This and all other course information may be obtained in alternate forms if needed to accommodate students with disabilities.

Course Rationale:

Groups are an integral part of our personal and professional lives and this trend is increasing.  Regardless of what career or life path you’ve chosen, you’ll ultimately spend a great deal of time in group settings.  The purpose of this course is to aid your understanding of groups and particularly relevant communication issues within groups.  This course will provide you with an understanding of the major communication theories, issues, and concepts related to the study of small groups.

Course Objectives:

Students completing this course should be able to:

• Identify and confidently discuss major issues regarding group communication

• Use communication in ways that allow them to work effectively in group settings

• Use proper group communication techniques to plan, execute, and evaluate major

               projects

• Appropriately evaluate group and group member performance, as well as remedy

   problems

I hope to help you meet these objectives through the following:

• Discussions of reading and lecture material in class

• Tests to insure that you are grasping material

• An opportunity to apply theory to a film portrayal of a group

• One major group project your teams will plan, execute, and evaluate

• Evaluation assignment – evaluation of self and others as group members

Textbook and Readings:

Napier, R.W., & Gershenfeld, M.K. (1999). Groups: Theory and Experience (6th ed.). Boston, MA: Houghton Mifflin Company.

Additional readings may be distributed in class. These are not “optional readings.” They are relevant to the lecture material, the course assignments, and to the exams. You are responsible for ensuring that you get copies of all class handouts.

ASSIGNMENTS

Four unannounced quizzes: These quizzes will be given at some point during the semester.  Two of them will be given prior to the Midterm, and two will be given after the Midterm.  Dates for these quizzes have already been determined and may even occur during the final week of the semester.  Each quiz will consist of two short-answer questions and be worth a total of 10 points. These questions are designed to reward people who are in class paying attention to lecture and who are doing the readings and other assignments on time.  There will be NO makeup opportunities for quizzes.  (40 points)

Required Midterm Exam: All students are required to take a midterm exam that will have an objective format (e.g. multiple choice, true/false, matching). The exam will be held Friday, October 12, and will cover material from Ch. 1 – 5 in the textbook. (100 points)

Required Final Exam: All students are required to take a final exam that will have an objective format (e.g. multiple choice, true/false, matching). The exam will be held during finals week and will cover material from Ch. 6-10 in the textbook. (100 points) Note: There are no makeup exams for the midterm or final. If you miss an exam, you lose the points associated with it. The only exceptions are due to documented sickness, death in the family, or some other catastrophe. The best policy is to take an essay version of the exam in advance or let the instructor know in advance of your absence. I am very unlikely to allow you to take an exam after the scheduled time if you do not contact me prior to the exam. Date: Wed., Dec. 12, 1:30 – 3:30 p.m.

Analysis of Film/Televised Program: You will view a film or television program (at least an hour-length program) that dramatizes group communication issues. The chosen program may be a fictional dramatic presentation, documentary about a specific group, or docu-drama that comprises both dramatic and documentary elements. Your analysis will consist of a 4-5 page report that labels and discusses in some depth the dynamics depicted in the presentation using terminology and concepts from the course. If you would like to analyze and write about a film that is not listed, you must have my permission before doing so. (100 points) Due date: Nov. 14

Final Group Project (activity/analysis paper/group member evaluation): A large portion of your grade will be based on a final group project. This will provide you an opportunity to apply all of the knowledge you have acquired over the semester to a tailored project.

NOTE: The assigned group project will require outside as well as in-class time. It is your obligation and responsibility to attend your groups schedule meetings. Failure to participate actively in the group project will result in the lowering of your final grade. (activity = 100 points, paper = 100 points, group evals = 60 points) Due date: presentation/display is due Nov. 30; paper and group evals are due Dec. 7.

Total points breakdown

Midterm exam              100 pts.

Final exam                    100 pts.

Film analysis                100 pts.

Group project               100 pts.

Final paper                   100 pts.

Pts. from peer eval.         60 pts.

Pop quizzes                    40 pts.

                        Total    600 pts. (+ 10 points potential extra credit)

Grade determination

The points in this class are based on the assignments discussed above. Your final grade is based entirely on the sum of those points (including points earned on the extra-credit opportunities) assigned in the class, and I will adhere rigidly to those points.  The points correspond to the following university guidelines: an A is reserved for excellent work; a B is for above average performance; a C is awarded for average work; a D simply means passing, and an F indicates below average, nonpassing work.  Points-wise the grades will be categorized as follows:

540-600 = A

480 – 539 = B

420 – 479 = C

360 – 419 = D

0 – 359 = F

Course policies

Attendance and courtesy are expected. In order for this class to be successful, your attendance and participation are imperative. In fact, it is highly likely your peer evaluation grade on the final group project will be higher if you regularly attend class.  The class will be conducted as a seminar; we will all perform the roles of teachers and learners simultaneously. You are responsible for keeping up with all assigned readings. We will discuss key parts of the readings as a class and your comments will be welcome and expected.

You will be allowed to miss three days of class, the equivalent of one full week without loss of points.  Beyond three absences, you will lose 10 points for each class session missed.  You do not need to tell me when or why you miss class.  In addition, you are responsible for all material included in class lectures. If you miss class, get notes/assignments from one of your classmates.

Late work. Except under the most extreme circumstances (and documentation of those circumstances is required), no late work will be accepted. If you encounter an emergency situation of some kind, it is best to communicate with me about it earlier rather than later. Late papers on either the film analysis or the final project will be graded for half credit.  This is a severe penalty, but it is better than zero points (plus, you get the feedback on the paper). It is not fair to others who met the deadlines if I accept yours late. I will not accept any papers more than one week late. Also, no longer are printer troubles and computer problems reasonable excuses for late papers. I suggest knowing the equipment well enough and allowing ample time in case of problems.

Academic Dishonesty. All persons shall adhere to the Code of Student Conduct regarding academic honesty, including acts of cheating and plagiarism.  Of particular concern in a course with written and oral assignments is the issue of plagiarism. Plagiarism is defined by Webster’s (1989) as “the appropriation or imitation of the language, ideas, and thoughts of anther author, and representation of them as one’s original work” (p. 1100).  In other words, plagiarism is stealing. You must cite your sources accurately and consistently in both your oral and written assignments. Penalties for plagiarism will vary according to severity and will range from a failing grade to prosecution through the University System.

Grade questions. Any grade may be argued; however, if you want a change in your points, you will need to present a written argument to the instructor at least one day following your receiving the grade (but not more than one week later). Do not confront the instructor on the day tests or papers are returned (before you have considered the feedback).

Writing quality assumptions. Every paper you turn in must be of quality, both in content and style. I will not accept papers with grammatical and typographical errors. I expect you to use a computer and to take advantage of the programs that guard against such errors; however, there is no substitute for good proofreading.  All papers should be written in APA style. 

Grade guidelines for all written assignments:

C papers – meet all of the requirements, adequately and accurately explore the topic and are clearly written, well organized, and at least minimally interesting to read.

B papers – exceed basic requirements in several areas, and are very well written. Draws from more challenging literature/material, insightful and creative in presentation and/or analysis, teaches the course material to the reader in its application and use of terminology and theory.

A papers – are exceptionally well written, exceeding requirements in many areas. Translates complex ideas with uncommon clarity, and provokes the reader to think about the topic in new ways. Draws from very challenging literature/material; provides appropriate references to authors and theorist names; teaches the course material to the reader in such a way as to enhance understanding of it.