University of Alberta
SMO 404, Lec A1
Interpersonal Communication & Team Management
Instructor: R.G. Bradford Fall Term 2017
Office: 3-20C BUS Classroom: BUS B-09
Office Hours: Tues and Thurs, 2:00-3:00 pm, or by appointment Time: Wed 1400-1650 Telephone: (Bus.) 780 492-5819 / (Res.) 780 433-3289
Email: [email protected]
COURSE CONTENT
Interpersonal communication refers to face-to-face conversation in work and social settings. This includes a supervisor speaking with a subordinate about performance problems, a group of managers meeting to solve a work-related problem, two friends discussing a current event, and even spouses or roommates arguing about household chores.
This course will give students the opportunity to identify their own communication style as well as the communication style of those around them. Students will participate in team and group discussions as well as individual presentations on a variety of student determined topics.
The course is designed to be practical as well as academic, encouraging skill development, and not just intellectual learning. Students should expect to be involved in role-plays, in giving and receiving direct feedback about their own and others' communication styles, and in diagnosing their own strengths and deficiencies in communicating with others.
Learning Outcomes
1. At the end of the course you will have developed the following course specific skills or knowledge.
- Identify the causes of communication dysfunction.
- Understand communication theories and be able to apply them to personal experiences.
- Develop communication skills in the areas of: active listening, performance counseling, conflict resolution, and communication in small groups.
- Understand the causes of cross-gender and cross-cultural miscommunication.
- Develop public presentation skills.
2. This course incorporates the Learning Goals of the B.Com Program in particular:
Critical Thinking, Ethical Awareness, Global Awareness, Oral Communication, Teamwork, and Written Communications.
SMO 404 Lec A1 – Fall 2017 2 Course Syllabus
3. Final grading in this class is done on the basis of individual student achievement of the course and program outcomes. These outcomes are measured by the following
assessments:
Individual Assignments: Assesses- Critical Thinking, Ethical Awareness, Global Awareness, Written Communication
Group Presentation: Assesses- Critical Thinking, Ethical Awareness, Global Awareness, Teamwork, and Oral Communication
Final Team Paper: Assesses- Critical Thinking, Ethical Awareness, Global Awareness, and Written Communication
Participation: Assesses- Oral Communication TEXT
11 Modules to be sold as a course package (SMO 404) at the U of A Bookstore. In addition to the material in the course pack, readings and website links to readings will be posted on the course ulearn site.
COURSE TOPICS AND ASSIGNMENTS
Week 1 Introduction to Interpersonal Communication
Week 2 Module 1 & Module 2: Talk as Information Exchange Week 3 Module 3: Interpersonal Communication Styles
Week 4 Module 4: Personal Talk Assignment #1 due
Wednesday Sept 27th
Week 5 Module 5: Building Trust and Openness Week 6 Module 6: Discussing Performance Problems Week 7 Module 8: Inferences in Conflict & Personal
Conversations Week 8 Module 7: Managing Conflict
Week 9 Module 9: Gender Talk Assignment #2 due
Wednesday Nov 1st
Week 10 Module 10: A Cultural Look at Communication Week 11 Module 11: Communication, Power and Politics Weeks 11-14 Presentations
– Personal Journal Term Paper Due – Wednesday Dec 6th
Please note -- this schedule is subject to change.
MARKING BASE
1. Assignments (on time and acceptable)2 @ 15 marks each = 30 marks
2. Class Presentation 20 marks
3. Personal Journal Term Paper 40 marks
4. Participation 10 marks
100 marks TOTAL ASSIGNMENTS – 2 @ 15 marks each = 30 marks
All assignments are based on the modules of instruction. Each assignment is due at the start of class on the date indicated in the Course Topic & Assignments section above. Late assignments will not be accepted, as the class discussion in this course is based on the content of the assignments.
Most of the assignments contain a set of questions taken from the modules, which are designed to prompt a response. Your responses constitute the assignment. Assignments should have a maximum length of 5 pages double-spaced, plus transcripts.
The goal of each module is to create learning for you and dialogue with the instructor. Learning means that something in you, the learner, has changed whether it be an idea or an attitude about issues in the workplace or in a personal setting. Self-insights are often worth reporting. In short, what you report is left up to you. You NEED NOT AGREE with the content of instruction.
Your assignments can be submitted in typewritten hard copy at the beginning of the class. They may also be emailed no later than midnight on the date they are due.
CLASS PRESENTATION – 20 marks
Students will be required to prepare a presentation on any pre-approved topic to the class in groups of 4 to 5 students. Students should present communications related topics.
Students will not be evaluated solely on content. Students will also be evaluated on how effectively they communicated their perspective topics to the class using the technology that is available to them.
Presenters should take into consideration the audience they are presenting to and the relevance of the material contained in the presentation. Grading criteria for presentations is described on page 4.
Presentations should be twenty-five minutes in length and will be rated according to this requirement.
Any presentations exceeding this time frame may be stopped. Presenters should ensure that they leave enough time for questions and class discussion. If presenters leave too much time for questions they will be responsible for the remaining time. Presenters are responsible for ensuring they do not exceed their allotted time and should therefore limit questions requiring more time than is available.
All students will utilize their effective listening skills during their colleagues’ presentations. This will be done by students providing additional feedback to presenters (not for grading purposes).
Possible Group Presentation Topics:
- how to win trust and influence people - emotional harassment in the workplace - gender and communication
- teams and communication - effective conflict resolution
SMO 404 Lec A1 – Fall 2017 4 Course Syllabus
- what is sexual harassment and what isn’t?
