Special Topic: Group Dynamics
Class: PSYC 470 Group Dynamics (3)
Time: T/Th 1:35 – 2:50
Final: Th - 5/2/06 – 1:00 – 3:00
Location: GRPS 2
Email: khummel@vanguard.edu
Spring 2006
Professor: Karen J. “KJ” Hummel, Ph.D.
Phone: 714-556-3610 x335
Office: Social Science Division
Office Hours: T/Th 10:30–12:00; 3:00–5:30,
and by appointment
DESCRIPTION OF COURSE:
Group Dynamics explores the various stages of groups, including pre-group assessment and
screening of group members, group development, the initial stage, the transition stage, the
working stage, and the ending stage of groups. Students will be introduced to different types of
groups. Ethical and multicultural issues as they apply to groups are examined. This course
incorporates experiential learning processes where students learn about group processes via
group exercises in class. Each student will attend one group meeting of an ongoing secular
group in the community and one group meeting of an ongoing Christian group in the community.
PREREQUISITES:
PSYC 103C
COURSE FULFILLMENT:
This course meets elective upper division requirements for psychology majors and upper division
elective units for all other majors.
TEXT:
Corey, G., Corey, M.S., & Haynes, R. (2006). Groups in Action – Evolution and challenges
DVD (with workbook). Belmont, CA: Thompson Brooks/Cole.
Corey, M. S., & Corey, G. (2006). Groups: Process and practice (7th ed.). Belmont, CA:
Thompson Brooks/Cole.
LEARNING OBJECTIVES:
The Student will:
1.
2.
Demonstrate a basic understanding of different types of groups.
Demonstrate an understanding of group leadership characteristics.
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3.
4.
5.
Demonstrate ability to identify the major characteristics of each of the stages of a group.
Demonstrate growing self-awareness of personal values and how they affect group leaders.
Demonstrate knowledge of the major tasks of group leadership at each of the stages of a
group.
6. Demonstrate the ability to formulate an agenda for a group session.
7. Demonstrate a maturing understanding of the roles and expectations of group members at
the various stages of a group.
8. Demonstrate the ability to apply certain techniques in opening and closing a group session.
9. Demonstrate awareness of the importance of building a climate of trust in a group setting.
10. Demonstrate a basic understanding of group processes in the building of Christian
community.
11. Development of a personal philosophy of working with individuals in a group that respects
human diversity.
VANGUARD UNIVERSITY'S EDUCATIONAL TARGETS & COURSE GOALS:
Intellectual Engagement: Group Dynamics will help students learn about different types of
groups.
Spiritual Formation: Group Dynamics will help students address issues of integration of
psychology and the Christian faith as they relate to the secular group dynamic models. Exploring
the role and purpose of Christian community building will help in understanding group dynamics
from a Christian perspective.
Sociocultural Responsiveness: Group Dynamics will help students in their personal
development and sensitivity towards appreciating the role cultural diversity plays in groups.
Professional Excellence: Group Dynamics will assist students in gaining the skills needed to
lead a variety of groups.
Responsible Stewardship: Group Dynamics will help students learn to use their talents,
especially leadership skills, to assist others in need by utilizing group processes.
GENERAL CLASS POLICIES:
1. Attendance – Attendance is very important and will affect participation points earned.
2. Late Assignments – All late assignments will result in a loss of 5% for being handed in one
class session late, and a 10% loss for being handed in one week late. Except for extreme
circumstances, papers will not be accepted after one week beyond the due date. A student
MUST contact the professor BEFORE class to arrange turning in a late assignment. If a
student does not complete an assignment on-time without first contacting the professor, then
the student will likely receive zero points for that assignment.
3. All papers must be typed and in APA-style format when appropriate.
4. If an assignment is being submitted through email, it is the student’s responsibility to ensure
that the email was received. If the student does not receive a reply from the instructor
indicating that the assignment was received, it is to be assumed that it was not received, and
student must follow-up on turning in the work.
