COM 100: Fundamentals of Speech Communication

Volunteer State Community College

SMALL GROUP COMMUNICATION

Short Paper Assignment

(Makeup Version)

Directions:

Using your text (Chapters 10 -11) and your class notes, write a 2-3 page paper on the topic listed below. Be sure to thoroughly discuss the small group & leadership process as needed. Cite the book, notes and any other sources you use in the paper and in a bibliography. (See the course web page or the attachment to the syllabus for further guidelines on paper writing.) Be sure to type the paper, include a cover sheet, spell-check and proofread.

Topic: Small group communication.

Assignment: Watch a TV show, movie, video or play that includes a small group (3-12 people) involved in some sort of conflict (See the textbook for a definition of and samples of conflict.).. There are many good choices, including 12 Angry Men, Friends, Seinfeld, Star Trek, ER, etc.. Watch a show or shows, and then write your paper on the group processes you see in the character's interactions on the show. Discuss who is the group's leader (if there is one), how are the interactions structured (are there interruptions, multiple conversations at once), does the leader change, how does removing or adding people to the group change the process? Most importantly, how does the group deal with conflict? Use your textbook to guide you in answering these questions. Next, does the group you are looking at conform to what the text says groups should be doing? Do they resolve conflict as the book suggests? If not, how? Finally, discuss your own impressions of the group you are watching. Are they typical of "real" groups you know/belong to?

Hints:

-You need to use/cite the book to back up what you are saying.

-If you find outside sources (library books, etc.) and use them in your paper, I will be happy. (This is not necessarily needed, it would depend on your paper.)

-Almost all tv shows, movies, plays, etc, involve some sort of conflict, it need not be serious or dramatic, but it is always there.

-This should be easy to write, for example:

I. Intro to small group process & conflict

II. Discuss your situation (the show, who's in it, the conflict)

III. What is the resolution?

IV. Does the resolution match up with what your text says goes on in groups/conflicts?

V. Your opinions

VI Conclusion.