In today’s world, the ability to communicate effectively has become an absolute necessity in many workplaces. COMM 277 focuses on building good group interpersonal communications skills by observing teams and groups at work. It challenges you to think critically about group communication problems and their effects, as well as the effectiveness of the course of action you implement. You also learn to use the concepts and principles of interpersonal communication to “plan ahead” to solve potential communication problems.
Outline
Lesson 1: Group and Team Communication
Lesson 2: Group Formation
Lesson 3: Relating to Others in Groups
Lesson 4: Intercultural Communication
Lesson 5: Improving Group Climate
Lesson 6: Group and Team communication
Lesson 7: Conflict Management
Lesson 8: Making Decisions
Lesson 9: Problem Solving
Lesson 10: Leadership
Evaluation
To receive credit in COMM 277, you must achieve a composite course grade of at least a D (50 percent) and a grade of at least 50 percent on the final examination. The weighting of the composite course grade is as follows:
Activity
Weight
Assignment 1
20%
Assignment 2
20%
Assignment 3
20%
Quizzes
10%
Final Online Exam
30%
Total
100%
The final examination for this course must be taken online with an AU-approved exam invigilator at an approved invigilation centre. It is your responsibility to ensure your chosen invigilation centre can accommodate online exams. For a list of invigilators who can accommodate online exams, visit the Exam Invigilation Network.
To learn more about assignments and examinations, please refer to Athabasca University's online Calendar.
Materials
Beebe, S. A, & Masterson, J. T. (2009). Communicating in small groups — Principles and practices (9th ed.). Toronto, ON: Pearson Education, Inc. ISBN 978-0-205-54721-0 (eText)
All other learning resources will be available online.
Lessons and assignments in this course are video-based.
Challenge for credit
Overview
The Challenge for credit process allows you to demonstrate that you have acquired a command of the general subject matter, knowledge, intellectual and/or other skills that would normally be found in a university-level course.
Full information about Challenge for credit can be found in the Undergraduate Calendar.
Evaluation
To receive credit for the COMM 277 challenge registration, you must achieve a grade of at least D (50 percent) on the examination.
Athabasca University reserves the right to amend course outlines occasionally and without notice. Courses offered by other delivery methods may vary from their individualized study counterparts.
Opened in Revision 2, April 8, 2014
Updated November 5, 2021, by Student & Academic Services