Course Syllabus PSY/430 Version 6

Course Syllabus
College of Social Sciences PSY/430 Version 6 Team Dynamics for Managers
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Course Description This course provides an exploration into how managers and employees work in groups for the completion of organizational objectives. Emphasis is placed on the growing dependency on self-directed work teams in the workplace. This course equips students with the ability to manage work teams, work in teams successfully, and to obtain results via team dynamics. In addition, impacts upon customer satisfaction are explored. Policies Faculty and students/learners will be held responsible for understanding and adhering to all policies contained within the following two documents: University policies: You must be logged into the student website to view this document. Instructor policies: This document is posted in the Course Materials forum.

University policies are subject to change. Be sure to read the policies at the beginning of each class. Policies may be slightly different depending on the modality in which you attend class. If you have recently changed modalities, read the policies governing your current class modality. Course Materials Engleberg, I. N. & Wynn, D. R. (2010). Working in groups. (5th ed.). Boston, MA: Pearson/Allyn & Bacon. All electronic materials are available on the student website.

Week One: Effective Communication in Diverse Groups

Details
Objectives 1.1 Explain the relationship between group member diversity and communication style. 1.2 Determine effective use of verbal and nonverbal interaction in groups. 1.3 Describe the importance of listening and effective listening techniques. 1.4 Determine appropriate methods of group facilitation. Read Ch. 1 of Working in Groups. Read Ch. 4 of Working in Groups. Read Ch. 7 of Working in Groups. Read Ch. 8 of Working in Groups. Read this weeks Electronic Reserve Readings.

Due

Points

Readings Readings Readings Readings Readings

Course Syllabus PSY/430 Version 6

Participation & Discussion Questions

Participate in class discussion.

Four days during the week with at least 2 substanti al message on each of those days. Mon, 09/17/20 12 11:59 PM MST Mon, 09/17/20 12 11:59 PM MST

Learning Team Charter

Team should complete their Learning Team Charter

Individual Group Communication Video Cases

Review the Working in Groups videos located on your student website. Choose three of the four videos to watch. Write a 200- to 300-word response to each video clip by answering the following questions. Choose one video that you will use to discuss the relationship between group member diversity and communication style. What diversity existed in the group? How did this affect the group members' communication styles? Was diversity a hindrance to communication? Come up with two communication methods that could have been used to better facilitate the group. Choose another video and describe the verbal and nonverbal interaction among the members of the group. What were these interactions communicating? Were they helping or hindering the group process? Come up with two communication methods that could have been used to better facilitate the group. Watch the third video and determine the listening techniques used by members of the group. Describe the importance of listening in group communication and relate it to this scenario. Were the listening techniques used in this situation effective? If not, which effective techniques should have been used to better facilitate the group process?

10

Week Two: Cohesion and Decision-Making

Details
Objectives 2.1 Evaluate individual strengths that apply to the group process. 2.2 Apply conflict management techniques to group conflicts. 2.3 Identify problem-solving techniques that facilitate group decision-making.

Due

Points

Course Syllabus PSY/430 Version 6

Readings Readings Readings Readings Participation & Discussion Questions

Read Ch. 9 of Working in Groups. Read Ch. 10 of Working in Groups. Read Ch. 11 of Working in Groups. Read this weeks Electronic Reserve Readings. Participate in class discussion. Four days during the week with at least 2 substanti al message on each of those days. Mon, 09/24/20 12 11:59 PM MST 5

Individual Individual Strengths and ProblemSolving Techniques Paper

This two-part assignment enables you to reflect on your individual strengths and problem-solving skills as they apply to the group process and decision making. Prepare a 1,050- to 1,750-word paper formatted according to APA guidelines. The paper must be organized according to the following categories: Part 1: Individual Strengths and the Group Process o o o o o Describe a group setting or scenario in which you have worked or of which you are currently a part. What are the strengths and skills that you have brought to this group setting? How have they benefited the group? Are there any drawbacks your strengths and skills have brought to the group? Describe how they have affected the group. How have other group members strengths and skills affected the group process? What are some skills you could improve on to foster a more effective group environment? How can you improve these skills?

