CMM 322: Intercultural Communication; Fall 2007
Dr. R.B. Bookwalter; SH 244; x 2815
bookwalt@marshall.edu
Office Hours: 8:30-10 M-F; 11-12 MWF; 9-11 TTh (other hours by appointment)
Text: Lustig, M.W. & Koester, J. (2006). Intercultural competence: Interpersonal communication across cultures; 5th edition. New York: HarperCollins.
Course Description: “A study of the barriers to communication across cultures and of strategies for addressing those problems. (PR: CMM 103, CMM 104H, or CMM 207).”
This course explores the need for improved "intercultural communication" in our diverse and changing world. We will discover how basic communication principles employed in everyday interactions can facilitate improved intercultural communication. We will take a broad view of culture, illustrating how communication across boundaries of age, gender, region, religion, race and nationality reflect elements of intercultural interaction.
Objectives
Our fundamental goals will be:
1. to recognize culture-based differences between self and other;
2. to develop "cultural sensitivity" by fostering an appreciation for cultural diversity; and
3. to practice "intercultural communication competence" as a result of learning skills which facilitate effective intercultural communication.
Policies
Attendance: You expect me to be in class three days a week, prepared to say something interesting, intelligent and educational about that day's lesson. I expect exactly the same thing from you. Absences will be excused at my discretion, if you speak to me directly, frankly, and promptly. For every absence after three your final score will be reduced by three (3) points.
College-level work: All formal assignments will be typewritten, double-spaced, proofread, and submitted on time. Late work may be made up only by special agreement with me, and will be subject to a 10% penalty. Remember that your work should be recognizable as the work of a responsible, mature adult in an upper level college class.
Dialogic learning: Education is as much the responsibility of the learner as the teacher, if not more so. Learning will result only if you and I both take a real interest in the subject matter and work together to answer questions relevant to our acquired and anticipated experiences in life. Be prepared to take a significant and active role in your own education.
Requirements:
1. "Making the Familiar Strange," a 5-7 page paper examining the variety of cultural influences in your life. 50 points. (Due October 11). Promotes Objective #1.
2. "Creating a `Third Culture,'" a 5-7 page paper reporting on your "hands-on" study of another culture. 75 points. (Due November 29). Promotes Objectives #1 & #2.
3. Examinations, of which there will be two. Exam I will be a 50 point essay exam. The Final Exam will be a 75 point essay exam. (Midterm: October 4; Final: December 11). Promotes Objectives #1, #2, & #3.
4. Intercultural Panel Project, an opportunity for you to work, in groups, to gather a panel of experts from some "other" culture or subculture and elicit new learnings from the panel to edify your classmates. 75 pts. (Panel Dates: See Course Schedule). Promotes Objectives #2 & #3.
5. Discussion/Participation, you’ll be expected to generate discussion questions/topics to guide our class discussions. For every chapter and article read, you should be prepared to identify useful ideas, useless ideas, and/or questionable ideas. You’ll be asked to contribute these ideas at the instructor’s discretion. You’ll receive 50 points if you prove to be consistently prepared over the course of the semester.
Grading:
The point values outlined in the previous section total 375 points. Your grade will be based on a straight scale where 90% = A; 80% = B; 70% = C; 60% = D; and less than 60% will not pass.
CMM 322: Intercultural Communication
Tentative Schedule for Fall 2007
Tentative Course Schedule:
A 21 Orientation & Overview
23 The Intercultural World/Living with Diversity Ch 1
A 28 Communication & Culture Ch 2
30 Intercultural Competence Ch 3
S 04 BASICS of Intercultural Competence
06 Cultural Identity: Biases and Barriers Ch 6
S 11 How We Differ: Beliefs, Values & Norms Ch 4
13 Different World Views Among Us
S 18 Cultural Patterns: Western Patterns Ch 5
20 Eastern Patterns
S 25 Conference Day: No Class
27 Verbal Communication: Language & Thought Ch 7
O 02 Cultural Patterns & Conversation
04 Midterm Exam: Chapters 1-6
O 9 Nonverbal Communication Across Cultures Ch 8
11 Code Usage/Language Preferences Ch 9
Paper 1 due
O 16 Interpersonal Relationships across Cultures Ch 10
18 Improving Intercultural Relationships
O 23 Intercultural Social Episodes Ch 11: 288-297
25 Panel #1
O 30 Race, Ethnicity & Gender in the Classroom Ch 11: 302-308
Reserve reading: Tannen and Kochman,
Nov 1 Panel #2
N 06 Race, Ethnicity, & Gender in Business Ch 11: 308-319
Reserve reading: Ping
08 Panel #3
N 13 Panel #4
15 Conference Day: No Class
N 20 & 22 Thanksgiving Break
N 27 Promoting Intercultural Encounters Ch 12
29 Cultural Learnings from Glorious Papers
Paper 2 due
D 04 Summary/Review/Evaluation
FINAL EXAM (Chpts 7-12): Tuesday, December 11, 12:45 - 2:45