COMM-3410 - Intercultural Communication Lecturer: Lori Poole, Ph.D. ~ University of Colorado ~ Spring 2018 Mondays/Wednesdays, 3-4:15 p.m. ~ CLRE/Clare Small 208 Office: Hellems 93 ~ Office Hrs: Tuesdays, 3-5 p.m., before/after class or by appointment Cell: 303-903-5892 ~ E-Mail: Lori.Poole@colorado.edu Course Objective/Overview/Text This course explores issues related to the intercultural communication process. We will consider the important role of context (social, cultural, and historical) in intercultural interactions. We will examine the complex relationship between culture and communication from three conceptual perspectives: the social psychological perspective, the interpretive perspective, and the critical perspective. Traditionally, we have approached the study of intercultural communication primarily from a social psychological perspective. Although this perspective has yielded many important ideas about intercultural communication, other perspectives may also contribute to our understanding of intercultural communication, particularly in acknowledging the influence of context and power in our intercultural interactions. In this course, we apply three conceptual perspectives to the study of intercultural communication. Although these approaches are diverse, their contributions are integrated to provide a comprehensive picture of intercultural communication. From applying these approaches to the study of intercultural communication, we will also come to appreciate the complexity and dialectical tensions involved in intercultural interactions. This learning process should enhance self-reflection, flexibility, and sensitivity in intercultural communication. Course Objectives Become familiar with the study of intercultural communication from the traditional social psychological perspective, the interpretive perspective, and the more recent critical perspective. Discover the importance of the roles of context and power in studying intercultural communication. Become more sensitive to the complexity of intercultural interactions. Recognize the influence of their own cultural groups on intercultural communication interactions. Become more willing, self-reflective, flexible, and open communicators in intercultural communication interactions. Text and Other Readings Martin, J. N., & Nakayama, T. K. (2017). Intercultural Communication in Contexts (7th ed.). McGraw-Hill. (NOTE: 6 th edition should be fine for this book, but don t get any older versions.) Readings available on Desire2Learn class site 1
Course Requirements/Guidelines Be ready each class to discuss, offer your insight, contribute your ideas to class discussion and ask questions. Everyone s experience will be enhanced if multiple perspectives are heard. Be respectful of others contributions to the discussion harassment will not be tolerated. If you don t understand something in the readings, lectures or assignments, chances are you re not the only one. I will always be willing to answer questions, but please ask them well in advance of due assignment or test dates. In addition to office hours, I am usually in the classroom before class begins and am more than willing to stay after class or make an appointment to answer any questions. I try to reply to e-mails in a timely manner (usually 24 hours except on weekends), but please note often meeting with me face-to-face before or after class is your best bet LET S TALK and keep the lines of communication open! Attendance is essential to your success in this course. Absence from class means no participation points for that day; however, please notify me in advance of any expected absences and a back-up any face-to-face conversation with an e-mail message (just a professional working habit to develop). There are several methods listed at the top of this document to contact me please use them to communicate with me in cases of emergencies, work-related issues or illnesses. Accordingly, participation grades will be calculated so that missing one or two days of a once-a-week class or three to four of a twice-a-week class will probably not hurt your grade. However, missing multiple days of class will negatively affect your grade, as graded assignments are given and reviewed almost weekly with no make-ups (tests are available for make-up at the instructor s discretion and as schedule permits). Additional absences beyond those stated above may result in further grade reduction. Individuals who cannot adhere to this attendance policy should consider not taking this class at this time. Late assignments will NOT be accepted. There are out-of-class assignments in this class, as well as possible online assignments and graded assessments to submit via the class site. Please plan to submit your assignments at the beginning of class on the day they are due or as noted in the CLASS dropbox. I try my best to grade assignments before the following class period or within a week (no more than 10 days) of assignments begin submitted to help with the flow of class information. Practice ethical work habits and address grading issues in a timely fashion. Academic dishonesty will