COMM 3410 INTERCULTURAL COMMUNICATION Spring 2016, Monday, Wednesday & Friday

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1 COMM 3410 INTERCULTURAL COMMUNICATION Spring 2016, Monday, Wednesday & Friday INSTRUCTOR: Dana Underwood OFFICE: Hellems 14 OFFICE HOURS: Mondays and Wednesdays, 1pm 2pm Required Text Available in the CU Bookstore: Ting-Toomey, S., & Chung, L. C. (2012). Understanding intercultural communication. New York: Oxford University Press. Additional Readings: A number of additional articles and chapters will be available electronically 1. COURSE DESCRIPTION: Intercultural communication or communication between people of different cultural backgrounds is a significant precondition of human co-existence on earth. The intercultural Communication course explores complex relationships between cultures and the communication processes, barriers, and variables from various conceptual perspectives, such as social, psychological, interpretive, and critical. In addition, we will consider the important role of context (e.g., social, historical, and cultural) in intercultural interactions. COMM 3410 fulfills the requirements for the Human Diversity requirement. Human Diversity courses must increase the student's understanding of the world's diversity and pluralism through the study of one of two broad and interrelated areas: (1) the nature and meaning of diversity and the experience of marginalized groups; and (2) cultures other than those of Europe and the United States. This requirement explicitly identifies an awareness and understanding of pluralism as essential to a liberal education. 2. COURSE OBJECTIVES: Through participation in assigned activities, this course aims to achieve the following objectives: To encourage critical analysis of and ethical issues relating to communication practices and process of different cultures. To develop an understanding of cultural awareness and an array cultural viewpoints. To increase student cultural sensitivity. Only as we become more conscious of ourselves and others communicative processes can we recognize the various conditions that help and/or hinder the process of communication. To increase student behavioral flexibility. Only as we become more flexible in our behaviors can we select the appropriate behavioral responses to specific communication situations. 3. CLASS FORMAT: A course in communication requires active participation in class discussion and exercises. You must be present and engaged to be an active participant. Though the instructor will provide lecture materials, instruction on activities, and facilitation of in-class discussion, it is your responsibility and obligation to participate in the classroom discourse. Please feel free to share relevant thoughts and ideas in class. Although open expression of ideas in this class is encouraged, your freedom to share your thoughts should never infringe on other students' freedom to share theirs. Please be considerate of others perspectives so that all can enjoy an engaging, and respectful environment. Activities: There will be a number of in-class activities that you will participate in. These may take the form of small group activities, classroom discussions, student teaching, and intercultural reading analysis discussions. In-class activities cannot be made up. In addition, throughout the semester I will make note of students in class that are actively and critical engaging in conversation. Students that are actively participating will be given credit for participation. 1

2 4. CLASS POLICIES: Please carefully read the following class policies: 4.1 Attendance Because this is an active participation course, regular attendance is essential. More than one absence will result in loss of points from the attendance and class participation portion of your grade. On scheduled speech days, and for examinations attendance is mandatory. Classroom discussion is part of this class--you need a public to speak to, therefore you have to be present. Student participation is a major component of this course. The quality and enjoyment of this class depends on your involvement and preparation. You are encouraged to share your viewpoints on the issues discussed. Students are expected to have read the assignments prior to coming to class. Class participation points may also be deducted for each tardiness and/or early departure. Please see me ahead of time if you have a conflict. 4.2 Honor Code All students of the University of Colorado at Boulder are responsible for knowing and adhering to the academic integrity policy of this institution. Violations of this policy may include: cheating, plagiarism, aid of academic dishonesty, fabrication, lying, bribery, and threatening behavior. All incidents of academic misconduct shall be reported to the Honor Code Council (honor@colorado.edu; ). Students who are found to be in violation of the academic integrity policy will be subject to both academic sanctions from the faculty member and non-academic sanctions (including but not limited to university probation, suspension, or expulsion). Other information on the Honor Code can be found at and at Technology You can utilize various forms of technology for the purpose of taking notes. Please be responsible in your technology use, and if it becomes a distraction you will be asked to turn off your device Disability If you qualify for accommodations because of a disability, please submit to me a letter from Disability Services in a timely manner (for exam accommodations provide your letter at least one week prior to the exam) so that your needs can be addressed. Disability Services determines accommodations based on documented disabilities. Contact Disability Services at or by at dsinfo@colorado.edu. If you have a temporary medical condition or injury, see Temporary Injuries under Quick Links at Disability Services website ( and discuss your needs with your professor. 4.5 Religious Observance Campus policy regarding religious observances requires that faculty make every effort to deal reasonably and fairly with all students who, because of religious obligations, have conflicts with scheduled exams, assignments or required attendance. Please let me know about possible conflicts within the first week of the semester and we can negotiate the appropriate accommodation. See full details at Classroom Conduct Students and faculty each have responsibility for maintaining an appropriate learning environment. Those who fail to adhere to such behavioral standards may be subject to discipline. Professional courtesy and sensitivity are especially important with respect to individuals and topics dealing with differences of race, color, culture, religion, creed, politics, veteran s status, sexual orientation, gender, gender identity and gender expression, age, disability, and nationalities. Class rosters are provided to the instructor with the student's legal name. I will gladly honor your request to address you by an alternate name or gender pronoun. Please advise me of this preference early in the semester so that I may make appropriate changes to my records. See policies at and at Discrimination and Harassment 2

