Fall 2025 | COM-1020-VM01 - Interpersonal & Small Group Communication

In Person Class

Standard courses meet in person at CCV centers, typically once each week for the duration of the semester.

Faculty

Sharon Fennimore
View Faculty Credentials
View Faculty Statement
Hiring Coordinator for this course: Jennifer Gundy

General Education Requirements

CCV Communication

Note

Many degree programs have specific general education recommendations. In order to avoid taking unnecessary classes, please consult with additional resources like your program evaluation, your academic program catalog year page, and your academic advisor.

Courses may only be used to meet one General Education Requirement.

Course Description

Theories of effective communication will be examined and practically applied. Emphasis will be placed on active listening, observation, reflective responses, and the use of clear language in interpersonal and small group situations.

Essential Objectives

1. Identify barriers to effective communications and apply strategies for overcoming them.
2. Evaluate communication styles and their relative appropriateness in different situations.
3. Describe and apply, in a variety of situations, reflective listening, assertiveness, and negotiation skills.
4. Describe common roles for participants in small group situations.
5. Identify, describe, and evaluate different forms of decision-making in small groups.
6. Prepare a formal presentation that demonstrates proficiency using the CCV Oral Communication Rubric.

Required Technology

More information on general computer and internet recommendations is available on the CCV computer recommendations Support page.

Please see CCV's Digital Equity Statement (pg. 45) to learn more about CCV's commitment to supporting all students access the technology they need to successfully finish their courses.

Required Textbooks and Resources

*** This is a no cost textbook or resource class. ***

This course only uses free Open Educational Resources (OER) and/or library materials. For details, see the Canvas Site for this class.

Methods

Teaching Methods

• small and large group discussions
• interactive projects and/or activities
• multimedia presentations and resources
• readings, writing, and inquiry-based researc
• games and role play
• debates and observations
• Studentship, time management, and study skills are a part of all assignments

Evaluation Criteria

Final Grade Calculation

This course uses a weighted categories system to calculate final grades.

Participation =40%
Writing Assignments = 25%
Quizzes = 10%
Formal Presentation =25%

Clarification of Categories

Participation

Full participation credit is earned weekly by attending each Monday seminar in its entirety. Participation includes active listening, engaging in dialogue that is on-topic and references information from readings and lectures, asking questions that reflect on a familiarity with the assigned readings, and contributing to a respectful learning environment through excellence in studentship and citizenship.

Writing Assignments

Writing assignments that are eligible for full credit are on time, follow all specific instructions given for the assignment, and are provided in the correct format having been checked for spelling and grammar errors. All elements of submitted writing assignments must be the original work of the student with appropriate citations for any words and ideas that belong to others. Your work only has value to you when it is a reflection on your effort to engage with the core concepts of this course. I am genuinely interested in the frameworks of understanding that you bring to these topics. We will work on our writing in-class. I also provide deadlines for draft reviews so that we can work together on improving your academic writing skills.

Quizzes

Quizzes are given with advanced notice and students are provided with the exact course content that will be tested in the quiz. These short exams are meant to provide students with immediate feedback on their progress in the course and to provide direction for areas that may require additional attention. Students are expected to prepare for the quizzes to the best of their ability. The quiz content will include lecture and presentation materials as well as assigned readings. While there are no make-up exams for quizzes, your quiz grades are computed after dropping your lowest quiz grade.

Formal Presentation

Students are assignned a formal presentation that demonstrates proficiency using the CCV Oral Communication Rubric:

• determine the nature and purpose of a presentation;
• prepare a well-organized presentation utilizing appropriate supporting evidence;
• communicate in a manner that engages and holds the attention of the audience; and
• use language and syntax appropriate for the audience and purpose.

During the course, students are invited to take advantage of practice opportunities to summarize readings and lead discussions as a method of practice of these presentation skills leading up to their final presentation.

Grading Criteria

CCV Letter Grades as outlined in the Evaluation System Policy are assigned according to the following chart:

	High	Low
A+	100	98
A	Less than 98	93
A-	Less than 93	90
B+	Less than 90	88
B	Less than 88	83
B-	Less than 83	80
C+	Less than 80	78
C	Less than 78	73
C-	Less than 73	70
D+	Less than 70	68
D	Less than 68	63
D-	Less than 63	60
F	Less than 60
P	100	60
NP	Less than 60	0

Attendance Policy

Regular attendance and participation in classes are essential for success in and are completion requirements for courses at CCV. A student's failure to meet attendance requirements as specified in course descriptions will normally result in a non-satisfactory grade.

• In general, missing more than 20% of a course due to absences, lateness or early departures may jeopardize a student's ability to earn a satisfactory final grade.
• Attending an on-ground or synchronous course means a student appeared in the live classroom for at least a meaningful portion of a given class meeting. Attending an online course means a student posted a discussion forum response, completed a quiz or attempted some other academically required activity. Simply viewing a course item or module does not count as attendance.
• Meeting the minimum attendance requirement for a course does not mean a student has satisfied the academic requirements for participation, which require students to go above and beyond simply attending a portion of the class. Faculty members will individually determine what constitutes participation in each course they teach and explain in their course descriptions how participation factors into a student's final grade.

Accessibility Services for Students with Disabilities:

1. Provide disability documentation to the Accessibility Coordinator at your academic center. https://ccv.edu/discover-resources/students-with-disabilities/
2. Request an appointment to meet with accessibility coordinator to discuss your request and create an accommodation plan.
3. Once created, students will share the accommodation plan with faculty. Please note, faculty cannot make disability accommodations outside of this process.

Academic Integrity

Apply Now for this semester.