not be tolerated, and the Honor Code will be enforced as/if needed. When it comes to grades, they will be posted to the class site. However, if you have questions about a grade received please follow the 24/7 guideline: wait 24 hours to ask about the grade (because emotion will usually be the first response and you need time to actually review the grade received) and address a grading issue within seven days of receiving the grade (meaning, don t wait until the end of a term to ask grading questions) About Taking Notes in Class: Please be aware that you are responsible for taking notes during class. If you miss class, you are responsible for getting notes from another student in class. I will upload lecture notes and presentations once we have finished the readings per unit, but it is your responsibility to locate and review those files. About Technology in the Classroom: Laptops and other technology in the classroom should be used ONLY for learning purposes, during the class activities or in giving class presentations. During theoretical or lecture classes the use of technological devices is not allowed. Please turn your cell phones to vibrate or silent mode during class, as they will be disruptive if they go off during this time. Unless there is an emergency, avoid the temptation to use these distractions during class to make the most of your time and educational endeavors. Anyone caught using computers or other forms of technology during class time for any non-class activities will possibly have 10% deducted on the next graded item instructors see MORE than you know! Therefore, please STAY OFFLINE during class unless directed to a particular site or as an in-class assignment requirement. 2
University Course Policies Classroom Behavior Policy: Students and faculty each have responsibility for maintaining an appropriate learning environment. Students who fail to adhere to such conduct standards may be subject to discipline. Faculty has the professional responsibility to treat all students with understanding, dignity and respect, to guide classroom discussion and to set reasonable limits on the manner in which they and their students express opinions. Professional courtesy and sensitivity are especially important with respect to individuals and topics dealing with differences of race, culture, religion, politics, sexual orientation, gender variance, and nationalities. See polices: Student Classroom and Course-Related Behavior: Disruptive students in the academic setting hinder the educational process. Although disruptive student conduct is already prohibited by regent Laws and the Students' Rights and Responsibilities Regarding Standards of Conduct, the purpose of this policy is to clarify what constitutes disruptive behavior in the academic setting; what actions faculty and relevant Assistant/Associate Dean's offices may take in response to disruptive conduct; and the authority of the Office of Judicial Affairs to initiate disciplinary proceedings against students for disruptive conduct. Disabilities: If you qualify for accommodations because of a disability, please submit to me a letter from Disability Services in a timely manner so that your needs may be addressed. Disability Services determines accommodations based on documented disabilities (303-492-8671, N200 Center for Community, http://www.colorado.edu/disabilityservices). 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 (303-725-2273; 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 http://www.colorado.edu/policies/student-honor-code-policy. Observance of Religious Holidays and Absences from Classes or Examinations: Campus policy regarding religious observances requires that faculty make every effort to reasonably and fairly deal with all students who, because of religious obligations, have conflicts with scheduled examinations, assignments, or required attendance. In this class, I will make every effort to accommodate all students who have such conflicts with scheduled examinations, assignments, or attending class, provided students notify me well in advance of the scheduled conflict. Sexual Harassment: The University of Colorado Policy on Sexual Harassment applies to all students, staff, and faculty. Sexual harassment is unwelcome sexual attention. It can involve intimidation, threats, coercion, or promises to create an environment that is hostile or offensive. Harassment may occur between members of the same or opposite gender and between any combinations of members in the campus community: students, faculty, staff, and administrators. Harassment can occur anywhere on campus, including the classroom, the workplace, or a residence hall. Any student, staff, or faculty member who believes s/he has been sexually harassed should contact the Office of Discrimination and Harassment (ODH) at 303-492-2127 or the Office of Judicial Affairs at 303-492-5550. Information about the ODH and the campus resources available to assist individuals who believe they have been sexually harassed can be obtained at: http://hr.colorado.edu/dh/pages/default.aspx. 3
