UMUC-Europe Syllabus

Prerequisite: A course in speech communication or COMM 300. An examination of the major variables of communication in an intercultural context. Topics include cultural, racial, and national differences; stereotypes; values; cultural assumptions; and verbal and nonverbal channels.

Course Goals/Objectives:

After completing this course, you should be able to: * define intercultural communication * identify how culture and communication influence human behavior * identify and discuss the elements of culture as a system of communication * explain the in-group and out-group social categorization process * list and explore microcultures as co-exiting groups within a larger culture * evaluate how factors such as individualism and collectivism shape communication interactions * explain how cultural dimensions operate in different cultural groups * describe verbal and nonverbal communication as fundamental dimensions of culture * identify adaptation processes and the differences between short- and long-term effects of cultural adjustment * define the concept of intercultural effectiveness and explain what communication variables are necessary to interact with different cultural groups After completing this course, you should be able to create effective interactions with participants from other cultures in your professional and personal endeavors.

Course Introduction:

This Intercultural Communication course provides an overview of the study of communication and culture, looking in particular at the ways in which culture influences communication processes. More so today than ever before, you are likely to meet people of different cultural backgrounds at school, at work, and in everyday life. Consequently, the course is designed to assist you in participating in intercultural processes across a variety of communication contexts. In order to be able to understand people from other cultures, and their cultural and communication patterns, you need to become familiar with the influences culture carries on human behavior. In addition, this course will help you obtain the necessary communication skills to achieve successful interaction with members of other cultural groups. The course balances theoretical perspectives with practical experiences, requiring students to incorporate the communication concepts discussed to their everyday lives. By exploring theoretical models and processes of intercultural communication, you are able to apply such perspectives and create better cultural perceptions and patterns of interaction in the global times of the new millennium.

Grading Information and Criteria:

Grading Scale 90 - 100 = A 80 - 89 = B 70 - 79 = C 60 - 69 = D 0 - 59 = F Assignments Reflection/Application Paper #1 = 5% Reflection/Application Paper #2 = 5% Web Scan Assignment = 5% Case Study Project = 25% Midterm Examination = 20% Final Examination = 20% Class/Group Participation (may include additional assignments such as in class activities, exercises, discussions, or presentations) = 20% Total = 100%

Other Information:

Any other information the instructor wishes to add. This might include: * General expectations of students, such as hours per week students should expect to devote to the class * Turnaround time for faculty to respond to email and return papers * Unique class procedures or activities (such as cooperative learning exercises, panel presentations, case study methods, class journals or learning logs) * Supplemental objectives (such as development of skills like teamwork, writing, oral presentation; integration of knowledge on focus topics) * Optional activities such as study groups

Project Descriptions:

Web Scan Assignment You are asked to conduce a series of web scans to find two websites of interest for class members pertaining to class topics or to the case study projects. On a sheet of paper, provide (1) the name and URLs for the two sites, (2) a brief description of each site, and (3) why you found each site intriguing, useful, infuriating, fun, etc. You may be asked to orally share this information with your class members. Reflection/Application Papers Based on the course readings and discussions, you will hand in two written discussions (300 word minimum, informal but complete sentences, double spaced) of how you might explore or utilize further some of the concepts from a particular reading and/or discussion. Try to be creative in how you apply an idea to your own interests or potential investigations of those interests, or the means by which you might apply what you've learned to aspects of communication in your life. Case Study Project Option #1 Prepare a research project detailing an intercultural communication profile for communicating effectively in another culture. Describe characteristics of the culture, communication patterns and behaviors, and implications for communicating in the culture. Focus on a specific communication variable unique to the culture rather than on a general treatment. In addition to print resources, utilize ethnographic research strategies to gather your data: interview representatives of the culture and, as possible, become a participant observer of the culture you are studying. The format of the paper should include (a) a cover page; (b) an introduction to your study including goals/objectives; (c) a literature review which summarizes in essay form-with proper documentation-relevant research in communication and related fields to establish a theoretical framework for your study; (d) a case study which describes the culture and its cultural and communication characteristics; (e) a conclusion section which summarizes implications for communicating effectively in the culture; and (f) a properly-cited bibliography of the print and nonprint resources utilized in your study. Option #2: Intercultural Field Experience & Research Paper This assignment requires that each student engage in an intercultural experience and write a summary of the experience. The important consideration here is involvement, not just as a bystander or observer, but engagement with people from a cultural group other than your own, or involvement in an experience that is different culturally from your own. You may combine attendance of a cultural event (such as a fair, religious service, etc.) with in-depth interviewing of people from the culture you select. As you do your field experience, you will also support your understanding of the culture through library research. For this assignment, students are required to write a 10 page, double-spaced paper that includes: 1. A description of the cultural experience(s) 2. Application of concepts and ideas from the course 3. Supporting research from library resources 4. A summary of what you have learned from the experience 5. A complete bibliography Exams The examinations will consist of definitions, short answers comparing or contrasting cultural concepts or dimensions, presentation of models, and an interpretation(s) of a cultural scenario(s).

Academic Policies:

Course Schedule:

Meeting 1 Introduction to Intercultural Communication: Key Terms & Important Questions Reading [Samovar & Porter] Chapter 1: Intercultural Communication: Interaction in a Diverse World Meeting 2 Culture & Communication: Cultural Contexts, Microculture and Macroculture Reading [Samovar & Porter] Chapter 2: Communication and Culture: The Voice and the Echo Meeting 3 Model(s) of Intercultural Communication; Difference as the Guiding Principle in Understanding Culture Reading [Samovar & Porter] Chapter 3: Cultural Diversity in Perception: Alternative Views of Reality Meeting 4 Elements of Culture Reading [Samovar & Porter] Chapter 4: The Deep Structure: Roots and Reality Meeting 5 Social and Personal Categorizations in Intercultural Interactions: In-Group and Out-Group, Microcultures Assignment: Reflection/Application Paper #1 Meeting 6 Dimensions Influencing Intercultural Interactions: "Time" and "Context" Meeting 7 Cultural Dimensions: individualism vs collectivism; masculinity vs femininity; power; uncertainty avoidance Assignment: Web Scan Assignment Meeting 8 World Views Assignment: Midterm Exam Meeting 9 Reading [Samovar & Porter] Chapter 5: Language and Culture: Words and Meanings Meeting 10 Nonverbal Communication: Showing Who We Are Reading [Samovar & Porter] Chapter 6: Nonverbal Communication: The Messages of Action, Space, Time and Silence Assignment: Reflection/Application Paper #2 Meeting 11 Cultural Adaptation: Culture Shock - Different Stages in Short-term Cultural Adaptation Chapter 8: Adapting to Culture Meeting 12 Cultural Adaptation and Competence; Long-term Cultural Adaptation Reading [Samovar & Porter] Chapter 10: Accepting Differences and Appreciating Similarities: A Point of View Meeting 13 Social and Cultural Influences: Homophily; Conflict & Negotiation Intercultural Communication and Conflict Chapter 11: Social Influence of Network Cultures and Information Flow Assignment: Final Project Meeting 14 Social and Cultural Influences on Worldwide Communication: Mass Media Media as a Source on Intercultural Communication Intercultural Communication, Innovation, and Creating Planned Change Meeting 15 Wrap-up Assignment: Final Exam The readings for the Samovar & Porter text don't quite fit with the syllabus developed for the online class. I'm sure the syllabus could be adjusted to include the following 3 chapters from the Samovar & Porter text: Chapter 7: Cultural Influences on Context: The Business Setting Chapter 8: Cultural Influences on Context: The Educational Setting Chapter 9: Cultural Influences on Context: The Health Care SettingBiography: