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JOHN CABOT UNIVERSITY

COURSE CODE: "CMS 280"
COURSE NAME: "Intercultural Communications"
SEMESTER & YEAR: Summer Session I 2018
SYLLABUS

INSTRUCTOR: Tema Milstein
EMAIL: [email protected]
HOURS: MTWTH 9:00-10:50 AM
TOTAL NO. OF CONTACT HOURS: 45
CREDITS: 3
PREREQUISITES:
OFFICE HOURS:

COURSE DESCRIPTION:
An exploration of some of the historical and political conditions that make intercultural communication possible, the barriers that exist to effective intercultural communication, and possible solutions to the problem of intercultural misunderstanding. The course examines examples of differences in communication styles not only between cultures but also within. As a result, issues of race, nation, class, gender, religion, immigration, and sexual orientation will be of significant concern. The course stresses the notion that knowledge of human beings is always knowledge produced from a particular location and for a particular purpose. As a result it encourages students to think carefully about the discipline of Intercultural Communication—its conditions of possibility, its assumptions, and its blind spots—as well the need to be mindful of the limitations and interests of our positioning as investigating subjects.
SUMMARY OF COURSE CONTENT:
I see the classroom as a unique space where people can collectively raise awareness about taken for granted elements of culture, society, and nature, and gain tools to move beyond boundaries, as well as to imagine and practice alternatives.  The learning focus in this course is on student-driven exploration. While we utilize a wide variety of learning approaches, this course is essentially interactive and experiential.  This sort of learning requires active individual and group participation.  Each of you will get out of this class what you put into it. And your experience will be a collective one.  To foster learning:
  • Prepare yourselves by reading and involving yourselves in the readings.
  • Engage in the class and actively participate in discussion, exercises, and outings.
LEARNING OUTCOMES:

Our mission in the course is to gain an understanding of and sensitivity to a variety of cultural perspectives and to learn ways of understanding and appreciating cultural similarities and ways to productively engage challenges that may arise from cultural differences. Student learning objectives are:

1) To understand yourself as a cultural being and enhance self and other awareness about culture and communication.

2) To be able to explain the basic terms, concepts, and theories of intercultural communication.

3) To apply these terms, concepts, and theories to your interactions with others and critically analyze and evaluate the influence of your culture(s) on the ways you communicate.

4) To demonstrate understanding of and sensitivity to a variety of cultural perspectives and be able to identify ways of understanding and appreciating cultural similarities and differences.

5) To identify barriers and systems of privilege that arise locally and globally from histories of colonization, exploitation, and discrimination, and to learn ways to creatively address these inequities.

TEXTBOOK:
Book TitleAuthorPublisherISBN numberLibrary Call NumberCommentsFormatLocal BookstoreOnline Purchase
Intercultural Communication in ContextsMartin, J.N., & Nakayama, T.K. McGraw Hill0073523933     
REQUIRED RESERVED READING:
Book TitleAuthorPublisherISBN numberLibrary Call NumberComments
Course Reader Instructor will provide a digital copy of reader to studentsNANA  

RECOMMENDED RESERVED READING:
NONE
GRADING POLICY
-ASSESSMENT METHODS:
AssignmentGuidelinesWeight
GradingGRADING: Your participation, quizzes, CCE projects, and final exam will be given the following weights in calculation of final grades: Participation: 200 points (20% of final grade) Reading Quizzes (12 quizzes counted at 25 points each): 300 points (30% of final grade) CCE Projects (2 assignments @ 100 points each): 200 points (20% of final grade) Final Exam: 300 points (30% of final grade) TOTAL: 1,000 points (100%) 0
ParticipationThroughout the term, we will engage in a variety of in-class activities, exercises, etc. Some of these require you to prepare before class, but most will simply take place in class. You are expected to be an active and constructive participant. Missed participation opportunities cannot be made up. If you are present but not constructively participating, this counts as a zero. 20%
Reading QuizzesQuizzes are not surprises in this class. Your syllabus schedule shows you when to expect each quiz. Each quiz covers your readings assigned for that topic. Quiz questions include multiple choice, true or false, and fill-in-the-blank. Quizzes may not be made up. 12 quizzes counted at 25 points each, 300 points (30% of final grade)30%
Culture & Communication Engagement projectsTwo short papers based on guided experiential learning you do out of class: 1. De-Tech Culture Experiment and 2. Culture Jam. Detailed instructions for each project are at the end of this syllabus. All assignments are due emailed to Tema at [email protected] by midnight on their designated due days (see schedule at the end of syllabus). Late work will not be accepted. Two assignments @ 100 points each: 200 points (20% of final grade)20%
Final ExamThe exam will cover material from class discussions, exercises, activities, and course readings. 300 points (30% of final grade)30%

