Course Description
The purpose of this course is to provide students with the theoretical foundation for understanding and leading effective groups. The theory of groups and group dynamics, leadership and activity analysis will be applied as students design, implement and evaluate small groups in expressive or creative arts.
Course Content
Group Theory
- Definition of groups, group work and teams
- Values and ethics which guide group work
- Classifying groups/types of groups
- Stages of group development
Group Dynamics and Group Effectiveness
- Influence of physical environment
- Communication and interaction patterns
- Group attraction, involvement, cohesion
- Group norms, roles and status
- Group climate and culture
- Group goals, productivity and effectiveness
- Group problem solving and decision making
Leadership: Theory
- Theories of leadership
- Situational leadership theory
- An Interactional Model of Leadership
- Group and team leadership functions and skills
- Enhancing team leadership
- Understanding diversity in groups and teams
- Adapting to differences
- Managing group conflict
Leadership Skills Applied
- Situational leadership applied
- Active listening skills
- Making group process explicit
- Reframing and redefining
- Linking, connecting group members
- Providing resources, information giving
- Modeling, coaching, supporting
- Problem solving, conflict resolution
- Task and activity analysis
Planning, Implementing and Evaluating a Recreation Session
- Identifies strengths and needs of group members
- Session plan for creative or expressive arts
- Analyzes the activity
- Implements and evaluates the session
- Self and peer leadership evaluation
Methods Of Instruction
- Lecture/discussion
- Small group leadership
- Experiential creative arts groups
- Media
- Video leadership
Means of Assessment
This course will conform to Douglas College policy regarding the number and weighting of evaluations. Typical means of evaluation would include a combination of:
- Written assignments
- Presentations
- Testing
This is a graded course
Learning Outcomes
Upon successful completion of this course, the student will be able to:
- define groups, teams, group work practice
- describe the types of groups and the stages of group development
- describe the theories of group dynamics and group effectiveness
- explain the meaning of leadership
- document the plan for a small group, expressive or creative arts activity
- demonstrate leadership by implementing the planned arts session
- evaluate session planning and leadership skills