Intercultural Communication Syllabus

Intercultural Communication 416

Communication Studies Department
Cal Poly

2009

Dr. Steven McDermott

Office=F.O.B. 11N

Maasai Children

Brief Description:

This course examines the relationship of culture and ethnicity with communication. Some examination is given to coummunication within cultures, but the course focuses on intercultural communication, or that communication that occurs among members of different cultures. The role of gender is considered in all discussions as well. Approximately a third of the course looks at world cultures and two-thirds investigates the interethnic and cultural communication in the U.S.

[The course satisfies one of the requirements for the Teaching English as a Second Language certificate, the Linguistics Minor and it may be used to satisfy the university Cultural Pluralism Requirement.

Readings:

Gonxzalez, A., Houston, M., and Chen, V. (2004). Our Voices: Essays in Culture, Ethnicity, and Communiction (Fourth Ed.). Los Angeles, CA: Roxbury Publishing.
Additional readings as required.

Assignments:

You will conduct an extensive literature review with partners, conduct an appropriate interview of members of a U.S. ethnic group that is different from your own, and then prepare a presentation that includes a video or mediated presentation of your key findings. This will result in a typed, 8 page paper plus a 40 minute long presentation/discussion before the class. The paper shall conform to standard styles such as A.P.A. or M.L.A. 30 percent. Graduate students have the option of writing an individual research paper instead of the group project.
You will be responsible for a presentation and critique/commentary over one of the chapter readings in the reader.These will be scheduled throughout the term as determined during the second week of class. This is worth 10% of your final grade

Exams:

There will be two, equally weighted exams (30 percent each). The final exam is partially cumulative. The exams will be multiple choice and short answer The final exam will be given only on the day that is scheduled by the university. Only certified medical excuses (from your physician, not the university health center) will be acceptable for missing an exam. Travel plans, weddings, and job interviews are not acceptable excuses. Early exams will never be given.

Classroom demenor:

The success of this course depends on our active and critical discussion of intercultural communication. As such, your reasoned, relevant, and responsible participation is required. The quality (not mere quantity)of your classroom interaction will be evaluated to count for deciding on borderline cases for your final grade. More than three absences for whatever reason will result in a lowering of your final grade by a half grade (e.g. an original B- would turn into a C+). Electronic devices such as pagers, beepers, cell phones, etc. are not permitted to ring/beep/play musical tunes in the classroom. Such interuptions will be counted as an absence.

last update: 1/2009