-ASSESSMENT CRITERIA:
AWork of this quality directly addresses the question or problem raised and provides a coherent argument displaying an extensive knowledge of relevant information or content. This type of work demonstrates the ability to critically evaluate concepts and theory and has an element of novelty and originality. There is clear evidence of a significant amount of reading beyond that required for the course.
BThis is highly competent level of performance and directly addresses the question or problem raised.There is a demonstration of some ability to critically evaluatetheory and concepts and relate them to practice. Discussions reflect the student’s own arguments and are not simply a repetition of standard lecture andreference material. The work does not suffer from any major errors or omissions and provides evidence of reading beyond the required assignments.
CThis is an acceptable level of performance and provides answers that are clear but limited, reflecting the information offered in the lectures and reference readings.
DThis level of performances demonstrates that the student lacks a coherent grasp of the material.Important information is omitted and irrelevant points included.In effect, the student has barely done enough to persuade the instructor that s/he should not fail.
FThis work fails to show any knowledge or understanding of the issues raised in the question. Most of the material in the answer is irrelevant.

-ATTENDANCE REQUIREMENTS:
ATTENDANCE REQUIREMENTS AND EXAMINATION POLICY
You cannot make-up a major exam (midterm or final) without the permission of the Dean’s Office. The Dean’s Office will grant such permission only when the absence was caused by a serious impediment, such as a documented illness, hospitalization or death in the immediate family (in which you must attend the funeral) or other situations of similar gravity. Absences due to other meaningful conflicts, such as job interviews, family celebrations, travel difficulties, student misunderstandings or personal convenience, will not be excused. Students who will be absent from a major exam must notify the Dean’s Office prior to that exam. Absences from class due to the observance of a religious holiday will normally be excused. Individual students who will have to miss class to observe a religious holiday should notify the instructor by the end of the Add/Drop period to make prior arrangements for making up any work that will be missed. The final exam period runs until Friday, June 22. 

POLICIES & TIPS FOR SUCCEEDING IN CLASS:

1.   Come to class prepared and sit up front Read the assigned readings BEFORE you come to class. This helps ensure you can participate and get the most out of lecture and discussion. You’ll feel more involved in class and retain more when you sit near the front, so don’t be shy.

2.   Ethics: As stated in the university catalog, any student who commits an act of academic dishonesty will receive a failing grade on the work in which the dishonesty occurred. In addition, acts of academic dishonesty, irrespective of the weight of the assignment, may result in the student receiving a failing grade in the course. Instances of academic dishonesty will be reported to the Dean of Academic Affairs. A student who is reported twice for academic dishonesty is subject to summary dismissal from the University. In such a case, the Academic Council will then make a recommendation to the President, who will make the final decision. Students need to do original work and properly cite sources. For example, be aware of plagiarism—directly copying more than 3 or 4 words from another author without quoting (not just citing) the author is plagiarism. Further, course content will encourage the ethical practices and analysis of communication.

3.   Late work & absences: Late work will not be accepted. Turn in your work in a timely manner by deadline. In addition, you will not have a chance to rewrite your work after it has been turned in. However, you are encouraged to meet with the professor in advance to discuss and ask questions about your assignments in progress. If you know you have an institutionally excused absence coming up, you must turn in your assignments in advance or by deadline. Any excused absence must be documented, and you must get this documentation to the professor if you want to receive credit for your work. Late work, again, will not be accepted.

4.   Missed final exam: Make-ups for a missed exam will be allowed only in situations where the student has contacted the professor considerably in advance of the exam with a documented university-approved excused absence, which are limited to 1) illness documented by a physician, 2) death in the family with requisite documentation, 3) religious observance, and 4) University-sanctioned activity.

5.   Attendance (which means being present AND prepared) is mandatory. You should expect to plan other events in your life at times other than class time. Because participation points make up a large portion of your grade, which you may not make up outside of class, you’ll want to come to class prepared each day. If you are absent, it is up to you to contact another student to catch up on information you missed that day.

6.     Professional work quality: Work turned in should be polished. Unless otherwise noted, all written assignments turned in for a grade must be typed, double-spaced, 12-point font, stapled, and must conform to standard rules of English grammar, spelling, and punctuation.  Assignments that seriously depart from these rules (due to sloppiness and not deliberate and careful creative effort) or the required format described in the assignment will be returned un-graded and counted as a zero/F. APA style is required for all of your citations and reference list. For guides on how to use APA style, see http://www.stylewizard.com/apa/apawiz.html and http://owl.english.purdue.edu/owl/resource/560/16/.

7.     Email etiquette & responsibility: A good rule to follow when addressing all people via email in a professional context is to use a greeting and that person’s name or title to open your email message. Since you are not texting a buddy, it is respectful to begin one’s email with “Hi, Tema” or “Dear Dr. Milstein,” before going into your message itself. If you feel more comfortable addressing people by title, note that professors are not addressed as Ms. or Mr., but as Professor so-and-so or Dr. so-and-so. Here is a helpful short blog about how to write a professional (and specifically academic professional) email to your professors: https://medium.com/@lportwoodstacer/how-to-email-your-professor-without-being-annoying-af-cf64ae0e4087#.1b6bai82x. Check your UNM email account regularly, as I use this account to keep in touch with you about course requirements or updates. If you use another email address, please set up your UNM account to forward your UNM account email to that address.

