PEDAGOGY SMALL BEHAVIOR, BIG CHANGE: CHANGING THE WORLD ONE BEHAVIOR ATA TIME ANASTACIA KURYLO S tudents often view an interpersonal communication course and its study of symbolic interaction as an opportunity to discuss their own relation- ships and experiences without the expectation of or interest in learning the theories and concepts that are integral to the field. As a result, they often are unable to apply course material beyond their own immediate personal and professional lives to other practical real-life scenarios that would allow them to appreciate the implications of interpersonal communication on society. This assignment provides the opportunity for this type of learning experience to take place by requiring students to find the links between the small taken- for-granted behaviors that they enact day-to-day and the social issues that often negatively impact entire groups of people. Courses Communication Theory, Intercultural Communication, Interpersonal Com- munication, Public Speaking, Small Group Communication Goals • Provide students with a practical real-life application of symbolic interaction. • Encourage awareness of communication as symbolic behavior that has societal-level implications for varied cultural groups. • Allow for discussion of current global/social issues. Anastacia Kurylo, PhD, is an Assistant Professor of Communication Arts at Marymount Manhattan College, 221 East 71st Street, New York, NY 10021. Contact: akurylo@mmm.edu 429