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JOHN CABOT UNIVERSITY
COURSE CODE: "COM 380-2"
COURSE NAME: "Intercultural Communications"
SEMESTER & YEAR:
Spring 2014
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SYLLABUS
INSTRUCTOR:
Alessandra Seggi
EMAIL: [email protected]
HOURS:
MW 10:00 AM 11:15 AM
TOTAL NO. OF CONTACT HOURS:
45
CREDITS:
3
PREREQUISITES:
OFFICE HOURS:
By appointment
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COURSE DESCRIPTION:
This course provides an opportunity to investigate the complexity, challenges, and rewards of human communication with a particular emphasis on communication across cultures.
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SUMMARY OF COURSE CONTENT:
This course examines the close link between culture and communication. The following are some of the questions the course will attempt to answer: What is communication? How many types of communication can we think of? * What is culture? What are the constitutive elements of culture? * How do culture and communication relate to each other? * What is language and how does it function in society? * What is the impact of culture in the educational, business, and health care (communication) sector?
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LEARNING OUTCOMES:
Primary Objectives
• To familiarize oneself with and develop a firm understanding of the major components and facets of intercultural communication.
• To be exposed to and analyze issues about intercultural communication stemming from the fields of Sociology, Media Studies, and Cultural Studies.
Secondary Objectives
• To develop and sharpen one’s critical thinking skills both in oral and written communication.
• To advance one’s ability to produce written texts of varying complexity and length according to formal academic citation styles.
• To develop the ability to proficiently work in teams respectful of differences (background, experience, opinion…).
• To foster a passion for learning and scholarship beyond the confines of the course content itself.
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TEXTBOOK:
| Book Title | Author | Publisher | ISBN number | Library Call Number | Comments | Format | Local Bookstore | Online Purchase |
| Communication Between Cultures, 7th Edition | Samovar, L.A., Porter, R.E., & McDaniel, E. R. (2010). | Sage | 9781412974202 | P94.6 .S26 | | | | |
| Clash of Civilizations Over an Elevator in Piazza Vittorio | Amara Lakhous | Europa | 9781933372617 (pbk.) | PQ4912.A34 S3613 | | | | |
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REQUIRED RESERVED READING:
RECOMMENDED RESERVED READING:
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GRADING POLICY
-ASSESSMENT METHODS:
| Assignment | Guidelines | Weight |
| Class Participation & Attendance | Class participation consists of your contributions to class discussions, group work, and other activities. Classroom participation is encouraged and emphasized. Students are required to come to class having completed the assigned readings. | 10% of final grade |
| Intellectual Autobiography | A one-page intellectual autobiography or a one-page letter addressed to me in which you explain your intellectual and cultural life. This will give me a sense of who you are, what your interests and aspirations are. Also, this activity will hopefully help you focus and start the semester with a clear mind. | Not Graded |
| Midterm Exam | The Midterm Exam consists of 5-6 essays based on readings and discussions to be composed in class. | 25% of final grade |
| Reaction Papers | Two (2) Reaction Papers need to be completed throughout the semester. Each will critically address a different chapter/reading: it is not supposed to be a summary, but a critical take on the material. You can reflect on a statement or challenge it, expand on a theory or offer a new take on an old issue… Length: 1 or 2 double-spaced typed pages.
| 15% of final grade |
| Photographic Essay | Drawing from the different topics covered during our in-class and on-site activities, take three pictures that illustrate and tie together instances of intercultural communication in Rome. Write up an accompanying 3/4 page essay that answers the following questions: 1. What aspects of intercultural communication do the three pictures specifically illustrate? 2. How do you see the connection between the three pictures? 3. What are some of the pros and cons of using photographs to illustrate intercultural communication?
| 25% of final grade |
| Final Exam | The Final Exam consists of 5-6 essays based on readings and discussions to be composed in class. | 25% of final grade |
-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:
Please refer to the university catalog for the attendance and absence policy.
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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.
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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.
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SCHEDULE
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=> Week 1
Introduction(s). Culture and Communication. * Chapter 1 & Excerpts from Other Texts
“Venturing into a New Culture: Becoming Competent” * Chapter 12
=> Week 2
“The Deep Structure of Culture: The Roots of Reality” * Chapter 2
=> Week 3
”Worldview: Cultural Explanations of Life and Death” * Chapter 3
=> Week 4
“Culture and the Individual: Cultural Identity” * Chapter 4
=> Week 5
“Shaping Interpretations of Reality: Cultural Values” * Chapter 5
=> Week 6
“Language and Culture: The Essential Partnership” * Chapter 6
=> Week 7
Review for Midterm
Midterm
=> Week 8
“Nonverbal Communication: The Messages of Action, Space, Time, and Silence” * Chapter 7
“Cultural Influences on Context: The Health Care Setting” * Chapter 10
=> Week 9
“Cultural Influences on Context: The Business Setting” * Chapter 8
=> Week 10
“Cultural Influences on Context: The Business Setting” * Chapter 8
=> Week 11
“Cultural Influences on Context: The Educational Setting” * Chapter 9
=> Week 12
Putting in practice all that we have learned!
=> Week 13
Wrapping things up
Review for Final Exam
Final Exam
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