Comm 1600 – Group Interaction*
Spring 2015 / T Th, 9:30 to 10:45 am
Buckingham Hall N101
Instructor: Ruth Hickerson, PhD
Email: ruth.hickerson@colorado.edu
Office Hours: Tuesdays and Thursdays, 11:15 am to 12:00 noon and by appointment
Office: Hellems 76
Phone: 303‐960-8395
COURSE OBJECTIVES
Most of our best and worst experiences in life—both professional and personal— happen in
groups with other people. In virtually every area of our lives we have the opportunity (or the
requirement) to connect with other people to accomplish some sort of collective outcome that
could not be achieved individually. The success or failure of these outcomes almost always
depends on the interaction of the group—how people communicate with each other and
make decisions. Therefore to succeed in our careers and to be good citizens in our society
we must be able to work with other people in groups and understand group interaction.
Accordingly, the three main objectives of this course are:
(1) To develop personal skills to become a better group member
(2) To develop a broader and more critical understanding of group interaction and the place
of groups in our society
(3) To experience a variety of group experiences
To achieve these objectives this course
covers the following topics:
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Decision making and problem solving Managing conflict Creativity and innovation Group norms, roles, and socialization Gender, diversity, and difference Technology and virtual teamwork Emotional intelligence Leadership and management Ethics and values Meetings, planning, and coordination
We will explore these topics across two key contexts:
1. Professional groups: emphasis on teamwork and task accomplishment 2. Civic groups: emphasis on stakeholder representation and public deliberation This class takes a case study approach, with an emphasis on applied knowledge and skill
development. Most assignments, readings, and activities involve real‐world scenarios of
uncertainty, ambiguity, and incomplete information in order to develop practical reasoning
abilities that enable better decision‐ making outcomes. This class also emphasizes an
organizational communication perspective, recognizing that most group interaction
happens within—and is shaped by—larger organizational and institutional systems
COURSE MATERIALS Books/Readings:
The Five Dysfunctions of a Team:
A Leadership Fable
Available at the CU bookstore or
online **Also available as a free ebook through CU library website
Group Communication:
Cases for Analysis, Appreciation, & Application
Available at
the CU bookstore or online
Additional Course Readings & Materials posted on D2L
https://learn.colorado.edu
ASSIGNMENTS & GRADING
All assignments are graded on a 100‐point scale and weighted by the percentages listed
below.
Unit 1 Quiz 10% (3 x 10%)
Following unit learning unit there will be a quiz to assess the breadth of your knowledge
about the course material.
Film Analysis 10%
This is an individual paper that each student will write regarding their analysis of the movie13
Days.
Movie Panel Discussion 10%
This is a group assignment. Each group will be create a discussion question related to the
movie 12 Angry Men. These groups will also offer their insights in a panel forum and
facilitate a class discussion related to their topic and question.
Group Case Study & Report 20%
The purpose of this group assignment is to analyze a real‐world scenario and develop
insightful responses that are informed by our course material. You will be assigned to a group
by your instructor and your group will choose one of the case studies from our textbook. Your
group will submit a report about your analysis of the case.
Final Group Project 25%
The purpose of this assignment is to create an activity that other students will participate in
that reinforces learning(s) related to course content. Groups will lead facilitate this activity
along with the debriefing of the activity. As planning and implementation of this project
progress, you will submit a series of group and individual assignments about your
experiences.
Assignment Details
You will receive specific assignment instruction and guidelines from me for each assignment.
We will also discuss these in detail during class meetings. For group assignments, group
members may choose to dismiss individual members due to lack of participation, input, or
contribution to the assignment. Your entire group must meet with me before you do this. If
your group chooses to dismiss you from their group, there is no alternate assignment; you will
simply lose these points. A portion of your grade for each group assignment will be
determined by fellow group members.
Class Attendance, Participation, & Engagement 25%
Participation and engagement are central features of this course—everything is designed to
inform and support your experiences in this smaller learning environments. Therefore it is
essential that you are an active participant in class. Here are the main things that influence
your participation grade:
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Consistent, substantive involvement in class discussions and activities.