Course Assignments/Graded Items Your course grade is calculated out of 1000 total points and will be decided as listed below. While I don t mind reviewing grades with students, please take the time to use this section to record your grades. That way you can know at any time during the term where you stand and what else is coming down the pipe in regard to future graded items. Project/Graded Item Assignments/Projects (52.5%): Detailed handouts are posted to the class site regarding each assignment. Points Possible Your Grade/ Points Earned Assignment #1: Journal articles analysis paper OR individual presentations 125 points Assignment #2: Theoretical approach and rich points observations paper OR individual presentations Assignment #3: Pop Culture Analysis paper OR individual presentations Assignment #4: Rich point sequence group project deliverable/paper AND team presentations 125 points 125 points 150 points Reading Quizzes and Final Exam (37.5%): Made up of multiple choice, true/false, short answer questions. QUIZ 1 chapters 1, 2, 3, 4, scholarly readings QUIZ 2 chapters 5, 6, 7, scholarly readings QUIZ 3 chapters 8, 9, 10, 11, scholarly readings FINAL EXAM: all textbook chapters, scholarly readings, lecture notes, class activities/exercises, etc. 75 points 75 points 75 points 150 points Participation/Attendance (10%): in-class participation, activities, online discussions, exercises, attendance, etc. TOTAL Points: 100 points 1000 points 4
Course Calendar We will aim as much as possible to stick to this calendar and class flow, but please note this schedule is subject to change as the term progresses. Assignments will be due to the class site by 11:59 p.m. based on the due dates noted below; unless otherwise state, no paper copies are needed of assignments. Reading quizzes and final exam will be given in-class. (ICC = Intercultural Communication in Contexts textbook) DATES Weekly Plan and Class Activities Due Dates and Readings WEEK 1 Jan. 17 Welcome to Intercultural Communication: class overview; overview discussion on intercultural communication and language READING: Chapter 1 of ICC WEEK 2 Jan. 22 & 24 WEEK 3 Jan. 29 & 31 WEEK 4 Feb. 5 & 7 WEEK 5 Feb. 12 & 14 WEEK 6 Feb. 19 & 21 WEEK 7 Feb. 26 & 28 WEEK 8 March 5 & 7 Foundations of Intercultural Communication: why study intercultural communication? history and development of the discipline Communication and Culture: dialectical approaches to understanding culture and communication; what is culture? what is communication? what are speech communities? Field of Intercultural Communication: theoretical approaches to intercultural communication; analysis and applications of theoretical approaches Communication, Context, and Power: relationship between communication, context and speech communities; communication and power Identity and Intercultural Communication: identity development issues; identity and language; identity and communication; constructing speech communities; review of theories Intercultural Communication Processes: a dialectical approach to understanding identity; overview of various speech communities; review of intercultural theories Language and Intercultural Communication: thinking dialectically about language; cultural variations in language and speech communities READINGS: Chapter 2 of ICC, article posted to class site READING: Chapter 4 of ICC WED: Journal Articles Analysis DUE READING: Chapter 3 of ICC READING: article posted to class site WED: QUIZ 1 chapters 1, 2, 3, 4 READING: Chapter 5 of ICC READING: Chapter 6 of ICC WED: Theoretical Approaches DUE READING: Chapter 7 of ICC 5
WEEK 9 March 12 & 14 WEEK 10 March 19 & 21 Intercultural Communication Processes: the universality of nonverbal behavior; defining cultural space; performance and play in speech communities Transitions, Cues and Codes: identity and adaptation; cultures in conversation; communication as culturally rich phenomenon READINGS: articles on class site WED: QUIZ 2 chapters 5, 6, 7 READING: Chapter 8 of ICC March 26-30 FALL BREAK Safe travels (but work ahead to be ahead!) WEEK 11 April 2 & 4 Popular Culture: learning about cultures without personal experience; consuming and resisting popular culture READING: Chapter 9 of ICC WEEK 12 April 9 & 11 WEEK 13 April 16 & 18 WEEK 14 April 23 & 25 WEEK 15 April 30 & May 2 Intercultural Relationships: benefits and challenges of intercultural relationships and relational development; cultural differences in notions of family and friendship Culture and Conflict: characteristics of intercultural conflict; interpretive and critical approaches to conflict; managing intercultural conflict Effective Intercultural Communication: components of competence; applying knowledge about intercultural communication; the future of intercultural communication Reviewing Intercultural Communication: group presentations on rich point projects; final exam review WED: Pop Culture Analysis DUE READINGS: Chapter 10 of ICC; article posted to class site READING: Chapter 11 of ICC WED: QUIZ 3 chapters 8, 9, 10, 11 READING: Chapter 12 of ICC MON & WED: Rich point sequence group project/presentations DUE FINALS WEEK FINAL EXAM Wednesday, May 9, 7:30 p.m. 10:00 p.m. 6