C9613 - TEAM BUILDING

Learning outcomes

This module goes beyond basic teamwork, focusing on advanced collaboration strategies, conflict resolution in diverse teams, and leadership development. Content includes team dynamics, negotiation skills, and effective strategies for managing complex group projects.

Course contents

The course offers a practical pathway into how teams work, especially when people with different backgrounds, expertise and perspectives must collaborate on complex problems.

A first part focuses on team dynamics and team building. Students will examine what turns a collection of individuals into a functioning team: shared goals, roles, trust, norms, coordination, psychological safety and the management of differences. Classroom activities will make team processes visible as they emerge.

A second area addresses leadership. Leadership is presented not as a fixed personal quality, but as the capacity to influence, guide and support a team. Topics include power, leadership styles, adaptation to different situations, feedback, member involvement and shared leadership.

At the end, the course explores communication, negotiation and conflict management. Students will consider how clarity, listening, feedback, perception and cultural differences shape teamwork. Particular attention will be paid to managing disagreement, building consensus and adapting messages to different audiences and contexts.

Readings/Bibliography

There are no compulsory textbooks or readings.

The material required for preparing the activities and assessments consists of the slides used during the course, which are made available on the Virtuale platform.

Any additional materials, practical instructions and examples will be published on Virtuale.

Teaching methods

The course consists of in-person teaching and is organised as an experiential team-building process. Short conceptual inputs will alternate with exercises, discussions, collaborative activities, simulations, presentations and peer feedback.

Students will work with different classmates during the course in order to experience different forms of collaboration. A stable team will be formed for the final activity.

Regular attendance is strongly recommended because a significant part of the learning experience and assessment is based on classroom participation.

Materials and instructions will be available on Virtuale.

Assessment methods

Assessment is based on three components:

• active participation in classroom activities: 15 points;
• an individual assignment, due within one month after the end of the course: 35 points;
• a team assignment, presented on the final day of teaching: 50 points.

Participation will be assessed through the quality of contributions, involvement in activities, ability to collaborate and willingness to provide and receive feedback.

Assignments will be assessed according to the ability to apply course concepts, integrate different perspectives, use relevant examples, critically analyse experience and communicate clearly. For the team assignment, each student’s identifiable contribution will also be considered.

The total score will be converted into a mark out of 30. The minimum passing grade is 18/30. Detailed instructions will be provided on Virtuale.

With regard to assessment, one part of the examination requires use of AI and one compulsory part requires critical analysis. Students must declare how they used the tools, present the main prompts and explain how they checked, revised or selected the generated outputs.

Teaching tools

Slides and digital materials, case studies and practical examples, instructions for individual and group activities, tools for preparing and presenting work, and the virtual platform for distributing materials and communications will be used.

Artificial intelligence tools may be used in the activities specified by the lecturer, in accordance with the criteria of transparency and critical analysis described in the section on assessment.

Students with learning disorders and\or temporary or permanent disabilities: please, contact the office responsible ( [https://site.unibo.it/studenti-con-disabilita-e-dsa/en/for-students] ) as soon as possible so that they can propose acceptable adjustments. The request for adaptation must be submitted in advance (15 days before the exam date) to the lecturer, who will assess the appropriateness of the adjustments, taking into account the teaching objectives.

Office hours

See the website of Marco De Angelis