COMM 219 Team Communication and Leadership

Lecture Hours: 4
Credits: 4

Emphasizes communication skills used for participation in team settings. Covers the characteristics of small groups, developmental stages of groups, diversity in groups, leadership, and conflict management skills. Applies the skills of decision-making, planning and conducting meetings, making presentations in groups, using technology, and participation in virtual groups.

Prerequisite: Placement into WR 115 (or higher), or completion of WR 090 (or higher) with a grade of C or better; or consent of instructor.
Recommended: Placement into WR 121Z (or higher), or completion of WR 115 (or higher) with a grade of C or better.

Student Learning Outcomes:

Demonstrate an understanding of the roles and impact of diversity as well as concepts and skills that can be applied during the process of group formation and development.
Apply decision-making and problem-solving procedures to small group interaction and assess the results.
Apply decision-making and problem-solving procedures to small group interaction and discuss the ethical reasons for selecting specific procedures.
Analyze the characteristics of effective leadership and membership in small groups.
Identify and apply useful concepts and skills related to the management of conflict in group settings.

Statewide General Education Outcomes:

Engage in ethical communication processes that accomplish goals.
Respond to the needs of diverse audiences and contexts.
Build and manage relationships.

Cultural Literacy Outcome:

Identify and analyze complex practices, values, and beliefs and the culturally and historically defined meanings of difference.

Content Outline

Introduction to Small Group Communication
- Types of groups
- Group characteristics
Group Development and Formation
- Norms
- Stages of development
- Member needs
- Group roles
Group Diversity
- Barriers to understanding others
- Personality dimensions, cultural dimensions, gender, generational, and religious dimensions
- Balancing Group diversity
Effective Group Leadership
- Leadership and power
- Designated vs. emergent leadership
- Leadership theories
- Diversity and leadership
Conflict and Cohesion in Groups
- Constructive and destructive conflict
- Conflict styles
Problem Solving and Decision Making in Groups
- Decision-making methods and approaches
- Balancing structure with creativity
- Problem-solving realities (politics, pre-existing preferences, power)
Planning and Conducting Meetings, and Making Presentations in Groups
- Planning and chairing meetings
- Dealing with disruptive behavior
- Adapting to differences
- Using agendas and minutes
- Preparing presentations in groups
- Using presentation aids
Technology and Virtual Groups
- Theories related to technology and virtual groups
- Application of tools