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JOHN CABOT UNIVERSITY
COURSE CODE: "CMS 280-1"
COURSE NAME: "Intercultural Communications"
SEMESTER & YEAR:
Fall 2015
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SYLLABUS
INSTRUCTOR:
Ben Scribner
EMAIL: [email protected]
HOURS:
MW 11:30 AM 12:45 PM
TOTAL NO. OF CONTACT HOURS:
45
CREDITS:
3
PREREQUISITES:
OFFICE HOURS:
by appointment or one hour before class
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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.
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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.
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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
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TEXTBOOK:
| Book Title | Author | Publisher | ISBN number | Library Call Number | Comments | Format | Local Bookstore | Online Purchase |
| Communication Between Cultures (8th edition) | Samovar, Porter, McDaniel and Roy | Wadsworth | 978-1-133-49216-0 | | | | | |
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REQUIRED RESERVED READING:
RECOMMENDED RESERVED READING:
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GRADING POLICY
-ASSESSMENT METHODS:
| Assignment | Guidelines | Weight |
| Auto-ethnography | Students will be required to write a short autoethnography—a kind of autobiographical field report. Students will self-assess their own strategies for negotiating different cultures. | 10% |
| Midterm Exam | This will be a combination of short answer and short essay questions based on lectures, readings and discussions. | 30% |
| Research Paper | The 5 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. | 20% |
| Final Exam | This will be a combination of short answer and short essay questions based on lectures, readings and discussions. | 30% |
| 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 cours
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: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.
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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Session
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Session Focus
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Reading Assignment
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WK1A
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Introduction to course
What is intercultural communication?
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Samovar, Porter, McDaniel and Roy, Chapter 1
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WK 1B
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Culture Shock
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Samovar, Porter, McDaniel and Roy, Chapter 1
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WK2A
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Intercultural Competence
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WK 2B
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Intro to Cultural Typologies
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Samovar, Porter, McDaniel and Roy, Chapter 6, pp. 172-183
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WK3A
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Kohls on US values
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Comparing Cultures assignment handed out: Due in class on Week 8B (Oct 21st, 2015)
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WK 3B
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Cultural Typologies: Collectivist vs. Individualist Cultures
A discussion of Yang Liu’s East Meets West,
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Samovar, Porter, McDaniel and Roy, Chapter 3 pp. 79-80
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WK4A
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Cultural Typologies: Hall, Kluckhohn and Strodtbeck
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Samovar, Porter, McDaniel and Roy, Chapter 6, pp. 194-202
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WK4B
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Cultural Typologies: Hofstede’s Value Dimensions
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Samovar, Porter, McDaniel and Roy, Chapter 6, pp. 184-192
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WK 5A
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Hofstede’s Value Dimensions (continued)
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WK5B
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Generalizations, Stereotypes, and Prejudice
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Samovar, Porter, McDaniel and Roy, Chapter 7, pages 231-242
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Wk 6A
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Modernization and the Family
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Samovar, Porter, McDaniel and Roy, Chapter 3 pp 63-72
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WK 6B
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Communication and Culture
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Samovar, Porter, McDaniel and Roy, Chapter 2
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WK 7A
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Communication and Culture: Media representations of culture
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Samovar, Porter, McDaniel and Roy, Chapter 2
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WK7B
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Globalization of Culture: Hegemony or Melting Pot?
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Reading assignment to be announced
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WK 8A
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Review
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WK 8B
Oct 21st, 2015
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Presentations
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Comparing Cultures Assignment Due in Class
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WK9A
Oct 26th, 2015
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Midterm Exam
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WK9B
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Worldview: Cultural Explanations of Life and Death
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Samovar, Porter, McDaniel and Roy, Chapter 5
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WK 10A
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Worldview
The Ethical Religions: Buddhism and Confucianism
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WK10B
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Worldview
Hinduism
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Samovar, Porter, McDaniel and Roy, Chapter 5
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WK 11A
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Worldview
The three Monotheisms Judaism, Christianity & Islam
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WK11B
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Culture and Identity
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Samovar, Porter, McDaniel and Roy, Chapter 7
Auto-ethnography assignment handed out, due
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WK 12A
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Tourism & study abroad: seeking authentic cultural experiences
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Required:
Dolby, N. (2004). “Encountering an American Self: Study Abroad and National Identity.” Comparative Education Review. vol. 48, no. 2. (pp. 162-173)
And
“Commentary: American Students Abroad Can't Be 'Global Citizens'” by Talya Zemach-Bersin inThe Chronicle of Higher Education, March 7, 2008
Recommended reading: “Staged Authenticity: Arrangements of Social Space in Tourist Settings,” Dean MacCannell in American Journal of Sociology Vol. 79, No. 3 (Nov., 1973), pp. 589-603
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WK 12B
10 April
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Cultural Conflicts: Fundamentalism vs. Cosmopolitanism
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Required reading: “Lecture 3: Tradition” by Anthony Giddens
BBC REITH LECTURES 1999: Runaway World
April 21st. 1999
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WK 13A
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Resolving Cultural Conflicts: Current topics in Race, Ethnicity and Nationality
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To be announced
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WK 13B
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Nonverbal Communication: The Message of Action, Space, Time and Silence
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Samovar, Porter, McDaniel and Roy, Chapter 9
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WK14A
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Auto-ethnography paper discussions
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Auto-ethnography papers due in class
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WK 14B
Dec 2, 2015
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Review
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Exam Week
Dec 5th-11th, 2015
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