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COMM210 Small Group Communication / CRN32536

Contact Information

Instructor: Amy E. Ward

Email Address: amy_ward@cuesta.edu

Office Location/ Hours: No office hours until Spring 2025. Contact me by email.

Course ID: COMM 210

CRN: 32536

Term: Spring 2025

Required in-person meetings and location: Wednesdays from 1230-220 North County Campus in Room N3229

Instructor Contact Expectations:

The best and fastest way to contact me is email. I will generally respond to your emails within 24 hours during weekdays only. During busy times of the semester, the response time may increase to 48 hours. On weekends, I will do my best to get back to you ASAP but I cannot guarantee an expeditious response.

Course Environment:

Spring 2025 Term begins January 21st.
This class does not meet in Zoom. Half of your learning will be conducted in person on Wednesdays from 12:30pm to 2:20pm, and half will be conducted asynchronously (which means "not live") in Canvas.
Canvas provides the framework for the course including lecture material, access to our textbook, the tools to receive and send course materials, and a grade book.

Accessing the Course:

You will see your course in Canvas by the first day of class. You will receive a welcome email approximately one week before the start of the term with other relevant course information. You can access Canvas by clicking on Canvas from the top bar of the Cuesta homepage (www.cuesta.edu), or by typing the Canvas address (https://cuesta.instructure.com/) into your browser address bar.

If you are not familiar with logging into canvas, please refer to the Canvas Quick Reference Guide. Once logged into Canvas you will be directed on where to get started. Be sure to read all the direction on the course home page.

If you are having difficulty logging into Canvas after August 12th and need assistance please email me or technical support at this email address support@my.cuesta.edu.

Online Learning:

If you have never taken an online class or this is your first experience with Canvas, please be patient with yourself. Online classes are not inherently easier, although they may be much more convenient for many students. You should expect to spend at least as much time, if not more on this course as you would on a course that meets entirely face to face. Much of this time will be self-directed and there will be a substantial amount of reading, viewing, studying, and writing required. Please be prepared to spend 8 - 12 hours per week on coursework for this class

IS an ONLINE CLASS FOR YOU?

Go to the Cuesta College Canvas Tutorial (self-paced), there are many resources that were designed to help you understand the basis for an online class and the skills necessary for success. (If the tutorials do NOT describe you, then taking this class online is NOT for you and I strongly suggest that you drop the online class and enroll in a traditional classroom section.)

Regular Effective Contact policy:

Regular and Effective Instructor Contact will be met through weekly required in-person meetings and instructor initiated threaded discussion forums; weekly announcements to students; timely and effective feedback on student assignments; email, phone or messaging to individuals; and virtual office hours.

Course Description

Explores the theories, techniques, and methods of small group communication. Develops participation and leadership skills of effective communicators within the small group setting by focusing on problem-solving, decision-making, conflict resolution, dimensions of diversity, responsibilities of group members, and managing the group process. Provides applied practice through group activities, group presentations, and project group work. Involves regular outside of class group meetings.

Student Learning Outcomes

1. Students will use problem solving methods to create solutions to group problems

2. Students will identify and employ effective conflict management strategies

3. Students will describe how to successfully lead, follow, and motivate diverse group members

4. Students will explain how to organize and conduct productive group meetings

5. Students will be able to design and deliver effective team presentations

6. Students will identify appropriate group communication techniques for specific group situations

7. Students will use and identify effective listening skills

8. Students will demonstrate understanding of how the constructive use of technology facilitates successful group communication

Text Book and Materials

Our textbook is free and available online. Here is the link to our textbook: Introduction to Group Communication
Supplemental Materials necessary for the class:
- Notecards

Technical Support

Cuesta students are encouraged to direct all technical support inquiries to support@my.cuesta.edu. If you are having issues with Canvas, or email support@instructure.com.

If you are having difficulty viewing the course or logging in, it may be because you are not using the correct url: https://cuesta.instructure.com/ or you are using your phone or using an unsupported browser.

Your learning environment is best accessed from a desktop or laptop computer, using Firefox or Chrome. This may solve your problem! Please review the browser requirements and minimum computer specifications.

Accommodations:

This course is designed using an accessible Learning Management System, and course materials have been created with ADA compliance in mind. If you have a disability and might need accommodations in this class such as extended time on exams or other resources. Please contact me as soon as possible so that you can receive appropriate accommodations in a timely manner. You should also contact DSPS (Disabled Student Programs & Services) or at 805-546-3148.

