SMALL GROUP COMMUNICATION

Speech 225

Fall 2003

Course: M, W 5:30-7:40

A210

 

 

Instructor:         Theresa Ford

Office hours:     5:00-5:30 M, W

Office phone (Humanities office):   425-564-2341

Office e-mail: tford@bcc.ctc.edu

 

Text:  Rothwell, J.D. (2001). In Mixed Company: Small Group Communication (4th ed). Wadsworth: U. S.

 

Course Description:  

This course explores issues related to communicating in groups and teams.  We will theoretically and practically explore group dynamics, verbal and nonverbal communication in groups, listening, group goals, leadership, power, group decision making, conflict management, and diversity.  During the quarter, you will have many opportunities to practice what you have learned about group communication in both graded projects and informal class exercises.

 

General Course Objectives: 

¨      This course is designed to increase students’ awareness and understanding of small group communication processes. 

¨      It aims to enable students to apply conceptual ideas about effective group discussion techniques to practical communication situations.

¨      Finally, the course aims to develop students’ communication competence in small group settings.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Grades:

You will be graded on participation and attendance (10%), four exams (50% total), a paper (20%), and a group project (20%).

 

A/A-      90-100                       C+/C-    70-79                         E   Below 59

B+/B-   80-89              D+/D-  60-69

 

Participation/attendance:  Your attendance is critical!  Participation and attendance are important because (a) we learn from interaction with our colleagues, and (b) much of the learning that occurs in this class will be generated from hands-on experience. As a result, I take attendance daily, and lower the att./part. portion of your grade one-third of a grade (A- to B+) after two free absences.  If you are sick, please call the Humanities Office and leave a message. 

**Note: if you have a series of extenuating circumstances which prevent you from coming to class, I recommend that you consider withdrawing from the class, since it becomes too difficult to make up multiple absences.

 

Exams:  There will be exams covering both text material and lecture notes.  They will be multiple-choice, true/false, short essay, and practical (power carnival). The point value for each will be as follows:

Exam 1--100 pts.        Exam 2--300 pts.        Exam 3--100 pts.        Exam 4--200 pts.

 

There will be no make-up exams without extenuating circumstances that will be evaluated on a case by case basis.  If a situation arises which is beyond your control that prevents you from taking an exam on time, you must take it by the following class day after your return.  The practical portion of the exam on power can’t be retaken.

     If you are a student with a disability and you are allowed extra time, a proctor, private room and/or a computer for the exam, please tell me at least a week prior to the exam or make the appropriate arrangements yourself.

 

Papers:  I will not accept late papers without extenuating circumstances.  If one should arise, I will accept them only on the day you return.  A full description of the paper will be provided in a handout.  *I strongly encourage everyone to use the writing lab on campus for this project.

 

Group Presentations: Group projects cannot be made-up without serious extenuating circumstances.  It has been my experience that members who fail to come on the day of their presentation also fail the course.  Your group members are depend on you (as well as you on them) to do your part.  A group outline is required along with your presentation; a complete description of the group presentation will follow in a handout.

 

Working Schedule

 

9/22                 Syllabus/Introductions  

9/24                 Chapter 1: Communication Competence                                  

 

9/29                 Chapter 2: Groups as Systems

10/1                 Chapter 2; Group project assignment; Exam 1 (Chapter 1)

 

10/3     Last day to drop a class (in person)

 

10/6                 Chapter 2; Chapter 3--Group Development

10/8                 Chapter 3; Meyers-Briggs

 

10/13               Library visit

10/15               Exam 2 (Ch. 2, 3, Meyers-Briggs); group time

 

10/20               Chapter 4--Climate

10/22               Chapter 4

 

10/27               Chapter 5--Leadership

10/29               Chapter 5; Papers due (Ch. 4, 5)

 

11/3                 Chapter 8--Power       

11/5                 Chapter 8--Power; Exam 3--Practical (Ch. 8)

 

11/10               Chapter 9--Power and conflict

11/12               Chapter 10--Conflict

 

11/17               Exam 4 (Ch.  9, 10)

11/19               Group time

 

11/24               Group project

11/26               Group project

 

12/1                 Group project

12/3                 Group project

 

12/8                 No class--campus closed