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JOHN CABOT UNIVERSITY

COURSE CODE: "CMS 280-4"
COURSE NAME: "Intercultural Communications"
SEMESTER & YEAR: Fall 2025
SYLLABUS

INSTRUCTOR: Marie Moise
EMAIL: [email protected]
 HOURS: MW 4:30 PM 5:45 PM
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:

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
Introducing Language and Intercultural CommunicationJANE JACKSONRoutledge978-1-138-48161-9   Hard Copy  
Intercultural Communication in ContextsMartin, Judith N., Nakayama, Thomas K. McGraw-Hill Humanities9781264177479     
REQUIRED RESERVED READING:
NONE

RECOMMENDED RESERVED READING:
NONE
GRADING POLICY
-ASSESSMENT METHODS:
AssignmentGuidelinesWeight
Midterm PaperStudents will be required to answer to questions related to topics discussed in class20
Final Exam Final will consist of questions that relate to class discussions and readings 30
Shorter Assignments Connecting Reading to Class (Annotations, etc.) Students will submit weekly reading responses and reflections connected to class. Instructions for each response will be given in class 20
Attendance and Participation Students are expected to be fully present and participative during class lectures and discussions. 10
Research project Students will research a topic of their choice, agreed upon with the professor. The project will be presented orally in class 20

-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:
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.
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

Week 1

What is intercultural communication? Introduction to course

Reading: Ch.1 from: Introducing Language and Intercultural Communication

Week 2

Conceptions and facets of Culture

Reading: Ch.2 from: Introducing Language and Intercultural Communication

Week 3

The relationship between culture and communication

Reading: Ch.3  from: Intercultural Communication in Contexts by Martin, Judith N., Nakayama, Thomas K., McGraw-Hill Humanities, 2020

Week 4

Language, communication, culture, and power in context

Reading: Ch.3 from: Introducing Language and Intercultural Communication

  • Watching : The Arrival by Denis Villeneuve (2016)

Week 5

History and Intercultural Communication

Reading: Ch. 4 from: Intercultural Communication in Contexts 

Week 6

Language and identity in intercultural communication

Reading: Ch.5  from: Introducing Language and Intercultural Communication 

Week 7

Ethnocentricism and Othering: barriers to intercultural communication

Reading: Ch.6  from: Introducing Language and Intercultural Communication 

  • Watching: Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie: The danger of a single story, 2009

  • Watching: Pride  – by Matthew Warchus (2014)

Week 8

Review and Midterm Exam 

Week 9

Intercultural transitions: from language and culture confusion to adaptation

Reading: Ch. 7   from: Introducing Language and Intercultural Communication 

Week 10

Language and intercultural relationships

Reading: Ch. 8   from: Introducing Language and Intercultural Communication 

  • Watching: Where Do We Go Now? – by Nadine Labaki (2011)

Week 11

Language and intercultural conflict

Reading: Ch. 9  from: Introducing Language and Intercultural Communication 

  • Watching: As bestas – by Rodrigo Sorogoyen (2022)

Week 12

Popular culture and intercultural communication

Reading: Ch. 9 from: Intercultural Communication in Contexts by Martin, Judith N., Nakayama, Thomas K., McGraw-Hill Humanities, 2020

  • Watching : Parasite – by Bong Joon-ho (2019)

Week 13

Language, interculturality, and global citizenship

Reading: Ch. 11  from: Introducing Language and Intercultural Communication 

  • Watching: Coda – by Sian Heder (2021)

Week 14

Catch up, conclusions, review for final exam.