Communication Studies 116 (01) -- Intercultural Communication

Transcription

1 Communication Studies 116 (01) -- Intercultural Communication Spring 2009 Mondays & Wednesdays, 1:30-2:45 p.m. Instructor: Ulrich Luenemann; Office: MND 5008; Office Hours: Wednesdays 12:45-1:30 p.m. Office-Tel: ; web-site: ========================================================================= This course provides an introduction to communication between people from different cultures and subcultures. The course focuses on the practical application of theory and research to intercultural communication. Class activities include lectures, group discussions and exercises, video analysis, observation projects, and research assignments. Course Objectives After completion of this course, students should be able to: apply intercultural communication theory in judging the behavior of people from other cultures and sub-cultures; become aware of and recognize the general and specific ways in which other cultures are both similar to and different from one's own culture; explain how cultural variables influence the communication between people of diverse backgrounds; analyze the barriers and obstacles to effective intercultural communication; and develop the necessary skills to become a better intercultural communicator. Textbook Samovar, Larry A., Porter, Richard E. and McDaniel, Edwin R. (2007). Communication Between Cultures (6th Edition). Belmont, CA: Thomson/Wadsworth. (NOTE: Various other readings will be assigned in class). Specific Course Policies 1. This course requires active student participation. Attendance is mandatory and will be graded. Since this is a group-oriented course, more than two (2) unexcused absences will reduce the final grade. Excessive tardiness and/or leaving class early will also result in a grade reduction. Absences may be excused only for documented emergencies or medical reasons verified by a physician. Other "personal" emergencies will be considered on a case-by-case base. 2. Students are expected to perform given assignments as scheduled. Make-up exams or presentations will not be scheduled, and late submission of assignments will not be accepted for evaluation. 3. All written assignments must be typed or word-processed using double-spacing. Grammar, spelling, clarity and style will influence the grading of all assigned work in addition to content and accuracy. Make sure to keep your own copies of all material and work submitted for evaluation. 4. Quality class preparation and active participation in group exercises as well as class discussions can influence borderline grades. No extra-credit assignments will be given to boost your final score. 5. The grade of "I" (Incomplete) will be assigned only to students who petition the instructor for this consideration and who have completed a substantial portion of the class assignments. 6. Any student proven guilty of Plagiarism in this course will be failed for the entire course, not just for work in which the plagiarism occurs. For more information on this issue, consult the Com-Studies department Policy on Plagiarisms and/or work through the following TUTORIAL

2 ComS Assignments and Examinations 1. Three (3) exams will measure the students' understanding of the main concepts and principles addressed and covered in class. 2. Students will write one (1) research paper exploring the main values, beliefs and norms of a culture other than their own by applying the theoretical frameworks discussed throughout the course. A handout containing specific instructions for this paper will be given in class. 3. Students need to write two (2) abstracts of appropriate intercultural communication articles from current editions ( ) of academic journals. The abstracts (each between words) must be accompanied by copies of the original articles. Specific instructions will be provided. 4. Two (2) small writing tasks (cultural self-analysis; observation project), as well as group exercises and team-presentations on various intercultural issues, will also be assigned to each student. Evaluations and Grading in ComS 116: My evaluations are not "on a curve." Students in my classes do not compete with each other for grades. Quality work for all assignments is the only objective and standard. The ratio of all grades in my classes coincides with standard university ratios. Over 20 years of teaching, I have probably given fewer "F" grades than the CSUS average. Based on the idea of equality and fairness for all, no student will be allowed to do extra assignments to receive a better grade. My final grades will be given according to the following accumulated points received: Team Presentations (10/5) Cultural Self-Analysis Intercultural Group Assignment Intercultural Observation Project Abstracts Research Paper Main Group Project/Presentation (20/10) First & Second Exam (15/15) Third Exam Total 40 Points 30 Points 30 Points 25 Points 200 Points