College & Course Policies:

Academic Honesty Policy

All students attending San Luis Obispo County Community College District at any district site and when representing Cuesta College in any off-campus activity, assume an obligation to conduct themselves in an acceptable manner compatible with the Student Code of conduct. Please review the Cuesta College Student Code of conduct.

Add / Drop Policy:

Withdrawal from the class is the responsibility of you, the student. Failure to withdraw by the dates listed in the Schedule of Classes will result in a failing grade. In addition to my policy, please review the Cuesta policy for drops

Waitlist Policy:

If space becomes available, students will be enrolled according to their position on the waitlist. In addition to my course specific procedures, please review Cuesta’s waitlist procedure and instructions.

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[{:section_type=>"rich_text", :content=>"<h1>COMM210 Small Group Communication / CRN32536</h1>\n<h2>Contact Information&nbsp;</h2>\nInstructor: Amy E. Ward\nEmail Address: amy_ward@cuesta.edu\nOffice Location/ Hours: No office hours until Spring 2025. Contact me by email.\nCourse ID: COMM 210\nCRN: 32536\nTerm: Spring 2025\nRequired in-person meetings and location:&nbsp;Wednesdays from 1230-220 North County Campus in Room N3229\n<h2>Instructor Contact Expectations:&nbsp;&nbsp;</h2>\nThe best and fastest way to contact me is email.&nbsp; I will generally respond to your emails within 24 hours during weekdays only. &nbsp;During busy times of the semester, the response time may increase to 48 hours. &nbsp;On weekends, I will do my best to get back to you ASAP but I cannot guarantee an expeditious response.&nbsp;\n<h2>Course Environment:&nbsp;</h2>\n<ul>\n<li aria-level=\"1\">Spring 2025 Term begins January 21st.&nbsp;</li>\n<li aria-level=\"1\">This class does&nbsp;not meet in Zoom. Half of your learning will be conducted in person on Wednesdays from 12:30pm to 2:20pm, and half will be conducted asynchronously (which means \"not live\") in Canvas.</li>\n<li aria-level=\"1\">Canvas provides the framework for the course including lecture material, access to our textbook, the tools to receive and send course materials, and a grade book.&nbsp;</li>\n</ul>\n<h2>Accessing the Course:&nbsp;</h2>\nYou will see your course in Canvas by the first day of class. You will receive a welcome email approximately one week before the start of the term with other relevant course information. You can access Canvas by clicking on Canvas from the top bar of the Cuesta homepage (www.cuesta.edu), or by typing the Canvas address (<a href=\"https://cuesta.instructure.com/\">https://cuesta.instructure.com/</a>) into your browser address bar.&nbsp;\nIf you are not familiar with logging into canvas, please refer to the <a href=\"https://www.cuesta.edu/academics/documents/distance-docs/Canvas_Quick_Reference_Students.pdf\">Canvas Quick Reference Guide.</a> Once logged into Canvas you will be directed on where to get started. Be sure to read all the direction on the course home page. &nbsp;\nIf you are having difficulty logging into Canvas after August 12th and need assistance please email me or technical support at this email address <a href=\"mailto:support@my.cuesta.edu\">support@my.cuesta.edu</a>. &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;\n<h2>Online Learning:&nbsp;&nbsp;</h2>\nIf you have never taken an online class or this is your first experience with Canvas, please be patient with yourself. Online classes are not inherently easier, although they may be much more convenient for many students. You should expect to spend at least as much time, if not more on this course as you would on a course that meets entirely face to face. Much of this time will be self-directed and there will be a substantial amount of reading, viewing, studying, and writing required. Please be prepared to spend 8 - 12 hours per week on coursework for this class\n<h3>IS an ONLINE CLASS FOR YOU?&nbsp;&nbsp;</h3>\nGo to the <a href=\"https://www.cuesta.edu/academics/distance/survey.html\">Cuesta College Canvas Tutorial (self-paced)</a>, &nbsp;there are many resources that were designed to help you understand the basis for an online class and the skills necessary for success. (If the tutorials do NOT describe you, then taking this class online is NOT for you and I strongly suggest that you drop the online class and enroll in a traditional classroom section.)\n<h3>Regular Effective Contact policy:&nbsp;</h3>\nRegular and Effective Instructor Contact will be met through weekly required in-person meetings and instructor initiated threaded discussion forums; weekly announcements to students; timely and effective feedback on student assignments; email, phone or messaging to individuals; and virtual office hours.