12/27/2024 8:08:04 AM	COMM 5 Course Outline as of Fall 2023	Changed Course
CATALOG INFORMATION
Discipline and Nbr:  COMM 5	Title:  GRP DISCUSSION PROB SOLV
Full Title:  Group Discussion and Problem Solving
Last Reviewed:11/4/2024

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:

Students will engage in an 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 ENGL 100 OR Course Completion of EMLS 100 ( or ESL 100)Course Completion of EMLS 100 ( or ESL 100)

Limits on Enrollment:

Schedule of Classes Information
Description:

Students will engage in an 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 ENGL 100 OR Course Completion of EMLS 100 ( or ESL 100)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
CSU GE:	Transfer Area			Effective:	Inactive:
	E	Lifelong Learning and Self Development		Fall 1981
IGETC:	Transfer Area			Effective:	Inactive:
CSU Transfer:	Transferable	Effective:	Fall 1981	Inactive:
UC Transfer:	Transferable	Effective:	Fall 1981	Inactive:
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:

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:

At the conclusion of this course, the student should 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

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

    G. Methods of collecting and analyzing group communication data

VIII. Nonverbal Communication

    A. Kinesics

    B. Proxemics

    C. Dress

    D. Vocalics

    E. Oculesics

    F. Haptics

    G. Chronemics

IX. Understanding an Individual's Place in the Group

    A. Interdependence as the goal

    B. Independence

    C. Dependence, co-dependence

X. Critical Thinking and Research Gathering in Group Contexts

XI. 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

XII. Organizational Communication

    A. Organizational culture

    B. Group and institutional evaluations

    C. Management evaluations

Assignments:

The course will include some or all of the following assignments:

1. Experiential games and simulation exercises

2. Group discussions

3. Written group presentation(s) (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 and quizzes (2-20)

8. Weekly reading (10-30 pages)

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%
Written group presentations; analysis of group communication
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; problem solving exercises and projects
Skill Demonstrations: All skill-based and physical demonstrations used for assessment purposes including skill performance exams.		Skill Demonstrations 15 - 25%
Group discussions; group presentation(s); analysis of group communication
Exams: All forms of formal testing, other than skill performance exams.		Exams 15 - 25%
Exams and quizzes
Other: Includes any assessment tools that do not logically fit into the above categories.		Other Category 15 - 25%
Class participation and attendance

Representative Textbooks and Materials:

Communicating in Groups: Applications and Skills, 11th ed. Adams, Katherine and Galanes, Gloria. McGraw-Hill: 2021.

Communicating in Small Groups: Principles and Practices,12th ed. Beebe, Steven and Masterson, John. Pearson: 2020.

Effective Group Discussion: Theory and Practice,15th ed. Galanes, Gloria and Adams, Katherine. McGraw-Hill: 2019.

In Mixed Company: Communicating in Small Groups,11th ed. Rothwell, Dan. Cengage: 2021.

Systems Approach to Small Group Interaction, 11th ed. Tubbs, Stewart. McGraw-Hill: 2011 (classic)

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