COMM 230 - Small Group Communication

3 Credit: (3 lecture, 1 lab, 0 clinical) 4 Contact Hours: [COMM 210 or COMM 215 or COMM 220 ]

The primary purpose of the course is for students to explore the principles of small group communication. Specifically, the course will provide an opportunity for students to become more familiar with major theory and vocabulary in group communication. The course will engage students through group participation, challenging them to improve their group communication skills. The knowledge and experience gained in the course will encourage students to build on their levels of comfort and compentency when performing within small group communication.
Semesters Offered: even-year spring semesters

Course Goals/ Objectives/ Competencies:
Goal 1: Communicate more effectively in a small group, which will be evidenced by being able to:

Define small group communication.
List and define the primary and secondary characteristics of a small group.
Develop a code of ethics for small group membership.
Differentiate between leader and leadership.
Differentiate among the models of small group development.
Define relational communication.
Identify the components of effective small group communication.

Goal 2: Articulate the alternative viewpoints and cultures of small group members, which will be Evidenced by being able to:

Explain the ways in which individuals are attracted to small groups.
Identify the “ideal” small group member in terms of communication traits.
Identify the “ideal” small group in terms of communication components.
Explain how diversity influences the small group communication process.
Differentiate among decision-making techniques used in the small group.
Differentiate among conflict-handling styles .
Explain the difference between a supportive and a defensive small group communication climate.

Goal 3: Demonstrate the role small groups play in an increasingly interdependent world, which will be Evidenced by being able to:

Explain the small group socialization process.
Identify the outcomes associated with successful small group socialization.
Differentiate between how formal and informal small group roles emerge.
Explain how group-think occurs in the small group.