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COMMUNICATION 212 |
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Instructor: Dr. Bruno Teboul |
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COURSE OVERVIEW |
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Course Description: In this course you will learn about small groups, your behavior in small groups, the group's collective behavior, and how to analyze each of these. Learning will be facilitated through class exercises, self-evaluations, group projects, and in-class presentations. You will demonstrate your competencies by taking exams, writing a paper, and by creating and participating in a presentation or workshop. |
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Specific Course Objectives: 1. To experience the complexities of small group communication and to develop a theoretical understanding of group dynamics. 2. To become aware of your strengths and weaknesses as a small group participant. 3. To learn how to construct and perform an effective "team" workshop. |
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Principal Topics Covered: |
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* Definitional Issues |
* Conformity & Groupthink |
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* Communication in Small Groups |
* Decision-making |
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* Diversity in Small Groups |
* Leadership |
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* Group Structure and Process |
* Conflict |
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Required Textbook: |
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Other Readings: |
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Instruction: |
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COURSE REQUIREMENTS |
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Exams: There is one exam for this course: a midterm. This exam will cover materials from the required text and lectures. Each exam is worth 30% of your final grade. Class Presentation/Workshop: You will be assigned to a workshop group through a process of random selection. Each group will consist of 4-6 individuals. Each group will be responsible for presenting one class workshop on a topic related to small group communication. Although there is a fair degree of latitude allowed in selecting the presentation topic, the central objective is to explain how your topic/subject affects small group communication. For specific information on how to complete this assignment, please consult the "Workshop Evaluation Guidelines," (see web page online). A lecture on how to do a workshop will also follow shortly. The workshop is worth 30% of the final course grade. Note: Workshop grades are group grades. One Process Paper: This assignment gives you an opportunity to make a detailed study of your own behavior and the behavior of your Communication 212 group. For specific information on how to complete this assignment, please consult "Process Paper Guidelines" (see web page online). I will go over these paper requirements with you in class at a later time.The process paper is worth 40% of your final grade. Attendance: Attendance is mandatory for all group meeting sessions as well as for workshop presentations. An absence on these days will result in the lowering of your final grade by one level. In addition, regular attendance contributes to favorable consideration in borderline final grade cases. Grades: These are determined on a straight percentage tally. |
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COURSE POLICIES |
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1. As a rule, no make-ups will be given for the midterm examinations. A make-up will be considered if you are able to demonstrate a major medical emergency. 2. As a rule, incompletes are not available in this class. An incomplete may only be taken in the case of a justified medical/family emergency. Please note that workshops cannot, by definition, be completed at a later date. 3. Arriving late to class is not acceptable. Be prompt so as not to disrupt class dynamics. 4. Students found guilty of academic dishonesty will receive a
failing grade for the course and may be subject to further disciplinary
action. The course policy concerning sexual harassment follows the guidelines
stipulated in your Student Handbook. |
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5. Your group is invited to create a "contract for required group member behavior." This contract should contain a list of steps the group wishes to follow to deal with a "dodger." The contract must be signed by all group members. A copy of the contact must then be turned in to the instructor. If your group does not wish to develop its own contract, it will still need to follow these basic "dodger problem-solving steps": A. If members of a group perceive that an individual in their group is not doing his/her share of the work, they should inform the individual that they are not satisfied with him/her. B. If such behavior persists, then the instructor should be notified of the dodger's behavior. C. If the dodger continues to shirk from his/her responsibilities, group members are free to threaten to expel the individual from participating in a workshop. If such a threat is made, the instructor should be notified. The instructor will then talk to the dodger to verify the veracity of the allegations made against him/her. D. Before suspending/expelling an individual from a group, group
members must inform the instructor. The instructor must then arrange a group
meeting at which all members are present. A fair penalty for the dodger
should be determined by all involved. This may include expelling the member
in question from the group. |
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