Oklahoma State University Institute of Technology
SPCH2313 Course Syllabus
Spring 2018
SPCH 2313: SMALL GROUP COMMUNICATION
This course focuses on enhancing student understanding of and skills for participation in small group interaction. This course addresses various social dimensions of group processes such as group development, leadership, conflict resolution, and verbal and nonverbal communication strategies. Particular emphasis is on task-oriented groups.
Type of course: Theory
Credit Hours: 3 Total hours of theory per semester: 48
Class length: Full Semester
Class days and times: MWF 12:30-1:25
Prerequisites: None
Instructor Name: Angie Asmussen Instructor Phone: (918) 293-4863
Office: NCAT 212C Instructor email:
Contact: My preferred method of contact is via email. Please allow 24-48 hours to return your correspondence during the normal work week.
Instructor's Office Hours: MWF 8:00 to 10:30; 11:30 to 12:30 TR 8:00 to 9:30; 11:00 to 12:30 Central Standard Time
Division Name: Arts & Sciences Division’s Main Phone: 918-293-4768
Required Text, References, and Materials
Texts: Engleberg, Isa N. and Dianna R. Wynn. Working in Groups. 6th ed. Boston: Pearson,
2013. ISBN 10: 0-205-02937-X or ISBN 13: 978-0-205-02937-2
References: None other than those available in the Learning Resources Center and on the Internet
Materials: Three green scantrons, standard classroom supplies, such as pens, 8.5” x 11” paper, flash drive, materials to make flags
Estimated Cost for Materials: Textbook and miscellaneous writing materials: $50.00
Upon completion of the course, students should:
Course Objectives / Assessment of ObjectivesDemonstrate processes of human communication in the small group context. / Apply lessons in effective listening; non- verbal communication to small group interaction, write individual reports.
Work together in teams to organize group presentations. / *Movie Analysis Project, Persuasive Project, Flag Project
Demonstrate communication behaviors associated with leadership. / Apply leadership skills to small group activities and presentations.
Plan and deliver a variety of speeches. / *Movie Analysis Project, Persuasive Project, Flag Project
Conduct and incorporate research from written communications. / *Movie Analysis Project, Persuasive Project
Write organized, developed outlines.
Demonstrate the use of effective presentation aids. / Write uniform group outlines for each group project and incorporate effective presentations aids.
Aspects of the course objective assessments may be used in the university’s assessment of student learning. An asterisk (*) above indicates this course is used in the university assessment program.
Course Activities
In this course students will:
Ø Participate in discussions of readings as well as individual and group presentations.
Ø View videos that depict the various concepts of small group communication.
Ø Conduct and report on presentations.
Ø Participate in in-class activities, such as group deliberations and discussions.
Ø Make group presentations.
Ø Write reflections of group activities and synopses of reading assignments.
Evaluation - Grades will be based on the quality and completion of these tasKS:
Class Participation (group activities,
quizzes, daily grades) …..…………...20%
Project # 1 (Movie Analysis)………..10%
Project # 2 (Decision Making)……....5%
Project # 3 (Persuasion)………..……10%
Project # 4 (Flag)……………….…...10%
Chapter Examinations (3)…..……… 30%
Final Comprehensive Exam ……..… 15%
Daily and/or weekly quizzes, small weekly assignments and similar type projects: Normal return time to student by next class meeting or no later than one (1) week.
Extensive assignments, large projects and similar type projects: Normal return time to students in one (1) to two (2) weeks.
AUTHORIZED TOOLS
Bright Space
Students are encouraged to visit the online course site to obtain updated course activities and schedule information. All grades are updated and available via the bright space course site.
Classroom Materials
Students may use any/all course materials, including books and notes, while participating in classroom activities. Collaboration on all classroom activities and assignments is encouraged.
Communication
If you are not receiving email from any source, including this class, it is because you must access your email now through Orange Mail. Go to the OSU - IT homepage > Current Students > Online Services > Orange Mail and sign in.
LATE WORK
No late work will be accepted except for one exam taken up to one week late. No exceptions, please!
TESTING
There will be four exams this semester. Three exams over the text and one comprehensive final.
Student Conduct
Students are expected to cooperate in maintaining a classroom environment conducive to learning. Courteous and respectful behavior will be expected from all students each day. Cell phones should be on silent. The use of tobacco in any form in University buildings is prohibited.
UNIVERSITY & COURSE EXPECTATIONS
It is the responsibility of each OSUIT student to read, abide by and maintain a copy of the syllabus for this course. Syllabi are available on the OSUIT website.
Students understand that excerpts or portions of their work may be utilized for institutional assessment purposes. The purpose of institutional assessment is for verification of student learning and program improvement. Every effort will be made to keep this information confidential.
Syllabus Attachment
View the Syllabus Attachment, which contains other important information, by visiting http://osuit.edu/center/student_syllabus_information
The following itinerary is subject to change.
January 5 Syllabus
January 8 Chapter One
January 10 Chapters One & Two
January 12 Getting to Know Your Group Activity; Handout on Movie Analysis
January 15 No Class: MLK Holiday
January 17 Chapters Two & Three
January 19 Chapter Three
January 22-26 Movie: 12 Angry Men
January 29 Chapter Four; Myers-Briggs Personality Inventory
January 31 Chapters Four and Twelve; Handout on Individual Reporting
February 2 Chapter 12; Delivering Your Presentation
February 5 Exam: Chapters 12, 1-4
February 7 Work on Movie Analysis Presentations
February 9 Movie Analysis Presentations
February 12 Chapter Five; Individual Report due
February 14 Chapter Five; Lessons From the Geese
February 16 Chapter Six; Using Language to Influence
February 19 Chapter Six; Everyone Knows What I Mean activity
February 21 Chapter Seven: Listening Evaluation
February 23 Film over Listening
February 26 Chapter Nine
February 28 Exam: Chapters 5-7, 9
March 2 Group Decision Activity: The New Truck
March 5-9 Movie: The White Squall
March 12-16 Chapter 10; Persuasive Speaking
March 19-23 No Class: Spring Break
March 26 & 28 Chapter 8
March 30 Chapter 11
April 2 Using Sources to Support Persuasion; Ethos, Pathos, Logos
April 4 Exam: Chapters 8, 10-11
April 6 Work on Persuasive Presentations
April 9 Persuasive Presentations
April 11 Individual Report due; Work on Flags
April 13 Pending
April 16 Flag Presentations
April 18 Work on Final Exam
April 20 Final Exam due via dropbox at 4:00 p.m.
Updated: December 2017