COMMUNICATION STUDIES 30

INTRODUCTION TO INTERCULTURAL COMMUNICATION

Instructor:                  LeeAnne Hobbs                      

Office Hours:             MWF 9-10, M 1-2 PM

Office:                         IAC-246

Phone:                         (209) 384-6255                                                          

Mailbox #:                 IAC Building C

Email:                         hobbs.l@mccd.edu (That is hobbs “L” as in LeeAnne)             

Website:                     http://www.mccd.edu/faculty/hobbsl

 

Prerequisite:   English A

 

Text:                Martin, J. N., & Nakayama, T. K. (2008). Experiencing Intercultural Communication:

                        An Introduction (3rd ed.). Boston: McGraw-Hill          

 

Course Description:

This course is designed to examine the basic concepts, principles, and their application to communication between persons from different minority, ethnic, and co-cultural backgrounds within the United States and in the international arena through the scope of interpersonal communication skills.

 

Expected Student Outcomes: 

By the end of this course the student should be able to:

A.     Understand culture, communication and the relationship between the two;

B.     Demonstrate a working knowledge of the basic concepts, skills and principles of intercultural communication;

C.     Demonstrate a working knowledge of interpersonal communication skills and their relationship to communicating effectively between cultures;

D.     Evaluate his/her attitudes toward other cultures;

E.      Apply intercultural concepts into his/her own life;

F.      Distinguish similarities as well as differences in core values of various ethnic groups;

G.     Recognize the relationship between core values and communication patterns in intercultural relations;

H.     Understand the difference between information and knowledge as it applies to research of intercultural communication;

 

Course Requirements:

1.     Complete all reading assignments prior to class.

  1. Not reading can lead to such consequences as being excused from class, activities, etc.

2.     Participate in all dyadic, small group, and public forums in this class. 

3.     Type all graded assignments.

4.     Turn in all assignments on time, unless pre-approved by instructor. Late work is not accepted.

5.     Attend all class sessions.

 

 

 

 

Notes of Interest:

1. Attendance:

  • You are required to attend all class meetings and stay for the entire class period.  Class will begin on time and tardiness disrupts the class. 

 

  • You are allowed 1.5 weeks (T/TH = 3; MWF=5) of absences over the semester without penalty. For every absence thereafter, it is a 10 pt deduction. You are in enrolled in a class where others are depending on your contribution, so be mindful of what responsibilities you carry for others as you miss class. An absence should not be judged as excused or unexcused.

 

    • Think ahead--If you have an obligation that may require you to miss a class or two (work conflict, athletic obligation) plan accordingly so that those fall into your 1.5 weeks, otherwise a deduction will be taken.

 

    • Tardies also fall into the formula. Three (3) tardies is equivalent to one absence.  Your absences and tardies will cause grade reductions. 

 

    • After 2 weeks of combined absences, the instructor has the right to drop you from the class.

 

  • If you are asking for special circumstances, by contact the instructor PRIOR to the major deadline. Please treat this class with the same respect as a job—you wouldn’t likely call in sick after your shift had ended.

 

  • LIFE HAPPENS. If there is a special circumstance, by all means communicate with the instructor. I will make special allowances on a case-by-case basis.

 

2. Each student should attain the phone number or contact information of two other classmates in case of an absence. If you should need to miss class, contact those peers for missed assignments.

 

3. Disagreements over grades must be resolved the day the grade is given.

 

4. All papers and presentations will be graded on content, clarity, and proper English grammar skills.

 

5. If a student has an academic or physical challenge that could impair his/her participation and/or performance in the course, it is that student’s responsibility to notify the instructor immediately.

 

6. Plagiarism: Merced College's policy on plagiarism will be strictly enforced (see college catalog).  Any student caught plagiarizing will receive an "F" on the assignment.  If a student is caught plagiarizing a second time, he or she will receive an "F" in the class.  In all cases, written notification will be forwarded to both the Division Chair of the Humanities Division and the Office of Instruction.  The instructor reserves the right to submit any of your written work to an online company that checks for plagiarism. Borrowing someone else's words is illegal and will not be tolerated.

 

7. There will be no cell phones or pagers permitted in class. TURN OFF the ringers, and please DO NOT text message during class. If this becomes a problem, the instructor will take appropriate action. These devices are a distraction to the learning environment.

 

8. Guests or pets, with the exception of guide animals, are not permitted during class session.

 

9. No late work is accepted (this includes exams) without prior approval from instructor. If you are sick on the due date of an assignment you can email your assignment as a Word attachment to the email.

 

10. Do not ask late in the semester if you can “make up” points with extra credit—none will be offered. Pace yourself and be consistent from the beginning!

 

Grading:

Grades will be determined through individual and group participation, research papers, exams, presentations, and attendance.  Your final course grades will be evaluated on a standard percentage basis of the total points possible generated throughout the semester.

 

                        100% - 90%              A

                          89% - 80%               B

                         79% - 70%                C

                         69% - 60%                D

                         59% and below           F

 

Point Distribution

 

            Exams                                      3 @ 50                        150

            Film Analyses                           2 @ 20                          40

            Field Experience Reports          3 @ 20                          60

Anti-buddy assignment                            15     

Family Cultural Path                                           25

            Cultural Differences Report                                 25

            Final Group Paper                                              50

            Final Group Presentation                                     25       

            Participation                                                       20

                                                                                    405 pts

 

*Please keep track of your own running point total

**Keep all graded assignments in case of discrepancy on an assignment

***Extra Credit is not available