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DESCRIPTION OF ASSIGNMENTS:
General Guidelines: Papers are to be typed and to follow APA Guidelines. Papers require a title
page, which, while numbered, is not to be counted in determining the length of the paper. They
do not require an abstract. Because the papers involve expression of personal reactions and
opinions, they may be written in the first person. They do not require additional references
beyond the class texts. If additional references are used, they should be cited in the text and listed
on a Reference Page. All papers should reflect an understanding of relevant concepts from
assigned reading, class lecture, and discussion.
Groups in Action – Evolution and Challenges Workbook:
Completion of this workbook is one of the most significant components of this course. Students
are to view the relevant portions of the DVD and complete the corresponding workbook pages
prior to viewing and discussing these portions of the DVD in class. (Please see class schedule at
the end of syllabus for detailed due dates of this assignment.) Workbooks will be graded for
completion on each of the due dates and the content will be drawn upon during class discussion.
Upon final completion of the workbooks, students will hand them in for subsequent grading
based on effort, accuracy, and comprehension. Workbooks should indicate engagement of the
assigned task and they should demonstrate student growth in the process of understanding group
dynamics as the course progresses. This assignment will be discussed in further detail during
class sessions. (200 points)
Reaction Paper #1 - Participation and Reaction Paper (Secular Group):
Length: 2 pages - Each student must attend one meeting of a self-help group (such as
Alcoholics Anonymous, Overeaters Anonymous, Divorce Recovery Group, Bereavement Group,
Single Parents Group, etc.). In your reaction paper, clearly identify the type of group you
attended, date and location of the group, and what occurred in the group. Integrate terms from
your reading of the text to describe your observations regarding group dynamics, group
leadership, and the stage at which the group appears to be functioning. Discuss any dynamics
you observe that may have been due to cultural influences from various members of the group.
Your attendance must coincide with the spring semester during which this Group Dynamics
course is offered. (150 points)
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Reaction Paper #2 - Participation and Reaction Paper (Christian Group):
Length: 2 pages - Each student must attend one meeting of a self-help group (such as
Alcoholics Anonymous, Overeaters Anonymous, Divorce Recovery Group, Bereavement Group,
Single Parents Group, etc.). In your reaction paper, clearly identify the type of group you
attended, date and location of the group, and what occurred in the group. Integrate terms from
your reading of the text to describe your observations regarding group dynamics, group
leadership, and the stage at which the group appears to be functioning. Discuss any dynamics
you observe that may have been due to cultural influences from various members of the group.
Compare and contrast your attendance at the Christian oriented group with your experience of
the secular oriented group. Your attendance must coincide with the spring semester during
which this Group Dynamics course is offered. (150 points)
Reaction Paper #3 – Leadership, Participation and Reaction Paper (Experiential Group):
Length: 3-4 pages – Students will participate during class in experiential groups and will sign up
for a date during which they will co-lead the group along with another student. Reaction papers
are to reflect the experience of being a group member and a group leader. The papers are yours
to construct and formulate in whatever manner is most meaningful to you individually (for
example, you may even choose to complete it in journal format), however, the following
considerations may be helpful in guiding your writing process. Did you notice any norms, roles
or conflicts taking shape in your group? What were your views about the value of group work
before the experience as compared to after the experience? What, if anything, did you learn
about yourself from this group process? Did you notice any particular roles or interpersonal
relating styles among the group members? What role do you feel you played, if any? How do
you feel about having played that role? Was your group productive? In what ways may your
group have worked more efficiently together? How did you feel in the role of group leader?
How might your experience of a leader influence your future career plans? What information
did you gain from your group experience that may be useful to you personally or professionally?
(200 points)
Final Exam – Final will consist of short answer and essay questions covering a cumulative
range of course material. (150 points)
Attendance and Participation - Attendance will be taken, and points will be assigned
according to presence in class and active participation in group and class discussions. In order to
ensure group cohesion and establish a successful learning environment, it is ESSENTIAL for
students to be present at the Experiential Group sessions. Ten points will automatically be
deducted for each group session missed. (150 points)
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DESCRIPTION OF EVALUATION:
Students in this course will be evaluated by the College’s 4.0 grading system. You should refer
to the Student Handbook for further details on the grading system.
