Small Group Communication

Catalog description

This course provides students with the foundational knowledge and practice of speech-making in a democratic society, while simultaneously emphasizing theory and research about communication in a variety of small-group contexts. This course exposes students to rhetorical theory, small group theory, and public speaking fundamentals within the context of their interpersonal interactions, group communication processes, and live presentations (including informative and persuasive speeches). Students will learn historical roots and key rhetorical theories that ground the study and practice of public speaking, and be able to discover, develop, and critically analyze ideas and information in public discourse. Students will also explore and evaluate group communication processes, including problem-solving, conflict management, decision-making and leadership. This course may be offered in a distance education format.