Fundamentals of small group communication

Fundamentals Of Small Group Communication

21 Chapter 1 • Components of Small Group Communication

Photo 1.1 Being assigned to work in a small group is common in college courses.

Source: ©iStockphoto.com/ericsphotography.

David: I can't believe we're being made to start working in groups already. I mean, it's only the second day of class! How are we supposed to develop a name, logo, and slogan when we don't even know each other?

Julie: I think the purpose of the assignment is so we get to know each other. Remember, the name of the class is Small Group Communication, so it makes sense we would work in groups.

Hassan: I agree with Dave. It's only the second day of class! Usually when I work with people in a group I like to spend some time getting to know them before we start working together. I can't tell you how many groups I've been in where people don't get to know each other and they end up not doing the best job they could.

Shanika: Why don't we go around the group then and tell a little about our- selves? This way we can get to know each other, and that might help us start thinking about how to complete the assignment. Plus, wc'r all communication studies majors, so we mny Iw 11101"1' ,diil,' rhnn WI' think, Ioscph, would you like 10 slnrl?

Chapter 1 • Components of Small Group Communication 13

Joseph:

David:

Not really. (awkward silence)

Fine. I'll start. My name is Dave, I'm on the swim team, I don't work, and I have a girlfriend.

I'm Hassan, but my friends call me "Wizard." I work at Rockin' Rod's on the weekends, and I'm doing an internship with First American Savings & Loan, so I'll be really busy this semester. Plus, I'm a dee- jay at U-101.5, the campus radio station, and I work every night, so it's going to be tough for me to meet with you guys.

Julie: Hi everyone. My name is Julie Miller, and I'm a fifth-year senior double majoring in communication studies and Spanish. I hope to go to graduate school next year in either comm. or Spanish-I haven't made up my mind yet. Eventually I hope to move to New York City and work for the United Nations as an interpreter, but that will probably depend on whether I get married to my boyfriend. He is from Indiana and doesn't like the thought of living in New York City, but I'm hoping I can change his mind (giggle). Anyway, I'm looking forward to this class and working in this group. I think we can do a great job, and I'm always looking for a challenge, so hopefully this class will be a great experience.

Hassan:

Shanika: Well, I don't have much to add. My name is Shanika, and I'm also a fifth-year senior. I work at Payless ShoeSource at the mall, so if you ever need shoes, let me know and I can get you a discount.

Joseph: My name is Joseph. Just so you know, I'm not a comm. major. I'm just taking this class because I needed a class. (another awkward silence)

Shanika: It sounds like we all have a lot of things going on in our lives, so maybe we should look at our schedules and figure out a time when we can all meet and sort out this first assignment.

David: If we meet at night, we could always meet at my house. I don't live too far from campus and my roommate is never home, so we'd have the place to ourselves.

Hassan: If we're going to meet at night, it'd be easier if we met at the radio station. Like I said, I work every night. If you want to meet after 10 p.m., that's fine, but I'm unavailable until then.

J ul ic: 1 think I'd be more comfortable meeting at the Student Center or the library. This way, we won't interrupt anyone's home life 1)1' job.