Course Description
This course will focus on exposing students to the social and psychological effects of group and team dynamics on an organization's ability to stay competitive in a global environment. Students will have an opportunity to explore various concepts associated with the formation of groups, inter-and intra-group relations, and other methods for measuring and improving group effectiveness. Emphasis will be placed on theory and practice related to the various types of leadership teams, team cohesiveness, group communication, conflict resolution, and other concepts related to group processes and team dynamics. Formerly titled: Group Process & Team Dynamics (3 credits)
Prerequisite
- OEL 501: Driving Organization Adaptability through Learning Organizations
Student Learning Outcomes (SLOs)
Students who successfully complete this course will be able to:
- Evaluate the social and psychological effects of group and team dynamics on an organization performance.
- Examine the various aspects of group formation (inter-and intra-group relations) and methods for measuring and improving group effectiveness.
- Apply theory and practice as an approach for developing an effective team.
- Apply various group models to specific group conditions/situations.
- Examine the communication challenges leading virtual teams compared to a traditional on-site team.
- Analyze various leadership types and its influences on the effectiveness of the team.
- Develop a personal philosophy of working with individuals in a group that respects human diversity.
Applicable Program Learning Outcomes (PLOs)
- PLO 1. Assess and design learning communities in organizations.
- PLO 2. Evaluate and formulate an individual leadership style.
- PLO 3. Develop professional communication skills.
- PLO 4. Recommend how one develops effective groups.
- PLO 5. Construct organizational leadership strategies
- PLO 8. Create strategies to support intercultural/global inter-relationships.
- PLO 13. Conduct research utilizing online sources and databases and write research papers that analyze and synthesize information and data gathered.
Course Activities and Grading
| Assignments | Weight |
|---|---|
Team Work (Weeks 1-6) | 36% |
Discussion (Weeks 1-8) | 16% |
Reflection Journal (Weeks 1-7) | 14% |
Final Summary Paper Outline (Week 4) | 2% |
Final Summary Paper Draft (Week 7) | 12% |
Final Summary Paper (Week 8) | 20% |
Total Points | 100% |
Required Textbooks
Available through the Charter Oak Book Bundle
- Levi, D. (2021). Group Dynamics for Teams. 6th ed. Sage Publishing. ISBN-13: 9781544309682
Additional Required Course Materials (Not available through the COSC bookstore):
Coursepack available through Harvard Business School Publishing at the following URL: https://hbsp.harvard.edu/import/641867
Course Schedule
Week | PLOs | SLOs | Readings and Exercises | Assignments |
1 | 1,3,4,5 | 1,2,3 | Topic: Introductions, Basis for Teams, & Team Success
|
|
2 | 1,3,4 | 1,2 | Topic: Team Formation/Stages & Team Processes
|
|
3 | 1,3,4,5 | 1,3,4,5 | Topic: Team Communication & Conflict Management
|
|
4 | 1-5 | 1,3,6 | Topic: Power & Team Leadership
|
|
5 | 1,3-5 | 1-6 | Topic: Problem Solving, Creativity, & Decision Making
|
|
6 | 1,2,4,5,8 | 1,3,4,7 | Topic: Diversity & Culture
|
|
7 | 1,3-5 | 1,2,5 | Topic: Virtual Teams, Evaluating & Rewarding Teams, Team Building & Team Training
|
|
8 | 1,2,4,5,8 | 1-6 | Topic: Summary, Team Research Project, & Course Evaluations |
|
COSC Accessibility Statement
Charter Oak State College encourages students with disabilities, including non-visible disabilities such as chronic diseases, learning disabilities, head injury, attention deficit/hyperactive disorder, or psychiatric disabilities, to discuss appropriate accommodations with the Office of Accessibility Services at OAS@charteroak.edu.
COSC Policies, Course Policies, Academic Support Services and Resources
Students are responsible for knowing all Charter Oak State College (COSC) institutional policies, course-specific policies, procedures, and available academic support services and resources. Please see COSC Policies for COSC institutional policies, and see also specific policies related to this course. See COSC Resources for information regarding available academic support services and resources.