Interpersonal Communication in Action

"One thing I have noticed perusing through the chapters is how specific theory is expanded upon along with pertinent examples. […] Authors did an excellent job. [The interpersonal competence thread throughout shows] a complete understanding of that term, and the process comes to life with the everyday examples surrounding that term/concept. It makes it more relatable. [...] [One of the features] I would emphasize is how the authors give explicit examples for the theories that are closely related to our everyday interactions with family/friends/colleagues – goes a step further in regard to making the information come to life."
Diana M. Cooley, Lone Starr College – North Harris

"I appreciate this text’s approach to orienting the material around the theme of competency. Having a clear organizing principle running throughout the text gives students and instructors a 'hook' to hang specific concepts on, while showing the ways in which they converge into a coherent field of study and practice. I also like the integration of technology-related issues throughout the book, rather than sequestering them into an isolated 'Technology' chapter. […] I loved the [pedagogical] features! They really helped to make the text more engaging and the content more vivid. [...] The competency approach is one that many IPC textbooks discuss in passing in the introduction chapter, and then discuss only sporadically throughout the remainder of the book. This book stands out in more explicitly organizing the material around the competency theme. The writing is strong, accurate, and up-to-date in a way that exceeds the majority of IPC textbooks out there today. It is also accessible and engaging without sacrificing scholarly rigor. It’s clear the authors know their stuff! […]This was one of the most enjoyable IPC texts I’ve read!"
Tim Worley, University of North Alabama

"This is a competency-based textbook that includes real-life examples and stories that students will find engaging. It includes a strong discussion of the research of John Gottman, which is big plus. It also emphasizes the rich theory-development and social scientific research in our discipline. I like the competency-based approach a lot. I like the ACE acronym which I think students will find easy to remember [and] helps them to understand that competence is more than just effectiveness (a con artist who successfully scams someone is not a competent communicator). I think our students would enjoy using this book. I think the student stories that are sprinkled throughout each chapter would help to keep our students engaged in the text. [...] [The chapters] were pretty much spot-on when it comes to the amount of information and detail that was presented. […] I like the writing style. It is accessible and not overly-academic. There seemed to be a unified voice throughout. [...] With how ubiquitous technology is now, I think these [Technology boxes] will really resonate with students. I like the idea of having them spread throughout the book instead of having a separate chapter on the topic."
Jay Frasier, Lane Community College

"[The focus on competency is] a novel approach that makes intuitive sense for an interpersonal communication class. After all, the goal of an interpersonal communication class is to help students develop knowledge and skills to be more effective (and appropriate!) communicators in relational contexts. The competence hook is good and clear. I like the inclusion of classic studies that list the original findings and then do a modern revisit of those findings, to see what does/doesn’t endure."
Leah E. Bryant, DePaul University

"The communication-competency approach described in the book is appealing and realistic for my course and students. The book's description, content coverage, and organization align well with the goals of teaching interpersonal communication. The focus on competency development, critical examination of communication complexities, and the emphasis on practical application are highly desirable for engaging and preparing students for personal and professional communication contexts. […] [I] believe it would be beneficial for my students in developing their communication skills and competencies. The chapter organization of the book is excellent for my course goals. […] [The] writing style of the material as a whole is cohesive and consistent. There is a unified voice. The writing is informative, yet engaging, with a balance between theoretical explanations and practical examples. Based on the writing style, I believe my students would find the material lively and engaging."
Sandy McGee, Old Dominion University

"I think that the different ways the authors explain theories give different perspectives and it makes the book relatable. The ease of reading makes it feel less like a textbook and more like a book I would want to read to learn new information. [The student narratives and stories] are great because they are relatable, and they are woven throughout the chapter so the student can see how it relates to different aspects of the chapter. [The 'Technology' boxes] are wonderful. This is something that I focus a lot on in class and I really enjoy these. There were several really great ones used [throughout the book]. The relatability aspect of the book is wonderful. Using stories and examples that are things students may have experienced themselves is great. They may be thinking about their own situation, and these can provide insight about how to handle a situation or how maybe they could handle it differently next time. I do like the inclusion of social media and technology. I have written this several times, but I feel it is a big part of how students and people in general communicate now so understanding how to use it appropriately is important. Also, the relation to other disciplines shows that it is relevant to how they live."
Angela L. Blais, University of Minnesota-Duluth

"I really like the competency approach as it is not as one size fits all as a lot of the other textbooks available. In my class, I am striving to demonstrate how practically important this goal of competency is, and the focus of this textbook helps so much with that goal. The writing style and textboxes in this textbook allow for really fun and engaging in-class activities. The 'Author’s POV' textboxes will help me set up some really interesting class discussions that can then lead to some fun hands-on in-class activities."
Amanda E. Lilly, Utah State University

"The focus on developing student competency in IPC is a strength because it has a focus of building skills instead of just building knowledge. Communication is a learned behavior and this textbook does seem to try and help students achieve those ends."
Travis W. Smith, Kansas State University

"I really like the very specific and concrete examples. […] The textbook chapters have addressed learning outcomes well. I really like how the authors used questions throughout the chapters to prompt students to reflect on their own communication behaviors."
Li Ren-Kaplan, Santa Fe College

"I’m excited to find a resource that includes communication competency as a focus. The pedagogical features are one of the strongest reasons why I would consider adopting this text. This is especially important for a first and/or second-year course and ties concepts together well. Excellent examples throughout the text. I very much like that each chapter begins with a narrative. This will allow students to easily apply the chapter concepts and encourages discussion. The 'Author’s POV' textboxes are a great addition and allows students to better understand the discipline."
Jennifer S. Owlett, William Patterson University

"[The 'Technology' boxes are] excellent as we like to incorporate all technological use in being an effective communicator."
Linda Kalfayan, SUNY Westchester Community College