2. Apply sound standards of analysis and evaluation to reach logical decisions. COM 181 students learn about the process of interpersonal communication and how they can improve their own interaction skills. Students analyze their own and others’ communication patterns. The type of analytical thinking required to interpret messages from in—class sources carries over into students’ evaluation and improvement of relationships outside of the classroom (e.g., with significant others, co—workers, family members, acquaintances, strangers, etc. ).

3. Understand the dynamics of cultural diversity, of competing economic and political systems, and of complex moral and ethical issues. Students learn about cultural diversity in at least two ways during this course. First, because COM 181 is communication intensive by nature, students get to know their classmates and learn about their individual backgrounds. In this case, the diversity represented may be as limited as different geographical locations within the United States, or as broad as numerous foreign countries. Secondly, interpersonal communication textbooks include reference to and examples of communication patterns in other cultures (e.g., African American, homosexual, Japanese, specific religions, etc.). Students learn how an individual’s background influences his/her beliefs (moral and ethical) and how those belief systems impact upon that person’s communication with others of similar or different backgrounds.

4. Understand the nature of responsible citizenship and pursue an active role in a democratic society. A democratic society, one ruled "by the people," has roots in rhetoric and depends upon vigorous discourse for survival. This introductory course prepares students to have a better understanding of why people may hold particular beliefs and how to be respectful of individual and cultural differences, while assertively presenting their own ideas.

2. Introduce students to fundamental concepts and ways of knowing in various disciplines. As a 100 level, University Studies course, COM 181 students will represent various disciplines from across the campus resulting in shared interdisciplinary knowledge via interaction and group activities. Assignments and experiential learning activities enable students to demonstrate "ways of knowing" that are typically relevant to all disciplines: personal experience, casual reading, in-depth research, personal interviews, internet access, critically listening to others, etc.

3. Promote interdisciplinary understanding by clarifying how the content and methods of a discipline contribute to an understanding of its function in society. All communication is composed of two threads which together enable shared meaning (understanding) to occur: content and relationship. The content is whatever the communicative event is about. The relationship is the connection that happens between people asthey communicate. By addressing both threads, COM 181 attempts to teach students how to effectively share information with others in the classroom and society, while creating the appropriate type of interpersonal relationship in the process.

4. Emphasize international perspectives whenever possible. Because communication style is influenced by cultural background, COM 181 addresses differences in communication patterns and behaviors and how those differences have the potential to influence understanding. Students are encouraged to share information about their own intercultural and/or international experiences, as well as differences and similarities they have observed from interacting with people from other culture or countries.

- The text for this course (Everyday Encounters by Julia Wood) was selected primarily on the basis of its focus on cultural diversity. It includes written examples of how culture provides a basis for our values and beliefs and in turn strongly affects how we communicate.
- The diversity in the classroom itself provides a great opportunity to learn from the Korean, Russian, or Cherokee Indian student who is taking the course and sharing insights on a regular basis.
- An attempt has be made to include students from the English Language Institute in informal activities outside of class with Interpersonal Communication Students. This would benefit both the International Students who need to improve their English and Coin 181 students who can benefit from informal dialogue with students from other cultures. This project is in a pilot stage. Further, it is planned to systematically call on representatives of the international population on campus to provide informal presentations and/or more formal panel discussions on particular cultures and communication styles.
- Some international students have audited COM 181 in order to share their culture as well as to become more fluent in English and to better understand American communication styles.

2. Require a significant amount of reading, writing, speaking and critical thinking as appropriate to the course. COM 181 students are required to read the textbook, listen to lectures, write weekly reaction papers, and engage in experiential learning activities which involve all communication skills.

3. Promote use of computer technology. COM 181 students are encouraged to use computer technology to assist them with their writing and/or class projects. Some instructors are experimenting with e—mail communication as part of the course requirements particularly as a means of conducting the journal writes in the class. This would not only be more efficient, but would allow a more frequent and continuous dialogue between student and lab assistant relative to the communication concepts being addressed.