COMMUNICATION 106: Interpersonal Communication
MiraCosta College, Spring, 2013
Syllabus: Part A
Instructor: Paul “Pablo” Martin, M.A.
E-mail: professorpablomartin@gmail.com
Course Home Page: http://www.miracosta.edu/home/pmartin/groupcomm.html
Blackboard URL: https://blackboard.miracosta.edu/webapps/login/
https://gcccd.blackboard.com/webapps/login/
Office Hours: TBA (look under “Announcements” in Blackboard)
Other Important Contact Information:
Oceanside Instructional Services Assistants: (760) 795-6808
San Elijo Instructional Services Assistants: (760) 634-7879
Required text: Working in Groups, 5th Edition; Isa N. Engleberg & Dianna R. Wynn; ISBN-13: 9780205658824. (You
can purchase or rent it at the campus bookstore or you can buy and download a copy online—there’s a link on Bb
to do that. A copy of this text is also available on Reserve in the Library for 2-hour, in-library use.)
Other required materials, MCC:
1. Have a working email account that is current in SURF and thus Blackboard as well. (All MCC students can
request an email account through the college.) This is vital.
2. A way to access Blackboard, our course management system (any private or public computer with an Internet
connection will suffice). URL: https://blackboard.miracosta.edu/webapps/login/
The Nature of the Course
This is a three-unit general education course that is designed to be engaging, interactive, and application-based.
This means you will have many opportunities to apply what you are learning to real-life situations. Specifically, the
course introduces you to group communication processes and principles as well as the necessary role of discussion
and critical thinking in society. While addressing current topics of controversy, students learn and apply theories of
group problem-solving, roles, conflict resolution, leadership, ethics, and decision-making. Students develop group
communication skills in verbal and nonverbal interaction, participation, organization, and cultural diversity.
Student Learning Outcomes (MCC)
1. Students will be able to effectively present extemporaneously (i.e. with preparation).
2. Students will be able to analyze various group membership roles.
3. Students will be able to analyze group development stages.
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Important Dates for MiraCosta College, Spring Semester
Last Day to Add Classes; Last Day to Drop Without a “W” Deadline: January 25
Lincoln Day (Observance, No Class): February 15
Washington Day (Legal Holiday): February 18
Last day to file for Pass/No Pass grading option (not recommended for most students’ needs): February 14
Spring Break: March 11-16
Last day to drop with a “W” (withdraw) without an evaluative grade: April 19
Final Exams: May 14-20
COMM 120 Course Schedule
The date listed below refers to the start of the week, Sunday. All presentations, readings, assignments, and
tasks and readings are due the week they are listed. For courses meeting once a week, all work is due at the
beginning of class, regardless of the hour it is listed. For courses meeting twice a week, Hour 1 refers to the first
meeting of the week (i.e. Monday) and Hour 2 refers to the second (i.e. Wednesday). To help you stay on top of
the assignments, I recommend you use a calendar and schedule your work according to weeks rather than days.
Week/Date
Class Activity & Presentations Due
Assignment Due & Tasks To Do Before Class
Week 1
1/13
Week 2
1/20
Holiday: No Class
Week 3
1/27
Syllabus Quiz
Read Chapters 1-2
Watch 12 Angry Men
Read Chapter 3
Fishbowl #1
Paper #1
Week 4
2/3
Week 5
2/10
Week 6
2/17
Holiday: No Class
Week 7
2/24
Read Chapter 4
Complete Personality Assessment and Reflection
(submit online to Bb)
Week 8
3/3
Read Chapters 5-6
Recess
3/10
Spring Break
Spring Break
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Week/Date
Class Activity & Presentations Due
Assignment Due & Tasks To Do Before Class
Week 9
3/17
Hour 1: Chapter Review Presentations
Hour 2: Midterm
Week 10
3/24
Paper #2
Week 11
3/31
Establish Community Solutions Project groups
Due the previous Thursday at 11:59 PM—“Potential
Problems for CSP” (submit online to Bb)
Group Meeting Time (~30 minutes)
Read Chapter 7
Read all “Potential Problems” posts before class
Week 12
4/7
Read Chapters 8-9
Week 13
4/14
Read Chapters 10+12
Week 14
4/21
Fishbowl #2
Week 15
4/28
Group Meeting Time (~30 minutes)
Progress & Finding Reports Due
Read Chapter 11
Week 16
5/5
Read Chapter 13
Week 17
5/12
Community Solutions Projects
Presentations
Finals Week
Final:
Meeting Monday, 5/20/12, 7:30 PM
Final Exam
Community Solutions Paper
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Group Communication Assignment Sheet (maintain for your records; 1000 points are possible)
Please see the Course Packet (CP) and the Course Resources Page (CRP) for detailed information.
Assignments (in chronological order)
Due
Points
1.
Syllabus Quiz: a quiz covering the most important details of the syllabus
10
2.
Paper #1: an analysis of group roles within a film
60
3.
Fishbowl #1 Evaluations: an exercise in which you give feedback on your
colleagues’ group work (points are based on feedback you provide)
20
4.
Fishbowl #1 Participation: participation in the fishbowl
20
5.
Personality Types: a Bb post and exercise in which you identify and assess
your Myer’s Brigg’s Personality Type
20
6.
Paper #2: analysis and evaluation of your group’s performance
60
7.
Chapter Review Presentation, Group: groups will produce a chapter review
presentation to be delivered to the class before the midterm
50
8.
Chapter Review Presentation, Individual: your individual performance in the
group presentation
20
9.
Midterm: exam covering Chapters 1-6
50
10. Solutions Project Problems: Bb post & responses in which you discuss
problems you’d like to focus on for the Community Solutions Project
40
11. Fishbowl #2: (see Fishbowl #1) evaluations of your colleagues
20
12. Fishbowl #2: instructor evaluation of group performance
20
13. Fishbowl #2: instructor evaluation of individual performance
20
14. Community Solutions Findings Report: a one-page handout you create that
summarizes the research you performed on one aspect of your project
50
15. Community Solutions Progress Report: a brief discussion of your group’s
progress and functioning
10
16. Community Solutions Presentation, Group: your group will identify and
propose a solution to a problem in your community and present your
findings (you will earn both a group and an individual score)
100
17. Community Solutions Presentation, Individual: your individual performance
in the group presentation
80
18. Community Solutions Paper: a summary of your group’s findings as well as
a discussion of your group’s performance
130
19. Final Exam: cumulative exam covering all of the chapters and concepts
from the semester with a focus on Chapters 7-13
100
20. Class Participation: 4 points per day based on your active, engaged
presence in class, including participation in reading discussions (XC possible
if there are no holidays)
120
Score
21. Extra Credit: see syllabus; all major assignments must be completed to be
25 max
eligible to earn XC
Note: You may revise and resubmit one of the papers you complete for me to re-evaluate any time during the semester
but no later than when we meet for the final exam. These second scores will replace the original scores you received
(minus original deductions for lateness). Be sure to provide the original, graded paper with your revision in order to
receive credit.
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