SYRACUSE UNIVERSITY

Department of Communication and Rhetorical Studies 

CRS 333

SMALL GROUP COMMUNICATION

3 Credit Hours

Spring 2025

Course #53364 Section M004

Mon-Wed 12:45-2:05 PM

Sims Hall 129

Course #50983 Section M001

Mon-Wed 2:15-3:45 PM

Sims Hall 131

Course #50983 Section M002

Wed 5:15-8 PM

Sims Hall 135

Professor: Jim Dunagan Office Hours: Monday/Wednesday 1-2PM and by appointment
Email: jadunaga@syr.edu Call/Text: 315-882-2435
Office: Sims 141

REQUIRED TEXT

Harris, T.E., & Sherblom, J.C. (2011) Small group and team communication (5th ed.), Long Grove, IL: Waveland Press, Inc. ISBN: 978-1-4786-3723-3

COURSE DESCRIPTION

(From the course catalog)

Group communication as a decision making process. Problem solving. Critical and creative thinking, presentational skills. Designed to improve decision quality through discussion skills and the strategic application of group decision theories and techniques.

(From me)

Discovering, examining, and applying key communication theories and concepts applicable to the small group/team environment.  The course will hopefully be a journey for you to understand what makes up a small group, why they work and why they don’t, how groups/teams make decisions, deal with their own organization, and adapt to modern computer-mediated communication (CMC).  You will work individually and in teams to complete work geared to your understanding and analysis of small group communication issues. Teams will also two projects that will be presented to the class either live or virtually.

COURSE OBJECTIVES

By the end of the course, it is expected that you will be able to:

  • Define small group communication and how small groups operate as a system
  • Understand group roles and how groupthink impacts group cohesion
  • Explain functions of verbal communication and illustrate types of nonverbal communication
  • Understand the importance of listening, barriers to active listening, and good feedback
  • Know how workgroup teams function in small group communication
  • Provide strategies for defining problems, developing alternatives, and making decisions as a group
  • Know the role of leaders or leadership in small groups

COURSE SCHEDULE

The course schedule is provided in a separate document and is subject to change.

METHODS OF INSTRUCTION

  • Class discussion, student interpretation/reaction to work, review video projects
  • Learning module content delivered via Common Ground Scholar learning environment
  • In-class and live video presentations
  • Team projects

COURSE REQUIREMENTS

  • Attendance in-class and via online meetings, participation and professional conduct
  • Complete all Scholar learning module updates including assessments, satisfy contribution requirements
  • Complete team milestones
  • Two team projects, oral and written
  • Critical evaluations of self and others

GENERAL POLICIES

Small Group Communication is an important aspect of communication studies, since small groups probably accomplish more in any organization at every level than any other kind of workgroup system.  In this class, we will approach the study of small group communication using a variety of learning approaches which are designed to make it as easy as possible for students to learn. A good deal of your work in this class will be done via what’s called “asynchronous” content (online only), thanks to a new tool (for many of you) called Common Ground Scholar. It is an online learning community which we will start working with right away.

Attendance–This class is considered “in-person instruction,” which means attendance every class session is required. With a course that meets only weekly, being in class each week is doubly important. As such, 150 points, or 15% of your total grade, is based on attendance and participation. You will earn points each class meeting based on being present in class and involved in class discussions and other activities – 12 points each week beginning with Week 2 through Week 13with additional earned for having no unexcused absences over the semester. While I do expect you to attend all class sessions, I also know that life often interferes with our best-laid plans. If there is a situation that keeps you from attending class, you will find me both understanding and fair in my dealings with you, provided you keep me informed.  Read more about how excused and unexcused absences are treated below.

