COMM 004Small Group Discussion

Prerequisite: Prerequisite: ENGL C1000. Students have the opportunity to demonstrate their understanding of principles of communication in a variety of group contexts, which will include theory, application, and evaluation of group communication processes, problem solving, conflict management, decision making, and leadership. Through sequential writing, students will analyze, criticize, and generate complex ideas, reason inductively and deductively, and identify the assumptions upon which particular conclusions depend. Students are encouraged to reflect critically on their own thought processes and communications. Students are coached on how to distinguish knowledge from belief and fact from judgment, recognize common logical errors or fallacies of language and thought, and evaluate sources with respect to their relevance, reliability, appropriateness, and context. Students are invited to evaluate critical concepts and processes, including the relationship between language and logic, in order to encourage the development of influential leaders who can effectively advocate ideas, work collaboratively within a group, guide with logic and empathy, and increase awareness of diverse points of view.