| Psychology
215-A: Interpersonal Dynamics
Instructor: Elizabeth A. Wall, M.A., M.S.
Subject Area/Discipline:
Pschology
School: Neumann College
Project Area:
miscellaneous
Fall 2006
Neumann College
Fall 2006
Psychology 215- A
Interpersonal Dynamics
Instructor: Elizabeth
A. Wall, M.A., M.S.
Office Hours: By Appointment
Phone:
Office: 267-481-0864
E-Mail: EAWall61@Yahoo.com
Meeting
Time: M, W, 3:00-4:15
Required text: Beebe, S.
A. & Masterson, J. T. Communicating
in small groups,
New York,
Harper Collins.
Watkins, M. &
Braun, L. You can make a difference: Service learning from classroom to community to career
Welcome to Psychology 215-A, Interpersonal
Dynamics. In this hands-on, minds-on
class, we will work to attain the following objectives:
Objectives:
Students will
be able to do the following upon completion of the course:
- Understand basic concepts integral to the evaluation
of
communication in both dyads and small groups.
Communication
basics
Improving
Group Climate
Group and Team Principles
Enhancing Communication Skills
Small Group
Theory
Conflict
Group
Formation
Collaboration
Relating to
Others
Problem
Solving/Decision Making
Enhancing
Creativity
Leadership
Technology
-
Observe and describe communication
behaviors, analyze the
effects of behavior on the communication process, evaluate
communication
outcomes and offer recommendations for ongoing success/improvement.
- Collaborate with others both in and outside the
classroom.
- Understand and evaluate one’s personal
relationship/contribution(s) to group and group members through the
ongoing
processes of observation and self-reflection.
Students
will be able to
do the following upon completion of the course:
- Use critical thinking skills to promote understanding
of the
communication process.
- Understand and apply basic principles of
interpersonal dynamics
to real life experiences through the integration of theory, practice
and
ongoing self reflection.
- Students will develop a service learning project in
conjunction
with Campus Ministry and/or a community partner (To be discussed).
Through
service learning experiences, students will observe and participate in
focused
team projects designed to serve members of the community. (14 hrs). Alternate placements must be cleared with the
instructor.
- Students will engage in ongoing self-self reflection
through
journal writing and class discussion.
- Students
will create a final team project based on the
integration of course concepts, class discussion, service-learning and
self
reflection experiences.
Performance
Tasks
- Attendance and participation (including documented
activities from class) 10%
- Completion of service learning project 10%
(Hours must be documented)
- Observation Paper 10%
- Reflection Journals 30%
(Six)
- Group Project 25%
- Final Exam: Self
evaluation and semester portfolio 15% (Presentation of semester’s work)
Attendance Policy:
Regular attendance and participation are mandatory. The student
is expected to attend all classes and be prepared to discuss the topic
assigned
for the day. This is a hands-on
class
and the bulk of your learning will occur through your experiences in
service
learning, with your groups and within class discussions.
This class will begin and end on time.
Attendance will be taken at the beginning of
each class. Each
student is permitted two excused absences (an absence will be excused
if the
instructor is contacted directly within 24 hours of the absence). In
the event
of any absence, it is the student’s responsibility to obtain all missed
work.
If you arrive late, it is
your responsibility to make sure that you have been counted present
before you
leave the room. Your
regular attendance and consistent
effort in this course is critical to your success in this class. If you are late it is your responsibility to
make certain that you have been counted present before you leave the
room.
Unexcused absences:
Failure to notify the instructor prior to an absence will count
as an unexcused absence. My definition
of notification means that you notify me directly via telephone,
e-mail, or
face-to-face communication before class, or in the case of an emergency
by the
end of the day. Students who attend all
scheduled classes will be given five points of extra credit.
Participation:
My definition of participation includes but is not limited to
the following criteria: The student
makes a consistent effort to complete all in-class activities, to
contribute to
small and large group assignments, to seek clarification when something
is
unclear, to improve the quality of his/her work, to think critically
about
concepts, his/her thinking, and progress.
Please do your best work on assignments and please
do not use class time
to hold personal conversations, engage in text messaging, or to catch
up on
sleep. These last three behaviors will
have a negative effect on your participation grade.
Performance Tasks
Interpersonal Dynamics
Observation
Paper: Due
Sept 18
Guidelines
will be provided
Journals:
Journal Number Date
Topic
#1
Sept.
