INTRODUCTION TO GROUP DISCUSSION
SPCH 225 COURSE SYLLABUS
INSTRUCTOR: Laura Driscoll Nudelman
OFFICE: R 230 Office “V”
OFFICE PHONE: 564-2358
OFFICE HOURS:
E-MAIL: lnudelma@bcc.ctc.edu
(lower case “L” not capital I)
COURSE TEXT: Brilhart,
Galanes, and Adams (2001), Effective
Group Discussion, 10th
edition.
COURSE OBJECTIVE: This course is designed for the student
to explore small group communication theory and concepts and to develop an
ability to apply this knowledge to everyday small group experiences.
FORMAT- You will be engaged in activities and
discussions designed to aid your understanding of the concepts explored in
class. This course also includes an
extensive group project. Lectures by the
instructor will be kept to a minimum.
Given this format, students need to commit to being active participants
in this class. In addition, this area of
study contains complex theories and difficult social science jargon. I will do my best to assist you, but a college
reading level is needed to succeed in this course.
GRADING BREAKDOWN
Exam #1 125 940-1000=A
Exam #2 125 900- 939=A-
Exam #3 125 860- 899=B+
Exam #4 125 830- 859=B
Group Analysis #1 150 800- 829=B-
Group Analysis #2 150 760- 799=C+
Participation 100 730- 759=C
Team Project 100 700- 729=C-
1000 660- 699=D+
600- 659=D
0- 599=F
Exams will
cover lecture material, class discussions, handouts, and reading from the
text. Questions will be a combination of
true/false & multiple-choice. Exams
will be worth 125 points each.
PARTICIPATION will be evaluated on the basis of your application of course
concepts in classroom discussions and activities, involvement in the team
project, preparation of the teams agenda and meeting notes, behavior in
accordance with the class norms, and any other relevant criteria. Your participation will be evaluated by
fellow students and the instructor.
TEAM PROJECT -You will be in
teams of 5-6 people and will begin your project during the second week of the
quarter. The main purpose of the project
is to provide a group experience for you to analyze. Teams will be asked to generate a service learning project for
a local community based organization.
Students will be evaluated on the completion of agendas and progress
reports and the outcome of their project.
ANALYSIS PAPERS Students will write
two papers applying their knowledge of small group communication theory and
concepts to their team project experience.
Each paper will be 5-6 pages typed, double-spaced.
POLICIES
1. Late work will NOT be accepted or exams given unless arrangements are made with me
before the due date. If you have an
emergency on the day of an exam, you need to call my office or email me to
arrange an alternate time to complete the test.
2. Attendance and classroom conduct are critical
in this class and must meet the requirements discussed in the Arts and
Humanities Division Student Procedures and Policies Statement. Please refer to: www.bcc.ctc.edu/artshum/policy.html
3. I am always available during office hours and
I encourage you to come in. If you cannot
meet with me during this time, feel free to schedule an appointment. I do request that you schedule appointments
at least 24 hours in advance.
5. Please contact me as soon as possible if you
have a documented disability so appropriate accommodation can be made
6. Extra credit with be given for outlines of
the chapters in the assigned reading. In
order to receive credit, you must turn in the 2 page (minimum) outline on the
first day that the reading is assigned. 5 points will be given for each chapter
outline.
I
INTRODUCTION TO GROUP
DISCUSSION
Tentative Calendar
9/23 Overview/Icebreaking
9/24 What is a group exercise Chapter
1
9/25 Advantages and Disadvant. of Groups
9/26 Systems Theory Chapter
2
9/27
Perception, Vision and
Accountability
9/30 Axioms of Communication Chapter 3
10/1 Listening
10/2 Language Chapter 4
10/3 Nonverbal/Exam Review
10/4 Exam
#1
Week III
10/7 Culture
and Groups Chapter 5
10/8 Individuals and groups Chapter 6
10/9 Keirsey temperament
10/10 Group Meeting #1
10/11 NO CLASS
10/14 Norms
and roles Chapter 7
10/15 Group Meeting #2
10/16 Exam
Review
10/17 Exam #2
10/18 Paper
Discussion and Problem Solving Chapter 11
10/21 Decision
Making Chapter 12
10/22 Group Meeting #3
10/23 Paper
Discussion
10/24 Group Meeting #4
10/25 Cohesiveness
and Groupthink Chapter 8
10/28 Creativity Chapter
14
10/29 Paper #1 Due /Group Effectiveness Discussion
10/30 Group Meeting #5
10/31 Formal meetings
11/1 Exam Review
11/4 EXAM
#3
11/5 Group
Meeting #6
11/6 Leadership Chapter 9
11/7 Leadership
11/8 Leadership
Chapter 10
11/11
11/12 Group Meeting #7
11/13 Conflict Chapter 13
11/14 Conflict
11/15 Final
paper discussion
11/18 Group Meeting #8
11/19 Exam
review
11/20 Exam #4
11/21 Projects Completion Day
11/22 Presentation Prep Day—Meet in groups
11/25 Groups 1, 2, and 3 present
11/26 Groups 4, 5, and 6 present
11/27 Paper
Consultation Day
11/28 Thanksgiving NO SCHOOL
11/29 Leftovers-No SCHOOL
12/2 Individual
Participation Assessment
12/3 Final Paper Prep Day
12/4 Final
Papers Due/ Wrap Up Discussion
12/5 Conferences
12/6 Conferences