SPCH 225 /1883-A Small
Group Communication
Brenda Larson,
Instructor
Office: R 230-U
Office Hours: Mon.-Fri.:
Email: blarson@bcc.ctc.edu
Course Website: http://www.bcc.ctc.edu/ArtsHum/materials/Spring2004/SPCH.asp
Quarter Start/End Dates: March
29 –
Classroom: R
Bldg., Room 211
No class on: April 23 – Professional Development Day
May 31 –
Memorial Day
Final Exam: Friday,
COURSE
DESCRIPTION
Small
Group Communication is designed to explore effective communication in small groups, and
students will be assessed on their ability to demonstrate knowledge and
understanding of aspects of group process, including leadership, conflict
management, decision-making, conformity, and critical thinking, Students will
work in groups to test theories and apply knowledge and skills to real world
problems, and in doing so practice small group communication skills.
PREREQUISITES
To successfully complete course assignments, instructor strongly
recommends completion of English 101 with
a grade of C or better, or equivalent English placement test score.
REQUIRED TEXTBOOK
& RESOURCES
Rothwell, J.D. (2004). In mixed
company: Communicating in small groups and teams, Fifth Edition.
REQUIRED MATERIALS
Students will need a Journal folder, pen or pencil, a planner
(PDA, Outlook, or date book), and a spiral notebook or three-ring binder with
paper and dividers. Students must have an email address, computer access to the
Internet and to a printer to obtain materials required for class (Internet
access and printers are available to students in BCC’s computer labs and
regional public libraries).
COURSE OUTCOMES
At the end of this course students will be able to…
I. Identify the criteria that defines a group, identify types of groups,
functions of groups, motivations for joining groups, and phases of group
development.
II. Discuss the dangers of group process, including “group think theory”,
conformity and “risky shift phenomena”, and describe the reasons why these dangers
occur and strategies for responding to these problems.
III. Discuss and demonstrate understanding
of cultural influences within a group, and upon the group process: including discussing
cultural identity, high and low context communication, crossing cultural
boundaries, and identifying, analyzing and reducing group biases, stereotypes,
and prejudices.
IV. Demonstrate the ability to communicate
effectively in a group context: identify and demonstrate good listening
behaviors, identify and explain the role of non-verbal communication and how to
create a positive group climate, identify the advantages and disadvantages of
conflict, and demonstrate how to manage conflict within a group.
V. Demonstrate the ability to conduct an
effective meeting: Construct an agenda, clarify roles, manage time and record
the process.
VI. Demonstrate the ability to think
critically and stimulate critical thinking within a group: apply reflective
thinking to a problem, identify rules for brainstorming and facilitate a
brainstorming session.
VII. Define and demonstrate good
leadership: communication behaviors associated with leadership, identify and
apply appropriate leadership approaches to circumstances, discuss types of
power and the role of power within a group, and utilize appropriate criteria
for selecting effective decision making techniques.
VIII. Develop and apply criteria for
effective group participation in evaluating their own and peer behavior.
GROUPS,
PROJECTS AND ASSIGNMENTS
I. Case Study Presentation (100 points): Students will self-select heterogeneous work
groups of five to seven students to investigate and present a case study to
illustrate small group communication concepts from chapters one through five: This
project will facilitate teams’ understanding and application of the concepts of
competent small group communication, small groups as systems, stages of group development,
developing the group climate, group roles and leadership.
II. Mix
It Up: Democracy and Equality Projects (200 points): Students will participate in self-selected
heterogeneous teams of five to seven students for their second group project. Groups will explore development of effective
teams, and learn to apply effective decision making and problem solving. Students
will also analyze power in groups, conflict management, and become familiar
with fallacies in argument. Students will learn to apply concepts of democracy
and equality to their own group practice.
The structure of this project allows students to learn while
doing, effectively applying team process and small group communication
principles while exploring a problem or issue of public policy that relates to
democracy and equality. The Mix it Up project is action-based and students will
be involved in observing, investigating, planning and acting in order to
understand and change the world we all live in.
