MCOM497 – Small Group Communication & Leadership
Dr. Amy Muckleroy Carwile
Effective Date: Spring 2012
Course Number:
Course Title:
Semester Credit Hours:
MCOM497
Small Group Communication and Leadership
3
Faculty Office Location and Contact Policy:
Dr. Amy Muckleroy Carwile
University Center, Room 223
Use blackboard (bb91a.tamut.edu) to contact me outside of class. NOTE: this blackboard
system is the NEW blackboard system. You will not be able to access it through the links on
web for students nor through the university website. However, you standard blackboard signon
and password will work in the new system.
Phone: 903-334-6663
Office hours:
Monday: 9 to 11 am & 12:30 to 2 pm
Tuesday: 2 to 6 pm
Wednesday: 10 to 11 am & 12:30 to 2 pm
Course Description:
This three-hour course offered by the Mass Communication program is open to all
undergraduate students. The course is designed to teach students about small group and team
communication, how to apply theoretical concepts to the analysis of group interactions,
becoming aware of individual strengths and weaknesses when functioning in small group
contexts, and to develop skills for more effective group leadership.
Required Textbooks/Resources:
Beebe, S., and Masterson, T. (2009). Communicating in small groups: Principles and Practices, 10th Edition.
Upper Saddle River, NJ: Pearson.
Other readings as assigned.
Student Learner Outcomes: Upon completion of MCOM497 – Small group communication
and leadership, students will be able to:
1. Demonstrate effective small group or team facilitation skills within social and
organizational structures,
2. examine leadership styles and small group relational techniques,
3. analyze individual strengths and weaknesses when functioning in academic, social and
organizational group contexts, and
4. manage group conflict, decision-making and collaboration processes.
MCOM497 – Spring 2012
Carwile – page 2
Course Outline:
I.
Group and team principles, practices and theory
II.
Group formation, collaboration, relating to others, improving group climate
III.
Managing group conflict and enhancing group and team communication skills
IV.
Leadership, making decisions, solving problems, enhancing creativity
Course Requirements:
Be here. In order for you to get the most out of this class, attendance is vital.
Turn off all electronic devices. Politeness is key to group enjoyment and engagement.
Read. Have all reading assignments completed before class.
Discuss and be a leader. Be prepared to discuss readings and other assignments as an
individual and as a group.
Methods of Evaluation:
3 tests – 20% or 120 points
Each test will comprise 6.67% (or 40 points) of your final course grade
Harvard Business Review article presentation – 20% or 120 points
You must select an article from the Harvard Business Review related to small group
communication or leadership and present it to the class. Your presentation should last 5
to 7 minutes. A Q&A session will follow. Evaluation consists of your presentation skills,
your ability to handle and answer questions, and your demonstrated knowledge of the
course materials by linking the article to the concepts in the course. You should prepare
a short (1-page) synopsis of your article as a handout for all class members. PowerPoint is
not necessary.
Group project regarding small group communication or leadership– 45% or 280
points
This project will be a small group effort. Your group may handle it as creatively as
possible. You must produce a 20-minute presentation for the class on the day assigned to
your group. Whatever format and topic you choose, it should be a cohesive group
decision in which everyone participates. The topic must be an innovative presentation of
a concept, theory, or practice of small group communication or leadership. Students will
prepare a written report. The written report will comprise 15% of the final course grade,
the presentation will comprise 15% of the final course grade, and the group member
evaluation will comprise 15% of the final course grade. The written report grade will be
the same for all group members. The presentation grade will be an individual grade based
on how well each student presents during the group presentation. The group member
evaluation will be the final portion of this graded assignment and will be an individual
grade for each student.
Participation/Attendance – 15% or 90 points
Students should demonstrate their commitment to the course by attending regularly and
participating in class discussions and activities. Student evaluation of
participation/attendance is based (in part) on students‟ comments and involvement in
class activities. It is important to note that these activities are not eligible for makeup.
© 2012 – Amy Muckleroy Carwile – All Rights Reserved.
