Small Group Discussion

The purpose of Small Group Discussion is to give students the opportunity to explore four different leadership topics in a more focused way. Students will be divided into groups of four students each. These groups will discuss four different topics in each of Weeks 3 through 6. Each week, one of the members of the group will serve as Discussion Facilitator.

OBLIGATIONS OF DISCUSSION FACILITATOR

1. CHOOSE TOPIC AND FIND RESOURCES - On or before the first day of the assignment week (always a Tuesday), the Discussion Facilitator will choose a discussion topic from the list provided below or as created by the Discussion Facilitator. The Discussion Facilitator will find at least two resource items related to the topic, and will post at least two discussion questions. Resource items may be academic articles, news articles, case scenarios, web pages, videos, podcasts, or other resource that will serve to introduce the topic to other students in the group.

2. POST TOPIC AND RESOURCES AND START DISCUSSION - On or before the first day of the assignment week (always a Tuesday), the Discussion Facilitator will post the topic and resource materials to the appropriate discussion forum and will start the discussion. During the week, the Discussion Facilitator will post at least three additional times guiding the discussion. At the end of the week, the Discussion Facilitator will post one last time wrapping up the discussion and summarizing the points made during the discussion.

OBLIGATIONS OF OTHER GROUP MEMBERS

1. POST INITIAL POSTING NO LATER THAN FRIDAY OF ASSIGNMENT WEEK - Each group member will review the topic and resources and will post an initial posting on the topic on or before Friday of the assignment week. This posting does not have to include other resources on the topic, but it may.

2. POST SECOND POSTING NO LATER THAN SUNDAY OF ASSIGNMENT WEEK - Each group member will post an additional posting responding to the postings of others no later than Sunday of the assignment week.

All postings must be written in formal English and using proper grammar, spelling, punctuation, capitalization, and word choice. Postings should show evidence that students have given careful thought to the leadership topic under discussion.

My Discussion Topic of Choice:

- What actions might a leader take to reduce or eliminate "group think" in a team project?