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EDLD 845X-01, Communication, Conflict and Decision Making

January- March 2014
Instructor: Dr. Sarah J. Noonan, Associate Professor
Department of Leadership, Policy and Administration
MOH #217 (Mail), MOH #414 (Office)
E-mail: sjnoonan@stthomas.edu
School of Education Mission Statement
Inspired by Catholic intellectual tradition, the mission of the School of Education is to
educate practitioners to be morally responsible leaders who think critically, act wisely
and work skillfully to advance the common good.
Introduction
Welcome to this introductory course in interpersonal, group and intercultural
communication. Using a variety of theories, we explore how effective communication
plays an important role in your ability to communicate and collaborate effectively with
others. Students also examine their conflict styles and recognize the strategies needed to
navigate and facilitate a successful resolution to individual and group conflict. Active
learning experiences, reading, small group projects, and independent work assist you in
acquiring and demonstrating the course outcomes.

Course Objectives
1. To learn about you as a communicator, conflict participant and decision maker.
2. To expand your ability to engage in meaningful interpersonal, intercultural and
group communication through the acquisition of communication knowledge,
applying strategies and reflection.
3. To understand the influence of diverse cultures and social identities on
intercultural communication with the goal of becoming a more effective and
ethical intercultural communicator.
4. To experience the communicative virtues, such as truth, empathy, attentiveness,
respect, and authenticity (Burbules, 1993) in dialogue as well as develop your
skills in fostering healthy interpersonal and group communication.
5. To increase understanding, creativity, collaboration, and decision making between
individuals and among groups, applying this learning in various personal,
professional, and community settings.

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Requirements
1. Prepare for class by completing assigned reading and activities. Participate in
class discussions and group exercises, including online discussion boards and
base group activities.
2. Complete the exercises, inventories and activities as assigned. Upload all
assignments to a designated location on Blackboard, typically your personal
journal space (see Blackboard, Tools, Journal, Creative Entry, Upload, Save).
3. Plan and facilitate an experiential learning on an assigned topic, expanding the
opportunity for participants to increase their knowledge and competence as
communicators.
4. Complete a series of online assignments, requiring you to analyze your experience
and apply concepts in role as a professional teacher and leader.
Attendance
Unexcused absences, late arrivals and/or early departures may affect your grade. If you
must miss class, please notify me as soon as possible via email. Please make
arrangements for a classmate to provide notes and collect handouts used in the class. Be
send an email request to receive an alternate assignment closely related to the class
content reviewed during class.
Required Text (see note on the next page regarding e-book rental or purchase).
Johnson, D., & Johnson, F. (2013). Joining together: Group theory and group skills
(11th ed.). Boston, MA: Allyn and Bacon.
Additional readings will be assigned.
Grades
Class participation & assignments
Online projects/papers

50%
50%

Special Needs
In compliance with the University of St. Thomas policy and disability laws, I am
available to discuss appropriate academic accommodations that you may require as a
student with a disability. Requests for academic accommodations need to be made the
first week of class meetings so arrangements can be made. Students are encouraged to
register with the Enhancement Program for disability verification and for determination
of reasonable academic accommodations.
Reference
Burbules, N. (1970). Dialogue in teaching: Theory and practice. New York, NY:
Teachers College Press.

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Dear Students,
You may decide to rent or purchase the required text for this course in e-book form. I
found three online sources. A rental purchase for 180 days from Pearson, the publisher,
looks like the most inexpensive route. To access read the text, you must download a free
software program called CourseSmart. The publisher provides a link to download the
application and purchase and/or rent the text. Two other vendors, Amazon and Barnes
and Noble, offer rental and/or purchase of e-books. Please note, only Amazon allows the
purchase of the e-book to read with a Kindle application on your computer. The other
two vendors require some type of courseware to view the book.
Good luck,
Dr. Sarah Noonan
Joining Together: Group Theory and Group Skills (11th edition)
David Johnson & Frank Johnson (2013)
Boston, MA: Pearson.
Textbook Rentals and Purchase
Pearson Rental Cost: $54.99 for 180 days (Lowest cost, requires downloading and using
CourseSmart).
Follow link to purchase rental:
http://www.coursesmart.com/IR/1489440/9780132737029?__hdv=6.8

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Barnes and Noble: Nook Study (Must Read with Proprietary Software, Nook Study)
Rental: $60.88 for 180 days or purchase e-book, $91.35
http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/joining-together-david-rjohnson/1100056398?ean=9780132678131

Amazon Bookstore
Purchase e-book only, read with Kindle Application no courseware required.
Purchase Price: $91.35