This document provides an overview and syllabus for an Oral and Interpersonal Communication course. It introduces the instructor, Tara Ptasnik, and outlines the course's focus on developing speaking, listening, and communication skills through presentations and group activities. The document details assignments, grading policies, resources for students, and expectations to help students learn and be successful in the course.

1. WELCOME TO ORAL AND
INTERPERSONAL COMMUNICATION
Page | 1
[Your picture
here]
What is Oral/Interpersonal Communication all about?
The course focuses upon developing speaking, verbal and nonverbal communication, and listening skills
through individual presentations, group activities, and other projects.
This course asks you to engage in these learning activities:
 Analyze communication situations, including the role of perception, self-concept, and culture, and
develop strategies for overcoming communication obstacles
 Apply skills in listening, conflict resolution, and nonverbal communication
 Deliver formal and informal presentations, including as a member of a group, for a variety of
professional contexts
Who is my teacher?
Hi! My name is Tara Ptasnik, and I am looking forward to reading and
writing with you this semester. As your instructor, I intend to treat you,
this class, and myself with the respect necessary for us all to learn
together. I will try to respect your time by communicating with you
clearly and promptly about the course and answering your questions
promptly in person, via email, or over the phone. I will also respect your
learning style by being available for meetings outside of class at a variety
of flexible times.
Tara Ptasnik
puh-TAZZ-nik
pronouns: she, her, hers
Phone:
608-246-6507
Email:
tptasnik@madisoncollege.edu
Office:
Truax C3446
Office Hours: Wednesday 10-11
and many other times -- just ask
What are my responsibilities as a student?
As a student in this class,
you have the
opportunity to learn
a great deal about
listening, speaking,
and writing. To get the
most out of this class, I
urge you to
Respect yourself
by taking
responsibility for
your own learning
and setting high
standards for your
work.
Respect the
educational
environment by
being prepared and
participating
enthusiastically
during class.
Respect your
classmates and me
by treating others
politely and acting
responsibly and
reliably in group
work
Section 31190 Monday and Wednesday 1:00-2:15 Truax D3641
Section 31189 Tuesday and Thursday 8:30-9:45 Truax E3820

2. WELCOME TO ORAL AND
INTERPERSONAL COMMUNICATION
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What will we read, discuss, and present about?
We will theme the semester by focusing on these three concepts: This course is about drawing from and
building on your career experiences to practice communicating as a professional in practical scenarios.
The semester is divided into five units:
 First, we develop a shared foundation and vocabulary by
discussing basic concepts and writing a personal
communication inventory.
 Next, we will discuss communicating during the job
search, ending with mock job interviews in pairs or small
groups.
 Third, we practice communicating in difficult situations
with conflict resolution presentations.
 After researching communication in a specific culture, we
will then present informative speeches.
 Last, as a member of a group, you will plan and conduct a
professional meeting.
How will my grade be determined?
In order to receive a passing grade for the course, all major assignments must be completed.
Assignments Percentage
Unit One Communication Inventory Project 10%
Unit Two Job Search Project 12%
Unit Three Persuasive Presentation 13%
Unit Four Informative Presentation 15%
Unit Five Board Meeting 20%
Chapter Assessments 5%
Process Points (includes homework) and Participation 25%
Grading Scale for Course:
Grade Points Grade Points Grade Points
A 92-100 B 82-87 C 70-77
AB 88-91 BC 78-81 D 62-69
F 62 and below
Johnson, Sarah Z., and Amy Edwards
Patterson. Real World Communication.
Dubuque: Kendall Hunt, 2012 or
2016
•"This text will ask you to stretch
your imagination to come up with
realistic scenarios so that... you'll be
practicing skills that will one day be
actually very helpful."
Your textbook
authors say,

