Syllabus 2013

The College of St. Scholastica, Duluth, Minnesota



DGN 1102: And Dignity for All: Communicating and Functioning More Effectively in Groups

Section: 015

Credits :02

Time, Day, and Location: Noon-1:40pm, Tuesdays, T 3150



Instructor: Monica Marciniak

Email: mbutche@css.edu



Peer Mentor: Ryan Murphy

Email: rmurphy3@css.edu



Office Hours and location:

by appointment and/or MWF 1:00-2:00 or by appointment. Please feel free to stop by my office anytime, if I am able I would be happy to meet with you. I am located in Tower 3670. My office is the third cube when you enter the room.



Dignitas

Program Outcomes

Students will develop both theoretical and experiential ideas of

dignity by viewing it through multiple windows:



Common Program Elements:



Window #1: Accept and value the challenges and responsibilities involved in being

a first year college student. Take responsibility for personal choices.



**Articulate how personal choices impact self, learning and others.



**Develop the necessary skills to make informed meaningful choices.



**Evaluate choices based on the concept of dignity



Window #2: Effective Communication in Groups (our class topic)



**Actively engage in intellectual development through intensive study of the topic



**Reflect on the topic from multiple perspectives



**Clarify existing values, norms, and beliefs



**Cultivate critical thinking skills



**Practice expressing ideas clearly and appropriately



**Develop the capacity to understand and interact effectively with others

who differ in beliefs, behaviors, values and worldview





Window #3: Connections with the larger Community. Become familiar with the St. Scholastica mission statement and identity as a Catholic, Benedictine community.



Explore a variety of experiences and perspectives on the St. Scholastica campus and the greater community.



Common Experiences for Dignitas 2012-2013

1. Community Day Fall 2012 (completed)

2. Participation in a pilgrimage, as chosen by

instructor (fall or spring semester)

3. Participation in Spring Community Day “Thanksgiving

in Spring” dinner or Day at the Capitol.

4. Benedictine tradition presented by a Sister

5. That Sex Thing (completed)

6. Presentation with Eboo Patel (completed)

7. Common Print Text for Dignitas 2012-2013: Acts of Faith





Lets review what this class is all about by reflecting back to fall 2012.



Course Description:

Dignitas, a year long common experience for first year students, is an introduction to The College of St. Scholastica: who we are, what we stand for, and how to find your place in this community. Dignitas provides a framework for your entire college experience by introducing you to the key components of a Scholastica education: community, reflection, intellectual challenge, and social justice.



It all begins with community. Our Benedictine founders lived in community; our Benedictine sponsors live in this community today. Because CSS is a college, we are particularly concerned with learning communities. Your Dignitas class will create one of many such communities: acknowledging that none of us has cornered the market on wisdom, we work together to discover, understand, and create knowledge. With respect for the individual and hospitality to ideas, we challenge each other to entertain new ideas and think critically about our own beliefs.



As a Benedictine institution, we are also about reflection and contemplation. Unlike more urban religious orders, Benedictines generally locate themselves apart from the hustle of the street, not to isolate themselves from the world, but to provide a space for reflection and renewal before venturing back out into the fray. This emphasis on reflection translates, in educational terms, into a commitment to think seriously about ideas and experiences: to connect theory and practice, to examine our experience in light of others’ experiences and in light of theories we are learning; and to challenge received wisdom. In an increasingly anti-intellectual world, we are about the life of the mind, and we are not embarrassed to proclaim this. You will be challenged!



Finally, we are about social justice. Our emphasis on community compels us to look outward to the larger communities in which we live—our city, our country, our world. Human dignity is the thread that connects the many different Dignitas sections. As we reflect, critique, and construct our own perspectives on dignity, we challenge ourselves to apply that knowledge to create ever better communities: to touch the world.



In keeping with our emphasis on community, in the Dignitas program, you will

be able to remain with the same small group of students and faculty for

the year as you explore an intellectually challenging subject, participate in co-curricular activities, and become integrated into the CSS community.



The two courses are:



Dignitas

1101 The Responsible Self, Fall Semester

2 credits



Dignitas

1102 And Dignity for All, Spring Semester

2 credits





Grading

Dignitas instructors have agreed to use the following definitions in assigning grades for coursework.



