Communicating to Connect – Interpersonal Communication for Today (Usera)

Communicating to Connect: Interpersonal Communication for Today introduces an undergraduate to a whole new world of concepts with an in-depth exploration of interpersonal communication. Theory and research that reflect what is currently known about interpersonal communication complement practical skills explaining why course concepts are important in an undergraduate’s everyday life. The narrative voice and culturally diverse examples, as well as relevant pictures, charts, graphs, videos, and multimedia enhance reading comprehension. In 13 units, this easy-to-navigate OER (Open Educational Resource) promotes the study of interpersonal communication to the world in the most accessible way possible. Ancillary materials are available upon request to support student learning and instructional planning.

The content of this text was created by the following contributors:

Tim Appignani is a graduate of the University of Illinois at Chicago, Temple University, and Pennsylvania State University. His doctorate focused on studies of new media, gender, and communication; the synthesis of which exists in the areas of masspersonal and gender communication. For this reason, he was thrilled to co-author the units on these two topics for an open educational resource like this one that provides equitable access to information about these important concepts.

Shannon DeBord has been an instructor in the communication field for 20 years, at multiple community colleges and universities, including Austin Community College. Holding a bachelor’s degree from University of Texas at Austin and a master’s degree from University of Houston-Victoria, DeBord has additional coursework in organizational communication, and is currently pursuing a doctoral degree in community college policy and administration from University of Maryland Global Campus. “The community college, with all the students from different ages, races, genders, disabilities, is a place where everyone learns from everyone,” she said. DeBord grew up in the Alief area of Houston, Texas, which touts itself as the most international community in the world. She grew up interested in other cultures and experiencing them through meeting people from other cultures and countries and listening to their experiences, traveling, and studying. DeBord has recently begun recording as a co-host for a podcast called Interculturaling, the brainchild of her friend Elda Acevedo. DeBord thanks Sara Hougham for reading the chapter and giving insightful comments in the writing process.

Communicating to Connect: Interpersonal Communication for Today introduces an undergraduate to a whole new world of concepts with an in-depth exploration of interpersonal communication. Theory and research that reflect what is currently known about interpersonal communication complement practical skills explaining why course concepts are important in an undergraduate’s everyday life. The narrative voice and culturally diverse examples, as well as relevant pictures, charts, graphs, videos, and multimedia enhance reading comprehension. In 13 units, this easy-to-navigate OER (Open Educational Resource) promotes the study of interpersonal communication to the world in the most accessible way possible. Ancillary materials are available upon request to support student learning and instructional planning.