Consistent class attendance. Don’t consistently arrive late or leave early.
Not a distraction in class
Lecture Distractions –10%
It is important that everyone acts responsibly and does not interfere with the learning of other
students. I have the option to deduct up to 10% off your final grade for consistent distracting
behavior in lecture. This includes:
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Consistently arriving late and/or leaving early.
Cell phone use of any kind**.
Laptop or tablet use not related to class**.
Other distractions that interrupt or interfere with lecture...especially talking with other
students
**PLEASE NOTE: The use of any electronic device in class is strictly prohibited unless we
are using them for an in-class assignment or activity.
Grading
Percentage
93-100%
90-92%
87-89%
83-86%
80-82%
77-79%
73-76%
70-72%
60-69%
Below 60%
Grade
A
AB+
B
BC+
C
CD
F
I use the following criteria to guide my grading decisions:
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A = Excellent...exceeds the minimum requirements with distinction B = Good...goes beyond the minimum requirements to a fair degree C = Average...meets the minimum requirements of the assignment D = Poor...only meets some of the minimum requirements of the assignment F =Fails to meet most of the minimum requirements of the assignment
Additional grade considerations
The only thing I grade is your product...not your effort or intentions. I don’t grade based on
what you need to keep a certain GPA or what you think you’re entitled to.
I’m happy to discuss any graded assignment with you, but please wait 24 hours after
receiving your grade for any discussions. It is best to have grade discussions in person
instead of email.
I love to talk with students about their assignments BEFORE they are due. After assignments
are due there is very little I can do, other than to explain my decisions.
COURSE POLICIES
Assignments and Due Dates
I do not accept late assignments – ever.
If you believe you will not able to complete an assignment satisfactorily by the due date,
please come and talk to me. We can meet to discuss the circumstances and you may be able
to rewrite the assignment. This must be pre-approved by me. You must still turn in something
on the due date – even if it is incomplete. It is not a given that your request will be approved.
All assignments must be turned in by the due dates and in the format requested. If I ask for a
hard copy of an assignment, you may not submit an electronic version. If I ask for an
assignment to be submitted on D2L you may not email it to me or turn it in as a hard copy in
class.
Please submitted electronically through the dropbox feature in Desire2Learn should be
Microsoft Word versions. Save your file using your last name (ex: Hickerson.docx)
Technology Use in Class
The use of any electronic device in class is strictly prohibited unless we are using them for an
in-class assignment or activity.
Disabilities
If you qualify for accommodations because of a disability, please submit to me a letter from
Disability Services (DS) by the end of the second week of the semester so that your needs
may be addressed. DS determines accommodations based on documented disabilities (303‐
492‐8671, Willard 322, www.colorado.edu/sacs/disabilityservices)
Religious Observance
I will make reasonable accommodations for students who have conflicts between religious
observance dates and course requirements. Please approach me with these requests before
the end of the second week of the semester.
