Communication in Groups; SP313U
Darlene Geiger, M.S.
Fall 2005
Time: Thursdays 4:00-7:40pm
Location: PCAT 120
CRN 13311 section 001
Office: NH 39, Hours: Wednesdays & Thursdays 10:30-12:30 (& by appointment)
Phone and voice mail: 503-725-4194
E-mail:
geigerd@pdx.edu (e-mail is the best way to contact me outside office hours)
Teaching Assistants:
Yuma Bingo: yuma18pdx20kor@hotmail.com
Natalie Sinclair : a href=mailto:ngs4820@yahoo.com> ngs4820@yahoo.com
Required Text:
Beebe, S. A. & Masterson, J. T. (2006). Communicating in small groups: Principles and practice (8th ed.). San Francisco, CA: Pearson, Allyn & Bacon.
Note about text:
Text can be purchased at the PSU bookstore 1880 SW 6th Ave. next to Urban Center. It comes with a Research Navigator Guide that is shrink-wrapped to the text. This is a valuable resource for groups & therefore it is recommended when purchasing new texts.
Course Description
This course focuses on communication within groups of 3-5 members while considering the system & context, within which the group's purpose & cultural influences reside. Students examine the relationship of observed members' verbal & nonverbal behaviors during interaction to that of group structure, climate, functions and outcomes. Topics include the impact of socio-cultural and institutional features on small group communicative practices, leadership emergence and role enactment, quality of problem solving strategies utilized, and the transactional nature of communication. The primary goals for this course are for students to learn the application, critical analysis & synthesis of competent communication in various group settings. In other words, students will increase their communication repertoire to effectively adapt to a wide variety of group contexts when making choices.
Course Objectives:
- Students should be able to observe, analyze and evaluate verbal & nonverbal behavior to determine its influence in the transactional process; Students should be able to examine the small group theory and research as it relates to the enhancement of the small group process.
- Students should be able to explore the functions and outcomes of verbal & nonverbal behavior in small group settings:
- Students should be able to understand how individual-influencing behaviors become group-influencing behaviors.
- Students should be able to describe verbal & nonverbal behaviors, analyze the group influencing behaviors in context and synthesize ideas to explain competent communication choices.
- Students should be able to plan agendas and participate in meetings in order to create a coherent record of task process, discussion and group decisions.
- Students should be able to adapt behaviors during role enactment, depending on the transactional and task needs of the group; Students should be able to recognize effective leadership behaviors while flexibly employing effective member roles.
- Students should be able to explain mutual influence as it occurs in context.
- Student should be able to understand how leadership emerges as part of the group process and that it consists of actual behaviors in a specific context that have the potential to be group-influencing.
- Students should be able to recognize & describe behaviors that contribute or deter the task & transactional aspects of group communication.
Course Expectations: Be aware of the messages your own behaviors send
It is expected that you are accountable: Come to class on time. The approach that we will take, as a class, will be one of a cooperative learning environment. Individually, you will be part of a cooperative group of three to five people formed the first week of class. You are responsible for reading the assigned material before discussion. You are relied upon for sharing class materials and interpretations (handouts, notes, text interpretations and assignment specifics) and whatever else is necessary for everyone in your group to be 'up-to-speed' at all times.
It is expected that you are interdependent: This class relies on active participation. Your learning in this course is dependent upon the level of responsibility that you choose to take for yourself and for your colleagues. Come to class on time. Our class is a learning community in which each person is considered necessary to the intellectual growth of his/her colleagues. In other words, positive group interaction, tolerance and interest in your class member's progress are essential student characteristics to the overall success of this course. Therefore the class will be as useful and rewarding as you choose to make it; and your choice does not only effect your own education, but that of your colleagues as well.
NOTE: It is expected that any student who may need an accommodation for any sort of disability should immediately contact me so that together we may provide the necessary arrangements for your success in this course.
Attendance Policy
Because your colleagues are dependent on your individual contributions in class, attendance is mandatory. If you do not show both accountability and interdependence toward your group (see "Course Expectations" above), you could be ejected from your base group. In which case your grade will be substantially lowered.
If extenuating circumstances should occur and you are unable to come to class, it is your responsibility to contact a group member to get yourself caught up. A member of your base group will share any lecture notes and materials presented during your absence. You will provide the same in return. Your group climate depends upon your commitment to this class, and a significant portion of your grade is based on a peer evaluation of that commitment (see "Coursework Requirements" below). A strong sense of accountability and interdependence is imperative for a successful group and class. Whatever your excuse, if you miss more than 2 hours of class (eg, come late or leave early), your grade will be lowered. This is an important consideration for whether this term is a good time for you to take this course.
"Social loafer" Policy
"Social loafer" Policy
Occasionally, a group member may not be willing or able to perform his/her fair share of the workload, which causes great stress for other members of the group when these group influencing behaviors become burdensome for the group climate. If your group suffers because one member cannot perform his/her share of the workload, it is the group's responsibility to consider strategies for management (see text chapter 7). Most situations can be effectively handled within the group; however an instructor or TA may be asked to mediate. Only after third-party mediation, can the group decide to eject a member from their team. The ejected individual will retain the grades earned prior to dismissal. Opportunities to earn additional points will not be offered. Depending on the time of dismissal, the individual in question may exercise the option of withdrawing from the course.
Coursework Requirements
Students are required: 1) to complete two exams at midterm & final: both exams will have individual and group components to them; 2) An analysis paper (take home, individual); 3) Two feedback reports; 4) A group portfolio; and 5) Peer evaluations.
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Individual
Assignments:45% of final grade
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Group Assignments:55% of final grade
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Midterm Exam (multiple choice & true/false)
Final Exam (multiple choice & true/false)
Final Analysis paper
Peer Evaluations: (accountability &
Interdependence)
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Midterm Exam (multiple choice & essay)
Final Exam (multiple choice & essay)
Portfolio with agendas & minutes Application & Feedback Report #1
Application & Feedback Report #2
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The assignments are as follows:
 Individual midterm
exam
40
Group midterm exam 25
Application & Feedback Report #1 20
Application & Feedback Report #2 20
Individual
final exam
25
Group final exam
40
Individual final paper (take home) 40
Group Portfolio (agendas & minutes) 60
Final peer evaluations 30
Total Points
300 points
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Grading Standards and Assignments
In concordance with the PSU grading system, the standards for evaluation are as follows:
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A Excellent work 279-300
A- Excellent
work 270-278
B+ Excellent work 261-269 B Superior 249-260 B- Superior 240-248 C+ Superior 231-239
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C Average 219-230
C- Average 210-218
D+ Average 201-209 D Inferior 189-200 D- Inferior 180-188 F Failure <179
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