Communication 8
GROUP COMMUNICATION
Spring 2014

Instructor:  Anna Martinez, M.A.
Office:  Soc 38 (southeast side of campus)
Office hours:  Tuesday 11-12, Wednesday 10-11, Thursday 11-12, Friday 10-12
Phone #:  638-3641 ext. 3680	Email: anna.martinez@reedleycollege.edu
Note: I plan to respond to your emailed questions within 48 hours.
Class web address:  http://blackboard.reedleycollege.edu
Required Textbook 
Adams, K. & Galanes, G. (2012).  Communicating in groups: applications and skills (9th
ed.). San Francisco: McGraw Hill.  
Purchase the text as soon as possible, or you will fall behind in class rapidly.  There is a copy on reserve in the Reedley College library for your use if needed while you wait for yours to arrive (must stay in library, and there is a maximum time period for checkout).
Course Advisory
It is highly recommended that you be eligible to take English 1A (already completed English 125) at the time you take this course.  This course involves reading, analysis, and organization skills that may be a challenge for you if you are not eligible for this English level.                                                 
Course Outcomes & Description
Group communication introduces students to how communication can be used as a vehicle for solving problems and making decisions. Students will study and practice theories, behaviors and the process of group interactions. As a result of taking this course, students will develop skill in the use of communication in small group contexts. Specifically, students will enhance their competency in the production and management of communication behavior in task-oriented groups. Additionally, students will enhance their ability to construct and deliver informative and persuasive public presentations. Students will develop a conceptual understanding of small group principles and concepts, putting this knowledge into action through a variety of experiential activities.

Upon completion of this course, students will be able to:
•	identify and apply effective communication strategies within the context of group process.
•	construct and deliver dynamic and competent presentations that are adapted to the purpose and audience.
•	utilize research materials that incorporate sufficient, credible, and relevant evidence.
•	choose appropriate organizational patterns.
•	analyze the effectiveness of communication through constructive critique.
Assignments
(For more details on these assignments, see accompanying Assignment Details packet.  For due dates, see attached Proposed Schedule.)
Group Speech Presentations
Speech #1		Introduction speech			0 points (credit/no credit)

Speech #2		Group Puzzle presentation		75 points

Speech #3		Informative presentation		200 points

Speech #4		Persuasive Advocacy presentation	225 points
Speech total	500
Papers  

Reflection paper
Each student will turn in a 2-3 page typed essay analysis of her/his experience of working with the group to prepare the first formal presentation in front of the class.  This analysis will be due soon after we complete the group puzzle speeches.  In this report, you should discuss your experience (feelings, problems, successes, unexpected occurrences) of preparing and presenting the group presentation to the class.  The paper should be as thorough as possible, highlighting your: feelings about working with the group to prepare, how it went when actually delivering the presentation, (positive and negative), unexpected problems or joys, the process in preparing and researching the presentation (splitting of duties, working together, resolving conflicts), and anything else relevant to the situation.  Rather than simply telling me what you did, explain to me how you felt about it all.  Evaluate your group and its ability to work together.  What grade would you give your group for teamwork?...for the presentation?
 								Self-analysis Paper total 50
Outside speech analysis (OSA)					
	This course meets the oral communication requirement for general education in the state university system.  Therefore, each students must learn not only how to give a good public speech but how to evaluate one.  So, each student is asked to attend a speaking situation outside of the classroom during the semester and turn in a 2-3 page typed analysis of the experience.  This paper will be due toward the end of the semester.  You will receive some suggestions on speaking situations in class, but it is your responsibility to find one that fits your schedule.  There are three prohibitions – no student or teacher classroom speeches or lectures, no speeches given over radio/internet/ television, and no speech in which the primary purpose is to entertain.  In the paper, don’t simply tell me what the speaker said, you should critique the speaker – how did the person do in his/her speech?  What grade would you give him/her, and why?  
OSA Paper total 50
Quizzes
The procedure for quiz-taking will be as follows: 1) Each student will take a brief quiz (10 questions) which will be turned in to me, then 2) in groups of 4-5 students, a second quiz will be taken (15 questions – the same 10 from the individual quiz plus 5 more) and the group decides which are the “correct” answers, then 3) group members then complete and sign a single answer sheet.  A student’s score is the total of the correct answers on her/his individual quiz plus the total number of correct answers on the group sheet.  Due to this system, there can be NO make-ups of the group part of quizzes – please be on time on quiz day in order to have a chance at the total number of points.   

