COM 353 - Small Group Syllabus - Spring 2014

all Group Communication

COM 353

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TR 9:30-1045 AM CRN: 22242856 MOORE 212 TR 330-445 PM CRN: 22242857 MOORE 206 Instructor: Adam Barragato (left) Office: Moore 221E (Moore Second Floor, across from men’s bathroom) Office Hours: MWF: 12-1 TR 11-12

OR BY APPT.

E-mail: Barra1ak@cmich.edu (I will respond within 24 hours unless you e-mail me on Saturday night/Sunday. In those cases I may not respond until Monday morning).

1. Work in groups as an effective system with clear goals, and concrete direction.

COURSE OBJECTIVES 2. Motivate 3. Address teammates and resolve to work conflict passionately in an through appropriate effective and positive leadership. manner.

We will learn HOW to appreciate...

Listening Conflict Resolution Cooperation As a result...

We will learn how to properly address the common individual behaviors among teams that cause dysfunction.

4. Create innovative solutions using creative problem solving.

Required Texbook:

The Five Dysfunctions of a Team (BELOW).

“Talent wins games, but teamwork and intelligence wins championships.” ~Michael Jordan

Where to find it...

Contact Info

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Grading Structure

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Classroom Participation

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Common Behaviors To avoid

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FAQ’s

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Tips for Success

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IMPORTANT: Required Text: Five Dysfunctions of a team is required. It is available at the CMU Bookstore and SBX and Amazon.com. Have it before the second week of class. TOTAL ESTIMATED COST: $15-$20.

Required for Each Class: A writing utensil, notepad, and binder to hold all the handouts and notes.

Laptops are allowed for note taking if do not get too distracted.

NOTE: HW IS DUE EVERY CLASS (with the exception on days with presentations and exams)

Page 1

Exam 2: Conflict Exam: 40 points Objective: Showcase conflict Acc Report: 10 as something beneficial points and applicable to teams Total: 50 Points in a creative way.

Objective: Showcase new developments in team leadership in the most creative ways that you can think of.

Exam: 40 points Acc. Report: 10 points Total: 50 Points

Project 1: Teams as Systems Objective: In the most Presentation: 40 points creative ways possible Acc. Report: 10 points demonstrate whether or Total: 50 Points not the team of your choice (fictional or non) is a good system.

Weeks 2-5

Weeks 6-8

Presentation: 75 Project 2: Problem Solving points Objective: Solve a problem Paper: 35 points on campus in the most Acc. Report: 10 points innovative way.

Total: 120 points Exam 1: Leadership

Weeks 10 -13

NOTE: Team assignments (4 total) make up ~60% of your grade. Your ability to use the information we discuss in your teams is imperative to your success in this class.

Weeks 14 -16

Te a m A s s i g n m e n t s

All information regarding Team Exams and Team Projects are on blackboard

Individual Assignments Syllabus Quiz

Homeworks

1 Quiz Total @ 5 15 HW’s Total @ points 5 points each (a syllabus quiz (al information on second day of regarding HW’s class is provided on = 5 points blackboard) = 75 points

Class Total: 440 Points

Papers

2 Individual Written papers @ 25 points each = 50 points

Final Exam Activity

Participation

1 activity on “Final You are allowed Examination Day” 2 absences for (See Schedule for EMERGENCIES or time/day) credit/no SICKNESS. Each credit absence after 2 = 15 points = 5 points lost out of 25 points total

A (94-100%) B+ (87-89%) C+ (77-79%) D+ (67-69%) E (0-59%) A- (90-93%) B (83-86) C (73-76%) D (63-66%)

B- (80-82%) C- (70-72%) D- (60-72%) Page 2

What type of TEAM member will you be in this class?

?

Which scenario BEST represents you In most of your classes

?

LOAFER ATTENDANCE: When you do show up, you’re rarely prepared and do not take notes.

PARTICIPATION: You sit back and rarely participate with questions and comments if at all.

What do ALL THESE characters have in common?

