CMM 315: Group Communication; Spring 2007
The study of group communication processes, including problem solving, systems of group communication analysis and evaluation, in task oriented groups. Prerequisite: CMM 103, or 207, or YGS 161.
Instructor: R.B. Bookwalter, Smith Hall 245, 696-2815, bookwalt@marshall.edu
Text: Beebe, S.A. & Masterson, J.T. (2006). Communicating in Small Groups: Principles and Practices; 8th Edition. New York: Addison Wesley Longman.
Course Philosophy: We spend the majority of our waking hours in groups. We are born into family groups, play in sports groups, study in class groups, party in social groups, etc. Each of us will belong to hundreds, perhaps thousands of groups in our lifetimes. It is on our own best interest, therefore, to explore new ways of improving our ability to communicate our ideas cooperatively and effectively in groups.
In this course we are going to discuss and practice a wide variety of group interactions. Our readings, discussions and experiences are designed to give you an opportunity to learn how to work more effectively in groups We will learn how we can improve the functioning of every group we work with by understanding how the environment, the task the members’ attitudes and our own behavior affects the outcome of the group and the feelings of its members.
Course Goals: Through your participation in this course, you should derive several benefits.
1. First, you should increase your understanding of group theory and research. You will learn about one basic theory of group functioning, and several models of effective group processes, and these will be supported by information about group research findings. As with any college class, you should come away with a clear understanding of what group scholars have learned over the years.
2. Second, you should become an astute observer and evaluator of group interaction. Based on your understanding of group process, you should be able to see when a group is functioning well and when it is not. You should be able to point out how the interaction in the group reflects principles of effective group functioning and when it does not. Your ability to recognize and distinguish productive processes from dysfunctional processes is essential to your learning in this course.
3. Third, you should literally become a more competent and effective group communicator. Your ability to understand and assess group interaction should result in you producing effective behavior in the service of several different kinds of group tasks. You should be a better decision maker and problem solver. You should be a better leader and conflict manager. You should be organized, and cooperative. AND, you should be able to facilitate and foster these behaviors in all of your fellow group members.
To the extent that you advance toward these goals, you will make every group you are in from now on better because of your participation. You will know what to look for in your group because of your “book learning” about group process. You will recognize these processes when you see them and be able to diagnose problems because of your observational and diagnostic skills. And you will be able to help set and change the course of your group because you have developed effective action skills.
Course Requirements:
All of the required work in this course, graded or ungraded, is designed to help you meet the goals set forth above. The course readings, exams, and journal assignments are designed to promote your progress toward the first goal. The reading applications, class exercise discussions, and the assessment phases of the group projects are designed to develop your observation and diagnostic skills. The class exercises themselves, along with the task phases of the group projects, are designed to develop and test you competence in enacting the productive group behaviors we will be learning about.
Grading: Your grade will be based on your performance on the following assignments:
Attendance and Participation 100 points
Journals (5 @ 10 pts) 50 points 430+ = A Group Decision Project 50 points 380-429 = B
Group Task Project 150 points 335-379 = C
Midterm Exam 50 points 285-334 = D
Final Exam 75 points
Total Points Available 475 points
CMM 315: Group Communication
Date Topic Assignment
J 9 Orientation & Overview
11 Groups & Group Competencies Ch 1
J 16 Group Formation: Needs & Goals Ch 3
18 Group Theory: Understanding Groups Ch 2
J 23 Group Structure: Roles and Norms Ch 4
25 Group Relations: Power, Trust & Culture Ch 4
J 30 Group Communication Skills Ch 6
F 1 Communication and Climate Ch 5
F 6 Decision-Making Ch 9
8 Critical Thinking in Decision-making Ch 8 pp. 216-222
F 13 Decision Making Practice Appendix A
15 MIDTERM EXAM: Chapters 1- 6
F 20 Group Decision Project
22 Group Decision Project
F 27 Problem Solving Techniques & Meeting Mgt. Ch 10
M 1 Creativity in Problem Solving Ch 11
M 6 Problem Solving Practice
8 Problem Solving Practice
M 13 Leadership Emergence Ch 12
15 Developing Leadership
M 20 & 22 Spring Break
M 27 Conflict in Groups Ch 7
29 Conflict in Groups
A 3 Conflict Between Groups: Competition Ch 7
5 Conflict & Negotiation
A 10 Group Presentation Skills Appendix B
12 Planning & Coordinating Group Presentations
A 17 Group Task Project Reports
19 Group Task Project Reports
A 24 Group Task Project Reports
26 Summary & Evaluation