SYLLABUS

COURSE DESCRIPTION:
The study of communication in small groups. Designed to help students understand
group processes and to be effective participants in problem solving groups at
home, in the community and at work.
Development of skills in decision making, critical listening and thinking, inter
personal and intercultural communication, conflict management and leadership. Th
is course was formerly known as SPCH 115.
Prerequisite: None
QUARTER/YEAR: Spring 2010 DAYS:
TU/TH SECTION:
7339 NHY TIME:
5:30/7:15 ONLINE: Hybrid
PROFESSOR: Don Welch OFFICE LOCATION: Building 21 Room 273
OFFICE HOURS: 11:00-12:00 TU-TH
PHONE No: (360) 596-5411 E-MAIL: dwelch@spscctc.edu
STUDENT LEARNING OUTCOMES:
Upon the successful completion of this course, students will be able to:
A. understand and apply the principles of communication theories in a varie
ty of complex family, organizational or community settings;
B. analyze and implement strategies to successfully communicate between gro
up members;
C. assess group dynamics including the roles of group participants;
D. demonstrate effective conflict management, problem solving, decision mak
ing, and leadership skills;
E. identify aspects of culture which influence the group and demonstrate co
mmunication skills that promote intercultural understanding;
F. Use critical thinking and listening skills to evaluate, participate and
respond in a variety of small group and other in-class activities.
COLLEGE WIDE ABILITIES:
A. Communicate effectively
B. Demonstrate knowledge of, or practice in, intellectual, cultural, and ar
tistic heritages
C. Understand themselves and others as they interact in the social, politic
al, and economic world.
D. Think logically and critically
E. Integrate and synthesize knowledge and
F. Function more knowledgeably as responsible citizens in our democratic so
ciety.
COURSE CONTENT:
A. Students will participate in a series of in-class activities designed to
build skills in leadership, decision making, critical thinking and listening, i
nterpersonal communication, problem solving and conflict management.
B. Extensive group projects and presentations allow students to understand,
apply, practice, adapt and analyze their own and others’ group communication sk
ills.
C. Students will practice process observation and will analyze how culture
impacts group process.
D. Although this is a skills oriented course, lectures will set the theoret
ical foundation for learning.
E. Writing to learn assignments encourage students to apply the theories to
explain in-class and out-of-class experiences in group communication.
MATERIALS REQUIRED:
A. Communicating in Groups: Applications and Skills, by Adams and Galanes
B. Learning packet of course handouts and reading available in hard copy and ele
ctronic reserve through the library.
COURSE FEATURES/POLICIES:
Academic Honesty: For the academic honesty policy, refer to the Code of Student
Rights and Responsibilities found on the college’s website.
Financial Aid: Students receiving financial aid should ALWAYS check with Financi
al aid prior to withdrawing, signing an incomplete contract, changing to an audi
t, or receiving an F or V grade in a class.”
Class Participation/Attendance/ Missed Exams and/or Assignments:
Evaluation and Grades: Class participation is vital to your success in this cou
rse. Education is a process, not just a product. An integral part of that proces
s involves class attendance; without regular attendance, the process is incomple
te and fragmentary. Therefore, the Humanities/Communication Division of South Pu
get Sound Community College has adopted the policy that students who miss more t
han five (5) class hours of instruction will receive a reduced grade. Students
who miss the first class session of the quarter may be dropped from the class.
College policies regarding plagiarism are strictly enforced in this course.

INSTRUCTIONAL METHODS AND EXPECTATIONS

The textbook and homework assignments act as a resource for this class-centered
learning experience. You are responsible for all class discussions, handouts, t
extbook readings and assignments. You are also responsible for all textbook rea
dings even if they are not covered in class. If, for some reason, you are unabl
e to attend a class session, please let your instructor know ahead of time and w
e will try to make arrangements for you to make up what you have missed.

