COMH 211 Intercultural Communication
Syllabus Spring 2012
Instructor: Philip Martin
E-Mail Contact: pmartin@ucc.edu
Office & Hours: TBA
Course Blog: www.ucccommunicationIC.blogspot.com
Course Description
COMH 211, Intercultural Communication, is an honors course that touches on the basics of communication theory, but focuses on the application of cultural studies as it borrows concepts from anthropology to study communication. As cultures collide through mediated and interpersonal communication, migration and disasters, a greater understanding of disparate cultural groups and the dynamic processes through which they struggle to gain shared understanding is demanded. By reading the works of Edward T. Hall students will define those aspects of human nature which constitute culture and examine the use of time, space, and context among divergent groups. Media will be considered as primary reinforcers of cultural values, but also as agents of change. Mediated versions of reality are considered through a study of frame analysis and community. As an honors course, content is considered in a seminar format wherein students accept greater responsibility for their learning. Expectations for prepared participation and written works are higher than in a traditional lecture course.
Student Outcomes:
Upon successful completion of this course, students can be expected to:
q Assimilate the difficulties inherent in intercultural communications
q Compare and contrast the impact of media as primary reinforcers of cultural values and agents of change
q Recognize the ongoing challenges that intercultural communications present in an increasingly diverse and globalized society
q Explain the elements of cultures and the ways these inform group behavior, decision-making and worldview.
Required Text
Samovar, L.A.
Cultures, 7th Edition, Thompson Wadsworth , Belmont , CA
Hall, E.T. (1990). Silent Language. Random House, New York
Suggested Text
APA Stylebook
Other Requirements
Students should ensure that they have access to their own personal computer or to the computer laboratories on campus to complete course assignments. Familiarity with Microsoft Word or a similar word processing program is vital.
Students must maintain and monitor their UCC.edu e-mail account and the ANGEL online learning system in order to receive selected course readings and announcements.
Course Policies
· Students are responsible for attending all class sessions, completing all reading and project assignments, and participating in class discussions and activities.
· All work is due on the assigned day. Late work will be penalized at least one letter grade, if it is accepted at all. Extremely late work will prevent you from passing the course.
· The philosophy of this course embraces the spirit of cooperation and community afforded by adopting the constructivist paradigm*. The course is a collegial forum where students engage in critical and constructive dialogue and activity. I hope to maintain a comfortable, positive atmosphere for learning.
* [Students will encounter real world, historic events. They will create meaning of these happenings and accounts through exchanges with their peers and faculty. No positions on these events are pre-determined. What you learn and take away from these portions of the course is up to you.]
· If you are hungry, eat; if you are thirsty, drink, but please do so in a manner that is not distracting to others, including your instructor. Clean up after yourself always.
· Please turn all technical devices off during class. I would prefer that you did NOT use laptops during class time, actually; the temptation to drift onto the Internet is a distraction for you (and is a distraction to your neighbors when you do). Many students find the “tapping” of the keyboard annoying. Do not even think of using a cellular phone for voice or text communication!
· For class discussions, please raise your hand or use a similarly friendly hand-gesture. I prefer not to limit discussion to students with high-volume voices or to those who are especially quick in formulating their thoughts.
Semester grades are determined based on the following formula:
Assignments and Expectations
Mid-Term Examination 250 points
Semester Project: 250 points
Participation: 100 points
Contracted Projects: (4 @ 100) 400 points
Total 1000 points
Grading Scale
A (Superior
B+ (Outstanding, Thoughtful, College Level Work) 900-929 points total
B (Very Good, Complete, College Level Work) 800-899 points total
C (Good, Complete, Adequate College Level Work) 700-799 points total
D (Inadequate or Inconsistent Work of Poor Quality) 650-699 points total
F (Failure to perform at a college level) 000-649 points total
Contracted Projects
Students will choose four projects from a variety of options provided by your instructor. During the second week of class, you will be asked to declare which four projects you prefer and sign a contract to this effect. The assignments may be completed in any order, with a few exceptions being those which require class time to demonstrate. Due dates appear on the course calendar. Bear in mind that group or dyadic assignments will require coordination with your counterparts. For a complete description of the projects, please refer to the hand-out.
****A note on written work for COM 101: Mass Communication
Your written assignments for this course are, in large part, informal. However, informal writing does NOT indicate that the instructor will accept, tolerate, or ignore poor grammar, spelling, sentence structure, or organization. Rather, informal, in this instance, indicates that citations and attributions are not necessary. The writings should reflect your own opinions and impressions, no others. Note that yours is an honors course and my expectations for your written work are very high. Use each of the projects as an opportunity to demonstrate your brilliance and insight into the course materials.
Semester Project
Students will conduct a research project which includes an immersion into a culture other than their own. This will very likely involve some travel on your part and at your own risk. Find a neighborhood, family, religious group, social club, or other association that is populated by a cultural group other than your own. Once you are immersed in this new locale or group start observing. What do you see, hear, smell, or taste that is different from your own culture and co-culture? How are the values, beliefs, and worldview of this group different from your own? How do you notice these concepts?
How do people in this cultural group communicate? How are time and space defined? Do they communicate in a high context way, with fewer words and less text? What religion do they practice, if any, and how do they exemplify this to others?
During your visit, photograph some of the places, buildings, foods, merchandise, or people you encounter (with their permission). Once you have taken plenty of notes, both mental and otherwise, write up your experiences in a six to eight page paper (page count does NOT include title, abstract, or reference pages). When you refer to one of your texts for a definition or concept cite it in proper APA format. Include these citations in the body of your text and also in a references page.
As this project represents twenty-five percent of your course grade, DO NOT wait until the last week of the semester to begin your work. Your encounter with another group or place will require some time to coordinate. A consultation on your project’s progress is included in our course calendar. You should have some progress to present to your instructor by this time.
Students will be asked to present their findings and discuss their immersive experience with their peers during the final exam period. Wise students will be well prepared for this important aspect of the project.
Mid-Term Examination
One exam will be administered as a part of the course. The mid-term will cover the first two-thirds of the course only. It will include a variety of short answer and essay questions which ask students to recall significant facts and concepts from course lectures, presentations, and activities. Further, students will need to apply knowledge gained in class to fully complete some questions.
Participation/Attendance
Class participation includes:
· Your willingness and ability to demonstrate knowledge of assigned readings
· Your willingness to participate positively in class activities and discussions
· The extent to which you are respectful of peers, faculty, the college, and the philosophical underpinnings of the course
· Listening to others attentively
· Attendance (Note, however, that merely being present is not enough)
· Excessive absences (three or more in a course that meets three times per week) will negatively affect the grade you are able to achieve.
****Note: This course will encourage you to form and express your opinions on what may be controversial issues. You will also be listening to the opinions of others. While free and open expression of thoughts and ideas is desirable, there are limits. No speech which intends to embarrass, intimidate, or threaten another will be tolerated. Violation of this stated course policy may result in expulsion from the class.
Extra Credit
Extra credit is not offered as part of this course. Students are recommended to attend to their assignments and exam preparation to achieve the grade they desire.
College Policies
(1) Union County College
(2) The grade of Incomplete is to be assigned only when the course attendance requirement has been met but, for reasons satisfactory to the instructor, the granting of a final grade has been postponed because certain course assignments are outstanding.
(3)Union County College