Academic Misconduct
Cheating, plagiarism, or unacknowledged assistance is unacceptable. Web‐based
plagiarism‐detection services will be utilized. All incidents of academic misconduct shall be
reported to the Honor Code Council (honor@colorado.edu; 303‐725‐2273). Please see the
Honor Code at http://www.colorado.edu/academics/honorcode/
WEEKLY SCHEDULE
UNIT 1:
FOUNDATIONS
WEEK
TOPICS
READINGS/ASSIGNMENTS
WEEK 1
Course Introduction
DUE THURS:
JAN 13,15
Case Study Approach
Five Dysfunctions of a Team: Intro and Part
I, Underachievement & Lighting the Fire
D2L Reading: Case Study Notes
Case Study Book: Student Introduction
WEEK 2
Case Study Practice
DUE TUES:
Five Dysfunctions of a Team: Part I, Heavy
Lifting & Traction
JAN 20, 21
DUE THURS:
Case study book #4: Unprepared for the
preparedness group
WEEK 3
Thinking about
communication
JAN 27, 29
Interaction design
DUE TUES:
Reading #1: Communication as constructive
Reading #2: Communication as practice
Reading Discussion
DUE THURS:
Reading #3: Communication as techné
WEEK 4
Group and team
communication
FEB 3, 5
Contexts of group
interaction
Understanding systems &
institutions
DUE TUES:
Case study book #22: A different kind of
public meeting
Reading #4: The new science of building
great teams
Professional & civic
DUE THURS:
contexts of group interaction Case study book #23: Rebuilding
communities
Systems & institutions
Reading Discussion
Case study: Permission to walk (posted on
D2L)
Unit 1 Quiz Due to D2L by
11:59 pm on 2/6
UNIT 2:
TEAMWORK & DECISION
MAKING
WEEK 5
Teamwork & Leadership
DUE TUES:
FEB 10, 12
Reading Discussion
Book: Five Dysfunctions of a Team, Part II:
The Model
DUE THURS:
Watch 13 Days – link available on D2L
WEEK 6
Becoming a Good Team
Member
FEB 17, 19
Meetings, planning, &
coordination
DUE TUES:
Reading #5: Individual emotional
intelligence
Reading #6: Group emotional intelligence
Group development:
socialization, norms, & roles
DUE TUES:
Reading Discussion
Case study book #5, 6, 7, or 8 (as assigned
in class)
Additional in‐class notes and materials
WEEK 7
Decision Making
DUE TUES:
FEB 24, 26
Movie Discussion: 13 Days
Reading #7: Hidden traps in decision
making
Reading Discussion
Reading#8: What you don’t know about
making decisions
WEEK 8
Creativity & Innovation
DUE TUES:
MAR 3, 5
Reading Discussion
Reading #9: Pixar creativity
Reading #10: Get back in the box
DUE THURS:
Case study: Taking charge (posted on D2L)
Marshmallow & Airplane challenges
Film Analysis Due to D2L by
11:59 pm on 3/6
UNIT 3:
CONFLICT,
DIFFERENCE,
& ETHICS
WEEK 9
Managing Group Conflict
DUE TUES:
MAR 10, 12
Group conflict case study
Case study book # 12, 13, 14, OR 15
Reading Discussion
DUE THURS:
Case study: When a team breaks in two
(posed on D2L)
Case study: The team that wasn’t (posted
on D2L)
WEEK 10
Managing Group Conflict
MAR 17, 19
Negotiation exercise
DUE TUES:
Watch 12 Angry Men – link available on D2L
Reading Discussion
DUE THURS:
Reading #13: No asshole rule
Reading #14: Effective negotiation
WEEK 11
NO CLASS MEETINGS
MAR 24, 26
SPRING BREAK
WEEK 12
Difference & Diversity
DUE TUES:
MAR 31, APR 2
Ethics
Reading #15: Manly men and diverse teams
Reading Discussion
Reading #16: The power of talk
DUE THURS:
Reading #17: Ethics of boarder enforcement
Reading #19: Deep water horizon disaster
WEEK 13
Movie Discussion: 12 Angry
Men
APR 7, 9
Movie Discussion Panel Due
in Class 4/9
Movie Discussion Panel
Prep
WEEK 14
Case Study Group Project
Prep
APR 14, 16
In-class workshop: Group
case study project
WEEK 15
Technology & virtual groups
DUE TUES:
APR 21, 23
Final Project Discussion
and Workshop
Reading #20: The difficulties of virtual
leaders
Group Case Study Due to D2L
by 11:59 pm on 4/21
UNIT 4:
VIRTUAL
TEAMS AND
GROUP
PROJECT
WEEK 16
Group Interaction in Review
APR 28, 30
Final Project Workshop
Reading Discussion
FINALS WEEK
MAY 3 thru 7
FINAL PROJECT GROUP
PRESENTATIONS,
ACTIVITIES, AND
FACILITATION
There is no final exam for this class, only
the final group project assignment.
WRITTEN PORTION OF ASSIGNMENT
DUE MAY 5 AT 11:59 PM ON D2L
*This syllabus was adapted from a version originally created by Matt Koschmann, PhD