The following criteria will be used in determining the student’s grade:
Assignment
Workbook
Points
200
Reaction Paper #1 (Secular)
150
Due Date
Dates throughout course
and turn in on 4/11/06
2/28/06
Reaction Paper #2 (Christian)
150
4/6/06
Reaction Paper #3 to Leadership
and Experiential Groups
Final Exam
200
4/20/06
150
5/2/06
Attendance / Participation
150
Each class meeting
TOTAL POINTS:
1000
GRADE SCALE
Points
Letter Grade
Significance
Grade Point Average (GPA)
930—1000
900—929
870—899
830—869
800—829
770—799
730—769
700—729
670—699
630—669
600—629
0—599
A
AB+
B
BC+
C
CD+
D
DF
Exceptional
4.00
3.67
3.33
3.00
2.67
2.33
2.00
1.67
1.33
1.00
0.67
0.00
Above Average
Average
Below Average
Failure
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DATE
1/10/06
GROUP DYNAMICS CLASS SCHEDULE – SPRING, 2006
TOPIC
ASSIGNMENT DUE
Introduction to Class
None
1/12/06
Experiential Group
Attend Class
1/17/06
Introduction to Groups and Workbook
Chapters 1-3 / WB-pp. 1-11
1/19/06
The Leader and Leadership
Chapters 1-3
1/24/06
The Leader and Leadership
Chapters 1-3
1/26/06
Ethics and Multicultural Issues
Chapters 1-3
1/31/06
Theoretical Orientations to Groups
Chapters 1-3
2/2/06
Forming a Group
Chapter 4
2/7/06
Experiential Group
Attend Class
2/9/06
Video (brief) and Initial Stage
Chapter 5 / WB-pp. 12-20
2/14/06
Experiential Group
Attend Class
2/16/06
Video and Discussion
Attend Class / WB-pp. 20-40
2/21/06
Transition Stage
Chapter 6
2/23/06
Experiential Group
Attend Class
2/28/06
Video and Discussion
Paper #1 Due /WB-pp. 41-57
3/2/06
Working Stage
Chapter 7
3/7/06
Experiential Group
Attend Class
3/9/06
Video and Discussion
Attend Class / WB-pp. 58-76
3/21/06
Final Stage
Chapter 8
3/23/06
Experiential Group
Attend Class
3/28/06
Video and Discussion
Attend Class / WB-pp. 77-94
3/30/06
Video and Discussion
Attend Class /WB-pp. 95-124
4/4/06
Video and Discussion
Attend Class/WB-pp.124-139
4/6/06
Experiential Group
Attend Class / Paper #2 Due
4/11/06
Video and Discussion
WB-pp.140-164 & TURN IN
4/13/06
Specific Groups: Child and Adolescent
Chapters 9 & 10
4/18/06
Experiential Group
Attend Class
4/20/06
Specific Groups: Adult and Elderly
Ch.11 & 12/ Paper #3 Due
4/25/06
Inpatient Therapy Video
Attend Class
4/27/06
Closing Experiential Group
Attend Class
5/2/06
FINAL EXAM – 1:00 – 3:00
FINAL EXAM: Cumulative
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PSYC 470 GROUP DYNAMICS – INFORMATION SHEET AND
STATEMENT OF CONFIDENTIALITY
NAME:
BOX #:
PHONE:
E-MAIL:
MAJOR:
CLASS (JR., SR., ETC.):
HOBBY:
SCHOOL-RELATED FEAR(S):
MOST IMPORTANT TRAIT IN PROFESSOR:
ANYTHING YOU THINK USEFUL FOR ME TO KNOW:
I UNDERSTAND THAT ALL MATTERS DISCUSSED DURING CLASS
EXPERIENTIAL GROUPS ARE CONFIDENTIAL AND MAY NOT BE DISCUSSED
WITH ANYONE OUTSIDE OF CLASS.
Signature
Date
7