COMM 2723 Small Group Discussion; Jeff Gentry, Instructor

Office: Baird Hall 209-A; Office phone: 343-7742; e-mail <jgentry@rsu.edu>

Office hours: Monday-Wednesday: 11:00, 1:15-2:15; Tuesday-Thursday: 2-4; Friday: 11:00. Additional office hours available by appointment.

Required Text: In Mixed Company: Small Group Communication (5^th ed.) by J. Dan Rothwell

Course description: Study of effective communication techniques and procedures in problem-solving groups, with special emphasis on group roles, norms, and skills. Analysis

Course objectives: Students will develop their reading, research, listening, writing, speaking, and problem-solving skills to become more effective citizens and potential leaders in group situations affecting their work and community.

Teaching methods: Lecture & discussion, reading; writing and speaking assignments.

Important: be sure to read the assigned chapters before the class in which they are discussed.

Assignments

1) Thursday Discussion: On several Thursdays, one group will lead a class discussion of a pressing issue. After the topic(s) is selected one-week prior, the assigned group will research the issue and be prepared to explain its significance. All class members will participate in the discussion. Group members will be graded on their research and presentation. The first round of Thursday Discussions will focus on a single topic, and the second round will be a “McLaughlin Group” style consisting of 4 topics. In both cases, topics must be approved by the instructor at least one week prior to the class presentation.

2) Discussion event. Similar to the national event, students will participate in a discussion on an important national controversy. Topic selected by the instructor.

3) Group symposium. Near the end of the semester, students will research and participate in a group symposium on a topic selected by the group. Students will be graded on their effectiveness as speakers and discussion facilitators. These groups will be mixed from the Thursday Discussion groups.

4) A reaction paper is due on March 1 on a subject related to group communication. Topics are derived from published news accounts of a business, government, or civic group, and must be approved by the instructor at least one week in advance.

5) Three exams will be taken on the reading and lecture material.

Course Policies:

1) Attendance: Class attendance has been proven essential to student success. Students are strongly advised to attend each class to best understand the material. Missed classes do not qualify you for personal instruction during office hours. If late do not disrupt the class, and do not let cell phones ring during class. Missed classes in a group communication class are especially harmful, as group work may take place on any given class day.

2) Due dates: Due dates in the class are firm. Any late assignments result in the loss of one letter grade, and none will be accepted more than seven days after the due date. Anyone missing an in-class exam will be permitted a make-up test only if the absence resulted from a documented emergency. Group project cannot be made up. Each student should avoid personal crises on assignment days.

3) Typing. All written assignments must be typed, and the reaction paper must utilize a recognized style, such as MLA or APA. If you struggled in English Composition II, you may need to devote extra attention to this assignment.

4) Assignments: To be prepared for class, reading assignments should be completed in advance of the class in which they are discussed, not after. All assignments will use a straight-letter system. An A earns 4 grade points, A- =3.5, B=3, etc. All work must be completed to pass the course, with a 3.5 average or higher =final grade of A, 2.5=B, 2.5=C, 1.5=D.

Quiz 1: 15%

Quiz 2: 15%

Quiz 3: 20%

Reaction Paper: 20%

Thursday Discussions:20% total

Group symposium: 10%

5) Academic Integrity. Please see the RSU Code of Academic Conduct. Plagiarism is not acceptable and is easy to detect. Any violation will result in an "F" for the course in addition to any penalties imposed by the university.

6) Americans with Disabilities Act. “Rogers State University is committed to providing students with disabilities equal access to educational programs and services. Before any educational accommodation can be provided, any student who has a disability that he or she believes will require some form of accommodation must do the following: 1) inform the professor of each class of such need; and 2) register for services to determine eligibility for assistance with the Office of Student Affairs, located in the Student Union.” Students needing more information about Student Disability Services should contact: Jan Smith-Clayton, Director of Student Development, Office of Student Affairs 918-343-7579.

Class schedule: Small Group Communication

Jan. 11 Course Introduction and assignments

13 Defining communication (Chapter 1)

18 Communication competence

20 Groups as systems (Chapter 2)

25 Group development (Chapter 3)

27 Group development; reaction paper assignment

Feb. 1 Developing the group climate (Chapter 4)

3 The group climate

8 Quiz #1

10 Leadership (Chapter 5); Group 1 discussion topic selected

15 Leadership

17 Thursday Discussion: Group 1

22 Team building (Chapter 6)

24 Thursday Discussion: Group 2

Mar. 1 Defective decision making (Chapter 7); Reaction paper due

3 Effective decision making (Chapter 8)

8 Effective decisions; Discussion event topic announced

10 Quiz #2; Group 2 McLaughlin topics assigned

Spring Break

22 Power in groups (Chapter 9); Group 1 McLaughlin topics assigned

24 Discussion: McLaughlin Style (Group 2);

29 “Discussion: The Lost Event;”

31 Discussion: McLaughlin Style (Group 1)

Apr. 5 Conflict management (Chapter 10)

7 McLaughlin Group: round 2 (group Alpha)

12 McLaughlin Group: round 2 (group Omega)

14 Group symposium assignments; topics selected

19 Cooperative versus competitive play

21 Cooperative versus competitive play

26 Group A symposium

28 Group B symposium

Finals period: Quiz #3