25 Working
in Groups
#2
Oct. 16
Service
learning
#3
Oct. 30
Quiz experience
#4`
Nov. 6
Service learning
#5
Nov. 13
Service
learning
#6
Nov. 20
Free Choice
In your journal, you will describe, analyze and evaluate your
interactions
with others during the semester. Describe behavior in observable terms
(focus on actions and words). Analyze
the interaction: This is
where you can formulate hypotheses
about what was going on. Evaluate
the effectiveness of the group
interaction. What worked?
What didn’t work? Make
recommendations for improvement (i.e.
what should you/others keep, start and stop doing to
promote/maintain
effective communication.
Midterm: Chapters 1-5
(Taken in groups): Monday, October 23
Group Projects: Due:
November/December
Final: Self
evaluation and presentation
of semester portfolio
Monday,
December 13 @
3pm.
Sign up for a
meeting time
Group Project:
Class
members will form small groups of 3-6 people
Your group will design a
project and produce a twenty-thirty
minute presentation for the class. I am looking for an innovative
presentation
that integrates course concepts, service learning and self-reflection
to make
the connection between theory and practice.
For example, you may produce a video, PowerPoint
presentation, play,
game show, symposium, therapy session or debate. The
format is up to the group. Your group will
be evaluated on the following
criteria:
- Focus and Organization: Clear
topic with
logical presentation
- Evidence of teamwork: Use “we” principle
- Creativity:
Have fun with the
presentation
- Content:
Integration of course/chapter
concepts with service learning experiences and self reflection.
- Self-evaluation: What
did you learn from
this project? What did you learn from one another?
What would you keep, stop and start doing if
you could do it all again? Each group
member will share his/her insights. (Note:
In the past many students have lost points
because they have forgotten
to include their self-reflections during presentations.
Three peer evaluators will be selected before each presentation
and their job will be to observe the group effort and offer
constructive
feedback afterwards. Peer evaluation
will count towards participation and/or provide students with
opportunities to
earn extra credit.
NOTES FROM
PREVIOUS STUDENTS
Dear
Next Class:
v
I am sure coming into this class you aren’t
thinking in terms of
analyzing behaviors or looking at group theory.
It took me most of a semester to have this be second
nature. If you really open up though and
are honest
with yourself and each other, you will leave this class with a better
knowledge
of your self and group dynamics (as well as a good grade J). The
best advice I can
give is to be open minded, honest and step out of your comfort zone. In this way, you will get more from this
class and you might even enjoy yourself.
v
Really think about whom you want to work with
and who `is
reliable. Try not to leave everything to
the last minute because things can get hectic.
Be sure that everyone in your group is on the same
page and don’t be
afraid to speak up if something needs to be said.
v
I learned how not to be so overly aggressive
and to trust in my
team members. The key to success in this
class: COME TO CLASS
v
I learned that group work is only as hard as
you make it. If you go in and get an
understanding of what
you want, the rest is like filling in missing pieces to a puzzle.
v
DO NOT start out judging how dumb and
pointless this class
is. I said the same thing my first few
days in this class! Now I have to say
that I loved it. It taught me how to
work with others as a team and it also helped me to make a lot of good
friends Enjoy
this class. It is easy, exciting and a
pleasurable experience.
v
Come to class with a completely open mind and
a blank
slate. Any pre-judgments you may bring
with you will only hinder your communication and listening processes.
v
Don’t use class time for outside talk. Use it to work on the projects!
v
Like it or not, a person has to work in a
group in any place of
employment, so I know for sure that everyone in this class will use
what they
have learned.
v
When I first came to this class I was not
happy with how much
group work we were doing. By the first
couple of weeks, when everyone loosened up and when we where no longer
embarrassed, it became fun. We talked
about real life problems that are apparent in today’s society. I
v
Communicating in small groups will teach you
a lot about the
real world. In your life after college,
you will always deal with working in groups.
Take the time to understand your group members and
their opinions and
you will succeed. Good luck!
v
If you sit there like a bump on a log, you
are cheating yourself
of the experience of learning about your group members.
Share your ideas. Be
active in conversations and plans for the
task at hand. Open up and share a bit
about yourself, even it you are shy.
Chances are there is one member of your group who
will be willing to
listen. Hey you might even make a new
friend out of it. Overall, just
communicate with your group. The group success depends on you. If there is a problem, tell the teacher. She is here to help you.
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