  • Excused absences will be permitted if I am notified in advance for an appropriate reason (illness, personal/family issues, etc.) Doing work for another class or some related reason will not be excused.  If you are excused from class attendance, you will still receive attendance points for that day, but you will not earn participation points. An excused absence also does not relieve you of any other class responsibilities. A maximum of two excused absences will be permitted. Student athletes with permission from their team to miss class for games/events will be given excused absences for those occasions. If you face serious life/family/health difficulties that are impacting your attendance, please let me know and I will help you to figure out what to do.
  • Unexcused absences are simply any absences that are not excused. Unexcused absences receive no points for attendance or participation for each instance. Those absences will also result in a zero for any work done in class that day. Multiple unexcused absences will have a damaging effect on your final grade. See below for how those unexcused absences could affect your final grade:
    • One unexcused absence          18 points – about 2% of final grade
    • Two unexcused absences        30 points – 3% of final grade
    • Three unexcused absences      42 points – over 4% of final grade
    • Four unexcused absences       54 points – over 5% of final grade
  • In addition, multiple unexcused absences (6 for Monday/Wednesday classes, 4 for Wednesday night class) will require a mandatory meeting with me to avoid getting a failing final grade for the class. In this meeting, we will address issues related to your absences. Eight unexcused absences in the Monday/Wednesday classes and five unexcused absences in the Wednesday night class may result in a failing final grade.

Participation – Class participation is crucial in our work together. It is often my best indication that you understand the concepts that we are talking about. There will be several different ways you will be graded for participating. You are ultimately responsible for keeping track of your progress for each of these activities by regularly monitoring My Grades in Blackboard.

  • In-class discussions and team activities that will count toward your Attendance and Participation grade each week
  • Two short presentations about the content you create in Scholar (2 at 10 points each)
  • There will be a total of seven video activities over the semester (one about every other week) to complete using a fun tool called “Flip.” You must do a minimum of 5 at 10 points each with extra credit possible for completing the additional videos

Punctuality – Being on time is so important to our ability to accomplish all the things we need to do. I reserve the right to consider repeated episodes of tardiness as unexcused absences. Please do your part by being on time and let me know if something will cause you to be late.

Deadlines – As a rule, I do not like deadlines. I find them somewhat arbitrary and unnecessary for students able to manage their workloads. However, they are useful for students who struggle with time management. So, there will be deadlines established for all individual and team assignment work and I will retain discretion as to whether or not I will consider any such work as “late.” You will be expected to keep up with the weekly updates from Scholar and to complete the required activities. Since Scholar is not designed to be particularly deadline-friendly, you should also periodically meet with me in a 1-on-1 session to review your Scholar progress.

Technology – Since our class work requires that you have a mobile device, so I am asking you to bring your laptop to each class meeting. You may also use a phone or tablet if you prefer. However, please limit any device use to classroom activity.  If you have a pressing need to call or text someone, please leave the classroom so as not to distract your fellow classmates.

Communication – In the event that you need to email me, please use only your “syr.edu” email account and in the subject line include “CRS 333.”  I will do my best to respond to you in a timely fashion, but don’t assume I have forgotten about you if it’s less than 24 hours after sending me a message.

Scholar – Common Ground Scholar will be the principal learning environment for this class. Please visit my Professor Dunagan website for help with creating a Scholar user account and then joining our class community, which is called “CRS 333 Spring 2025 Small Group Communication.” All sections taking the class with me will be a part of this community. We’ll spend a significant amount of time during the first week in class working together to make sure everyone understands how it works and how you will contribute to it. The importance of participating in Scholar activities throughout the semester cannot be understated. A failure to join the class Scholar community and complete any of the required work will result in a failing grade in the course.  Be sure to speak or meet with me if any part of your Scholar participation is difficult or unclear to you.

Blackboard – We won’t be using Blackboard for a lot in this class, but it will be where you can keep track of your grade progress (exclusive of Scholar). In addition, individual and team assignments will be submitted to Blackboard.

Grading – You will have constant and real-time access to your grade progress during the course.  Using My Grades in Blackboard, you can track your completion of in-class activities like Scholar updates, impromptu status reports and discussion participation. You’ll also be able to monitor your progress in Scholar via the Analytics module.  As you complete Scholar activities, you will be assessed a score based on the individual metrics of each activity. It’s a bit complicated but it will make sense as we progress through the semester. My goal for each of you is to encourage you to do your best possible work. In any case, please remember that I will always be happy to work with you on succeeding in this class. That said, it is ultimately your responsibility to make sure you have received credit for the work you have done, which means monitoring My Grades in Blackboard and the Analytics tool in Scholar. I will always be happy to make sure your grades are correct, but I will not be making such changes as a result of last-minute requests at the end of the semester. Once a final deadline for requesting changes has been established and communicated to you (which will be done well in advance), NO REQUESTS FOR GRADE CHANGES WILL BE CONSIDERED. Grades for this course will be determined based on the table below:

