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JOHN CABOT UNIVERSITY

COURSE CODE: "CMS 280-5"
COURSE NAME: "Intercultural Communications"
SEMESTER & YEAR: Fall 2018
SYLLABUS

INSTRUCTOR: Jenn Lindsay
EMAIL: [email protected]
 HOURS: TTH 4:30-5:45PM
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:

This course will provide students with the opportunity to investigate how culture influences the communication process. Through lectures, screenings, written assignments, and class discussion, we will explore 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. We will examine 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.

LEARNING OUTCOMES:

1. Analyze the complexity of communication in an intercultural communication exchange

2. Consider popular culture as forms of global culture and intercultural contact

3. Examine how power, privilege, and difference shape intercultural exchange

4. Describe the historical conditions that make intercultural communication possible

5. Explore the role identity plays in intercultural communication

6. Recognize the influence of our own cultural situation upon the sending and interpreting of messages

7. Theorize globalization and its impact on intercultural communication

8. Consider how new information technologies impact intercultural communication

9. Examine how issues of genre inform attempts at intercultural communication

TEXTBOOK:
Book TitleAuthorPublisherISBN numberLibrary Call NumberCommentsFormatLocal BookstoreOnline Purchase
Communication Between Cultures (8th edition) Samovar, Porter, McDaniel & Roy Wadsworth978-1111349103     
REQUIRED RESERVED READING:
NONE

RECOMMENDED RESERVED READING:
NONE
GRADING POLICY
-ASSESSMENT METHODS:
AssignmentGuidelinesWeight
Auto-EthnographyStudents will be required to write a short auto-ethnography-a kind of autobiographical field report. Students will self­assess their own strategies for negotiating different cultures. 15%
Midterm ExamThis will be a combination of short answer and short essay questions based on lectures, readings and discussions. 25%
Final ExamThis will be a combination of short answer and short essay questions based on lectures, readings and discussions. 25%
Class ParticipationClassroom participation is encouraged and emphasized. Students are required to come to class having completed the assigned readings. 10%
Comparing Cultures PaperThe 5-page research paper will analyze media text (book, film, TV show, etc.) to explore different aspects of intercultural communication (ex. verbal, non­verbal) by comparing and contrasting at least two views/theories about the topic. Topic to be approved by instructor. 25%

-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 ____________
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

Session

Session Focus 

Reading Assignment 

WK 1A Sept 4

Introduction to course 

Culture Shock 

Textbook: Chapter 1 

WK 1B Sept 6

What is intercultural communication? 

Intercultural Competence 

 Textbook: Chapter 11

Auto­Ethnography Assignment handed out 

 “Assessing Intercultural Competence” in New Directions for Institutional Research, no. 149, Spring 2011. Wiley. 

WK 2A Sept 11

Intro to Cultural Typologies 

Textbook: Chapter 6, pp. 214-240 

WK 2B Sept 13

Simplified or stereotyping? Guides to culture for business 

“American Values” vs. the “Other” (Arab, Italian, etc.) 

Lewis, When Cultures Collide pp. 389-433 (on Arab countries), pp. 414­415 (on Morocco), pp. 262­268 (on Italy), pp. 179­186 (on Americans). 

WK 3A Sept 18

 “US Values” vs. the “Other” (Arab, Italian, etc.) 

Lewis, When Cultures Collide (same reading as Wk 2B) 

Textbook: Chapter 6 pp. 198-213

WK 3B Sept 20

Cultural Typologies: Collectivist vs. Individualist Cultures 

Yang Liu’s East Meets West

Textbook: Chapter 3 pp. 68-72 and 80-91 

WK 3C Sept 21

(Class added as makeup for Nov. 1)

Culture, communication and representation 

Textbook, Chapter 2. 

WK 4A Sept 25

Cultural Typologies: Hall, Kluckhohn and Strodtbeck 

Textbook: Review Chapter 6 

WK 4B Sept 27

Cultural Typologies: Hofstede’s Value Dimensions

Engle, Michael. “Culture in the Cockpit – CRM in a Multicultural World”, Journal of Air Transportation World Wide. Vol. 5 No. 1. 2000. 

