speech

 
Written – A 3-5 page essay is collected where students use course concepts (primarily group communication theory) to reflect on/make sense of/explain what happened in their small group over the semester. This essay should take two parts with one looking backward (e.g. Social Exchange Theory claims…[with source], in my journal on 9/15 and again on 10/2 we were struggling with… [with source taken directly from the journal], Social Exchange in this example helps us to see that….[application of the course concept to the actual group experience]). The second part of the essay should look forward (e.g. Phase Theory suggest….[with source], next semester the agenda for our first group meeting should include…, when I feel conflict I should have an honest conversation…, these two ideas connect to Phase Theory by showing…). The essay can also include the feedback from the other group members (from the AAC&U Teamwork peer-review rubric) as a source. This one assignment folder is linked to the CORE Written Communication rubric, the CORE Critical Thinking rubric, and the MVC QEP rubric. The focus of our work with the students (based on where we have fallen short in previous assessment rounds) should be on use of credible sources (with APA citation) to define the theory being used, clarity of the written description for the example under analysis, and clear application of the concept to the example.  The students should be teaching their reader how to use a communication theory to improve group interaction. 25 extra credit points for visiting writing center for review and assistance – please present signed form in class.