A = Excellent 100-95, A- 94-90

B = Very good B+ 89-86, B 85-84, B- 83-80

C = Satisfactory C+ 79-76, C 75-74, C- 73-70

D = Passing D+ 69-68, D 67-66, D-65-60

F = Unsatisfactory









Our Class Information:



DGN 1102 And Dignity for All: Communicating and Functioning More Effectively in

Groups

Communication surrounds us. It comes in many forms (verbal, non-verbal, written, etc.). It is something that all of us actively participate in everyday, yet effective communication helps us better understand a person or situation, enables us to resolve differences, build trust and respect, and create environments where creative ideas, problem solving, affection, and caring can flourish. Often people only think about communication one way; speaking. Yet, learning to become an effective communicator begins with active listening. As simple as communication seems, much of what we try to communicate–and others try to communicate to us–gets misunderstood, which can cause conflict and frustration in personal and professional relationships.

Becoming a successful communicator is crucial for success. The course focuses on this skill that is necessary for our very survival. Communication is something we all do everyday but effective communication is a skill that must be learned through analysis, self awareness, reflection, examination, and practice. Several areas of our daily communications were evaluated, discussed challenged and explored during the first semester. We have come so far, yet have so far to go. This semester what we have learned previously, will be applied to creating an event that will bring communities together and celebrate our unique differences. This event underlines the very core of our college; building communities.

Together we will use the tools that we are gaining to become effective communicators and build a large community event from the ground up. Several aspects of communication will be applied to guarantee this events success. Students must create and share ideas, problem solve, activity listen to your classmates and community, engage in interactions with the community, compromise, respect others ideas and opinions and value them with the same weight as their own, recognizing your prejudices and attitudes,

This class will include learning through group work, interactive lectures, reading required articles, weekly reflections, exams, visiting areas in your community, and written assignments.





Required Text:

There is not a required text for this semester. However, students will be required to engage in required weekly readings selected by the instructor. These readings will have assignments due the following week. These required readings and assignments will be given in class weekly. Purchase a binder to keep all of these together.



Required Materials:

Students will need a three ring binder to keep all handouts, reading and assignments. This is crucial and will be collected weekly and graded.



Students need to bring their lap top to each class meeting. Lap tops will be used throughout our class meetings.









Course Description:

The primary purpose of this course is to improve students' understanding of collaborative learning and communicating and functioning more effectively in small groups.



Specifically, this course is designed to:

(1) help students use familiar major theory and research in group communication and (2) allow students to experience the challenge of learning how to improve their group communication skills through actual participation in groups. The knowledge gained about groups, along with experiences participating in groups, will help students to become more comfortable, and more competent participants in the group communication process.



This course continues to examines verbal and nonverbal elements which affect communication between individuals in a variety of group contexts: the family, the social peer group, and the work group.

Topics include: a) a small group theory;

b) problem solving and decision making; c) team building; d) group

communication facilitation; e) communication climate; f) conflict management;

g) ethics in group communication; h) leadership; I) roles, norms, status, and

power; and j) how to make group presentations.



Course Objectives:

Specifically, this course will help you:



Apply the theories and principles of group communication that are the basis for a variety of group communication situations.



Improve your problem solving and decision making skills.



Understand what important roles you and other members of your group can play in the

group communication process.



Learn appropriate ways to assume a leadership role.



Improve conflict management skills.



Develop your skills in understanding, analyzing, and evaluating small group

communication.



Effectively participate in a group project, which involves goal

setting, planning, and presenting an organized presentation.



Acquire skills necessary for group communication in the organizational setting.







Class Organization:

Each week students will actively engage and participate in class lectures as well as assigned group work. Participation in this course is the key to successful learning.

Each week students will have assigned readings. These assignments will help us better understand how to create a community event and understand the population we will be representing and celebrating.



Course Components and Grading



Success

It is best to set aside some time each day to review your notes, study and practice new concepts, read weekly readings and complete assignments. Each week you will be required to set up meetings with two separate groups. Learning to communication effectively takes practice. Analyze your communication methods daily and strive to apply what you are learning in class to all areas of your life.



