SPCH 225 /1945-A Small
Group Communication
Brenda Larson,
Instructor
Office: R 230-U
Office Hours: Monday –Thursday:
Email: blarson@bcc.ctc.edu
Course Website: http://www.bcc.ctc.edu/ArtsHum/materials/Summer2004/SPCH.asp
Quarter Start/End Dates: June
21 –
Classroom: R
Bldg., Room 211
No class on: July 5 –
Final Exam: Thursday, August 5,
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 small group process and communication, including leadership,
conflict management, decision-making, conformity and critical thinking.
Students will work in small groups to test theories and apply knowledge and
skills to real world problems - actively observing and reflecting on their own
practice of small group communication skills as they research and study small
group communication in multiple contexts.
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 (100-110 points): Students will self-select heterogeneous work
groups of five to seven students to investigate and present a case study to
the class illustrating small group communication concepts from chapters one
through five. Instructor reserves the right to re-arrange groups that do not
meet criteria for diversity. 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 (150-160 points): Students will be re-arranged in new self-selected
heterogeneous teams of five to seven students for their second group project. Instructor
reserves the right to adjust the members of groups that do not meet criteria
for diversity. 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, actively 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 & Exercises
and Chapter Assignments (150-160 points): Jigsaw groups will be formed to discuss readings
from textbook, analyze case studies, engage in learning activities and to
complete chapter exercises. Students will need to attend class to understand
small group communication concepts and apply them in their papers, class discussions,
class activities and projects. Class attendance is expected and points will
be awarded based on participation exercises and assignments included in participation
folder.
GRADING
Grading for each assignment is
assessed according to specific criteria discussed in class and posted on 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
|
|
380-400 |
A |
95 – 100 |
|
360-379 |
A- |
90 – 94 |
|
348-359 |
B+ |
87 – 89 |
|
336-347 |
B |
84 – 86 |
|
320-335 |
B- |
80 – 83 |
|
308-319 |
C+ |
77 – 79 |
|
296-307 |
C |
74 – 76 |
|
280-295 |
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 relationship and 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.
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 the passing time
between classes and during class break. 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/Summer2004/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 journal entries and group symposium projects to pass the class. Unless
arrangements are made with instructor prior
to due dates or presentations, students
who are absent on due dates 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 dates may be re-arranged
if time permits and 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 or disrupt the learning process, instructor will
take action per BCC’s Student Code of Conduct http://www.bcc.ctc.edu/ArtsHum/policy.html.
It is student’s responsibility to become familiar with these policies.
II. Participation – Students are expected to participate in class discussions, assignments and
projects 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. Team essay evaluations
and confidential individual evaluations will allow students and instructors to jointly
assess student’s individual and small group performance.
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/Summer2004/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.
B. Cheating
– Students found to be cheating or engaging in plagiarism in journals, on assignments,
or for projects i.e. copying from others or using information without giving
credit to the authors or originators materials, 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 425-564-2498 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 |
06/21 |
|
|
06/21 |
Course Overview |
Syllabus, Icebreaker/Assignment: Read Ch. 1 & 2 |
|
06/22 |
|
Transactional Communication/Comm. Competence |
|
|
Case Studies |
Gender & Individualism vs. Collectivism |
|
06/23 |
|
Groups as Systems |
|
|
Case
Studies |
Methods of Boundary Control |
|
06/24 |
Project #1: Case Study (CS) Groups |
Orientation to Project. Teams Form, Storm & Norm |
|
|
Assignments |
Journals 1 & 2 Due: Read Ch. 3 & 4 for next week |
|
Week 2 |
06/28 |
|
|
06/28 |
|
Group Development |
|
|
Case Studies |
Cliques and Hazing Rituals |
|
06/29 |
Project #1: CS Groups Meet |
CS Teams Decide on Topic/Case Study and begin Research |
|
06/30 |
|
Developing the Group Climate |
|
|
Case Studies |
Gender, Competition & Culture |
|
07/01 |
Project #1: CS Groups |
Team Research/Work Session |
|
|
Assignments |
Journals 3 & 4 Due: Read Ch. 5 & 6 for next week |
|
Week 3 |
07/06 |
|
|
07/06 |
|
Roles
& Leadership in Groups |
|
|
Case Studies |
The
Stanford Prison Study, Gender/Ethnic Leadership Bias, Effective vs.
Ineffective Leadership |
|
07/07– Pt I |
Project #1: CS Groups |
Team Work Session Speech Rough Outlines Due |
|
07/07- Pt II |
|
Developing Effective Teams |
|
|
Case Studies |
The U.S. Women’s Basketball Team & IDEO |
|
07/08 |
Project #1: Symposiums |
Two teams present on Thursday |
|
07/06 |
Assignments: |
Journals 5 & 6 Due. Project #1: Team Essay Evaluations &
Individual Evals. due 07/12; Read Ch. 8 for next week |
|
Week 4 |
07/12 |
|
|
07/12 - 13 |
Project #2: Symposiums |
Four remaining teams will present – two teams per day on Monday and
Tuesday |
|
07/14 |
|
Group Discussion: Effective
Decision Making & Problem Solving/Case Study |
|
07/15 |
Project #2: Democracy and Equality Symposiums |
Class discussion of Project
Requirements/Brainstorm Topics/Decide on New Groups |
|
07/15 |
Assignments: |
Read |
|
Week 5 |
07/19 |
|
|
07/19 |
Project
#2: D & E Teams Meet |
Orientation: Icebreaker; Establish Group Rules, Roles,
Norms; begin Standard Agenda process |
|
07/20 |
|
Group
Discussion: Defective Decision Making/Case Study |
|
07/21 |
Project
#2: Research Day |
Meet in N
Bldg Lobby for Computer Lab |
|
07/22 |
|
Power in
Groups: A Central Dynamic |
|
|
Assignment |
Journal 7
& 8 Due; Complete Standard Agenda; Read Ch. 10 for next week |
|
Week 6 |
07/26 |
|
|
07/26 |
Project #2: D & E |
Group Research/Work Day - Teams Meet to Implement Action |
|
07/27 |
|
Conflict Mgmt in Groups |
|
07/28 |
Project #2: Rehearsal Day |
Teams meet to finalize presentations; Rough drafts of Presentation
Outlines Due |
|
07/29 |
Project #2: Symposiums |
Presentations Begin, two per day |
|
07/29 |
Assignments |
Journal 9 & 10 Due |
|
Week 7 |
08/02 |
|
|
08/02-03 |
Project #2
Symposiums |
Presentations
Continue, two per day (Monday & Tues) |
|
08/04 |
Assignments |
Team Essay
Evaluations Due, Team’s Final Standard Agenda Due, Individual Evaluations Due |
|
08/05 |
Final Exam Day |
Concluding Celebration |
*Note: Revisions may be made to this schedule to accommodate
curriculum.