EVALUATOR/CRITIC ATTENDANCE: You show up prepared and ready to take notes some of the time.

PARTICIPATION: You believe most of this is common sense, being critical/disengaged in class.

ENERGIZER ATTENDANCE: You show up prepared, ready to take notes, and willing to learn.

PARTICIPATION: You are OPEN to new ideas and ALWAYS offer unique insight.

You get a LOT out of this class.

(LEFT) How would you

feel if you had to work with people who looked at you like this everytime you met?

(LEFT) Other than the fact all these characters make us laugh in the “The Hangover,” they also share one more thing in common: They all took on poor team roles.

Has no idea what’s Say’s he going to going on the help but doesn’t.

Phil: (Left) stereotypical leader who does all entire time. the work and lets everyone slack off.

Disappears Does 99% at the very Alan: (Next to Phil) stereotypical “goofball” of the begining who is not taken seriously nor asks to be. work. and doesn’t Stu: (Right of middle) takes on the paranoid show up worried about everything role. until the end.

Doug: (Left) I think it’s obvious here. You get it.

(RIGHT) Please don’t engage in this type of thinking. “Delegating” parts of the project without any type of accountability or checkup can lead to a disjointed or uncompleted project.

Sadly, both “memes” demonstrate NORMAL group thinking. This type of behavior, although “natural” to most of us, does NOT produce quality work. The GOAL of this class is to help you find out how YOUR natural human behaviors ACTUALLY HINDER groups from being successful and offer help to make changes.

“Great teams do not hold back with one another...They admit their mistakes, their weaknesses, and their concerns without fear of reprisal.”

Page 3 ~Patrick Lencioni

Frequently Asked Questions Q: What if I get STUCK with a BAD GROUP?” A: It will be a terrific learning opportunity for you.

Getting “stuck” in a bad group means that you will have to learn how to deal with difficult people in a learning environment. However, I am available to mediate groups that have more dysfunction than usual. Every team will have their own problems.

The best way to deal with it is to keep me informed the moment there is a problem. Depending on the severity, I will talk with the individual or individuals in question with the entire group present. Also, the “individual assessments” are a way to monitor whether or not your team members are pulling their weight.

Q: Why do we have homework?

A: There is LIMITED class time for me to explain all of the important information during class time.

Therefore, in order to address all the important information in a significant way, you need to come prepared to class with a basic understanding of the material so we can immediately apply it and use it in your teams. It is Important to note that you do have to be present in class in order to earn credit for your HW. Q: Why do I have to do homework BEFORE class?

A: Doing the homework BEFORE class helps me to understand what parts you were confused about so that I can go through them during class and offer help on understanding it. Also, it allows us to then apply the information that we do NOT understand. My hope is that having the homework done ahead of time helps us learn more content in class and be more productive with our time together.

Tips for Success SHOW UP!

You are allowed to miss TWO days without losing points. I do not accept doctor’s notes as excused absences. Use your two absences for sick days.

Remember, your group needs you.Let them know when you cannot make it.

OFFICE HOURS VS. E-MAIL

I prefer face-to-face conversations instead of email, especially for difficult questions. I LOVE when students come to talk to me about their life, future career, or other classes. Appointments can be made upon request (outside of office hours). Either way, please don’t be a stranger. Come by regularly!

FORGET THE PAST

EVERYONE has been in bad groups before. However,

most of the reasons groups FAIL is because they never learn how to work as a TEAM. It is important that you do not fall victim to the same behaviors that you have exhibited in the past. However, in times of stress, it’s easy to go back to “old habits” (i.e. doing all the work yourself see memes on next page). Please trust me. This is NOT a good idea. TALK TO ME IF YOU HAVE A PROBLEM.

CMU provides students with disabilities reasonable accommodation to participate in educational programs, activities or services. Students with disabilities requiring accommodations to participate in class activities or meet course requirements should contact me (privately) immediately.

“Collaboration, it turns out, is not a gift from the gods but a skill that requires EFFORT and PRACTICE.” ~Douglas B. Reeves Page 4