&nbsp;\n<h2>Course Description&nbsp;</h2>\nExplores the theories, techniques, and methods of small group communication. Develops participation and leadership skills of effective communicators within the small group setting by focusing on problem-solving, decision-making, conflict resolution, dimensions of diversity, responsibilities of group members, and managing the group process. Provides applied practice through group activities, group presentations, and project group work. Involves regular outside of class group meetings.&nbsp;\n<h3>Student Learning Outcomes&nbsp;</h3>\n<h3>1. Students will use problem solving methods to create solutions to group problems&nbsp;</h3>\n<h3>2. Students will identify and employ effective conflict management strategies&nbsp;</h3>\n<h3>3. Students will describe how to successfully lead, follow, and motivate diverse group members&nbsp;</h3>\n<h3>4. Students will explain how to organize and conduct productive group meetings&nbsp;</h3>\n<h3>5. Students will be able to design and deliver effective team presentations</h3>\n<h3>6. Students will identify appropriate group communication techniques for specific group situations&nbsp;</h3>\n<h3>7. Students will use and identify effective listening skills&nbsp;</h3>\n<h3>8. Students will demonstrate understanding of how the constructive use of technology facilitates successful group communication</h3>\n&nbsp;\n<h3>Text Book and Materials&nbsp;</h3>\n<ul>\n<li aria-level=\"1\">Our textbook is free and available online. Here is the link to our textbook: <a href=\"https://2012books.lardbucket.org/books/an-introduction-to-group-communication/\">Introduction to Group Communication</a></li>\n<li aria-level=\"1\">Supplemental Materials necessary for the class:&nbsp; \n<ul>\n<li aria-level=\"2\">Notecards</li>\n</ul>\n</li>\n</ul>\n<h2>Technical Support&nbsp;</h2>\nCuesta students are encouraged to direct all technical support inquiries to&nbsp; <a href=\"mailto:support@my.cuesta.edu\">support@my.cuesta.edu</a>. If you are having issues with Canvas, or email <a href=\"mailto:support@instructure.com\">support@instructure.com</a>.&nbsp;\nIf you are having difficulty viewing the course or logging in, it may be because you are not using the correct url<a>: https://cuesta.instructure.com/</a> or you are using your phone or using an unsupported browser.&nbsp;&nbsp;\n&nbsp;\nYour learning environment is best accessed from a desktop or laptop computer, using Firefox or Chrome.&nbsp; This may solve your problem!&nbsp; Please review the <a href=\"https://www.cuesta.edu/academics/distance/faqs_technical.html\">browser requirements and minimum computer specifications</a>.&nbsp;\n<h2>Accommodations:&nbsp;</h2>\nThis course is designed using an accessible Learning Management System, and course materials have been created with ADA compliance in mind. If you have a disability and might need accommodations in this class such as extended time on exams or other resources. Please contact me as soon as possible so that you can receive appropriate accommodations in a timely manner. You should also contact <a href=\"http://www.cuesta.edu/student/studentservices/dsps/index.html\">DSPS (Disabled Student Programs &amp; Services)</a> or at 805-546-3148.&nbsp;\n<h2>College &amp; Course Policies:&nbsp;</h2>\n<h3>Academic Honesty Policy</h3>\nAll students attending San Luis Obispo County Community College District at any district site and when representing Cuesta College in any off-campus activity, assume an obligation to conduct themselves in an acceptable manner compatible with the Student Code of conduct. Please review the <a href=\"https://www.cuesta.edu/about/documents/vpss-docs/StudentConducttrifold-brochure_2017.pdf\">Cuesta College Student Code of conduct</a>.&nbsp;\nAdd / Drop Policy:&nbsp;\nWithdrawal from the class is the responsibility of you, the student. Failure to withdraw by the dates listed in the Schedule of Classes will result in a failing grade. In addition to my policy, please review the Cuesta policy for drops&nbsp;\n<ul>\n<li aria-level=\"1\"><a href=\"https://www.cuesta.edu/student/studentservices/admrreg/arpolicies/addcourse.html\">Add Policy</a></li>\n<li aria-level=\"1\"><a href=\"https://www.cuesta.edu/student/studentservices/admrreg/arpolicies/dropcourse.html\">Drop Policy</a></li>\n</ul>\n&nbsp;\nWaitlist Policy:&nbsp;\nIf space becomes available, students will be enrolled according to their position on the waitlist. In addition to my course specific procedures, please review <a href=\"http://www.cuesta.edu/student/studentservices/admrreg/arpolicies/Waitlist.html\">Cuesta’s waitlist procedure and instructions</a>.&nbsp;"}]