Catalog Course Search Details

 Department:    CMST&

 Course #:    230

 Credits:    5

 Variable:     Yes

 IUs:    5

 CIP:    231001

 EPC:    n/a

 REV:    2018

 Course Description  

A survey class that explores the basic principles and techniques of effective small group discussion. Emphasizes the relationship of discussion to the communication process, critical thinking, problem solving, conflict management, leadership, group development, and role behaviors. Meets DTA communication requirement.

 Prerequisite  

Prerequisite: Appropriate placement or grade of 2.0 or higher in ENGL 099.

Contact Hours (based on 11 week quarter)

Lecture: 55

Lab: 0

Other: 0

Systems: 0

Clinical: 0

Intent: Distribution Requirement(s) Status:  

Academic Communication  

Equivalencies At Other Institutions

Learning Outcomes

After completing this course, the student will be able to:

1. Understand the influence of culture on communication, specifically
   • Understanding the cultural significance of groups and group behavior
   • Functioning and participating effectively in diverse groups
   • Identifying key cultural characteristics of leaders and followers in groups
2. Develop critical thinking skills by applying skills in specific group contexts, specifically
   • Applying critical thinking and problem-solving skills to group assignments and projects
   • Listening actively and critically
3. Demonstrate basic group communication skills, including
   • Developing skills in delivering oral presentations within a group as well as outside the group
   • Using supplemental reading assignments, case studies, and library and/or technological research to enhance understanding of group dynamics and to apply to group projects and assignments

General Education Learning Values & Outcomes

Revised August 2008 and affects outlines for 2008 year 1 and later.

1. Information Literacy

Definition: Recognizing when information is needed and have the ability to locate, evaluate, and use effectively the needed information.

Outcomes: Students will be able to . . .
1.5 Effectively integrate and use information ethically and legally to accomplish a specific purpose.

2. Critical Thinking

Definition: The ability to think critically about the nature of knowledge within a discipline and about the ways in which that knowledge is constructed and validated and to be sensitive to the ways these processes often vary among disciplines.

Outcomes: Students will be able to . . .
2.1 Identify and express concepts, terms, and facts related to a specific discipline.
2.4 Evaluate decisions by analyzing outcomes and the impact of actions.
2.7 Identify and evaluate connections and relationships among disciplines.
2.8 Describe how one’s own preconceptions, biases and values affect one’s response to new and ambiguous situations.
2.9 Apply and/or create problem-solving strategies to successfully adapt to unpredictable and/or changing environments.

3. Communication

Definition: Understanding and producing effective written, spoken, visual, and non-verbal communication.

Outcomes: Students will be able to . . .
3.1 Recognize, read, and comprehend academic and/or professional writing.
3.2 Recognize, produce and demonstrate appropriate interpersonal, group, and public speaking skills.
3.3 Demonstrate effective listening skills.
3.4 Produce academic and/or professional writing and integrate it into written and spoken projects.
3.5 Recognize, comprehend, and use non-verbal behaviors appropriate to a given context.
3.6 Recognize, comprehend, and use visual communication appropriate to a given context.
3.7 Adapt communication to diverse audiences and media.

4. Community & Cultural Diversity

Definition: Recognizing the value of human communities and cultures from multiple perspectives through a critical understanding of their similarities and differences.

Outcomes: Students will be able to . . .
4.1 Identify and express concepts, terms, and issues associated with the diverse perspectives of race, social class, gender, sexual orientation, disabilities, and culture.
4.2 Understand, value and respect human differences and commonalities as they relate to issues of race, social class, gender, sexual orientation, disabilities and culture.
4.4 Demonstrate effective communication across differences in human communities and cultures.
4.5 Adapt to and function effectively in communities and cultures different from one's own.

6. Individual Awareness & Responsibility

Definition: Understanding, managing, and taking responsibility for one’s learning and behavior in varied and changing environments.

Outcomes: Students will be able to . . .
6.3 Apply successful organizational strategies of planning, goal setting, prioritizing, resolving conflict, and managing time to specific goals and/or projects.

10. Technology

Definition: Understanding the role of technology in society and using technology appropriately and effectively.

Outcomes: Students will be able to . . .
10.3 Use technology appropriate to the context and task to effectively retrieve and manage information, solve problems, and facilitate communication.

Course Contents

1. Language and nonverbal communication
2. Group roles
3. Leadership
4. Innovation and creative thinking within groups
5. Analyzing group information using critical thinking
6. Conflict
7. Cultural diversity
8. Problem-solving and decision-making