ALL of the major oral and written assignments for the class must be completed in
order to get credit for the quarter. No V grades will be given in this course
. Assignments must be turned in on the assigned day unless prior arrangements ha
ve been made. Grades will be based on:
Group Projects 40%
Group #1 Self Assessment 10%
Homework/Participation 25%
Group #2 Analysis Paper 10%
Final Self Evaluation 15%

COURSE SCHEDULE/CALENDAR/DUE DATES:

SPRING QUARTER 2010
Monday Tuesday Wednesday Thursday Friday
APR 5
FIRST DAY OF
INSTRUCTION APR 6 APR 7 APR 8 APR 9
APR 12 APR 13 APR 14 APR 15 APR 16
APR 19 APR 20 APR 21 APR 22 APR 23
APR 26 APR 27 APR 28 APR 29 APR 30
MAY 3 MAY 4 MAY 5 MAY 6 MAY 7
MAY 10 MAY 11 MAY 12 MAY 13
ADVISING DAY
(NO CLASS) MAY 14
MAY 17 MAY 18 MAY 19 MAY 20 MAY 21
MAY 24 MAY 25 MAY 26 MAY 27 MAY 28
MAY 31
MEMORIAL DAY
(NO CLASS) JUN 1 JUN 2 JUN 3 JUN 4
JUN 7 JUN 8 JUN 9 JUN 10 JUN 11
JUN 14
LAST DAY OF
INSTRUCTION JUN 15
FINAL EXAMS JUN 16
FINAL EXAMS JUN 17
FINAL EXAMS JUN 18
FINAL EXAMS
GRADUATION
JUN 21
FINAL EXAMS JUN 22 JUN 23 JUN 24 JUN 25
Assignments/Course Requirements:
Goals Statement
The goals statement is a short essay (one to two pages, TYPED) focused on you as
a learner and on what, specifically, you hope to accomplish in this course this
quarter. It will be the basis of your of self evaluation at the end of the qua
rter, so please take this assignment seriously and carefully consider what you h
ope to gain from this learning experience. In preparing and completing this ass
ignment, you should:
• Read the course syllabus carefully.
• Skim over the table of contents of the text and read the introductory ch
apter.
• Describe your future career plans and explain how this course relates to
your personal goals.
• Discuss what you hope to accomplish this quarter in this class and how t
hat will help you in the future?
Group Project
There are two main group projects assigned students in this course. Both projec
ts will be involved in a problem solving process concerning (1) a business plan.
(2) A controversial issue, your job will be to identify a solution to the proble
m and to persuade the rest of the class that you have identified the best soluti
on.

Participant Observation Logs-Group paper

Throughout your two major group projects in this class, you are asked to keep a
record of group interactions. After each group meeting, you should write a deta
iled summary of your observations. This summary should thoroughly describe wha
t happened in the group that day. Your goal is to show that you can apply the c
oncepts from the lectures and the text as you then analyze and evaluate the grou
p’s interactions.

Group #1 Self Assessment

Following the first group project, you will be asked to assess your individual p
articipation, and set some specific goals for the next project.
Group #2 Analysis Paper
In this assignment, you are expected to thoroughly analyze your experience in th
e final problem solving group. This is your opportunity to demonstrate your unde
rstanding of the course content, including small group communication theories di
scussed in class and in the text.
Special Notes:
• Please contact your instructor if you have a disability and anticipate n
eeding alternative accommodations in this course.
• In the event that your instructor is unable to come to class, an announc
ement will be made. You may assume class is cancelled if the instructor is late
r than 15 minutes, however, you are strongly encouraged to use the regularly sch
eduled class time to work on your group projects
• It is your responsibility to thoroughly read and understand the syllabus
. It is an important resource for you throughout the course.
• Take yourself and your work seriously. The more effort you put into the
class, the more you will get out of the class. Your commitment to your educati
on is an essential element of your success in this class.
• Keep up with the assignments and readings. Chapter readings are assigned
for each week of the quarter.
• Don’t be afraid to ask questions. In addition to class time, your instr
uctor is available during office hours, or by phone and email. If you are feel
ing overwhelmed or confused, your instructor will work with you to help you thro
ugh the course. Just be sure to let your instructor know before it is too late.

• This course does require a significant amount of time outside of class.

In order to complete group projects and gain a full understanding of your own p
articipation in small group additional meetings outside of class will be necessa
ry.