WK 5A Oct 2

Film: Benvenuto al Sud

WK 5B Oct 4

Finish and discuss Benvenuto al Sud

WK 6A Oct 9

Auto Ethnography presentations and discussion 

Auto Ethnography Papers due in class 

WK 6B Oct 11

Intergenerational value “clashes” 

Modernization and the Family: Traditional, Modern and Postmodern value systems 

Textbook: Chapter 3 pp 73-101 

Inglehart and Baker, “Modernization, Cultural Change, and the Persistence of Traditional Values.” American Sociological Review, 2000, Vol. 65 (February: 19­51). 

WK 7A Oct 16

Modernization and the Family: Traditional, Modern and Postmodern value systems (continued) 

WK 7B Oct 18

Review 

 

WK 8A Oct 23

Midterm Exam 

WK 8B Oct 25

Generalizations, Stereotypes, and Prejudice 

Virgo, Sabrina. “The Criminalization of Poverty.” Crossroads Magazine, October, 1991. 

Textbook, Chapter 7, pages 243-255. 

Comparing Cultures assignment handed out (due Wk 14A) 

WK 9A Oct 30

Generalizations, Stereotypes, and Prejudice: 

The Clash of Civilizations: “Islam” vs. “The West” 

Edward Said, "The Clash of Ignorance", The Nation, October 4, 2001. 

Samuel Huntington, "The Clash of Civilizations?," Foreign Affairs, Vol 72, No. 3 (Summer 1993), pp. 22­49 

WK 9 B Nov 1—NO CLASS—ALL SAINT’S DAY

NO CLASS

(Start reading: Sangharakkhita, Ven. Minding Shadows. So Fare Productions, 2017.)

WK 10A Nov 6

Toward a Multicultural Europe: Immigration, Identity and Citizenship 

The Mediterranean Refugee Crisis 

Video: Religion News Service

Montali, Riva, Frigerio and Mele “The representation of migrants in the Italian press,” Journal of Language and Politics 12:2. pp. 226­250. (2013). 

 

WK 10B Nov 8

Toward a Multicultural Europe: Immigration, Identity and Citizenship

Film: 18 Ius Soli 

“It's Not Islam That Drives Young Europeans to Jihad, France's Top Terrorism Expert Explains,” Haaretz. June 4th, 2017. 

WK 10C Nov 9

(Class added as makeup for Nov 22)

Interreligious Dialogue

Videos: Pluralismo Vivo, KAICIID

(Continue reading: Sangharakkhita, Ven. Minding Shadows. So Fare Productions, 2017.)

WK 11A Nov 13

Gordon Allport’s “Contact hypothesis” 

Film: Promises 

Maoz, Ifat. “Does contact work in protracted asymmetrical conflict? Appraising 

20 years of reconciliation­aimed encounters between Israeli Jews and Palestinians Journal of Peace Research. 48 (1, pp. 115­125). 2011 

WK 11B Nov 15

Finish Film: Promises 

In class discussion: 

de­Othering “The Arab”, “The American”, “The Italian,” “The Russian” etc. 

Zaharna, R.F., “An Associative Approach to Intercultural Communication Competence in the Arab World” in Sage Handbook of Intercultural Communication Competence, 2009. 

WK 12 A Nov 20

Interpersonal and psychological origins of cultural conflict

Personality types, conflict style, attachment style, Moral Foundations Theory

Empathy and resiliency

Sangharakkhita, Ven. Minding Shadows. So Fare Productions, 2017. 

Take quiz links posted on Moodle

WK 12 B Nov 22—NO CLASS--THANKSGIVING

NO CLASS

WK 13 A Nov 27

The three big monotheisms in conflict and peace: Judaism, Christianity, and Islam

Film: Il Presepe di Calcata

Textbook, Chapter 4 

WK 13B Nov 29

The three big monotheisms in conflict and peace: Judaism, Christianity, and Islam 

Film: Jilbab

 Textbook, Chapter 5 

WK 14A Dec 4

Comparing Cultures presentations/discussion 

 Comparing cultures papers due in class 

WK 14B Dec 6

Review 

Final Exams week 

FINAL EXAM 

Date & location will be listed on MyJCU