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JOHN CABOT UNIVERSITY

COURSE CODE: "CMS 280-2"
COURSE NAME: "Intercultural Communications"
SEMESTER & YEAR: Fall 2016
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

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 and RoyWadsworth 978-1-133-49216-0     
REQUIRED RESERVED READING:
NONE

RECOMMENDED RESERVED READING:
NONE
GRADING POLICY
-ASSESSMENT METHODS:
AssignmentGuidelinesWeight
Auto-ethnographyStudents 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 ExamThis will be a combination of short answer and short essay questions based on lectures, readings and discussions.30%
Research PaperThe 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 ExamThis will be a combination of short answer and short essay questions based on lectures, readings and discussions.30%
Class ParticipationClassroom 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.

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

WK1A

Introduction to course

What is intercultural communication?

 

 Samovar, Porter, McDaniel and Roy, Chapter 1

WK 1B

 

Culture Shock

Samovar, Porter, McDaniel and Roy, Chapter 1

WK2A

 

Intercultural Competence


WK 2B

 

Intro to Cultural Typologies

 Samovar, Porter, McDaniel and Roy, Chapter 6, pp. 172-183

WK3A

 

Kohls on US values

Comparing Cultures assignment handed out: Due in class on Week 8B 

WK 3B

 

Cultural Typologies: Collectivist vs. Individualist Cultures

A discussion of Yang Liu’s East Meets West,

Samovar, Porter, McDaniel and Roy, Chapter 3 pp. 79-80

WK4A

 

Cultural Typologies: Hall, Kluckhohn and Strodtbeck

Samovar, Porter, McDaniel and Roy, Chapter 6, pp. 194-202

WK4B

 

Cultural Typologies: Hofstede’s Value Dimensions

 Samovar, Porter, McDaniel and Roy, Chapter 6, pp. 184-192

WK 5A

 

Hofstede’s Value Dimensions (continued)


WK5B

Generalizations, Stereotypes, and Prejudice

Samovar, Porter, McDaniel and Roy, Chapter 7, pages 231-242


Wk 6A

Modernization and the Family

Samovar, Porter, McDaniel and Roy, Chapter 3 pp 63-72

WK 6B

 

Communication and Culture

Samovar, Porter, McDaniel and Roy, Chapter 2

WK 7A

 

Communication and Culture: Media representations of culture

Samovar, Porter, McDaniel and Roy, Chapter 2

WK7B

 

Globalization of Culture: Hegemony or Melting Pot?

Reading assignment to be announced

WK 8A

 

Review


WK 8B


Presentations

 Comparing Cultures Assignment Due in Class

WK9A

 

Midterm Exam


WK9B

 

Italy as a multicultural society

Samovar, Porter, McDaniel and Roy, Chapter 7

WK 10A

The Mediterranean refugee crisis

WK10B

 

Toward a multicultural Europe

Samovar, Porter, McDaniel and Roy, Chapter 7

WK 11A

 

Worldview

The three big monotheisms Judaism, Christianity & Islam


Samovar, Porter, McDaniel and Roy, Chapter 5


WK11B

 

Culture and Identity
Visit to the Jewish Museum of Rome (5E fee per student)

Auto-ethnography assignment handed out, due

WK 12A

Cultural conflicts: Is it really culture that we are fighting over?

WK 12B

 

Cultural Conflicts: Fundamentalism vs. Cosmopolitanism

Required reading: “Lecture 3: Tradition” by Anthony Giddens

BBC REITH LECTURES 1999: Runaway World

April 21st. 1999

WK 13A

Imagined Identities: "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. 22-49

WK 13B

Nonverbal Communication: The Message of Action, Space, Time and Silence

Samovar, Porter, McDaniel and Roy, Chapter 9

WK14A

Auto-ethnography paper discussions

Auto-ethnography papers due in class

WK 14B

Review

 

Exam Week