Quiz #1	Chapter 1 plus lecture/discussion/handout material			50
	
Quiz #2	Chapters 2, 11 plus lecture/discussion/handout material		50

Quiz #3	Chapter 3 plus lecture/discussion/handout material			50

Quiz #4	Chapters 4, 5 plus lecture/discussion/handout material		50

Quiz #5	Chapter 6, 7 plus lecture/discussion/handout material		50

Quiz #6	Chapters 8, 9, 10 plus lecture/discussion/handout material		50			
Quiz total 300
Participation 
Throughout the semester, you will be involved.  This is not a class in which you will sit idle and absorb information.  You will be DOING.  On any given day, you can expect to do one or more of the following: give written and/or verbal critiques of your classmates’ speeches, engage in warm-up exercises for your body and/or voice, play a speech game, work in a group for analysis or presentation, give an impromptu individual speech, analyze a speech, etc.  These are all mandatory parts of the class.  Unlike other classes you may take at the college level, this class has a hard time functioning unless all students are present to give suggestions, offer praise, and get help/advice from other classmates throughout the semester – particularly in a GROUP COMMUNICATION class!  You are expected to attend class and be on time in order to reap these benefits yourself as well as provide help to your peers.  Missing classes (regardless of reason, even when others are speaking), arriving late, leaving early, sleeping, texting…WILL hurt this section of your grade.  Some leniency in points may be granted up to the point at which you miss four class periods.  Then, you could lose as many as 5 points per class period for not being present to participate or engaging in non-participatory behavior.
Participation total 100
								GRAND TOTAL 1000
Additional points					
You will be given the opportunity to do ONE additional point assignment for your grade.  At least four assignment options will be given to you, and you may choose any one of them.  The assignments will be due toward the end of the semester.  I would advise that you do one even if you don’t think you’ll need it because I will not be offering any additional last-minute assignments later or extended due dates in this area.  Additional points are privileges given to students by instructors, not rights.  If you do not attempt all three of the graded speeches, you will not be able to do an additional points assignment.    
(Optional – Max. total of 50)
Grades
Final grades will be based on the following scale:
900 & above=A, 899-800=B, 799-700=C, 699-600=D, 599 & below=F.
I will post frequent grade updates on Blackboard so you can ALWAYS check your current grade in the class.  To log in, go to http://blackboard.reedleycollege.edu and use your college ID# as your username.  Your password is likely your college ID# as well unless you’ve changed it in another class.
Late Assignments
MY LATE ASSIGNMENT POLICY IS A STRICT ONE!  I do not waste valuable time dealing with reasons or excuses for late work.  Good news: I will accept late work.  Bad news: Regardless of reason, late work will be given a penalty.  In other words: even if you are sick, on a college-sponsored trip, or dealing with hard times at work or home, you WILL receive a penalty if any of your work is late.  Specifically:
•	Written assignments (reflection paper or OSA) -- late ones will be lowered one full letter grade (10%).  
•	Quizzes -- miss these and you lose your opportunity to participate in the group portion of the quiz.  You can still make up a different format of the quiz, but your score may be significantly lower than if you had taken it with the class (since you will not reap the benefit of group help).   
•	Participation – if you miss, come late, leave early, text/sleep/chat in class, etc. on ANY day, you risk losing these points.  These cannot be made up.  Leniency will be granted up to the equivalent of about 4 class periods, but after that, you will see your points dwindle with subsequent violations.
•	Presentations – here’s the big one: If you are not on time and present when your group is due to present, you receive NO CREDIT on the presentation.  This is a huge penalty, and you will likely FAIL the class by missing even a single presentation.  Due to the nature of the class, I MUST enforce this as it is not possible to put you in another group.  Period.
Additionally, be aware that there is a time limit with which to turn in any late work.  There will be a TWO-WEEK GRACE PERIOD to make up any quizzes, do any speech, or turn in any papers.  It is during this grace period that the point docks will occur.  After this grace period is over, it will be too late; and you will receive a zero (0) on that assignment.    
	I do not search you out for make-ups if you miss an assignment.  It is your responsibility to approach me and schedule an appointment. 
Drop Policy
If you miss the second day of class without notifying me in advance that you will be gone, I will drop you and add someone from the wait list.
If you miss 4 or more class periods (consecutive days or otherwise, regardless of reason) in the first nine-weeks, I reserve the right to drop you from the course.	

