COMM
8: GROUP DISCUSSION
Fall
2010 Dr. John A. Cagle
Office:
MUSIC-189 Phone: 278-5103
E-mail: johnca@csufresno.edu
Office Hours: MWF
9:30-11:00, & by appointment
Course
Description:
This
course is designed to develop your skills in group thinking and communication
needed for the analysis of public issues, problem solving, decision making,
and leadership.
Objectives: This course
develops the rhetorical competencies associated with fulfilling General
Education Core Speech (Area A1) objectives and those articulated in the
California Commission on Teacher Credentialing for Domain 2, including
1.
To develop student competencies in
informative and persuasive communication associated with the analysis and
solution of public issues and problems (2.1 and 2.4)
2.
To develop information competencies
in understanding a problem and finding pertinent facts through research
techniques and critical thinking (2.5)
3.
To demonstrate skill in the
structure and organization of ideas (2.4)
4.
To develop individual presentation
and group collaboration skills, including the effective use of current
presentation technologies (2.1)
5.
To enhance proficiency in adapting
messages to receiver characteristics (2.4)
6.
To understand the role of culture in
the production and management of spoken interaction (2.1)
7.
To develop skills in extemporaneous
speaking, including speaking in stages of group collaboration in problem
solving and decision making (2.1)
8.
To understand dynamics of small
group processes as they impact communication, problem solving, decision
making, and behavior.
9.
To learn how to design and present
oral and written reports of an implementation plan to solve a problem (2.1,
2.2, and 3.1)
Textbook:
Adams, Katherine, and Galanes,
Gloria J.
(2009). Communicating
in Groups. 7th ed.
NY: McGraw-Hill.
Research
in Library periodicals and books
and on the Internet.
Course materials at http://csufresno.blackboard.com/
Examinations:
About
the end of October, a midterm examination will cover the lecture/discussions and research
so far in the class. The midterm
examination will be short-answer essay format.
The final examination will
involve description, synthesis, and evaluation of the semester's learning
activities. Usually the final is
a take-home examination in format.
Class Participation, Group
Discussion Projects and Speeches, and Grading:
A
high level of class participation in required in this course.
Class activities usually involve some form of group work.
Each class member is responsible for fulfilling his/her commitments to
the group. This class involves several group speaking assignments.
Students are required to do all assignments. Your grade will be based
on your individual contributions to group efforts on these assignments.
A large group project will complete the course, involving several weeks
of problem-solving discussions, culminating in an oral
group report and the preparation of written
reports by each student; the final
examination will in part be an evaluation of this group project and
statement of what you've learned.
Attendance:
Attendance
is required. More than three unexcused absences will result in lowering
the course grade. More than five
absences will result in a grade of U. The
professor may modify or adjust these penalties for good reasons. These
penalties may be harsher than ordinary because your absence not only affects
your learning, but disrupts the class as well.
A number of university policies govern academic classes.
Please read this material carefully.