COMMUNICATION STUDIES 04

SMALL GROUP COMMUNICATION

Instructor:      LeeAnne Hobbs                      

Office Hours: MWF 9-10 AM; M 1-2 PM

Office:             IAC-246

Phone:             (209) 384-6255                                                          

Mailbox #:      IAC Building C

Email:             hobbs.l@mccd.edu (That is hobbs-dot- “L” as in LeeAnne)                 

Website:         http://www.mccd.edu/faculty/hobbsl

 

Prerequisite:   English A

Text:                Adams, K., & Galanes, G. J. (2005). Communicating In Groups, (7th ed.). New York, NY:

McGraw-Hill.

 

Course Description:

This is a course designed to help students develop critical thinking skills for communication and working together on small group tasks. Emphasis is placed on problem-solving, reasoning, conflict resolution, and leadership.

 

Expected Student Outcomes (ESO): See schedule for correlation with learning activities

By the end of this course the student should be able to:

         A. Demonstrate a working knowledge of the communication process;

         B. Develop the ability to solve problems through critical thinking;

         C. Recognize effective communication in a variety of group environments;

         D. Formulate appropriate evidence to support conclusions;

         E. Analyze problems and work toward solutions;

         F. Distinguish between fact and opinion;

        G. Apply in-class learning to “real-life” settings.

 

Course Requirements:

1.     Complete all reading assignments prior to class

a.       Not reading can lead to such consequences as being excused from class, activities, etc.

2.     Participate in all class activities such as small group discussions, presentations, papers and critiques

3.     Complete three exams

4.     Complete a group film analysis

5.     Complete two application assignments

6.     Prepare and complete a group service assignment for group project analysis

7.     Type all graded assignments

8.     Turn in all assignments on time, unless pre-approved by instructor. Late work is not accepted without instructor approval.

 

Notes of Interest:

1. Attendance:

  • You are required to attend all class meetings and stay for the entire class period.  Class will begin on time and tardiness disrupts the class. 

 

  • You are allowed 1.5 weeks (T/TH = 3; MWF=5) of absences over the semester without penalty. For every absence thereafter, it is a 10 pt deduction. You are in enrolled in a class where others are depending on your contribution, so be mindful of what responsibilities you carry for others as you miss class. An absence will not be judged as excused or unexcused—it is just an absence.

 

    • Think ahead--If you have an obligation that may require you to miss a class or two (work conflict, athletic obligation) plan accordingly so that those fall into your 1.5 weeks, otherwise a deduction will be taken.

 

    • Tardies also fall into the formula. Three (3) tardies is equivalent to one absence.  Your absences and tardies will cause grade reductions. 

 

    • After 2 weeks of combined absences, the instructor has the right to drop you from the class as your group is probably pretty frustrated with you.

 

  • If you are asking for special circumstances, contact the instructor PRIOR to the major deadline. Please treat this class with the same respect as a job—you wouldn’t likely call in sick after your shift had ended.

 

  • LIFE HAPPENS. If there is a special circumstance, by all means communicate with the instructor. I will make special allowances on a case-by-case basis.

 

2. Each student should attain the phone number or contact information of two other classmates in case of an absence. If you should need to miss class, contact those peers for missed assignments.

 

3. Disagreements over grades must be resolved the day the grade is given.

 

4. All papers and presentations will be graded on content, clarity, and proper English grammar skills.

 

5. If a student has an academic or physical challenge that could impair his/her participation and/or performance in the course, it is that student’s responsibility to notify the instructor immediately.

 

6. Plagiarism: Merced College's policy on plagiarism will be strictly enforced (see college catalog).  Any student caught plagiarizing will receive an "F" on the assignment.  If a student is caught plagiarizing a second time, he or she will receive an "F" in the class.  In all cases, written notification will be forwarded to both the Division Chair of the Humanities Division and the Office of Instruction.  The instructor reserves the right to submit any of your written work to an online company that checks for plagiarism. Borrowing someone else's words is illegal and will not be tolerated.

 

7. There will be no cell phones or pagers permitted in class. TURN OFF the ringers, and please DO NOT text message during class. If this becomes a problem, the instructor will take appropriate action. These devices are a distraction to the learning environment.

 

8. Guests or pets, with the exception of guide animals, are not permitted during class session.

 

9. No late work is accepted (this includes exams) without prior approval from instructor. If you are sick on the due date of an assignment you can email your assignment as a Word attachment to the email.

 

10. Do not ask late in the semester if you can “make up” points with extra credit—none will be offered. Pace yourself and be consistent from the beginning!

 

 

 

 

Grading:

Grades will be determined through individual and group participation, research papers, exams, presentations, and attendance.  Your final course grades will be evaluated on a standard percentage basis of the total points possible generated throughout the semester.

 

                       

100% - 90%              A

                          89% - 80%               B

                         79% - 70%                C

                         69% - 60%                D

                         59% and below           F

 

Point Distribution—This may change as the instructor deems necessary

 

Exams  (3)                                120

Film Analysis                              50

Analysis Assignment 1             50

Analysis Assignment 2             50                    

Final Group Project                 115

Participation                               20

                                    Total Points:                 405

 

*Please keep track of your own running point total

**Keep all graded assignments in case of discrepancy on an assignment

***Extra Credit is not available

 

*All Class notes are on my website www.mccd.edu/faculty/hobbsl  I find that students do well when given the skeleton outlines for my lectures ahead of time. All of these are available on the website. Print them out prior to that class lecture and bring them to class with you.