Advice
The college’s policies regarding student conduct in classes, including cheating and plagiarism, are located in the college catalogue and the schedule of courses.  You should be aware of these policies and abide by them.  Be aware that I may run your speech/outlines/papers through anti-plagiarism software (e.g. Turnitin.com, SafeAssign, Google) if I suspect plagiarism.  If plagiarism is detected, I may also go back to re-evaluate work you have previously submitted for the course.  
Students with disabilities are reminded that it is your responsibility to identify yourself to the Reedley College Disabled Students Services and to your instructor(s) so reasonable accommodation for learning and evaluation within the course can be made.
Extra help 
Please feel free to visit our new Communication Lab in Soc 37 for help on any of your assignments.  You can work with any lab assistant/tutor/instructor who happens to be in at the time as he/she will be familiar with my assignments and can give you great advice!  Additionally, you can make use of the Tutorial Center located in the library and/or the Writing Center (located in Hum 59).  Names of specific outstanding tutors you can contact will be given in class.
The Blackboard site will include lots of help for you throughout the semester.  Not only will you be able to check your grades anytime, but you will also find:
•	the course syllabus
•	copies of handouts (in case you lose one or need an extra copy of anything)
•	example assignments (from real students in past classes)
•	presentation topic suggestions
•	quiz reviews
•	links to helpful research sites
•	…and much more!
Please use this site – it is there for YOU.  If you do not have Internet access, please make use of the computer labs on campus as I will not always have extra copies of handouts, etc. in class.  Using Blackboard for this class will make your Group Communication class experience MUCH easier!  Again, to log in, go to http://blackboard.reedleycollege.edu and use your college ID# as your username.  Your password is likely your college ID# as well unless you’ve changed it in another class.
A Note on My Teaching Style
I cannot and will not re-teach a class you miss. A student who misses a class must assume total responsibility of informing him/herself of class notes, announcements, and assignments.  It is also your responsibility to monitor your progress in this class.  I do not search out students to inform them of their grades—I expect that they are watching Blackboard or keeping track of it themselves.  It is a good idea to keep all graded assignments that I pass back to you as proof of your status, at least until you receive your final grade at the end of the semester (that’s good advice for all of your classes).
Also, please remember that this is a GROUP class, and I have very specific philosophies on group work.  You will be working closely with other classmates most of the time, whether you personally “like” all of them or not (that is life).  Because you are doing your speeches/presentations in a group, it presents you with some terrific advantages: less pressure, less workload, more fun.  However, working with groups can be challenging.  Keep in mind the following: I reserve the right to remove a member from a group at any time due to lack of participation or a current failing grade in the course.  Similarly, if a group feels as though a member is not doing his/her share of the tasks, the group (after working through me) can also choose to “fire” a member.

Let’s become better communicators!   

PROPOSED SCHEDULE – Comm 8, #52450, MW 11:00-12:15 –Spring 2014
You are expected to have the read/scanned the unit in the text before we analyze it in class.

DATE		ACTIVITY					     	     		SPECIAL ASSIGNMENTS DUE

M	1-13	Course introduction – icebreakers 
W	1-15	Chapter 1								Must have syllabus read
_____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
M	1-20	HOLIDAY – NO CLASSES HELD
W	1-22	Introduction Speeches
_____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
M	1-27	Introduction Speeches		
W	1-29	Quiz 1 & Chapter 10
_____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
M	2-3	Chapter 10								Puzzle topics DUE
W	2-5	Chapter 2
_____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
M	2-10	Puzzle speeches								Outlines DUE		
W	2-12	Puzzle speeches								Outlines DUE			
_____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
M	2-17	HOLIDAY – NO CLASSES HELD     	
W	2-19	Puzzle speeches								Outlines DUE			 _____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
M	2-24	Puzzle speeches 							Outlines DUE			
W	2-26	Quiz 2 & Chapter 3							
_____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
M	3-3	Chapter 3								Reflection papers DUE
W	3-5	Chapter 4								Informative topics DUE
_____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
M	3-10	Quiz 3 & Chapter 5
W	3-12	Chapter 5			    (Last day to drop Fri 3-14)					
_____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
M	3-17	Chapter 6
W	3-19	Informative presentations						Outlines DUE
_____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
M	3-24	Informative presentations						Outlines DUE
W	3-26	Informative presentations						Outlines DUE
_____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
M	3-31	Informative presentations						Outlines DUE
W	4-2	Quiz 4 & Chapter 7	
_____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
M	4-7	Chapter 7   
W	4-9	Chapter 8 
_____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
M	4-14	HOLIDAY – NO CLASSES HELD	
W	4-16	HOLIDAY – NO CLASSES HELD							
_____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
M	4-21	Quiz 5 & Chapter 9	
W	4-23	Chapter 9								Persuasion topics DUE
_____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
M	4-28	Persuasion handouts							OSA Paper DUE
W	4-30	Persuasion handouts							
_____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
M	5-5	Persuasive presentations						Outlines DUE
W	5-7	Persuasive presentations						Outlines DUE			
_____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
M	5-12	Persuasive presentations						Outlines DUE
W	5-14	Persuasive presentations					Outlines & Additional Points DUE
_____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
W*	5-21 	11:00-12:50	Quiz #6  	* We only meet one day during finals week.