8/31/2024 4:33:21 PM |
| Changed Course |
CATALOG INFORMATION
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Discipline and Nbr:
COMM 5 | Title:
GRP DISCUSSION PROB SOLV |
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Full Title:
Group Discussion and Problem Solving |
Last Reviewed:2/13/2023 |
Units | Course Hours per Week | | Nbr of Weeks | Course Hours Total |
Maximum | 3.00 | Lecture Scheduled | 3.00 | 17.5 max. | Lecture Scheduled | 52.50 |
Minimum | 3.00 | Lab Scheduled | 0 | 5 min. | Lab Scheduled | 0 |
| Contact DHR | 0 | | Contact DHR | 0 |
| Contact Total | 3.00 | | Contact Total | 52.50 |
|
| Non-contact DHR | 0 | | Non-contact DHR Total | 0 |
| Total Out of Class Hours: 105.00 | Total Student Learning Hours: 157.50 | |
Title 5 Category:
AA Degree Applicable
Grading:
Grade or P/NP
Repeatability:
00 - Two Repeats if Grade was D, F, NC, or NP
Also Listed As:
Formerly:
SPCH 5
Catalog Description:
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Experiential study of small-group discussion, including problem solving, conflict resolution, group roles, leadership styles, interest-based negotiating, group-meeting protocols, organizational communication, and cultural diversity.
Prerequisites/Corequisites:
Recommended Preparation:
Course Completion of ENGL 100 OR Course Completion of EMLS 100 ( or ESL 100)
Limits on Enrollment:
Schedule of Classes Information
Description:
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Experiential study of small-group discussion, including problem solving, conflict resolution, group roles, leadership styles, interest-based negotiating, group-meeting protocols, organizational communication, and cultural diversity.
(Grade or P/NP)
Prerequisites:
Recommended:Course Completion of ENGL 100 OR Course Completion of EMLS 100 ( or ESL 100)
Limits on Enrollment:
Transfer Credit:CSU;UC.
Repeatability:00 - Two Repeats if Grade was D, F, NC, or NP
ARTICULATION, MAJOR, and CERTIFICATION INFORMATION
Associate Degree: | Effective: | Fall 1981
| Inactive: | |
Area: | B
| Communication and Analytical Thinking
|
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CSU GE: | Transfer Area | | Effective: | Inactive: |
| E | Lifelong Learning and Self Development | Fall 1981 | |
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IGETC: | Transfer Area | | Effective: | Inactive: |
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CSU Transfer: | Transferable | Effective: | Fall 1981 | Inactive: | |
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UC Transfer: | Transferable | Effective: | Fall 1981 | Inactive: | |
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C-ID: |
CID Descriptor: COMM 140 | Small Group Communication | SRJC Equivalent Course(s): COMM5 |
Certificate/Major Applicable:
Both Certificate and Major Applicable
COURSE CONTENT
Student Learning Outcomes:
At the conclusion of this course, the student should be able to:
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1. Employ a systematic method within a group to solve a problem.
2. Communicate effectively within groups.
3. Observe and explain effective group processes.
Objectives:
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Upon completion of the course, students will be able to:
1. Describe, compare, and analyze a variety of small-group communication behaviors.
2. Choose and practice methods for communicating with other members of a small group.
3. Describe, compare and analyze some culturally-based differences in cognitive styles and
worldviews of group members.
4. Describe and practice supportive communication behaviors.
5. Discuss and practice listening skills related to small-group communication.
6. Discuss and practice communication skills related to leadership and decision making.
7. Demonstrate an appreciation for the sociological and behavioral differences between people,
especially those of various cultures, personality types and learning styles.
8. Strategize and practice methods for individual and group problem solving.
9. Discuss and practice both task and maintenance roles and behaviors.
10. Discuss and practice methods of group consensus building, rather than less inclusive means
of decision-making, such as majority vote or trading.
11. Define, discuss, identify and avoid groupthink.
12. Create a meeting agenda and lead a group meeting utilizing Parliamentary Procedure.
13. Observe and explain concepts or organizational communication, including organizational
culture.
