In Mixed Company: Communicating in Small Groups and Teams

IN MIXED COMPANY: COMMUNICATING IN SMALL GROUPS AND TEAMS was written for the small group communication course offered at two- and four-year colleges and universities. The small group communication course typically covers the underlying principles and skills necessary for group participation and communication. Topics covered include theory, group development, climate, roles, leadership, discussion, decision making, teamwork, conflict management, group presentations, and outcomes assessment. The goal of small group communication is to teach students to become more effective group members and leaders by giving them research-based tools and practical applications to participate successfully in teams. The course tends to be taught by the same instructors every year or term, and the book is often chosen by that individual rather than by committee. The format of the course won't vary tremendously from school to school, so tables of contents in the small group communication books aren't radically different from one another. Some instructors want to use more case studies and experiential exercises for beginning students or offer more current research theory for upper-division students of communication.