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GROUP DISCUSSION: Learning, Leading and Working in Teams

COMM (COST) - 2622 -- Basic Course Overview

Dr. E. Plummer

office: FH-51

voicemail: 973 - 275 - 2791

e-mail: evelyn.plummer@shu.edu /or/ plummeev@shu.edu

mailbox: in FH-45 {Comm.Dept. mailbox room}

professor's web page: http://pirate.shu.edu/~plummeev

>>Required Text: Working in Groups, 7th ed. ----- Engleberg & Wynn Pearson Higher Ed's "REVEL" LMS format [ala carte h.c. + online access code] https://www.vitalsource.com/referral?term=9780134415574 or https://www.vitalsource.com/referral?term=9780134415550

>>Course Description: An examination of effective management and participation in formal and informal discussion groups -- primarily focusing on the "small group" setting. Activities include team participation, group observations, and written analysis. Particular attention is given to the roles, norms, processes, and verbal/non-verbal signals involved when groups investigate, evaluate, solve problems and/or make decisions. The course is conducted via a mixture of theoretical and practical applications. In other words, this is a "content AND performance" based course.

>>Course Objectives:

1.	To help you become a more skilled participant-observer within a variety of group settings
2.	To help you develop an awareness of the processes and variables involved in group interaction
3.	To refine, reinforce, and adapt the speech/communication skills you have developed in your previous speech/communication courses - especially speaking anf listening.
4.	To actively relate the coursework to your current (& future) school, social, & professional situations

>>Course Requirements:

In order to succeed in this course, a student will need to:

{a}

Use WHATEVER MEANS NECESSARY (e.g. email, texting, staggered [NGT/virtual ] meetings, etc. ) in order to maintain regular, outside-of-class communication with his/her group members.

{b}

Complete all assigned group & individual presentations (incl. the submission of applicable documents).

{c}

Via the presentations & tests/quizzes & observation portfolio, successfully demonstrate an understanding of the material covered in the text-- as well as an ability to apply that knowledge to actual group situations.

{d}

Have regular class attendance (no more than 3 absences or 3 tardies). Your class attendance, as well as your "GMAP" attendance, WILL affect your grade.

Due to the participatory nature of this course, it is necessary to attend each session. Attendance, Punctuality, and Quality of Classroom Engagement are all taken into consideration during the final tabulation of the grades. If you are absent more than 2 times you can not get more than a B in the course; more than 3-4 times, no more than a C; 5 times, no more than a D; if you are absent 6 or more times, you will not pass. Only absences which are accompanied by doctor notes, university letters, or similar documentation will be considered "excused". Additionally, 3 tardies (coming in late) = 1 absence! If you are present in the room, but otherwise distracted or disengaged, classwork points will be deducted.

{e}

Complete whatever additional, "outside" listening/ research/reading assignments may be assigned.

{f}

Maintain and submit the semester project known as the "Observation Portfolio"[this link = an overview]. see your current course calendar to view this semester's project specifications.

{g}

Successfully complete the 3-4 online assessment quizzes [via Blackboard] & the 2 in-class, written tests.

{h}

Additional important course policy documents include:

* Explanation of my Criteria used for assigning Letter Grades You will want to read this!

* Policy on Academic Honesty

* SHU Disability Statement

>>Evaluation and Grading: (This section has been made " extra-explicit" in order to clarify possible misconceptions about group interdependence. )

-In this course, your progress will be evaluated using 2 basic criteria:

[1] your performance in the presentations & class activities {as demonstrated in your classwork and your oral-&-written contributions to the group presentations}

and

[2] your written understanding & application of the material {as demonstrated in your quizzes/tests and the Observation Portfolio }

Also, remember

ATTENDANCE AFFECTS YOUR GRADE!

See item {d} above. Please note that, in general, the semester grade will be lowered one denomination

in proportion to the number of additional absences beyond the course limit.

Also, due to the nature of teams and teamwork, there is no way for

an individual to "make up" a missed group presentation.

Grade computation:

Factor #1: (points distribution)

4 Major Presentations - including any required submissions: group &/or individual {final presentation has greatest weight}	40%
2 Written Tests + 3-4 "Checkup" Quizzes via Blackboard	25%
Attendance, Participation, additional Assignments	15%
Observation Portfolio	20%

{i.e. approx 2/3 = Oral Work -&- 1/3 = Written Work}

{i.e. approximately 40% = Group Work -&- 60% = Individual Work}
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Factor #2 (degree of interdependence)

By definition, a group presentation is a collaborative effort. However, in an effort to acknowledge an individual's effort and performance, the following method will be used for assessment in the "Major" presentations:
Each participant will receive an individual grade; however, this grade will be "tied" to the grade which is received by the group for its overall effectiveness.

For example: An individual's grade for a presentation or group project can be no higher than one full grade above or below the designated "Group Grade". The items to be considered in determining an individual's presentation grade include:

> the person's own oral skills and quality of performance

> the evidence and quality of the person's own preparation

> the evidence and quality of the person's contribution to the group's planning process

> the person's interpersonal skills of interaction as demonstrated throughout all aspects of the process

Alternate Breakdown of Graded Work:
	Via Groupwork:
		> 4 Classroom Presentations {Informative, Decision Making, Problem Solving, Next-Big-Thing"
		> 1 Grade-Your-Own Document Submission

	_ Individual:
		■ 1 Observation Portfolio (a series of brief, specified analyses compiled into a packet)
		■ 2 written tests (in class)
		■ 3 online quizzes
		■ ongoing Attendance & Class Participation

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>>Misc. summaries/ forms/templates used throughout semester: (all are also linked to relevant dates & locations within the course calendar)

>Summary of presentation assignment & submission requirements

>Topic Search & Brainstorming - Get An Early Start!

>Form for group's PRELIMINARY Agenda-Outline submission BASIC VERSION

>Form for group's PRELIMINARY Agenda-Outline submission- DECISION MAKING VERSION

>Form for group's PRELIMINARY Agenda-Outline submission- PROBLEM SOLVING VERSION

>Template for group's FINAL(revised) Agenda/Outline submission

> Directions for the GRADING-OUR-GROUP'S-PRESENTATION project

> FYI: "Myth of Multitasking"

Always check a document's update specification to ensure you are looking at correct, current version.

Any old links as indicated with: " page being updated ". Currently = past semester's document. View it as a sample