Requirement Total Points
“Ready for Scholar” activities (watch videos, join group, complete first update) 50
7 video activities @ 10 points each (5 required, 2 optional) 50
2 Scholar update presentations @ 10 points each 20
Attendance and participation 150
Writing assignment activities (formatted references and completed version incorporating reference sources 80
5 Team Assignments @ 30 points 150
1 final team report/paper 150
1 final team presentation 100
Scholar Analytics based on “ideal” score of 80 250
Total Points 1000

Grading Breakdown: 1000 – 930 = A; 929 – 900 = A-; 899 – 870 = B+; 869 – 830 = B; 829 – 800 = B-; 799 – 770 = C+; 769 – 730 = C; 729 – 700 = C-; 699 – 650 = D; 649 – 0 = E

OTHER POLICIES

Academic Integrity –Syracuse University’s Academic Integrity Policy reflects the high value that we, as a university community, place on honesty in academic work. As a pre-eminent and inclusive student-focused research institution, Syracuse University considers academic integrity at the forefront of learning, serving as a core value and guiding pillar of education. Syracuse University’s Academic Integrity Policy provides students with the necessary guidelines to complete academic work with integrity throughout their studies. Students are required to uphold both course-specific and university-wide academic integrity expectations such as crediting your sources, doing your own work, communicating honestly, and supporting academic integrity. The full Syracuse University Academic Integrity Policy can be found by visiting class.syr/edu, selecting, “Academic Integrity,” and “Expectations and Policy.”

Upholding Academic Integrity includes the protection of faculty’s intellectual property. Students should not upload, distribute, or share instructors’ course materials, including presentations, assignments, exams, or other evaluative materials without permission. Using websites that charge fees or require uploading of course material (e.g., Chegg, Course Hero) to obtain exam solutions or assignments completed by others, which are then presented as your own violates academic integrity expectations in this course and may be classified as a Level 3 violation. All academic integrity expectations that apply to in-person assignments, quizzes, and exams also apply online.

Students found in violation of the policy are subject to grade sanctions determined by the course instructor and non-grade sanctions determined by the School or College where the course is offered. Students may not drop or withdraw from courses in which they face a suspected violation. Any established violation in this course may result in course failure regardless of violation level.

All generative-AI tools are prohibited in this course because their use inhibits achievement of the course learning objectives. This policy applies to all stages of project and writing processes including researching, brainstorming, outlining, organizing, and polishing. Do not use Generative-AI tools to create any content (i.e., images and video, audio, text, code, etc.). If you have any questions about a feature and whether it is considered Generative-AI, ask your instructor.

Disability Services – Syracuse University values diversity and inclusion; we are committed to a climate of mutual respect and full participation.  There may be aspects of the instruction or design of this course that result in barriers to your inclusion and full participation in this course.  I invite any student to contact me to discuss strategies and/or accommodations (academic adjustments) that may be essential to your success and to collaborate with the Center for Disability Resources (CDR) in this process. If you would like to discuss disability-accommodations or register with CDR, please visit Center for Disability Resources. Please call (315) 443-4498 or email disabilityresources@syr.edu for more detailed information. The CDR is responsible for coordinating disability-related academic accommodations and will work with the student to develop an access plan. Since academic accommodations may require early planning and generally are not provided retroactively, please contact CDR as soon as possible to begin this process.

Religious Observances – SU’S religious observance policy recognizes the diversity of faiths represented among the campus community and protects the rights of students, faculty, and staff to observe religious holy days according to their tradition.  Under the policy, students are provided an opportunity to make up any examination, study, or work requirements that may be missed due to a religious observance provided they notify their instructors before the second week of classes.  For fall and spring semesters, an online notification process is available via My Slice at Student Services/Enrollment/My Religious Observances and is available from the first day of class until the end of the second week of class.