Speech Communication 126 – Intercultural CommunicationSpring 2018

Section72729 MW 9:30-10:45, Room 1631

GENERAL INFORMATION

Instructor:Ann Gross

Office:Rm.1030 “L” - Mon. 12:30-1:30, Wed. 12:30-2:00, Thurs. 1:30-3:00;

Fri. 12:00-1:00, and by apt.

Tel. # (707) 256-7742

Email: (Identify yourself in the subject line.)

Text/Materials:

- Martin and Nakayama, Experiencing Intercultural Communication (Sixth Edition), copy on reserve in the library

- Intercultural Development Inventory (on-line, self-assessment)

Course Objectives: The purposes of this class are to increase your understanding of the factors affecting intercultural communication and to improve your ability to communicate with individuals of diverse cultures. We will examine the impacts of culture on our own and others’ perceptions, values, belief systems, norms, and verbal and nonverbal communication patterns.

Student Learning Outcomes: Upon successful completion of the course, students will be able to:

  1. Demonstrate cultural self-knowledge by identifying the impacts of culture on one’s own cultural world views, values, beliefs, norms and communication patterns.
  2. Utilize an understanding of intercultural competence (knowledge, skills and mindset) to communicate effectively verbally and nonverbally in intercultural contexts.

General Guidelines:

-Participation in Outside Activities: Students will be required to attend three out-of-class activities with 2-3 other students for the Group Intercultural Interactions assignment (worth 15% of final grade). Activities and dates will be chosen by each group, following the assignment requirements. Any student who misses a group activity will not get credit for that part of the assignment.

SPCOM 126, General Information

Page Two

-PLEASE NOTE THAT ALL ASSIGNMENTS MUST BE TURNED IN BY THE DATE DUE; LATE PAPERS WILL NOT BE ACCEPTED AND MISSED GROUP DISCUSSIONS CANNOT BE MADE UP. If an emergency prevents you from turning in an assignment, you must contact the instructor before the assignment is late to discuss a possible time extension.

-Attendance andDropping the Course: Students are expected to attend every class for the entire class period. If you must miss a class, contact me to have the absence excused. While the instructor may drop any student who misses more than two classes, it is your responsibility to make sure a drop has been recorded if you intend to drop the course. The last day to drop without a “W” is February 2, with a “W” is April 6.

-ALWAYS TURN OFF YOUR CELL PHONE! (This includes no texting!)If you need to be contactable by phone during the class you must let me know before class starts.

-Laptop computers may only be used for taking notes. Any other use during class time is prohibited.

-Accommodations: Any student who feels s/he may need an accommodation based on the impact of a learning disability should contact Learning Services to schedule an appointment with a Learning Disabilities Specialist (Upstairs in Library – Rm. 1766). If you require accommodations for physical or other types of disabilities, schedule an appointment with DSPS Counselor, Sheryl Fernandez, in the Counseling Department (1300 building) phone (707) 256-7220.

-Student Conduct: Students are expected to follow the NVC standards for student conduct and academic honesty in classroom behavior and in completing assignments (see Student Conduct and Academic Honesty policies). You are expected to be respectful of others, honest, and not to plagiarize. Plagiarizing includes using material (direct wording, specific support material, ideas, etc.) from another source without citing the source. Any assignment that violates campus policies will receive zero credit, and students who plagiarize may be reported to the Vice President of Student Services

-Students are responsible for all class information and assignments, whether or not they are in class. Save all your graded papers until you receive your final course grade. My reply is your receipt for a paper turned in by email – save it! Please note that the syllabus, including activities, assignments, and due dates, is subject to change without further notice.

SPCOM 126, General Information

Page Three

Assignments:Percentage of Final GradeYour Points*

Garfinkeling Exercise10

Stereotypes Paper10

DIEK Exercises – 5 @ 3 pts.15

Group Intercultural Interactions15

Independent Applications 3 @ 5 pts.15

Cultural Self-Assessment Paper25

Final Discussion (w/ 3 response papers)10

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100Total

*Fill in your points for each assignment as it is returned. To calculate your mid-semester grade at any point, add up the points you have received and divide by the total possible points to that date. The percentage will correspond to the point scale below:

Grading:

90-100 A80-89 B70-79 C60-69 DBelow 60 F

SYLLABUS
DateTopicAssignment Due

1/ 17Orientation;Cultural Check In

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22Definitions; IC ImperativesChapter 1; pp. 31-41

24IC Imperatives

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29 IDI on-line self-assessment – Room TBA

31Norms; Garfinkeling

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2/ 5Intercultural Development Continuum

7IDC and IDI

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12HistoriesChapter 3

14Garfinkeling DiscussionGarfinkeling Paper Due

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SPCOM 126, Syllabus

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DateTopicAssignment Due

2/19Washington’s Day – No Class

21World Values (K&S)Pp. 41-47

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26World Values

28Cultural Value Dimensions (Hofstede)Pp. 47-51

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3/ 5Cultural Dimensions

7DIEK Exercise

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12Identity; Group Interaction Assign. Chapter 4

14Identity Exercise; Stereotypes; Video

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19Bias, Video; PrejudiceCult. Self-Assess. Pt. I Due

21Power, Privilege, Discrimination

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3/26-3/30Spring Recess – No Classes

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4/ 2LanguageChapter 5

4Communication StylesStereotypes Paper Due,

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9Gendered Communication – Video

11High/Low Context

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16Nonverbal CommunicationChapter 6

18Nonverbal Communication

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23Conflict StylesIndependent Applications Due

25Conflict Styles Ex.Chapter 8

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30Four Cultures Exercise

5/ 2Four Cultures ExerciseCultural Self-Assess. Pt. 2 Due

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7Culture Shock

9Class Discussion – Group InteractionsGroup Interaction Paper Due

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14Video- Part1

16Video - Part 2Video Response #1 Due

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Final Class Discussion– Monday, May 21, 9:45-11:45

(with Response Papers #2,3)