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Part 2: Problem Solving Techniques and Group Decision Making o o o o What problem solving techniques do you know or use regularly? How do your techniques influence group decisions? What other problem solving techniques could you use when making group decisions? What can you do to develop or improve your problem

Course Syllabus PSY/430 Version 6

solving techniques? Learning Team Conflict Resolution Have each team member identify a conflict that they have recently encountered while working in a group. These groups could be work groups or school learning teams. As a team, discuss the conflicts and choose one to focus on for the team assignment. Prepare a 700- to 1,050-word paper in which you describe the group conflict scenario and propose a possible solution. The focus of the paper should not be on the conflict and possible solution, but on the process the group followed in coming to a solution. In your paper, be sure to address the following questions: What was the conflict about and what was the proposed solution? How did individuals in the group use their personal strengths to come up with a solution to the conflict? What other conflict management techniques could the group have applied to solve the problem? What conflict management techniques were used to solve the problem? How did the group arrive at a decision? Mon, 09/24/20 12 11:59 PM MST 15

Week Three: Group Member Roles and Responsibilities

Details
Objectives 3.1 Identify group member roles and responsibilities. 3.2 Identify the qualities of an effective group leader. 3.3 Explain methods of managing difficult group members. Read Ch. 2 of Working in Groups. Read Ch. 5 of Working in Groups. Read Ch. 12 of Working in Groups. Read this weeks Electronic Reserve Readings. Participate in class discussion. Four days during the week with at least 2 substanti al message on each of those days. 5

Due

Points

Readings Readings Readings Readings Participation & Discussion Questions

Course Syllabus PSY/430 Version 6

Individual Group Members and Leaders

Complete the Team Simulation on your student website: http://corptrain.phoenix.edu/uop/PSY430/team_simulation.html Answer each prompt thoroughly using resources where appropriate. Copy and paste your responses at the end of the simulation into a Microsoft Word document. Format your responses consistent with APA guidelines.

Mon, 10/01/20 12 11:59 PM MST

10

Week Four: Implementing Group Motivation Strategies and Rewards

Details
Objectives 4.1 Determine appropriate group incentives for reaching goals. 4.2 Design rewards based on effective group dynamics and desired results. Read Ch. 3 of Working in Groups. Read Ch. 6 of Working in Groups. Read this weeks Electronic Reserve Readings. Participate in class discussion. Four days during the week with at least 2 substanti al message on each of those days. Mon, 10/08/20 12 11:59 PM MST 5

Due

Points

Readings Readings Readings Participation & Discussion Questions

Individual Group Motivation Inventory Paper

Complete the "Group Motivation Inventory" at the end of Ch. 6 of the textbook. Determine your score and post it to your Individual forum and your Learning Team forum. Then write a 1,050- to 1,400word paper, formatted consistent with APA guidelines, that includes the following information: Describe what you learned about yourself in this exercise. How does this knowledge affect the way you interact in groups? What will you do differently in future groups as a result of this exercise? Based on your results, what may you do to be more motivated? What incentives would help you be more motivated when working in a group? What considerations would you have to make incentives for when group members motivations are different?

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Course Syllabus PSY/430 Version 6

Week Five: Group Presentation Tools

Details
Objectives Readings Readings Readings Individual Presentation Tools 5.1 Identify advantages and disadvantages of using presentation aids in group presentations. Read Ch. 13 of Working in Groups. Read Ch. 14 of Working in Groups. Read this weeks Electronic Reserve Readings. Prepare a 10- to 12-slide Microsoft PowerPoint presentation with speaker notes, in which you identify advantages and disadvantages of using presentation aids in group presentations. Address the following in your presentation: Describe four different presentation aids used in group presentations. Identify the advantages and disadvantages of your selected aids when used in group presentations. After everyone in your team has posted his or her score from the Group Motivation Inventory, complete the "Scoring and Interpretation" group exercise at the end of Ch. 6. Sun, 10/14/20 12 11:59 PM MST 14 Sun, 10/14/20 12 11:59 PM MST 15

Due

Points

Learning Team Group Incentives

Compile your team results in a brief, informal summary. Discuss the team incentives each team member identified in his or her individual assignment. As a team, design two incentives created specifically for your teams dynamics. Explain how your incentives will help your team achieve desired results.

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