III. Participation in Class Discussions & Chapter
Exercises (200 points): Jigsaw groups
will be formed to discuss readings from textbook, analyze case studies, and to
complete chapter exercises. Participation requires class attendance, and points
will be awarded based on attendance, and completed assignments in participation
folder.
IV. Cooperative
Examinations (Two exams @100 points each = 200 points): Cooperative testing allows students to work together in a
group (5-7 members) on examination questions that check knowledge of key
concepts and points presented in the text. Individual accountability is
determined by a second test (immediately following the group test) given to all
group members working separately without the benefit of group interaction. Study
guides will be distributed approximately least one week prior to exams.
GRADING
Grading for each assignment is assessed according to
specific criteria discussed in class and posted to the class website.
Note: Each student can keep an accurate
and up to date record of his or her grade by totaling the achieved points and
dividing by the total number of points possible. The result will yield a
percentage that can be converted into a grade based upon the following scale:
|
Total
Points |
Letter Grade
|
Percentage Grade
|
|
665-700 |
A |
95 – 100 |
|
630-664 |
A- |
90 – 94 |
|
609-629 |
B+ |
87 – 89 |
|
588-608 |
B |
84 – 86 |
|
560-587 |
B- |
80 – 83 |
|
539-559 |
C+ |
77 – 79 |
|
518-538 |
C |
74 – 76 |
|
490-517 |
C- |
70 – 73 |
CLASS POLICIES
I. Textbook &
II. Class
Discussion/Participation/Exercises - Students
must attend class to receive credit for discussing assigned chapters,
participate in class exercises, and to develop credibility with classmates. I
do not differentiate between excused and unexcused absences; an absence is an
absence. More than 10 absences will result in a failing grade for the class.
A. Assignments are accepted on or before the due
date, by the start of class time. If you are unable to attend class on due
date, you may mail, email or drop off assignment in R230 by the start of class
time on date due. No late assignments will
be accepted.
B. In-class exercises cannot be made up unless
arrangements are made prior to absence with instructor approval. Points for
participation will be forfeited.
C. Late arrival to class is distracting and
inconsiderate. Tardy students will receive ½ points for the day’s participation
and exercises. Students who arrive ten or more minutes late will lose all
participation points for the day. Chronic lateness will result in disciplinary
action.
Note: If you are late, and a student is delivering a
speech, you are required to wait outside the door until speech is
completed. Students who ignore this
policy will forfeit their participation points for the day.
D. Personal breaks - Students are expected to visit
the restroom and take care of other personal needs during ten minute passing
time between classes. Students who make a habit of disturbing class by leaving
during lecture will lose participation points for the day.
E. Class notes/materials - Students, whether present or not,
are responsible for all material presented in class, and absent students are
responsible for obtaining class materials and notes from classmates (including
handouts) or if available – from class Internet site http://www.bcc.ctc.edu/ArtsHum/materials/Spring2004/SPCH.asp
.
Two classmates to contact in case of absence:
Name Phone Email
1.
2.
F. Passing the Class - Students are required to complete
all exams and group projects. Unless
arrangements are made with instructor prior to presentations or exams, students who are absent on scheduled date
and time of exam or presentation will receive a zero and a failing grade for
the class. If students have documented schedule conflicts and notify
the instructor at least a week in advance, group presentations & exam dates
may be re-arranged with instructor
approval.
EXPECTATIONS
I. Student Behavior – Students are expected to respect the rights of fellow students and
the instructor. All students have the
right to a safe, productive, and uninterrupted learning environment. If students fail to show due respect to
instructor or fellow students by interrupting the learning process, instructor
will take action per Student Code of Conduct http://www.bcc.ctc.edu/ArtsHum/policy.html.
It is your responsibility to become familiar with these policies.
II. Participation – Students are expected to participate in class discussions and
assignments, both verbally, in-writing, in research and in attitude. Students are expected to complete individual
and group assignments with a spirit of cooperation, respect and
responsibility. If students do not
actively participate in classroom activities and group exercises/assignments,
his/her grade will be adjusted accordingly.
