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Similarities and differences of two empirically based marital enrichment programs, Prevention and Relationship Enhancement Program (PREP) and Couple Communication (CC), and two spiritually based marital enrichment programs, Couples’ Temperament Workshop and Heirs Together were examined. Using published literature and observation, foundations, goals, content, and outcomes were considered. Programs contained similar goals and content, with core curriculum surrounding communication skills and conflict management. Although outcome information is unavailable upon the spiritually based programs, it is possible that these programs may be as effective as empirically based programs validated through research considering the similarities in core curriculum; however, research is needed to determine the influence of context.

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The purpose of this study was to explore the perspectives of students regarding what was effective about the way in which the asynchronous discussions were structured in an upper level online organizational communication course. Surveys from 27 student participants were used, with questions focused upon the structure of discussions in the online course as compared to other online courses and to traditional classrooms. Results indicate structured and relevant discussion prompts, small group placement, visible postings, and required weekly postings as significant factors to student success. The majority of students also found online discussions more effective than live discussions in traditional classrooms. Many of the findings offer support for Garrison, Anderson, and Archer’s (2000) Community of Inquiry (COI) Model and previous research on effective strategies in structuring online discussions.

To assess the impact of collaboration on intercultural communication apprehension (ICA), this mixed-methods study compared ICA levels of 41 domestic and international undergraduates who participated in collaborative activities with 79 students in a control group. International student participants came from a variety of countries, while the majority of domestic students were White. A Mann-Whitney U test was used to determine if there were differences in Personal Report of Intercultural Communication Apprehension scores across time between the experimental and control groups. The co-instructors of the collaborative group were also interviewed. Quantitative results indicate no significant differences in ICA levels due to the collaboration. Interview data reveal the potential for collaboration to reduce ICA and for in-group bias and lack of motivation to act as barriers in reducing ICA.