This course is designed to improve cadets' understanding of human behavior in small group settings. Course content includes group structural characteristics such as roles, norms, size, and power, in addition to the effects of task. Cadets then use their understanding of these constructs to account for group phenomena such as group performance, intragroup and intergroup conflict, conformity, cohesiveness, problem solving, decision making, and communication. We will also devote a number of lessons to current issues in group dynamics such as electronic groups, developing high performance work teams and leadership in a team environment. The course is particularly relevant to professional development in that cadets gain a comprehensive understanding of the dynamics of small group interaction and learn techniques that they, as leaders, can use to positively shape group effectiveness.
Lessons
40 @ 55 min (2.500 Att/wk)
Labs
0 @ 0 min
Special requirements
Field research projects and written reports using group dynamics to account for observed characteristics and processes in the study of a student-selected group. Analysis of film clips applying PL379 theories and concepts to representative scenes.
