Interconnections

Jonathan M. Bowman is Professor of Communication Studies at the University of San Diego and a winner of the National Communication Association's Ecroyd Award for Outstanding Teaching in Higher Education, the highest teaching award in his discipline. His research focuses on communication associated with intimacy and close relationships, with recent publications addressing male friendships. He was the recipient of the WSCA Distinguished Teaching Award, the Keck Faculty Fellowship for undergraduate research, the Innovations in Experiential Education Award for his commitment to high-impact practices and USD's Outstanding Preceptor Award for excellence in teaching and advising. He serves as a mentor to undergraduates in multiple capacities, including those involved in student government, Greek life, academic honors and campus faith-based organizations. Dr. Bowman's research program investigates interpersonal and small group communication processes in a variety of contexts, with an emphasis on intimacy and self-disclosure. His work has been published in numerous scholarly journals, including COMMUNICATION RESEARCH, THE JOURNAL OF EXPERIMENTAL SOCIAL PSYCHOLOGY, THE JOURNAL OF MEN'S STUDIES, SMALL GROUP RESEARCH and COMMUNICATION RESEARCH REPORTS, as well as multiple book chapters. His specialties include Interpersonal Communication, Small Group Communication, Self-Disclosure, Sex and Gender Differences, Intimacy and Friendship. Bowman is actively engaged in the NCA, working on multiple executive committees and serving as a delegate to the NCA Tuning project, a think tank that worked on developing core learning outcomes for the discipline. In addition to scholarly publications, Dr. Bowman has contributed his expertise to local and national media outlets, including newspapers, radio and television news programs.

Part I: INTERPERSONAL COMMUNICATION FOUNDATIONS.
1. Interpersonal Communication Overview.
Interpersonal Communication Defined. Models of Communication. Foundational Principles of Interpersonal Communication. Interpersonal Communication Channels.
2. Identity and the Self.
Identity. Cognition and Schemata. Identity Management. Self-Monitoring. Self-Portrayal and Social Media.
3. Individual and Intercultural Motivations.
Interpersonal Motivations. Beyond Initial Attraction. Group Membership and Attraction. Communication Cultures and Attraction. Intercultural Competence.
Part II: INTERPERSONAL COMMUNICATION IN ACTION.
4. Verbal Messages.
Rhetorical Foundations. Characteristics of Language. Message Construction and Management. Verbal Theories.
5. Listening.
Comparing Hearing and Listening. Listening to Verbal Messages and Message Processing. Elements of Effective Listening. Hindrances to Effective Listening.
6. Nonverbal Messages and Perception.
Nonverbal Communication Basics. Nonverbal Communication Characteristics. Nonverbal Codes. Intercultural Challenges and Nonverbal Communication.
7. Maintaining Our Changing Relationships.
Relational Maintenance. Charting a Relationship. Relationship-Focused Behaviors.
8. Relational Difficulties.
Relational Transgressions. Aggression. Unhealthy Conflict. Deception. Infidelity. Jealousy and Envy.
Part III: UNIQUE INTERPERSONAL COMMUNICATION CONTEXTS.
9. Romantic Relationships.
Romantic Relationships. Love and Other Matters. Attachment.
10. Families.
Our First Relationships. Defining the Family. Types of Family Structures. Family Systems Theory. Types of Family Functions. Types of Family Challenges.
11. Workplace Interactions.
The Culture of Work. Tensions in Workplace Relationships. Popular Team-Based Work Contexts.