Interpersonal Communication and Helping Skills

Generic Syllabus/Current Syllabus is on VISTA

Credit hours: 4

Course Description

This is an introduction to the techniques of effective interpersonal relationships, interviewing, and a problem solving approach to helping.  Structure of interviews and management of difficult situations are included.  Laboratory experiences include role-playing exercises with videotape and critique.

Prerequisites 

Satisfactory placement scores/READ 0099 and ENGL 0099

Course Objectives

1.                  Students will conduct effective interviews with clients.
2.                  Students will demonstrate effective note taking during an interview

3.                  Students will demonstrate awareness of personal characteristics, attitudes, and values that contribute to conducting an effective interview.

4.                  Students will demonstrate their understanding of multicultural issues in interviewing practice.

 GHC Outcomes

 1.                  Students will demonstrate the ability to make and record behavior observations

2.                  Students will demonstrate their ability to conduct a professional helping interview.

3.                  Students will demonstrate an understanding of diversity among cultures.

4.                  Students will demonstrate self-awareness concerning their attitudes and values.

Grading System 

Tests…………………………………………..30%

Lab …………………………….…………… ..40%

Participation..………………………… ...30%

90-100            A

80-89              B

70-79              C

60-69              D

Below 60          F

Attendance Policy
Students are expected to attend each and every scheduled class session. Since lectures begin promptly at the scheduled time, students are encouraged to avoid arriving late to class. Roll will be taken at each class session. There is no distinction between "excused" and "unexcused" absences.

Exam Make-Up Policy 

Exams will be based on information from class sessions, textbook, and outside reading assignments.  Exams are to be taken on the day they are scheduled.  Makeup exams will not be allowed except in extreme circumstances, and at the instructor’s discretion.  Exams may not be made up after 2 class periods.

Textbooks and Materials

Murphy, B. & Dillon, C. (2008).  Interviewing in Action in a Multicultural World. Thompson/Brooks/Cole.

Assignments:

TEXTBOOK AND READING ASSIGNMENTS

 It is the responsibility of the student to read and study all assigned material in the text.  Handouts from the class sessions should be studied thoroughly.

The assigned material in the text provides the background for informed participation in class sessions.  The student should be prepared for class by becoming thoroughly familiar with assigned material.

Policies on student conduct and academic integrity.
Student conduct must conform to the policy for student conduct and academic integrity which may be accessed on the web at: http://www.highlands.edu/subwebs/academicaffairs/academicintegritypolicy.htm

Disability Statement:
“Any student who feels they may need an accommodation based on the impact of a disability should make an appointment with the College Access Center (706: 802-5003) to coordinate reasonable accommodations. You are also welcome to contact me privately to discuss your specific needs.”

Financial Aid
This message applies only to students receiving financial aid: Federal regulations state that if a student did not attend classes and received failing grades, then the grades were not earned and financial aid needs to be reduced accordingly. Please be advised that any student receiving a 0.00 GPA will be required to prove that the 0.00 GPA was earned by attending classes or completing requirements for each class. Students who have earned at least one passing grade for the semester will not be affected by this regulation. If a student has properly withdrawn from all classes, the student’s financial aid should be adjusted from the time they signed the withdrawal form.

Course Dates
October 11-December 5
Mid-term and last day to withdraw without possible penalty November 5
Break: Thanksgiving November 21-25
Classes End: December 5
Finals: December 6

Course Outline

CLASS MEETINGS

 Students are expected to participate in all class meetings and class activities.  Full participation involves taking part in class discussions, involvement in group activities, and completion of in-class assignments.

Since the instructor will be providing information to augment the text, if it is necessary for a student to be absent from class, the student is responsible for getting notes from another student.  If a video is missed arrangements should be made with the instructor to view video as soon as possible.  Participation grades will count for 7 points up to 100.  In order to receive full points you must attend class and participate.  If you leave early or are late you will receive ½ credit for the day.

LABORATORY

 1.                  Lab attendance is an extremely important part of this course and attendance is critical and mandatory.  Labs cannot be made up.  If you miss a lab you will receive a zero for that lab.  You must receive a passing lab grade to pass this course.

2.                  Lab schedules will be determined the first week of class.

1.                  Class will meet for lecture 2 ½ hours twice a week.  The LAB sessions will be IN ADDITION to class time.

2.                  A series of short video tapes will be submitted during the semester.

3.                  A comprehensive 30 minute video will be due at the end of the semester.

4.                  Class attendance is essential in order to obtain information necessary for your lab performance.

Extended Absence Policy 
    “Students who have circumstances that prevent them from continuing to attend classes over an extended period of time, sometimes request that the faculty member permit them to submit work in absentia to receive credit to complete the course.
If the concurrent absences will constitute more than 15% of the class sessions for the term, then written permission from the Division Chair is required before any course assignments can be completed while missing class.  The student must be in good academic standing in the course to make the request.  All approved coursework must be completed by the end of the semester in which the course was begun.”

Information Competency

Mission Statement: The mission of IC at GHC is to create a curriculum-wide culture of information competency (IC) among students, which will be demonstrated through writing or other modes of communication.

 Students should be able to:

             Determine the nature and extend of information needed

            Access the needed information effectively an deficiently

            Evaluate information and its sources critically

            Demonstrate IC through writing or other modes of communication