Academic Catalogs

CMST G112: Small Group Dynamics

Course Outline of Record
Item Value
Curriculum Committee Approval Date 03/16/2021
Top Code 150600 - Speech Communication
Units 3 Total Units 
Hours 54 Total Hours (Lecture Hours 54)
Total Outside of Class Hours 0
Course Credit Status Credit: Degree Applicable (D)
Material Fee No
Basic Skills Not Basic Skills (N)
Repeatable No
Grading Policy Standard Letter (S), 
  • Pass/No Pass (B)
Local General Education (GE)
  • GWC Oral Communication (GA1)
California State University General Education Breadth (CSU GE-Breadth)
  • CSU A1 Oral Communications (A1)

Course Description

Formerly: COMM G112. This course introduces communication principles and theory in a variety of small group contexts including problem-solving, conflict management, decision making, group norms, and leadership. Transfer Credit: CSU; UC. C-ID: COMM 140.C-ID: COMM 140.

Course Level Student Learning Outcome(s)

  1. Course Outcomes
  2. Employ problem-solving techniques to solve a current, relevant problem in a small group context.
  3. Demonstrate ability to prepare for, conduct, and participate in group meetings.
  4. Produce an effective presentation within a group context and as part of a group in public contexts.

Course Objectives

  • 1. Explain the role of communication in a group setting.
  • 2. Define the communication model components as they apply to small group communication contexts.
  • 3. Identify how role systems theory relates to a groups structure.
  • 4. Identify and discuss the stages of small group formation.
  • 5. Evaluate and practice effective conflict-management strategies.
  • 6. Identify and apply effective problem-solving skills.
  • 7. Describe communication situations using discipline specific terms.

Lecture Content

Nature and Development of Small Group Discussion Basic variables Goal or task Time Member status Networks of communication Norms and expectations Cohesiveness vs. groupthink Group size Role functions Power Environment Setting People Group Communications Formats Panel discussion Problem solving Information exchange Symposium presentations Preparation of material Audience role Forum presentations Leadership styles Audience role Committee meetings Leadership styles Standing/ad hoc committee Presentation Skills Delivery Content Research Techniques Written Reports Leadership Styles and Behavior Autocratic, democratic, and laissez-faire Functional and situational Development of roles Confrontation and nourishment Attending behaviors/active listening Managing--traffic directing Perception checking Decision making and Problem Solving Approaches to decision making Decision by consensus Decision by majority vote Decision by expert Decision by leader Approaches to problem solving Reflective thinking Brainstorming Standard agenda Quality circle Parliamentary procedure Impasse Postponement Managing Conflict in Discussions Conflict styles Characteristics Functional Dysfunctional Skills for managing conflict >

Method(s) of Instruction

  • Lecture (02)
  • DE Live Online Lecture (02S)
  • DE Online Lecture (02X)

Instructional Techniques

Lecture on course content about small group communication. Discussion (large and small-group).

Reading Assignments

Textbook, open educational resources, supplemental materials.

Writing Assignments

Small group communication analysis, written and oral demonstration of skills, and preparing meetings and presentations.

Out-of-class Assignments

Case study analysis, preparing small group meetings and presentations, analysis of group roles, norms, and processes.

Demonstration of Critical Thinking

Students will be able to analyze small group communication situations to identify group roles, explain influences on the situation, as well as choose appropriate communication strategies and skills.

Required Writing, Problem Solving, Skills Demonstration

Students will participate in discussions of case studies, problem solving scenarios, conflict management exercises, forum presentations, written analysis of the group process in and out of class, and listening to evaluations from the small group communication skills of classmates.

Eligible Disciplines

Communication studies (speech communication): Masters degree in speech, speech broadcasting, telecommunications, rhetoric, communication, communication studies, speech communication, or organizational communication OR bachelors degree in any of the above AND masters degree in drama/ theater arts, mass communication, or English OR the equivalent. Masters degree required.

Textbooks Resources

1. Required Beebe, Steve A. John T. Masterson. Communicating in Small Groups, 12th ed. Pearson, 2020 Rationale: - 2. Required Rothwell, J. Dan. In Mixed Company Communicating in Small Groups and Teams, 10th ed. Cengage, 2019