3. WELCOME TO ORAL AND
INTERPERSONAL COMMUNICATION
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Six things you
can do to be
successful
Attend class regularly, prepared and ready to
learn:
Because studies show that students who regularly
attend classes possess a greater understanding of
course material and perform better, it is very
important for you to attend each class meeting
on time. I give graded assignments in class, often
at the beginning of the period, and an absence or
tardy arrival will result in a missed assignment
that cannot be made up. Thus, consistent
absences or late arrivals will negatively affect
your process point grade.
If you miss two classes in a row, you must meet
privately with me to create an attendance plan
before you give your next presentation and
before I evaluate any ungraded assignments.
Any time you know you will be absent, contact
your instructor ahead of time and check
Blackboard for announcements. It is always your
responsibility to make up work missed.
Access Blackboard
regularly:
I make a serious effort to
post all necessary and useful
information on Blackboard.
Outside of class time, I post
announcements,
assignments, reading
materials, and helpful advice.
You will find it greatly to
your benefit to check
Blackboard and explore the
resources there at least three
times a week. When you are
confused or lost, there will
likely be an answer on
Blackboard.
Access your student email
regularly:
You are responsible for
monitoring your student e-mail
account. When sending an email
to your instructor, please make
sure that your name, class, and
section are labeled clearly. If you
email a document to your
instructor, save your attachment
in a Word format (*.doc or
*.docx), Portable Document
(*.pdf) or Rich Text Format
(*.rtf). I do my best to check and
answer student email regularly,
and I can do this most helpfully
for you when your messages are
clear and professional.
Complete your work with
integrity:
Academic integrity is an
expectation in all Madison College
classes. Plagiarism and cheating are
prohibited. Plagiarism is defined
as passing of another person’s
work as your own. In this class, I
have a zero-tolerance policy about
plagiarism. Plagiarized work will
earn a zero, and a zero on a major
assignment will affect the semester
grade significantly.
Work with technology effectively:
I strongly suggest you have multiple
means of composing, saving, and
printing your work. Save all work in
several locations, and also consider
printing a backup copy. Computer
difficulties are not a long-term
excuse for non-participation, but do
let me know if technology
difficulties are impeding your work.
See the Helpful Resources section of
the syllabus or Blackboard for
information about free resources
and the Student Help Desk, where
experts can help you with
technology difficulties.
Cell phone use can be disruptive to
a learning environment focused on
communication and interpersonal
interaction, so put away your cell
phone at the beginning of class
without being asked, leave the room
should you need to use your phone
more than the minimum, and
comply cheerfully if the instructor
asks you to discontinue use.
Submit work on time:
All assignments are due at
the beginning of class.
Minor assignments (except
in-class work) may be turned
in up to one week late and
will lose one letter grade. A
grade of a zero will be
assigned for assignments that
are not turned in. Make-up
presentations will be allowed
when possible, but may incur
a grade penalty.

4. WELCOME TO ORAL AND
INTERPERSONAL COMMUNICATION
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Where can I get help when I need it?
Your instructor: I care a great deal about the success of every student,
and I want to help you. Helping you in or out of class is never a
burden or a bother. If you’re thinking of withdrawing, discuss your
progress with me first. We might be able to find a way for you to be
successful in the class. Please contact me as often as you wish with
questions and feedback.
Your classmates: No one in this class has to do this alone—help each
other. Research shows that you can increase your chances of success
in a class simply by exchanging contact information with another
student on day one. It’s that easy! Trade cell numbers and email
addresses with a few people and chat about assignments outside of
class. Be each other’s support system.
According to its Web site, “The Writing Center’s primary mission is to
help members of the Madison College community become more
effective, confident, and successful writers.” I strongly suggest
everyone plan to use the Writing Center’s services regularly. Hours,
location, and instructions for appointments can be found by visiting
its Web site or calling (608) 243-4289.
The Student Computer Help Desk is located in the Truax Campus
Library Room A3000. Student lab assistants are available often until
late in the evening in person, and by phone, (608) 243-4444; toll-free
at (866) 277-4445; by email at https://madisoncollege.edu/student-
computer-help to provide computer support.
According to their Web site, “Our libraries are staffed
with librarians and talented student help to provide the services and
reference assistance you need for academic success. Madison
College Libraries offers traditional on-site services, but also provides
24/7 access to many resources and services online through our
comprehensive library web page.”
If you feel you may qualify for accommodations due to a disability,
please contact Disability Resources Services at (608) 246-6716
(Students who are deaf via Relay 711), room D1450 at Truax or email
drs@madisoncollege.edu It is best to request accommodations at the
beginning if not before class so there is ample time to make the
accommodations.