Course Description
Information gathering, problem solving, and persuasive communication skills in dyadic settings. Survey, journalistic, job seeking, and employee appraisal interview forms. Students gain experience conducting and participating in interviews across a variety of situations.
Athena Title
Introduction to Interviewing
Equivalent Courses
Not open to students with credit in COMM 2520
Non-Traditional Format
This course will be taught 95% or more online.
Semester Course Offered
Offered summer semester every year.
Grading System
A - F (Traditional)
Course Objectives
1. Students will learn the principles of interviewing. 2. Students will learn how to write questions for survey, journalistic, job seeking, and employee appraisal interviews. 3. Students will gain practical experience conducting survey, journalistic, job seeking, and employee appraisal interviews. 4. Students will learn about persuasive communication techniques used in dyadic settings. 5. Evaluation will be based on oral interviews, papers, and written exams. 6. Students will complete research assignments which will involve computer-based research and paper preparation. 7. Students will consider the moral and ethical implications of a variety of communication situations.
Topical Outline
Introduction to Interviewing Nonverbal Behavior in Interviews Structuring the Interview Types of Questions Structuring Questions and Format Information Gathering: The Journalistic Interview Information Gathering Persuasive Interviewing Employment Interviews: Resumes and Cover Letters Employment Interviews: Bonafide Occupations Questions Employment Interviews: Questions, Difficult Questions, and Unanswerable The Performance Appraisal The Disciplinary Interview
Syllabus