3 Grading of Papers in this Course Papers that earn the equivalent of "A" grades are outstanding papers. They show originality of thought, excellent writing skills, and extra effort far beyond minimal standards. Papers that display more-than-usual creative insight and effort but don't quite reach their full potential in method or execution receive the equivalent of "B" grades; however, such papers are still considered above average in quality. Papers that meet minimum requirements for an assignment earn the equivalent of a "C" grade. It means that a paper contains all the specified parts in good order, and that the paper shows normal effort and thought expected of university students. A "C" grade indicates that the paper is neat and well written, without glaring errors in sentence structure, grammar, spelling, punctuation and reference format. Papers that don't meet minimal specifications of the assignment or that contain many structural, grammatical and/or spelling errors receive the equivalent of a "D" grade. These papers usually don't follow proper format and/or do not provide proper bibliographical references. Papers that represent superficial first-draft or "night-before-the-assignment-is-due" work get "F" grades. These papers usually display underdeveloped ideas and show signs of having been hastily written. Other candidates for "F" grades are papers that contain crossed-out words, or are illegible, or are especially unclear in thought and structure. In summary, my descriptions of written assignments state minimum requirements. Students who meet the specifications for each assignment earn the equivalent of "C" grades. Students who do more than the minimum required can easily earn higher grades. Students whose papers contain plagiarized material receive one of the following penalties, depending on the magnitude of the plagiarism: Zero points on the assignment without possibility of rewriting. Automatic failure of the course (Communication Studies Department Policy). Translation of Accumulated Points into Final Grades A = A- = B+ = B = B- = C+ = C = C- = D+ = D = D- = F = below 110

4 ComS 116 (1) - Tentative Class Schedule (Subject to Change) Date Topic Readings Jan Course overview; Communication, culture & related terms Ch. 1 & 26 / 28 The intercultural challenge: Going international 02 / / / / / / / / / / / / 29 May 04 / 06 May 11 / 13 Assignment of Team-Presentations Deep Structures of Culture: Influence of Family (Team 1 & 2) and History (Team 3, 4 & 5) Different Worldviews: The Primal Mind Worldview and Religion (Team 6, 7, 8); Cultural Identity (Team 9 & 10) Cultural Patterns & Perceptions; Cultural Self Awareness (Exercise) Writing Assignment: Cultural Identity:Who am I? (Due: 23) Language and Culture (Team 11 & 12); Language Diversity (Team 13) Word Meanings and Perception (Group-exercise) Group Assignment: Meanings across Cultures (out-of-class: 02) Non-verbal Communication: Definitions & Functions (Team 14) Classifications of Non-verbal Communication (Team 15 & 16) Project Assignment: Non-verbal Observation (out-of-class: 04) Out-of-class Group Assignment (Meanings across Cultures) Out-of-class Non-verbal Observation Project (Paper due: 16) Group Presentations: Meanings across Cultures FIRST EXAM (3/11) Writing Assignment: Abstracts (Due: 25) Various Cultural Patterns: Kluckhohn and Strodtbeck s Values (Team 17); Hall s High/Low Context (Team 18); Hofstede s Value Dimensions Assignment: Research Paper (Due: 22) Asian Philosophies and the Concept of Face (Team 19) Intercultural Communication Barriers: Ethnocentrism & Stereotyping (Team 20); Culture Shock (Team 21) SPRING BREAK Relax & Enjoy! SECOND EXAM (4/6) Different intercultural contexts & interactions: Health Care (Team 22 & 23) and Education (Team 24 & 25) Hofstede s Dimensions applied to Education (Group-exercise) Multinational business contexts (Team 26 & 27); Going International II Assignment: Main Group Project (Hall & Hofstede applied to Business) Intercultural Business Negotiations Group-work on Main Project (in-class) Out-of class: Group-work on Main Project Presentation Improving Intercultural Communication (Team 28 & 29) Understanding intercultural conflict (Team 30); Epilogue (Team 31) Valuing Diversity THIRD EXAM (5/4) Ch. 2 & 3 Ch. 3 & 4 Ch. 5 (pp ) Ch. 7 Due: Who am I? Ch. 7 Ch. 1 7 & Lectures Ch. 5 & Obs-Proj due Ch. 5 & Abstracts due Ch. 5 & 11 & Lectures Ch. 9 & 10 Ch. 8 & Text Ch. 8 & Text Research Paper due! Ch. 11 Ch & Lectures Ch. 8

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