III. Accessing Course Materials – Students
are expected to access and print course materials as instructed via the
Internet from course website, http://www.bcc.ctc.edu/ArtsHum/materials/Spring2004/SPCH.asp
III. Student Ethics and Academic Honesty –
Plagiarism and cheating undermine the learning process, destroy student
credibility and may result in expulsion from class, and/or the college.
A. Plagiarism – Students who use the ideas and theories of others or other supporting
materials to complete class assignments are expected to give credit to the
originator/author through proper citation of sources in bibliographies. Failing to provide a word processed
outline with bibliography on the day of project presentations will result in a
zero for the assignment.
B. Cheating
– If a student is found to be cheating on exams or assignments, i.e. copying
from others or using unauthorized materials, student will receive an F for
exam/assignment and the Dean of Instruction will be notified.
DISABILITY ACCOMODATIONS
If you
require accommodation based on a documented disability, emergency medical
information to share, or need special arrangements in case of emergency
evacuation, please make an appointment with me as soon as possible. If you
would like to inquire about becoming a DSS student you may call 564-2498 or go
in person to the DSS (Disability Support Services) reception area in B132.
TTY: (425) 564-4110, Fax: (425) 564-4138, E-mail:dss@bcc.ctc.edu
|
Week 1 |
03/29 |
|
|
|
Course Overview |
Syllabus, Icebreaker |
|
|
|
Transactional Communication/Comm. Competence |
|
|
Case Study |
Individualism vs. Collectivism |
|
Week 2 |
04/05 |
|
|
|
|
Groups as Systems |
|
|
|
Group Development & Developing the Group
Climate |
|
|
Case Study |
Cult Boundary Control |
|
|
Case Study Groups |
Meet – Choose Case Study Topic |
|
Week 3 |
04/12 |
|
|
|
|
Roles
& Leadership in Groups |
|
|
Case Study |
Hazing Rituals and Conformity |
|
|
Case Study Groups |
Group Work Sessions |
|
Week 4 |
04/19 |
|
|
|
Case Study Presentations |
One group per day |
|
|
Review for Exam #1 |
Review Sheet posted to class
website |
|
Week 5 |
04/26 |
|
|
|
Mix It Up
Project |
Orientation: Group Rules, Roles, Norms |
|
|
Mix It Up
Project |
Session 1: Groups Assigned, Icebreaker Exercise |
|
|
|
Session
2: Reaching Across Social Boundaries |
|
|
Exam #1 |
Chapters
1-5 |
|
Week 6 |
05/03 |
|
|
|
|
Developing
Effective Teams |
|
|
Mix It Up Project |
Session 3: A World Without Boundaries |
|
|
|
Defective Decision Making and Problem Solving |
|
|
Grp. Research Day |
TBA |
|
Week 7 |
05/10 |
|
|
|
|
Effective
Decision Making and Problem Solving |
|
|
Mix It Up
Project |
Session
4: How Can We Break Down Barriers? |
|
|
Grp.
Research Day |
TBA |
|
Week 8 |
05/17 |
|
|
|
|
Power in
Groups: A Central Dynamic |
|
|
Mix It Up Project |
Prepare Proposal for Mix It Up Project |
|
|
Grp. Research Day |
TBA |
|
Week 9 |
05/24 |
|
|
|
|
Conflict Management in Groups |
|
|
Mix It Up Project |
Implementation: Phase I |
|
|
Mix It Up Project |
Implementation: Phase 2 |
|
Week 10 |
06/01 |
|
|
|
Mix It Up Symposiums |
Groups present Symposiums |
|
|
Review for Exam #2 |
Review Questions posted on class web site |
|
Week 11 |
06/07 |
|
|
|
06/11 |
Group Exam on Ch. 5-10 |
|
|
|
|
*Note: Revisions may be made to this schedule to accommodate
curriculum.