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| Class Meets: | 3:30-4:45 Tuesday/Thursday |
| Course web url |
http://www.d.umn.edu/~ppederse/ |
| Instructor: | Dr. Paula J. Pedersen  |
| Office: | 347A Bohannon Hall |
| Office Hours: | Tuesday/Thursday 2:00-3:00 Wednesday 3:00 - 4:30 OR by appointment |
| Mailbox: | 320 Bohannon Hall |
| Phone: | Office: 218-726-7860 |
| Email: | |
| Website: |
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Course Description: Psy 3121, Psychology of Group Dynamics, 3 credits, is the study of the principles and
processes of interaction in groups; structure and functioning of groups; leadership, communication,
decision making, social influence; aspects of sensitivity, and conflict.
Text: Forsyth, D. (2010). Group Dynamics, 5th Ed. Belmont, CA: Wadsworth:
AND additional reading assigned online or individualized based on student group focus.
Semester Theme: The Group Dynamics of Diversity and Multiculturalism at UMD. UMD has a rich and thriving array of diverse student groups and organizations. With the course goals of 1) experientially learning about group dynamics and 2) increasing individual intercultural effectiveness as a critical component of being an effective citizen in a multicultural society, students will engage with the campus community as the template of study this semester. Each student will choose a campus community group as the focus of their involvement/study in group dynamics this term. As a participant observer, students will be expected to engage with that campus group throughout the semester and to use their group as the source of application for all course work and assignments.
1. The application of group dynamics through experiential learning groups: Students will be divided into learning groups to experience the concept of group dynamics firsthand. Students will meet in these groups in and outside of class for various experiential modules related to the course content.
2. Intercultural effectiveness using the developmental model of intercultural sensitivity (DMIS), a framework for understanding one's experience of working with cultural difference: All students will take the Intercultural Development Inventory (IDI) as a requirement of this course. Students will then meet with the instructor for an individual interpretation and goal setting around the results of this instrument. Intercultural effectiveness as an aspect of group dynamics will be stressed throughout the course, using the DMIS and IDI as a guide. Cultural exposure and immersion activites will also be required.
NOTE: Individuals who have any type of disability which will require special circumstances in and/or outside of class, please bring this to the attention of the instructor as soon as possible so that arrangements and adaptations may be made.
"Successful education can only occur in an atmosphere of mutual respect, free from racism, sexism, and other forms of prejudice and intolerance, and from their harmful effects. Educational excellence depends on the creation and maintenance of environments in which all members of the academic community can thrive, working up to their full potential" (Minnesota' Commitment to Educational Excellence developed by the President's Task Force: Strengthening Excellence through Diversity, June 1990.)
Statements on Student Academic Integrity Policy and Student Conduct Code, including classroom conduct http://www.d.umn.edu/conduct/