MCOM497 – Spring 2012
Carwile – page 3
Comments must be related to topic at hand and demonstrate prior preparation.
Remember that if you are not in class, you cannot participate. Accordingly, a record of
attendance is kept beginning with the first meeting day of the term. Your attendance records are
maintained in Blackboard. Participation points will be awarded based on the following chart.
If you accumulate greater than three (3) absences, your final grade will be lowered by one full
letter grade for each absence over three (3) regardless of your accumulated point total. Should you
accumulate six (6) absences, you will receive an automatic F for the course regardless of your
accumulated point total. Should you arrive for class late, that tardiness will be noted. If you
accumulate three (3) tardy arrivals, you will incur one (1) absence.
# of Absences
# of Attendance/Participation points available
0
80 to 90 points, depending on participation in class discussion
1 to 2
60 to 79 points, depending on participation in class discussion
3 to 4
30 to 59 points, depending on participation in class discussion
5
0 points, meaning that you will probably earn a final course grade that is
approximately 1 letter grade below your average test score.
Grading Scale
90-100 A
80-89 B
70-79 C
60-69 D
0-59 F
Letter Grade
Grade Equivalent
Point range
A
90 to 100
540 to 600
B
80 to 89
480 to 539
C
70 to 79
420 to 479
D
60 to 69
360 to 419
F
0 to 59
0 to 359
© 2012 – Amy Muckleroy Carwile – All Rights Reserved.
MCOM497 – Spring 2012
Carwile – page 4
ASSIGNMENT
POINT VALUE
% OF FINAL GRADE
Test 1
40
6.667
Test 2
40
6.667
Test 3
40
6.667
Harvard Business Review
120
20
Individual Project
270
45
Participation & Attendance
90
15
TOTAL
600
100%
Student Participation:
a. Participation Policy: Attend class on a regular basis, discuss the components of the
readings, and participate in group discussions and activities.
b. Course Etiquette: use decorum as your guiding principle when communicating with
other students in the course or your professor.
Disability Accommodations: Students with disabilities may request reasonable
accommodations through the A&M-Texarkana Disability Services Office by calling 903-2233062.
Academic Integrity: Academic honesty is expected of students enrolled in this course. Cheating
on examinations, unauthorized collaboration, falsification of research data, plagiarism, and
undocumented use of materials from any source constitute academic dishonesty and may be
grounds for a grade of „F‟ in the course and/or disciplinary actions. For additional information,
see the university catalog.
A&M-Texarkana Email Address: Upon application to Texas A&M University-Texarkana an
individual will be assigned an A&M-Texarkana email account. This email account will be used
to deliver official university correspondence. Each individual is responsible for information sent
and received via the university email account and is expected to check the official A&MTexarkana email account on a frequent and consistent basis. Faculty and students are required
to utilize the university email account when communicating about coursework.
Drop Policy: To drop this course after the 12th class day, a student must complete the
Drop/Withdrawal Request Form located on the University website
(http://tamut.edu/Registrar/droppingwirthdrawing-from-classes.html) or obtained in the
Registrar‟s office. The student must submit the signed and completed form to the instructor of
each course indicated on the form to be dropped for his/her signature. The signature is not an
“approval” to drop, but rather confirmation that the student has discussed the drop/withdrawal
with the faculty member. The form must be submitted to the Registrar‟s office for processing in
© 2012 – Amy Muckleroy Carwile – All Rights Reserved.
MCOM497 – Spring 2012
Carwile – page 5
person, email (Registrar@tamut.edu), mail (P.O. Box 5518, Texarkana, TX 75505) or fax (903223-3140). Drop/withdraw forms missing any of the required information will not be accepted
by the Registrar‟s office for processing. It is the student‟s responsibility to ensure that the form
is completed properly before submission. If a student stops participating in class (attending and
submitting assignments) but does not complete and submit the drop/withdrawal form, a final
grade based on work completed as outlined in the syllabus will be assigned.
© 2012 – Amy Muckleroy Carwile – All Rights Reserved.