Course Syllabus

This is a course on interpersonal communication, which is essentially a focus on communication within two-person relationships. This course presents concepts essential to understanding the complex dynamics that go into constructing and maintaining our relationships, offering a multitude of research-based insights that will help students better understand themselves, their relationship partners, and relationship dynamics. The concepts presented here can be applied to relationships of all types--personal and professional: family, friends, romantic partners, co-workers, and supervisors. 

Through this course, you will understand what our basic human needs are as we seek and engage in human relationships, as well as how to have your own needs met and meet the needs of the other person through your communication behaviors. Through more conscious communication, we can achieve happier and more fulfilling relationships.   Also, in understanding common pitfalls and challenges in communication within relationships, you will be better positioned to confront those challenging situations with knowledge to defuse the toughest ones and be effective in your communications nonetheless. 

Employing the insights presented here will very likely lead to increased satisfaction within your relationships as you learn to navigate those relationships with a consciousness of your own communication behaviors and the personal, human needs of the other person. When your own needs are increasingly being met and you are more sensitive to meeting the needs of the other person, how can your relationship not improve? 

This course is a must for anyone seeking to have a better, happier existence with more fulfilling and satisfactory relationships a key component of that contentment.