14. Explain and practice methods of effective leadership in a variety of situations.
Topics and Scope
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I. The Nature of Small Group Discussion
A. The importance of groups in society
B. Group roles and norms
C. Supportive versus defensive behaviors
D. Definitions of terms
1. small group
2. communication
3. conflict
E. Maintenance and task roles
F. Consensus building
G. Group decision making
H. When groups make better decisions than individuals
1. synergy and assembly effect
2. process loss
I. When groups are not the best decision-making vehicle
1. when conditions are changing rapidly (such as on a
battlefield or during an emergency)
2. when group members are unknowledgeable or immature
II. Diversity in Group Communication
A. Cultural diversity
B. Learning styles
C. Personality types
III. Conflict Resolution
A. Conflict management
B. Negotiations
C. Avoidance of groupthink
D. Consensus
E. Compromise
F. Avoidance and accommodation
IV. Systematic Approaches to Problem Solving (Procedural Model of Problem Solving or
Reflective Approach)
A. Understanding, researching and analyzing the problem
B. Generating possible solutions
C. Evaluating possible solutions
D. Selecting the best solutions
E. Implementing solutions
V. Systems Theory (or Substitute Theory)
A. Input, throughput, output
B. Environment
C. Open versus closed systems
D. Group as system
VI. Leadership
A. Understanding and managing diversity
B. Employing lawful and ethical leadership strategies
C. Using interpersonal power ethically and positively
D. Employing effective communication
E. Fostering a positive communication climate
F. Evaluating group and organizational leadership
G. Employing the most appropriate style of leadership for the situation, organization, or
group
VII. Components of Group Communication
A. Beliefs
B. Values
C. Behaviors (norms)
D. Listening
E. Practicing supportive communication
F. Avoiding defensive communication
VIII. Evaluation of Groups and Organizations
IX. Methods of Collecting and Analyzing Group Communication Data
X. Nonverbal Communication
A. Kinesics
B. Proxemics
C. Dress
D. Vocalics
E. Oculesics
F. Haptics
G. Chronemics
XI. Understanding an Individual's Place in the Group
A. Interdependence as the goal
B. Independence
C. Dependence, co-dependence
XII. Critical Thinking and Research Gathering in Group Contexts
XIII. Participating in and Running a Meeting
A. Parliamentary Procedure
B. Agenda
1. soliciting input
2. constructing an agenda
3. promulgating the final draft agenda to all members
C. Taking and distributing minutes
D. Archiving a group's history
XIV. Organizational Communication
A. Organizational culture
B. Group and institutional evaluations
C. Management evaluations
Assignments:
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Assignments will include:
1. Experiential games and simulation exercises
2. Participation in various forms of group communication
3. Written group presentations (1 - 3)
4. Oral group presentations (2 - 6)
5. Oral and written analysis of group communication
6. Problem solving exercises and projects (2 - 4)
7. Exams (2 - 20)
8. Homework will include:
a. weekly assignments such as 1-2 mini papers (200 to 300 words)
b. reports
c. research
d. assigned or suggested reading
e. written homework
Methods of Evaluation/Basis of Grade.
Writing: Assessment tools that demonstrate writing skill and/or require students to select, organize and explain ideas in writing. | Writing 10 - 20% |
Weekly mini papers (200-300 words); major written group presentations | |
Problem solving: Assessment tools, other than exams, that demonstrate competence in computational or non-computational problem solving skills. | Problem Solving 15 - 25% |
Experiential games and simulations | |
Skill Demonstrations: All skill-based and physical demonstrations used for assessment purposes including skill performance exams. | Skill Demonstrations 15 - 25% |
Group presentations; group discussions | |
Exams: All forms of formal testing, other than skill performance exams. | Exams 15 - 25% |
Quizzes; multiple choice exams; essay exams | |
Other: Includes any assessment tools that do not logically fit into the above categories. | Other Category 15 - 25% |
Class participation; in-class exercises; attendance | |
Representative Textbooks and Materials:
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In Mixed Company: Communicating in Small Groups. 9th ed. Rothwell, Dan. Cengage. 2015
Communicating in Groups: Applications and Skills. 9th ed. Adams, Katherine and Galanes, Gloria. McGraw-Hill. 2014
Communicating in Small Groups: Principles and Practices. 11th ed. Beebe, Steven and Masterson, John. Pearson. 2014
Effective Group Discussion: Theory and Practice. 14th ed. Galanes, Gloria and Adams, Katherine. McGraw-Hill. 2012 (classic)
Systems Approach to Small Group Interaction [with CD]. 11th ed. Tubbs, Stewart. McGraw-Hill. 2011 (classic)
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