In Mixed Company: Communicating in Small Groups / Edition 9

by J. Dan Rothwell

Overview

With its popular narrative approach, market-leading IN MIXED COMPANY: COMMUNICATING IN SMALL GROUPS, 9th Edition combines solid theory, real-world examples, and cutting-edge research to deliver the latest coverage of small group communication. Following the central unifying theme of cooperation, the book uses the communication competence model to guide discussions of key small group concepts and processes. It includes systems theory as a key theoretical component as well as emphasizes the role of power in small group communication. Business-oriented and workplace examples, surveys, and studies bring chapter concepts to life. Expansive coverage of group roles includes detailed discussions of the types of informal group roles as well as comprehensive explanations of task, maintenance, and disruptive roles. In addition, insightful discussions of technology and its influence on small group communication is integrated throughout.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9781285444604
Publisher:	Cengage Learning
Publication date:	01/01/2015
Edition description:	Older Edition
Pages:	528
Product dimensions:	7.30(w) x 9.00(h) x 0.80(d)

About the Author

J. Dan Rothwell is chair of the Communication Studies Department at Cabrillo College and the author of four additional books: IN THE COMPANY OF OTHERS: AN INTRODUCTION TO COMMUNICATION, TELLING IT LIKE IT ISN'T: LANGUAGE MISUSE AND MALPRACTICE, INTERPERSONAL COMMUNICATION: INFLUENCES AND ALTERNATIVES with James Costigan, and PRACTICALLY SPEAKING. During his extensive teaching career, Dr. Rothwell has received almost two dozen teaching awards, including the 2010 Ernest L. Boyer International Award for Excellence in Teaching, Learning, and Technology conferred by the Center for the Advancement of Teaching and Learning, Florida State College, and the National Council of Instructional Administrators; the 2010 Cabrillo College "Innovative Teacher of the Year" award; the 2011 National Communication Association "Community College Educator of the Year" award; a 2012 official resolution by the California State Senate acknowledging his excellence in teaching; and the 2014 "Master Teacher" award from the Western States Communication Association. He has a B.A. in American History from the University of Portland (Oregon) as well as an M.A. in Rhetoric and Public Address and a Ph.D. in Communication Theory and Social Influence, both from the University of Oregon.

Table of Contents

Preface. 1. Communication Competence in Groups. 2. Groups as Systems. 3. Group Development. 4. Developing the Group Climate. 5. Roles in Groups. 6. Group Leadership. 7. Developing Effective Teams. 8. Group Discussion: Defective Group Decision Making and Problem Solving. 9. Group Discussion: Effective Decision Making and Problem Solving. 10. Power in Groups: A Central Dynamic. 11. Conflict Management in Groups. 12. Technology and Virtual Groups. Appendix A: Group Oral Presentations. Appendix B: Critical Thinking Revisited: Arguments and Fallacies. Glossary. References.

Editorial Reviews

"One of the most notable successes of this text, it is engaging and not stuffy, it is personable and not patronizing, it is conceptually sophisticated while not being obtuse or pedantic."


"IN MIXED COMPANY helps my students to learn and apply group communication theory by including: 1. Interesting, personal, and engaging writing style with a wide variety of vivid, memorable examples 2. Accessible/well-explained theoretical ideas 3. Logical, clear organization with useful chapter/section titles, boldface, highlighting, and italics. In sum, you have done a terrific job with many aspects of this text: The inclusion of current examples keeps the readings fresh. Issues of gender and ethnicity brought up throughout make the text more widely applicable to all student perspectives. Information on technology, digital devices and resources is vital to our students' daily lives. The text quizzes are useful to students and reinforce their learning. Transcripts used throughout are very enlightening. Using a lot of color, changes in text presentation, tables/charts/illustrations, stories, case studies, photos/video/media references keep the readers involved and focused on the communication topics. Your personal narrative voice makes this text unique and captures our attention in a way that few other textbooks do."

From the Publisher