- Students must write a 5-8 page research paper on one of several topics provided, incorporating at least 6 scholarly sources and citing course material. - The paper should be double-spaced, use APA formatting, and address knowledge, analysis, evaluation and application of course concepts. - Topics cover theories of communication, relationships, media influence, and more. Students should consider what materials from their experience and research best illustrate the topic.

1. You are to research and write a 5-8 page paper (excluding title
page and reference pages) on one of the topics listed below. The
paper should incorporate references to the course material and a
minimum of 6 scholarly sources. The paper should be typed,
double spaced using APA formatting, and attached as a file.
Your writing should display knowledge, analysis, evaluation,
and application of the material you have studied in the course.
See the document called “Final Paper Expectations” for a
breakdown of the structure and expectations. As you consider
the topic you want to write about, ask yourself what supporting
materials from the course, from your personal experiences, and
from your researched resources you could bring together to
bring the topic to life.
Topics to select from are:
Consider how Martin Buber’s theory of communication plays
out in the world. Take into consideration each of the three
types of relationships (I-It, I-You, I-Thou).
Abraham Maslow developed his theory of the “Hierarchy of
Needs.” How do people use social media to meet their needs?
Discuss your thoughts and the thoughts of the experts about the
four types of attachment styles.
Discuss the impact of the media on the development of gender
identity.
What are the impacts of long-distance relationships on
interpersonal communication?
Martin Luther King, Jr.
(Quotable Quote)
is quoted as saying, “It really boils down to this: that all life is

2. interrelated. We are caught in an inescapable network of
mutuality.” What aspects of interpersonal communication apply
to this sentiment?
According to Anthony Robbins
(Quotable Quote),
“The quality of your life is the quality of your
communication.” How so?
Module 2 told us that “the self arises in communication with
others.” Discuss.
Before writing this paper, observe yourself for several days, and
whenever you use “you” language, try to rephrase what you said
or thought into “I” language. How does that change how you
think and feel about what’s happening? How does it affect your
interactions with others? Does it make a positive or negative
impact? Describe your experiences and then relate your
personal findings to what you find in your research.
What labels that you dislike have been applied to you or to
groups to which you belong? Explain how the labels affect
you. Describe how your experiences relate to what you find in
your research.
Who is your prototype, or model, of a listener? Describe what
the person does that makes her or him effective? Relate your
description to research on listening.
Discuss the differences between differential, assertive, and
aggressive communication.
Define and describe what makes a good friend. Describe the
investments that are made, how trust, acceptance, and closeness
are communicated. How does that compare to what experts say
about friends and friendship?

3. What makes for a successful romantic relationship? Compare
your personal experiences to your research.
Talk with three parents. Ask the following questions of each
parent: 1) What change was the least expected after your first
baby was born? How did communication with your partner and
others change after the baby was born? 3) How did having a
child affect your marriage or relationship (if the parent was in a
committed relationship at the time that the baby arrived)?
Discuss their responses in relation the research on the effects of
children on the parents.
Intercultural communication and cultural stereotypes
http://geert-hofstede.com/
Interpersonal Communication in the workplace
Attribution theory and successful relationships
Vulnerability: How, when, and why?
Conflict: The growth or death of relationships?
Gender styles of interpersonal communication: Can we all just
get along?
Media and its role in shaping Interpersonal Communication.
I look at life from both sides now: Perception and its role in
interpersonal communication.
The evolution of the family unit and the role of interpersonal
communication in shaping the changes.

4. I am who "they say I am,” or am "I who I say I am?": Self
concept, interpersonal communication, and personal growth.
Sticks and stones can break my bones but words…: The power
of verbal and nonverbal communication.
Expectations
Organization and Supporting Materials: Coherence: Has clear
organization with a distinct introduction, body, and conclusion
o Contains a topic sentence, indicating what the
paper is going to deal with o Orients the reader to the topic with
discussing
your topic fully, using supporting material. To be well rounded,
Conclusion o Offers a summary statement of your main points,
and o A strong ending remark Critical thinking: Discusses the
topic by making connections and tying in terms and concepts
from the course and additional research sources Exhibits insight
and development of ideas Mechanics: Proper use of spelling,
grammar, punctuation, capitalization Sources: Minimum of six
scholarly sources Page Count and Format: 5 – 8 pages, double-
spaced
-text citations in the body
-200 words summary of
your paper) o http://writingcommons.org/index.php/open-
text/writing-processes/format/apaformat/670-abstract-template-
apa o
https://owl.english.purdue.edu/media/pdf/20090212013008_560.
pdf Proper submission: Attached as a .doc, .docx, .odt, or .rtf
(use Browse My Computer), NOT submitted in the comments
box