- cross-cultural communication pitfalls - effective performance counseling - how to discipline someone - how to teach someone to do a job - the art of negotiations made simple - technology and communication - nonverbal communication
- generational differences and communication
PERSONAL JOURNAL TERM PAPER – 40 marks. Due on Wednesday Dec 6th
The Personal Journal Term Paper is designed to help you evaluate your communication style as well as that of people around you. A large portion of our communication style lies around how we perceive others and how we believe others perceive us. It is expected that you keep a daily journal throughout this course. The Journal will allow you the opportunity to evaluate, without fear of criticism or reproach, your own communication style as well as your interpretation of the style of people around you.
You will be required to submit a term paper and transcripts based on the material you have discussed in your journal entries. Your term paper should represent the material you have documented in your personal journal. The term paper is intended to give you the opportunity to analyze your learning in this course and should reflect what you have learned about yourself, others around you or
communication principles in general. The term paper should contain the relevant transcripts of your conversations.
You will be required to prepare a 7-12 page (double-spaced) term paper plus a minimum of 3 transcripts based on your journal entries. This criterion will form part of your mark.
CLASS PARTICIPATION – 10 marks
Participation marks will be based on criteria such as: attendance, participation in class discussions, exercises, and role plays. The quality of contribution to the class will be considered.
ASSIGNMENT 1 – Due Wednesday Sept 27th Module 3: Interpersonal Communication Style Do question 3.6, page 2, Module 3.
Do – create a short transcript of a conversation you have had recently. This could be with a friend, family member, or work situation. You do not have to reveal names. Choose a conversation that you believe did not go as smoothly as you might have wished.
Using the Present/Attend model, analyze and draw conclusions about your and the other person’s communication style. Explain your conclusions.
What lessons have you learned about your communication style and demonstrate how you could improve your communication style.
ASSIGNMENT 2 – Due Wednesday Nov 1st
Module 8: Inferences in Conflict and Personal Conversations Study the “Interpersonal Conflict Model” on page 5, Module 8.
Create a transcript of a conflict situation you had with another person. Apply the conflict model to analyze your inner dialogue and how it affected your reaction and how you communicated. Do the same for your partner in conflict. Discuss what lessons you have learned from applying the conflict model to this situation. Demonstrate how you could improve your communication style.
GRADING CRITERIA FOR PRESENTATIONS
Presentations will be evaluated based on the following criteria:
1. Content: Knowledge of material; depth of analysis; realistic interpretations of material and solutions; positions are supported by facts, real world cases, etc.
2. Presentation Delivery/Style: Material organized; appropriate use of speaking techniques such as pacing, clarity of expression, gestures, poise, eye contact; use of audiovisual material; involving audience in the presentation; use of appropriate role plays, etc. to illustrate points.
While students are encouraged to be creative in their presentations, presenters are expected to keep in mind appropriate standards of conduct and professionalism and adhere to the Code of Student Behavior [pp. 710-730 of the university calendar, or online at http://www.ualberta.ca/~unisecr/gfcPM.htm#30].
Grading Criteria for individual assignments
Individual assignments will be evaluated based on the following criteria:
o Displays understanding of the applicable communication model, or theory.
o Able to correctly apply the applicable communication model or theory to your own communication style and the communication style of others.
o Ability to appropriately self-reflect on your communication style and draw lessons for improvement
o Ability to demonstrate ways to improve your communication style – based on the applicable communication models and theories
o Organization of the paper o Clarity of communication
o Correct punctuation, spelling and grammar.
GRADING SYSTEM
Final grades will be determined by cut-off points rather than a particular distribution. Consideration will be given to a raw score out of 100 points, possible natural breaks, university policy on class Grade Point Averages, and any relevant factor that relates to students’ performance. The instructor has some discretion in awarding final grades but, generally, cut-off points should fall quite closely to the
following:
95+ = A+ 80+ = B+ 65+ = C+ 50+ = D+
90+ = A 75+ = B 60+ = C
85+ = A- 70+ = B- 55+ = C-
A grade of D will be used for borderline cases that for some reason should be given the minimum conditional pass of D. For the vast majority of cases, though, a score of less than 50 will be a fail and get a grade of F.
ACADEMIC INTEGRITY
“The University of Alberta is committed to the highest standards of academic integrity and honesty.
Students are expected to be familiar with these standards regarding academic honesty and to uphold the policies of the University in this respect. Students are particularly urged to familiarize themselves with the provisions of the Code of Student Behaviour (online at
SMO 404 Lec A1 – Fall 2017 6 Course Syllabus
www.ualberta.ca/secretariat/appeals.htm) and to avoid any behaviour, which could potentially result in suspicions of cheating, plagiarism, misrepresentation of facts and/or participation in an offence.
Academic dishonesty is a serious offence and can result in suspension or expulsion from the University.” (GFC 29 SEP 2003)
UNIVERSITY POLICY ON COURSE OUTLINES
“Policy about course outlines can be found in Section 23.4(2) of the University Calendar.” (GFC SEP 2003)
COURSE REQUIREMENTS AND GRADING
Class Presentation 20% (Group)
A note on student contributions: Every team member may (yes, this part of the course is voluntary) submit on the day of your presentation, a sheet with the team member names including his/her own. A contribution mark will appear next to each name. The mark ranges from 0 (exceptionally poor) to 10 (excellent), and it must have a brief explanation based on the following guidelines.
Dimension Very Good Performance Very Poor Performance Presence S/he was present at all team
meetings S/he was absent from all team
meetings Preparation S/he was always well prepared
for team meetings S/he was usually not prepared Contribution S/he contributed in a significant
way to the development of the presentation
S/he didn't contribute in a significant way to the development of the presentation
Attitude S/he was always respectful of
others' ideas and comments S/he was not interested in others' comments. S/he was not respectful of others' ideas and comments.