8.     In-class technology: Be respectful of each other’s learning by turning off cell phones and not using the internet, texting, or listening to music while in class or meetings with your professor. I will ask you to leave if you are engaging in such activities as they disrupt learning.

9.     Grade appeals: I have a 24-7 policy, which means you must wait 24 hours after receiving a grade and appeal within 7 days. I will not discuss grades on the day a grade for an assignment is returned. If you receive a grade you feel is unfair, please provide me a written response either via email or on paper, no later than 7 days after the grade has been assigned (note: not the day you receive your grade), explaining how you feel the grade you received did not reflect your fulfillment of the assignment. I will then assess your written response and reassess your graded assignment.

10.  Diversity: This course encourages different perspectives related to such factors as gender, race, nationality, ethnicity, sexual orientation, religion, and other relevant cultural identities. The course seeks to foster understanding and inclusiveness related to such diverse perspectives and ways of communicating.

11.  Students with learning or other disabilities: John Cabot University does not discriminate on the basis of disability or handicap. Students with approved accommodations must inform their professors at the beginning of the term. Please see the website for the complete policy.

ACADEMIC HONESTY
As stated in the university catalog, any student who commits an act of academic dishonesty will receive a failing grade on the work in which the dishonesty occurred. In addition, acts of academic dishonesty, irrespective of the weight of the assignment, may result in the student receiving a failing grade in the course. Instances of academic dishonesty will be reported to the Dean of Academic Affairs. A student who is reported twice for academic dishonesty is subject to summary dismissal from the University. In such a case, the Academic Council will then make a recommendation to the President, who will make the final decision.
STUDENTS WITH LEARNING OR OTHER DISABILITIES
John Cabot University does not discriminate on the basis of disability or handicap. Students with approved accommodations must inform their professors at the beginning of the term. Please see the website for the complete policy.

SCHEDULE

**TENTATIVE WEEKLY SCHEDULE:

M&N = Your textbook; CR = Course Reserves

Date

Topics/Assignments Due

Readings Due

WEEK 1:

MONDAY

May 21

Introduction to our Course  

TUESDAY

May 22


Background and Approaches to the Study of Intercultural Communication

Reading Quiz #1

M&N, Ch. 2

CR: Moon (1996) “Thinking about culture”

WEDNESDAY

May 23

Background and Approaches to the Study of Intercultural Communication

continued

THURSDAY

May 24

Communication, Culture & Power

Reading Quiz #2

** Last day to add or drop courses

M&N, Ch. 3

CR: Goldberg (1997) “Hate or power”

CR: McIntosh (1988) “Knapsack of white privilege”

WEEK 2:

MONDAY

May 28

Communication, Culture & Power continued

TUESDAY

May 29

History & Culture

Reading Quiz #3

M&N, Ch. 4

CR: Corey (2002) “Crossing an Irish border”

WEDNESDAY

May 30

Identity & Culture

Reading Quiz #4

 

M&N, Ch. 5

CR: Clare (2001) “Stolen bodies”

THURSDAY

May 31

Language & Culture

Reading Quiz #5

M&N, Ch. 6

CR: Anzaldúa (1999) “How to tame a wild tongue”

WEEK 3:

MONDAY

June 4

Nonverbal Codes & Cultural Space

Reading Quiz #6

M&N, Ch. 7

CR: Philipsen (2002) “Places for speaking”

TUESDAY

June 5

Experiencing Cultural Transitions

Reading Quiz #7

M&N, Ch. 8

CR: Hegde (2002) “Translated enactments”

WEDNESDAY

June 6

 

  Questioning Popculture

  Reading Quiz #8

M&N, Ch. 9

CR: Hegde (2001) “Global makeovers and maneuvers”

THURSDAY

June 7

Questioning Popculture continued

WEEK 4:

MONDAY

June 11

   Culture & Conflict

Reading Quiz #9

M&N, Ch. 11

CR: Gonzalez (2002) “Painting the white face red”

TUESDAY

June 12

Ecoculture/

Culture & Nature

Reading Quiz #10

CR: Carbaugh (1996) “Naturalizing Communication and Culture”

CR: Milstein (2012). “Banging on the divide”

WEDNESDAY

June 13

 

Culture jamming, resistance, and cooption

Reading Quiz #11

Due: CC Engagement —De-Tech Culture Experiment

CR: Sandlin & Milam (2008) “Mixing pop (culture) and politics”

THURSDAY

June 14

Culture jamming continued

WEEK 5:

MONDAY

June 18

Culture jamming continued

TUESDAY

June 19

Culture jam praxis

WEDNESDAY

June 20

Where do we go from here?

Reading Quiz #12

Due: CC Engagement—Culture Jam

M&N, Ch. 12

CR: Shome & Hegde (2002) “Challenge of globalization”

CR: Anzaldúa (2002) “Now let us shift”

THURSDAY

June 21

Final Exam Review Session

FRIDAY

June 22

FINAL EXAM

**This syllabus is subject to instructor’s changes, which will be announced in class.