STATE UNIVERSITY OF NEW YORK
COLLEGE AT OSWEGO
Department of Communication Studies
I. COURSE NUMBER AND CREDIT: COM 240, 3 semester hours
II. COURSE TITLE: Group Interaction and Discussion
III. COURSE DESCRIPTION Study of group interaction revolving around
discussion, group dynamics, decision-making,
problem-solving and leadership.
IV. PREREQUISITES: Sophomore standing.
V. COURSE JUSTIFICATION: The ability to work in groups is consistently
rated highly by employers. Consequently, this is
a standard course in communication curricula,
providing an early opportunity for students to
understand and practice group communication
skills against a background of small group theory.
VI. COURSE OBJECTIVES: The student should be able to
I. increase his/her effectiveness as a communicator
in group situations.
II. develop an understanding of group dynamics.
III. realize leadership potentialities through awareness
and practice of the many factors involved in group
process.
IV. consider and practice problem solving and decision-
making in groups.
VII. COURSE OUTLINE: I. Small Groups as Systems
II. How Groups Develop and Perform
III. Group Decision Making and Problem Solving
A. Advantages of Group Decisions
B. Critical Thinking in Decision Making
1. Decision Making Methods
2. Decision Making Fallacies
C. Problem Solving Agendas
D. Creative Problem Solving
IV. Leadership and Roles in Groups
V. Teambuilding and Positive Group Climate
VI. Managing Conflict in Groups
VIII. METHODS OF INSTRUCTION: Lectures/discussions; case studies; group projects,
exercises; simulations; readings, examinations
IX. COURSE REQUIREMENTS: I. Students will work in groups to complete at least
three major group projects, which may include
such projects as
A. developing a communication model
B. doing an analysis of an outside group
C. doing an analysis of a fictionalized group
D. completing a problem solving project
E. completing a case study of their own group
F. leading a focus group
II. Students will complete examinations over reading and
lecture materials
III. Students may work individually to analyze a group
IV. Students will evaluate the members of their own
work groups.
X. MEANS OF EVALUATION: Examinations, group projects, group participation, papers,
oral reports, evaluations of group members.
XI. RESOURCES: No additional college resources will be required.
XIII. BIBLIOGRAPHY
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Bechler, C., and Johnson, S. (1995). Leadership and listening: A study of
member perceptions. Small Group Research, 26, 77-85.
Belbin, R. (1996). Team Roles At Work. London: Butterworth-Heinemann.
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Creative Collaboration. New York: Addison-Wesley.
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102-111.
Brilhart, J. K., Galanas, G. J., and Adams, K. (2001). Effective Group Discussion.
New York: McGraw-Hill.
Broome, B., and Fulbright, L. (1995). A multistage influence model of barriers to
group problem solving: A participant-generated agenda for small group research.
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Cathcart, R., and Samovar, L. (1996). Small Group Communication: A Reader.
Dubuque, IA: Wm. C. Brown.
Cline, R. J. W. (1999). Communication in social support groups. In L. R. Frey,
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Theory and Research. Thousand Oaks, CA: Sage.
Cooper, V. (1997). Homophily or the Queen Bee Syndrome: Female evaluation of
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Donellon, A. (1996). Team Talk. Boston: Harvard Business School Press.
Fairhurst, G., and Sarr, R. (1996). The Art of Framing: Managing the Language of
Leadership. San Francisco: Jossey-Bass.
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Team Leadership Skills. New York: McGraw-Hill.
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Small Group Research, 30, 139-165.
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Updated V.2003.12.31