Interpersonal Communication and Human Relationships by Mark Knapp and Anita Vangelisti. Allyn and
Bacon (Pearson), - either 2000 or 2005 edition may be used. 2005 5/E ISBN: 0205414931
Introduction:
This course content introduces students to principles and processes of interpersonal communication relative to
developing relationships. Patterns of communication and stages of relationships and their interactions will be
studied. Relevance to community work, given the importance of families and intergenerational communication,
will be discussed.
Course Objectives:
At the conclusion of this course, students will be able to:
Recognize various patterns of communication
Describe various stages of relationships and how patterns of communication manifest during different stages
Evaluate the various factors which affect communication behavior such as the nature of the communicator and
the physical and cultural environment.
Identify communication rituals and the importance of dialogue in maintaining relationships.
Recognize patterns of communication that are destructive, as well as those that are positive.
Plan for a prescription for effective communication
Unit One: Stages and Factors of Communication
Unit Two: Patterns, Rituals and Foundations
Unit Three: Maintaining Relationships
Unit Four: Effective Communication
Fulfillment of assignments in Weeks One through Four will constitute the Midterm requirement in this course.
Fulfillments of Units One, Two, Three, and Four will constitute the requirement for the Final exam and completions
of this course.
Specific details for reading assignments and weekly homework are given in the Readings and Assignments sections
of this virtual classroom, and may not be available for public view without an enrollment password issued by
Canyon College.
Unit One
Suggested Readings for Unit One Assignment
Chapters 1 - 4
Due at the end of Week Two:
Prepare and submit a 3-page, typed and double-spaced paper on the following topic related to the first 4 chapters
of the text:
Discuss the stages of coming together and coming apart relative to the family unit. Choose one of the journal
articles related to the family unit listed at the end of the chapters under “Selected Readings.” Read the article and
incorporate the information in your paper. Also, include personal experiences or work setting encounters that are
related as examples to illustrate the progression of stages in relationship communication. Please do not use specific
person identifiers – general descriptions or initials will suffice.
Unit Two
Suggested Readings for Unit Two Assignments
Chapters 5 - 7
Due at the end of Week Four:
Prepare and submit a 3-page, typed and double-spaced paper on the following topic related to chapters 5 - 7:
Discuss the interaction rituals and the eight characteristics of friendship and types of love relative to married
couples relationships and mothers and you adult children relationships. Choose one of the “Selected Readings” to
enhance your discussion. Also, use personal experiences or work setting encounters that are related – please do not
use specific person identifiers – general descriptions or initials will suffice.
Unit Three
Suggested Readings for Unit Three Assignments
Chapters 8 - 10
Due at the end of Week Six:
Prepare and submit a 4-page, typed and double-spaced paper on the following topic:
Discuss maintaining relationships in the family, with special emphasis on parent-child relationships in terms of
dialogue, disclosures and commitment.
Use any of the articles in “Selected Readings” for more information on intergenerational relationships.
Unit Four
Suggested Readings for Unit Four Assignments
Chapters 11 - 12
Due at the end of Week Eight:
Prepare and submit a 3-page, typed and double-spaced paper on the following topic:
Write your own prescription for an effective parent-child relationship based on information in the text and any
articles selected for additional information. Include personal examples or examples from a work setting
encounter – please do not use personal names or other specific identifiers – a general discussion will suffice.
