosure, defensiveness, and nonverbal behaviors; listening habits; and conflict styles and apply/demonstrate appropriate techniques to improve any that inhibit effective communication.
  6. Use models and messages to describe and analyze how interpersonal relationships develop, are maintained, and fall apart.
  7. Demonstrate appropriate skills and supportive techniques to enhance interpersonal relationships.
  8. communicate confidently and competently in writing, one-on-one, in small groups, and/or before the class.
  9. Apply textbook/supplemental resources and/or library/technological research to individual, dyadic, and/or group projects.

General Education Learning Values & Outcomes

Revised August 2008 and affects outlines for 2008 year 1 and later.

1. Information Literacy

Definition: Recognizing when information is needed and have the ability to locate, evaluate, and use effectively the needed information.

Outcomes: Students will be able to . . .
1.5 Effectively integrate and use information ethically and legally to accomplish a specific purpose.

2. Critical Thinking

Definition: The ability to think critically about the nature of knowledge within a discipline and about the ways in which that knowledge is constructed and validated and to be sensitive to the ways these processes often vary among disciplines.

Outcomes: Students will be able to . . .
2.1 Identify and express concepts, terms, and facts related to a specific discipline.
2.3 Identify, interpret, and evaluate pertinent data and previous experience to reach conclusions.
2.8 Describe how one’s own preconceptions, biases and values affect one’s response to new and ambiguous situations.
2.9 Apply and/or create problem-solving strategies to successfully adapt to unpredictable and/or changing environments.

3. Communication

Definition: Understanding and producing effective written, spoken, visual, and non-verbal communication.

Outcomes: Students will be able to . . .
3.1 Recognize, read, and comprehend academic and/or professional writing.
3.2 Recognize, produce and demonstrate appropriate interpersonal, group, and public speaking skills.
3.3 Demonstrate effective listening skills.
3.5 Recognize, comprehend, and use non-verbal behaviors appropriate to a given context.
3.7 Adapt communication to diverse audiences and media.

4. Community & Cultural Diversity

Definition: Recognizing the value of human communities and cultures from multiple perspectives through a critical understanding of their similarities and differences.

Outcomes: Students will be able to . . .
4.1 Identify and express concepts, terms, and issues associated with the diverse perspectives of race, social class, gender, sexual orientation, disabilities, and culture.
4.2 Understand, value and respect human differences and commonalities as they relate to issues of race, social class, gender, sexual orientation, disabilities and culture.
4.3 Understand the historically and socially constructed nature of—and the meanings attributed to—human differences.
4.4 Demonstrate effective communication across differences in human communities and cultures.
4.5 Adapt to and function effectively in communities and cultures different from one's own.

6. Individual Awareness & Responsibility

Definition: Understanding, managing, and taking responsibility for one’s learning and behavior in varied and changing environments.

Outcomes: Students will be able to . . .
6.3 Apply successful organizational strategies of planning, goal setting, prioritizing, resolving conflict, and managing time to specific goals and/or projects.
6.4 Use self-reflection to recognize and define a sense of self-identity in personal, social/gender, and/or cultural/global terms and in relationship to others.
6.5 Develop self-monitoring and self-advocacy skills to effect positive life changes.

10. Technology

Definition: Understanding the role of technology in society and using technology appropriately and effectively.

Outcomes: Students will be able to . . .
10.3 Use technology appropriate to the context and task to effectively retrieve and manage information, solve problems, and facilitate communication.

Course Contents

  1. Listening skills
  2. Perception
  3. Self-disclosure
  4. Language
  5. Self-concept development
  6. Emotions
  7. Nonverbal communication
  8. Conflict management