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JOHN CABOT UNIVERSITY

COURSE CODE: "COM 380"
COURSE NAME: "Intercultural Communications"
SEMESTER & YEAR: Summer Session II 2014
SYLLABUS

INSTRUCTOR: Antonio Lopez
EMAIL: [email protected]
 HOURS: MTWTH 2:00 PM 3:45 PM
TOTAL NO. OF CONTACT HOURS: 45
CREDITS: 3
PREREQUISITES:
OFFICE HOURS:
COURSE DESCRIPTION:

 

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.
SUMMARY OF COURSE CONTENT:

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. 
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)Samavor, Porter, McDaniel and RoyWadsworth978-1-133-49216-0     
REQUIRED RESERVED READING:
NONE

RECOMMENDED RESERVED READING:
NONE
GRADING POLICY
-ASSESSMENT METHODS:
AssignmentGuidelinesWeight
AutoethnographyStudents will be required to write a short autoethnography—a kind of autobiographical field report—based on a trip to the Porta Portese Market in Trastevere. Students will self-assess their own strategies for negotiating different cultures.10%
Midterm examThe Final Exam consists of 5-6 short essays based on readings and discussions to be composed in class. 25%
Research Paper The 6-9 page research paper will analyze media text (book, film, TV show, etc.) to explore different aspects of intercultural communication (ex. verbal, non-verbal) by comparing and contrasting at least two views/theories about the topic. Topic to be approved by instructor. 30%
Final ExamThe Final Exam consists of 5-6 short essays based on readings and discussions to be composed in class. 25%
Class Participation Classroom participation is encouraged and emphasized. Students are required to come to class having completed the assigned readings. 10%

-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 and participation are a crucial part of the class. More than two unexcused absences will result in an automatic drop of a letter grade.
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

This schedule is subject to change

Week 1:

 

Day 1) Introduction: Culture and Communication.

Chapter 1

 

Day 2) Culture and Communication

Chapter 2

 

 

Day 3) Communication theory

James Carey, A Cultural Approach to Communication (carey-cultural-approach.pdf)

 

 

 

Day 4) Communication theory cont.

Stuart Hall, Encoding/Decoding (Encoding, Decoding.pdf)

 

Week 2:

 

Day 1) Structure of Culture: Family Lessons

Chapter 3

Additional reading: Body Ritual Among The Nacirema (BodyRitualAmongTheNacirema.pdf)

 

Day 2) Cultural History: Our Antecedents

Chapter 4

 

Day 3) Culture, Life and Death

Chapter 5

 

Day 4) Review

 

Week 3:

 

Day 1) Midterm

 

Day 2) Cultural Values: Guidelines for Behavior

Chapter 6

 

Day 3)

 

Day 4) Identity and Culture: Situating the Individual

Chapter 7

 

Week 4:

 

Day 1) Verbal Messages: Language

Chapter 8

 

Day 2) Nonverbal Communication: The Message of Action, Space, Time, and Silence Chapter 9

 

Day 3) Communication Contexts and Cultural Influences

Chapter 10

 

Day 4) Life Out of Balance (life-out-of- balance.pdf)

 

Week 5:

 

Day 1) We Are Not the World (http://www.psmag.com/magazines/pacific-standard-cover-story/joe-henrich-weird-ultimatum-game-shaking-up-psychology-economics-53135/)

 

 

Day 2) Electronic Communication in other contexts

Circling the Cross, Antonio Lopez: Lopez-McArthur.pdf

 

Day 3) Presentations

 

Day 4) Review

Final paper due

 

Day 5) Final Exam