The primary goal of this course is to help you enhance your interpersonal communication competence so you have successful interpersonal communication with your family, friends and work colleagues. In the first phase of the course you will assess your own communication skills. You will develop and set personal goals and an action plan by which to create the change you wish to see. In the course you will learn the basic components of interpersonal communication situations (communicators, content, and contexts) and you will investigate how interpersonal communication needs and effectiveness change throughout life (in early childhood, adolescence, young adulthood, middle age, and old age). The course includes frequent small group discussions which will allow you to integrate course and research information for personal skill development. The course will provide a reflective and supportive environment in which to expand your communication skills and knowledge.Note: This course fulfills the Human Behavior (GB) requirement for students under GenEd and Individual & Society (IN) for students under Core.