CMST 2656 02: Interpersonal Communication < Youngstown State University

CMST 2656 - Interpersonal Communication

Fall 2026 Syllabus, Section 02, CRN 43865,
Credit hours: 3

Course Meeting Times

Instructor

Dorian Mermer

Public Instructor Information

Dorian Mermer
Instructor Professional Qualifications: M.A. in Rhetoric and Communication from Kent State University, 1989.
Instructor Office Phone: 330-941-2255
Instructor Email: dlmermer@ysu.edu

Student Support Hours:

In Person: Monday, Wednesday – 1:00 PM to 2:00 PM in Bliss 2013.

Online: Tuesday, Thursday from 9:00 AM to 10:30 AM.

Meetings by Appointment Only: Monday, Wednesday from 8:00 AM to 9:00 AM.

Communication and Grading Expectations: I respond to email within 24 hours. If emailed over the weekend, you will receive a response Monday morning after 1:00 PM. I will not be available for student support hours during University observed holidays. Regarding grading assignments, I try to have grades returned within a week of submission.

Private Instructor Information

Course Description

2656. Interpersonal Communication. An examination of the skills necessary to develop, maintain, and evaluate one-to-one relationships. Through practical experiences from everyday life, the class examines what occurs when one person communicates with another. 3 s.h.

Course Readings

Group	Title	Author	ISBN
Required	The interpersonal communication book.	Devito, J.	ISBN 13: 978-0-13-696847-4

DeVito, J. A. (2022). The interpersonal communication book. (16th ed.). Pearson Education. ISBN 13: 978-0-13-696847-4

https://www.pearson.com/en-us/subject-catalog/p/interpersonal-communication-book-the/P200000002793/9780137589166

OR:

DeVito, J. A. (2019). The interpersonal communication book. (15th ed.). Pearson Education. ISBN 13: 978-0-13-462444-0

*You may also use the 15^th edition of the text. It is very similar to the 16^th edition, with the exception that some of the chapter page numbers may be different. A copy of the 15^th edition is available at Maag Library via closed reserve (use within the library).

The course readings are subject to change in the event of extenuating circumstances, research developments, current events, and/or to ensure better learning.

Additional Course Materials

Course Learning Outcomes/Objectives/Goals

How to Succeed in This Course

Attendance Expectations

Late Work Submission Policy

Additional Course Expectations

Artificial Intelligence Policy Statement

Assignments/Assessments

Grading and Grading Scale

University Policies

Schedule of Topics and Assignments

Week of	Reading(s)	Proposed Topic	Due/To Prepare for Class
8/24	Chapter 1: Foundations of Interpersonal Communication.	Interpersonal Comm. Foundations.	Partner interviews and introductions. Chapter 1 Activity in class.
8/31	Chapter 2: Culture and Interpersonal Communication.	Culture and Interpersonal Communication.	Chapter 2 Activity in class. Complete Module 1 Written Assignment, and Quiz by Sept. 6, 11:59 PM.
9/7	Chapter 3: Perception of the Self and Others. Self-Improvement Presentation.	Self and Self-Improvement.	Chapter 3 Activity in class.
9/14	Chapter 6: Listening.	Listening.	Chapter 6 Activity in class. Complete Module 2 Written Assignment and Quiz by Sept. 20, 11:59 PM. Submit Book Approval Form into Blackboard by Sept. 20, 11:59 PM.
9/21	Chapter 4: Verbal Messages.	Verbal Messages.	Chapter 4 Activity in class. Work on your Self-Improvement Assignment.
9/28	Chapter 5: Nonverbal Messages.	Nonverbal Messages.	Chapter 5 Activity in class. Complete Module 3 Written Assignment and Quiz by Oct. 4, 11:59 PM. Work on your Self-Improvement Assignment.
10/5	Chapter 7: Emotional Messages.	Emotional Messages.	Chapter 7 Activity in class. Work on your Self-Improvement Assignment.
10/12	Chapter 8: Conversational Messages.	Conversational Messages.	Chapter 8 Activity in class. Complete Module 4 Written Assignment and Quiz by Oct. 18, 11:59 PM. Work on your Self-Improvement Assignment.
10/19	Chapter 9: Interpersonal Relationship Stages, Communication, and Theories.	Interpersonal Relationship Stages and Theories.	Chapter 9 Activity in class. Work on your Self-Improvement Assignment.
10/26	Chapter 10: Interpersonal Relationship Types.	Interpersonal Relationship Types	Chapter 10 Activity in class. Complete Module 5 Written Assignment and Quiz by Nov. 1, 11:59 PM. Work on your Self-Improvement Assignment.
11/2	Chapter 11: Interpersonal Conflict and Conflict Management.	Conflict and Conflict Management.	Chapter 11 Activity in class. Work on your Self-Improvement Assignment.
11/9	Chapter 12: Interpersonal Power and Influence.	Power and Influence.	Chapter 12 Activity in class. Complete Module 6 Written Assignment, Self-Assessment Video, and Quiz by Nov. 15, 11:59 PM. Work on your Self-Improvement Assignment.
11/16	Self-Improvement Outlines and Presentations.	Self-Improvement Outlines and Presentations.	Finalize Self-Improvement Presentations and Outlines. Begin them on Wednesday.
11/23	Self-Improvement Outlines and Presentations.	Self-Improvement Outlines and Presentations.	Self-Improvement Presentations and Outlines on Monday.
11/30	Self-Improvement Outlines and Presentations.	Self-Improvement Outlines and Presentations.	Self-Improvement Outlines and Presentations.
12/7			Make-up day for presentations (if needed). Complete Extra Credit Opportunity and upload it into Blackboard by Dec. 9, 10:00 AM.

The course schedule, policies, procedures, and assignments in this course are subject to change in the event of extenuating circumstances, by mutual agreement, and/or to ensure better learning.

CMST 2656 02: Interpersonal Communication