3 The University of Colorado Boulder (CU-Boulder) is committed to maintaining a positive learning, working, and living environment. The University of Colorado does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, sex, age, disability, creed, religion, sexual orientation, or veteran status in admission and access to, and treatment and employment in, its educational programs and activities. (Regent Law, Article 10, amended 11/8/2001). CU-Boulder will not tolerate acts of discrimination or harassment based upon Protected Classes or related retaliation against or by any employee or student. For purposes of this CU-Boulder policy, "Protected Classes" refers to race, color, national origin, sex, pregnancy, age, disability, creed, religion, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, or veteran status. Individuals who believe they have been discriminated against should contact the Office of Discrimination and Harassment (ODH) at or the Office of Student Conduct (OSC) at Information about the ODH, the above referenced policies, and the campus resources available to assist individuals regarding discrimination or harassment can be obtained at 5. COURSE EVALUATIONS: 5.1 Examinations Exams are designed primarily to assess comprehension, retention, and application of central ideas from readings and class (lecture and class discussion). There will be a total of two examinations: one midterm examination and a final examination valued at 75 and 100 points each, respectively. Questions for all examinations will be drawn from the text, lecture materials, and supplementary readings. Make-up exams will be given ONLY for legitimate cases (e.g., official school travel/medical reasons/emergencies) and made up at the instructor s discretion. Please don t schedule a routine doctor/dentist appointment, etc. on a scheduled exam day. You will need to provide your instructor with appropriate documentation to make-up the exam. 5.2 Intercultural Papers I & II Must be typed, double-spaced, and in a 12-point times new roman font. Both MLA and APA citation is accepted, however do choose one citation style and adopt it throughout the semester. All papers are due in the beginning of class. Late submissions or online submissions are not accepted and will receive a zero score. For Intercultural Paper I & II, you will receive a writing prompt two weeks in advance of the due date. The page minimum requirement is 3 pages. Do make sure to include a reference or bibliography page. 5.3 Intercultural Paper III For the Intercultural Paper III, you must write a cultural analysis. Do make sure the paper is typed, double spaced, and in a 12-point times new roman font. Late submissions or online submissions are not accepted and will receive a zero score. The final intercultural paper will be a minimum of 5 pages in length and requires a short 5-minute in-class presentation of your work. You will receive an Intercultural Paper III writing prompt one month before the deadline. 5.4 Quizzes and Online Activities Throughout the semester, I will make quizzes, other online activities available, as well as in class activities. For online work, you will be given at least one week s notice when a quiz is going up, and will have 3 days from when it is posted to complete it. 6. GRADING: Plus/minus grading will be used in the final grades for this course. The following table indicates the number of points and the percent of total possible points associated with each grade. Grade Percent of total possible points A ( points) A ( points) A ( points) B ( points) B ( points) 3

4 B ( points) C ( points) C ( points) C ( points) D ( points) D ( points) D ( points) F 59.9 or below GRADING (Cont d): Record your scores: Point Values: Possible Earned Quizzes 50 /50 Midterm 75 /75 Final Examination 100 /100 Intercultural Paper 1 60 /60 Intercultural Paper II 65 /65 Intercultural Paper III 100 /100 Class Participation 50 /50 TOTAL 500 /500 Final Letter Grade: 4

5 Tentative Course Outline for COMM 3410, Spring 2016 The reading assignments must be read prior to class. DAY ACTIVITY /TOPIC /ASSIGNMENT DUE Jan. 11 Introductions & Syllabus Review 13 Development of Intercultural Comm: Martin, et. al. (2012) 15 Rogers, Hart, & Miike (2012) 18 No class, Martin Luther King Jr. Holiday 20 Lecture: Ch. 1 (pages 1-15) & Chapter 2 of Ting-Toomey 22 Ch. 1 (p.15-21) & Ch. 3 of Ting-Toomey 25 Lecture & Classroom Discussion (con t) 27 (p.74-84) Kurylo 29 A Communication Theory of Culture Lecture (con t) Feb. 1 Identity Ch. 4 of Ting-Toomey 3 Lecture Contd. 5 Phillipsen (2010) 8 Face needs and conflict Chang (2011) 10 Discussion 12 What Causes Us to Hold Biases? Lecture Due: Read Ch. 8 Ting Toomey 15 Intercultural Paper I Writing Day 17 Verbal & Nonverbal Intercultural Comm. Lecture Due: Skim Ch.6 & 7 of Ting Toomey 19 Being Perceived as Competent Intercultural Communicators Lecture Due: Read Ch.7 of Gudykunst / Due: Intercultural Paper 1 22 Midterm Review 24 Midterm Review 26 Midterm Exam 29 Managing Intercultural Conflict Flexibly Lecture Due: Read Ch.9 of Ting Toomey Mar. 2 Documentary: The Ad & The Ego 4 Documentary: True Colors- Racial Discrimination in Everyday Life Pt. 1&Pt. 2 7 Privilege and Culture Lecture Due: Ch. 8 of Kurylo (pp ) 9 Class Cancelled 11 Class Discussion on Covarrubias article Due: Read Covarrubias(2008) 14 Watts (2013) 16 Gender and Culture 18 Okin Women s Human Rights March No class Spring Break 28 Intercultural communication at work Lecture 5

6 30 Prasad and Prasad April 1 Discussion contd. 4 Intercultural Paper II Writing Day 6 Intersecting Class & Culture, Lecture: Read Engen 8 Class Discussion on Working and Identity Due: Read Collinson (2003) 11 Gendered Language & Behavior Lecture Due: Read Philipsen (1975) 13 Class Discussion on Maggio article Due: Writing Guidelines: Man Kind 15 Due: Intercultural Paper II NO CLASS 18 Ethical Intercultural Communicators Lecture Due: Read Ch. 12 of Ting Toomey 20 Building Community with Strangers Lecture Due: Read Ch.10 of Gudykunst 22 Intercultural Paper III Writing Day 25 Intercultural Presentation 27 Final Exam Review 29 Final Exam Review / Intercultural Paper III Due 6