Intercultural Communication
15-COMM-349-002
Winter 2003
Dr. Michael Porte
Tuesday & Thursday 3:30-4:45
Office: 620F TC
email: Michael.Porte@UC.Edu
Office Hours: T&H 2:30-3:30 and by appointment phone 556-4473 fax 556-0899

Textbook: Readings in Intercultural Communication; Experiences and Contexts Second edition 2002 by Judith N. Martin, Thomas K. Nakayama, and Lisa A. Flores

Learning Objectives:
1. to relate cultural experiences with research contexts and theories
2. to understand foundations, history, and ethics of intercultural communication
3. to develop skill in practical applications of intercultural communication
Students with Disabilities
Please make an appointment during the first week of classes to discuss special learning conditions with the instructor.

Participation and Attendance:
Students receive one participation point for each day they attend class and join in the day’s discussion and activities. Thus a student with perfect attendance will receive 20 points toward the final grade, a student with three absences will receive 17 points. The only way to establish attendance is by turning in an assignment or a slip of paper with the date and name of the student. Students who are absent four times will lose 10 points on their final grade. Students who are absent five times will lose 20 points on their final grade. Students who are absent six times will lose 30 points on their final grade. Absences will be considered excused with prior notice in writing and with a make-up exercise assignment.

Assignments and grading:

1. All assignments must be typed or computer printed and must be proofread to be correct in grammar usage, spelling, puctuation, and clarity of writing.

2. Plagiarism (passing off another’s statements or papers as one’s own without proper citation or acknowledgment) will result in a failing grade.

3. Withdrawals must be submitted in writing no later than March 7, 2003. Students who miss the first two classes on January 7 and January 9, 2003 will be withdrawn by the instructor. Those on a waiting list will be added at that time.

4. Textbook assignments are due in writing each day . These are the most important part of the course. No student can receive a passing grade without turning in these assignments. These are worth 25 points toward the grade. Each student should turn in answers to one discussion question for each chapter in the textbook. To make up an absense, students may turn in two additional answers.

Tests:
There will be three tests, each worth 10 points toward the final grade. Students are encouraged to contribute to study guides and participate in deciding what are the major learnings they plan to retain from the assignments.
Cultural Sharing:
Each student is expected to share some aspect of her culture in the form of a food or recipe which is symbolic of a cultural custom unique to her background. Students are encouraged to find multicultural parts of their backgrounds by developing a family tree through family interviews. They should also make us aware of code-switching taking place because of multicultural experiences. Several readings in the textbook will help with this assignment. This assignment is worth 10 points toward the grade.

Group Assignment:
Each student will participate in a group assignment which will illustrate intercultural communication practices in films. Each group will base its report on one film, which will be described in terms of intercultural practices. The group will show 20 minutes of excerpts which illustrate points raised in one of the readings in the textbook. These films can include: Amarcord, Juliet of the Spirits, Nights of Cabiria, The Way We Laughed, The Leopard, The Bicycle Thief, Red Desert, Death i n Venice. This assignment will be worth 10 poin ts toward the grade.

Points Earned Assignment
20 Participation
20 Written daily assignments
30 Three tests
10 Cultural sharing
20 Group Assignment

Grades
A 90-100 points earned
B 80-89
C 70-79
D 60-69
F 50-59

Calendar:

Week One January 7: Introduction
January 9: The Basis of Intercultural Communication

Week Two January 14 Social Identity Awareness
January 16 Interaction with Others: How Diverse Is Your Life?

Week Three January 21 Family History
January 23 Test One on Parts 1, 2, and 3

Week Four January 28 Language
January 30 Linguistic Code-Switching

Week Five February 4 Structures of Culture
February 6 Guest lecture

Week Six February 11 Popular Culture
February 13 Test Two on Parts 4, 5, and 6

Week Seven February 18 Cross-cultural Adaptation
February 20 Cross-cultural Adoption

Week Eight February 25 Intercultural Relationships
February 27 Group Project

Week Nine March 4 Group Project
March 6 Group Project

Week Ten March 11 Cultural Sharing
March 13 Cultural Sharing
Test Three on Parts 7, 8, 9, and 10

Checklist on oral reports
1. Topic should include one suggested film and one suggested reading
2. Additional sources are expected and should be cited
3. Main idea should be stated clearly in two or three sentences.
4. First supporting argument should be clearly given
5. Evidence for this argument should be cited.
6. Second supporting argument is a plus.
7. Evidence for this argument should be made.
8. Third supporting argument would be persuasive
9. Evidence for this argument would back up your case.
10. Summary should repeat your three arguments.

Each argument should be based on one chapter from the text, evidence from a film and additional sources. Personal experience in international travel and interviews with international students provide good sources. A one-page outline based on the checklist due at time of speech. Good speech delivery is a plus. However, top grades depend on a well-reasoned argument, which begins with an introduction which gives listeners a clear main idea. Sources should be cited orally and in writing. The body of the talk consists of three arguments, each based on a chapter in the text. Supporting evidence comes from the film, sources, and personal experiences.

The written report of four typed pages will be an elaboration of the oral report.

CHECKLIST ON CULTURAL SHARING
1. Bring in a printed recipe of a dish that best represents your cultural history.
2. Explain why the recipe fits criteria for cultural identity
3. Describe how the dish has been passed on to you.
4. Explain any changes in the recipe over time.
5. Describe a restaurant which serves the dish.
6. Explain how widespread is the fame of the recipe.
7. Describe a trip to the restaurant.
8. Explain what the dish represents to your family.
9. Tell why you wish to pass on the recipe.
10. Explain how you think the recipe may change in the future.