Syllabus

CMM 315 Group Communication

 

Dr. Kristine L. Greenwood

Office:  SH 247

(O) 6788; (H) 525-6669; (FAX) 696-2814; E-Mail Greenwoo@ Marshall.edu

Office Hours:

M-W

Other office hours by appointment

 

Textbook

Harris & Sherblom, Small Group and Team Communication

 

Course Description

3 credit hours, prerequisites CMM 103 or 104H or 207 or 305.  Study of group communication processes, including problem solving, systems of group communication analysis and evaluation in task oriented groups.

 

Course objectives:

For students to:

1.       participate in a cooperative learning experience

2.       demonstrate an understanding of the nature of groups

3.       demonstrate ability to work cooperatively in groups

4.       analyze group communication patterns, group task and maintenance roles, and conflict management skills

 

Course Philosophy

Success in this class depends on your ability to work within a group.  Each group will be asked to develop products which will be evaluated and graded.  These include: a community service project and class presentation, a team research paper and presentation, and an evaluation form to be used by class members to assign grades to their group members.  All members of the group will receive the same grades for these products.  Individual grades are earned on exams, participation in class exercises and evaluations by group members.  Class time will be devoted to participating in group exercise and brief lectures.  However some class time will be available for group projects, although you will need to meet outside of the class period to complete these projects.  Your grade is highly dependent upon the effectiveness of your group and your full participation in the group is essential.

 

Course Requirements

 

Midterm   Chapters 1-7  100 points

Final Exam  comprehensive  150 points

 

Team Research Paper and Presentation (150 points).

Each group will prepare a 10 to 15 page research paper.  The subject of the paper will be a topic from chapters 8 through 15 in the textbook and will require my permission. The paper should go beyond the information in the chapter using approved academic sources. The purpose of this project is for group members to assume specific research roles and work together to prepare both the written and oral presentations of the project.  The oral presentation will be a teaching session.  The group should be prepared to lecture about the topic, conduct (an) appropriate exercise(s) for class participation and provide at least 10 questions for the final exam about the topic.  The questions should be multiple choice.

 

 

Community Service Project and Presentation  (150 points)  Each group will decide upon, design, make arrangements for, and complete a community service based group project.  The instructor must approve the project.  The nature of the project is the decision of the group but must be completed by the group working together and not by individuals working separately.  Remember this is a community service project not plans for a group entertainment event.  The presentation includes a group oral report to the class and a narrative paper prepared by the group that details the group decision-making process and the group experience.  The paper should include an analysis of both task and maintenance processes as well a group communication and conflict management experiences.

 

Evaluation Form (50 points)  Each group will develop a form which ranks individuals based on behaviors which both enhance and detract from effective group communication.  I will then either select the best form (ease of use and comprehensiveness of criteria) or combine the best of all forms.  This will be the form each of you will use in evaluating and assigning a grade to each member of your group.

 

Group Grade (100 points)  Students will assign a fair grade for themselves and each member of their group.  Each grade must be justified by using criteria developed by the groups based on information found in the textbook.. These will then be averaged by the number of people in the group.   This is an individual grade for each student.  Remember not all members of the group will deserve the same grade nor will everyone deserve high grades.

 

Class participation (100 points)  The percentage of time you participated in classroom activities.  It is your responsibility to sign the attendance sheet each class period.

 

Grading Scale

100 - 90% = A;   89 – 80% = B;  79 – 70% = C;  69 – 60% = D;  below 60% = F

 

Tentative Schedule

Assignments & Due Dates