Class participation, preparation, attendance, and facebook interactions: 20%



The only way to become proficient in as a communicator

is through frequent practice, and it does take time. Because I expect you to make use of every opportunity to practice in the classroom, plan on using participating and communicating with the instructor, peer mentor as well as with other members of the class.



Participation:

Students are expected to attend each class and participate in a meaningful

manner daily. Attendance and class participation are an important part of the final course grade. Every class meeting I and the peer mentor will assign each student a class participation grade. This is inherently a subjective evaluation that I will make based upon my observations of the behaviors noted below.



I will qualify these grades with a “–” or a “+” as appropriate. Participation includes volunteering answers and comments as well as asking questions. It also includes sharing writings with the class, arrival on time and staying through the entire class, and successful communication.



A: participates readily, assignments completed,

works diligently, does not stray from the task in group/partner work, uses time

wisely if completes an in-class activity ahead of the rest of the class,

contributes positively to the class. It is extremely obvious that the student has come to class prepared and is making every effort to participate.



B: participates often, assignments completed,

works on the task in group/partner work without significant distraction, uses

time wisely as much as possible, contributes positively to the class. It is apparent that the student has prepared for class. However, the

level of participation is not as high as noted above.



C: makes a small effort to participate,

assignments completed, distraction from the task in group/partner work is

evident. The student appears to make little effort to contribute to full class or small group activities, but can respond when called upon.



Note that for the above grades the

student is taking the initiative to participate in class.



D: no real effort to participate is noted. Incomplete assignments or working to completethem just before class begins. Student appears apathetic about learning and practicing; when called upon he or she does not know where we are. It is

apparent that student spent little time preparing for class.



F: does not participate, assignments for class

are not completed or is working on it while class is already in progress,

student is unable to participate in class activities or declines to do so. No effort is apparent. Student is absent either physically or mentally. Student is attending to electronic communications during class.



Leaving class early or arriving late will always have a negative effect upon the daily grade.



Please turn off your cell phone or other electronic communications equipment during class. Checking messages or texting during class is

highly disrespectful to the instructor and other students in the class and will

result in a substantial class participation penalty (F for the day). If this

continues to be a problem, 5% will be taken from the student’s final grade.



Attendance:

Attendance is required each class meeting as well as two meeting each week outside of class. A waiver of the “0” will be granted at the discretion of the instructor in emergency situations. The “0” will also be waived if the student must miss class due to an official CSS-sponsored activity, with advance

warning.





Weekly Read/Discussion Questions 20%:

Each week students will be given a weekly read packet. This is to be read and the assignment completed before class the following week. Incomplete or extremely poorly done work will not receive any credit. I expect you to turn in assignments that show that you have taken the time to do them, and you have thought about what you are doing Emailing these assignment after the class period will not receive credit. Work that is not typed will not receive credit. No exceptions.

Late assignments will not be accepted unless the student was absent (EXCUSED). It is up to the student to turn in the assignment at the immediately, I will not remind you.









Group Assignments: 30%

*Abilities Power Point and Research Assignment Due: Feb. 26

*Abilities Poster Due: March 12

*Weekly Minute Reports (2) (Abilities Group, Committee Group) Due: Mondays at 11:59 pm



Digntas Labs: 5%

http://www.css.edu/Academics/Dignitas/Dignitas-Labs.html



Requirements: Dignitas students are required to attend 4 Dignitas Labs (1 lab from each of the themes listed below) by attending two each semester. Each Lab is coded with one of the following themes:



Holistic Growth (HG)

Intercultural Competence (IC)

Responsibility to Community (RC)

Benedictine Heritage (BH)



After attending a lab: Students are required to fill out the Dignitas Lab Reflection form and turn it in to their respective professor. The form can be found here: http://resources.css.edu/dignitas/docs/reportform-LABS.pdf







Final Project: 25%

Students are required to attend, facilitate, organize, host, and actively engage in the All Abilities Ball.


***** If students fail to complete their tasks in group assignments, they will be required to complete a 15 page paper and will not attend the All Abilities Ball******