NAPA VALLEY COLLEGE
Umoja Cohort
Speech 126- Intercultural Communication
Fall/2013
“We grow, and as we grow we must find new and better ways to express ourselves.” HLP
Department: Language & Developmental Studies
Instructor: Tia Madison
Telephone: 259-8963
Email: tmadison@napavalley.edu
Office: Room 865, building, 800
Office Hours: M 11-12; T 3-4; W 2-4; TH 3-4
Required Text: INTERCULTURAL COMPETENCE
EDITION: 7TH 13
By LUSTIG
PUBLISHER: PEARSON
ISBN: 9780205211241
Description: This course is designed to increase your knowledge understanding and
appreciation for persons and groups from diverse cultures. This course will provide you with the
opportunity to learn about and research your own culture. The course will examine the effects of
language, gender, and relationships as they pertain to various American cultural groups.
Upon successful completion of this course students will be able to:
1. Demonstrate cultural self-knowledge by identifying the impacts of culture on one’s own
world views, values, beliefs, norms and communication patterns.
2. Utilize an understanding of intercultural competence (knowledge, skills and mindset) to
communicate effectively verbally and nonverbally in intercultural contexts.
You Need:
 The Textbook
 Two (2) Scantron Forms & #2 Pencils for exams (Form # 882-E)
 3x5 index cards
 An Open Mind
 11x 14 Poster Board
Attendance & Participation: Attendance, promptness, and positive participation are absolutely
crucial in any class. You must attend every class and arrive on time. Your classmates depend
and need your feedback. A safe and supportive atmosphere is mandatory to craft an exciting and
productive semester. To get the most out of this course, show up on time with a positive attitude,
and ready to work. All performance assessments depend upon the students’ achievement, rather
than effort. It is the responsibility of the student to come to class prepared. You should read your
text, complete your assignments, and read your syllabus.
Course Standards:
Students in need of accommodations in the college-learning environment:
Any student who feels s/he may need an accommodation based on the impact of a
learning disability should contact Learning Services in the Library and Learning
Resource Center (LLRC), room 1766, phone (707) 256-7442. A Learning Disability
Specialist will review your needs and determine appropriate accommodations. If you
need accommodations for physical or other types of disabilities, schedule an
appointment with DSPS Counselor, Sheryl Fernandez, in the Counseling Department
located on the top floor of the 800 building, phone (707) 253-3040 for appointment. All
information and documentation is confidential. Please feel encouraged to make an
appointment with me privately to discuss your specific learning needs in my class.
Classroom Conduct
 Turn off all pagers, cell phones, and any other gadgets that ring or buzz before entering
the classroom.
 If you are tardy to class on a presentation day, and someone is giving a presentation,
please wait outside the classroom until the speech is completed.
 Plagiarism/Cheating: Napa Valley College trusts each student to maintain high standards
of honesty and ethical behavior. All assignments submitted are required to be the
student’s own work.
Assignments:
 All reading assignments are listed in the syllabus and must be read prior to class.
 All written assignments must be typed, and will be evaluated based on content, and organization.
All papers should include a title page, including author’s name, class, and instructor’s name.
Proofread all papers. Papers filled with spelling or grammatical errors will result in the
rejection of your paper or partial credit.
 No late assignments are accepted.
In this course your writing, organization, and grammar are skills that are very important. If you
need assistance in improving your skill Napa Valley College’s Writing Center can help.
The Writing Center can:
 Help you with all stages of the writing process
 Individually tailor assignments to meet your specific writing needs
 Help you improve your grammar
 Help you generate, develop, and organize your ideas
 Let you know if you are communicating your ideas clearly
 Help you develop editing skills so you can correct your own papers
In the Writing Center you can sign up for a half-hour appointment. Appointments must be made or
changed in person, Room 832, Building 800. Be sure to come on time; if you are ten minutes late
(or more), the appointment will be cancelled.
Policy for grades/assignment return: I will not post grades. All of your assignments will be
returned to you. So keep track of your progress.
Extra Credit: Opportunities for extra credit will become available throughout the semester.
Exams: Exams cannot be taken late without a valid reason approved by the instructor. There
will be two (2) exams.
Assignment # 1- Weekly Practice
Each week you will be given a weekly practice exercises. Weekly practices must be turned in on
the first day of the week and no late weekly practices will be accepted (under any
circumstances).
Assignment #2- Cultural Cuisine
In all our communication pursuits we interact with people of diverse backgrounds. You will be
required to examine your culture and the cultures of your classmates. During the cultural cuisine
we will explore differences, similarities, stereotypes, and superstitions. Bring a dish from your
culture. Bring enough to share with the class.
Assignment Style: Informal Oral Presentation
Written Requirements: Cultural Cuisine Questionnaire (provided)
Presentation Aides: A food or beverage from culture.
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Assignment #3- My Cultural Perspective
Express yourself! Who are you? What are your likes and dislikes? You have two minutes to
introduce yourself to the class. What are the important details of your life that the class should
know? Take a personal inventory of yourself, currently, as a communicator, friend, person, and
student. Identify any changes that you want to occur while attending this class.
Assignment Style: Informal Oral Presentation (in circle seated)
Written Requirements: NONE
Presentation Aides: Not Required
Assignment # 4-Group Presentation
Your group will be given a topic to research and report. Your group will explore the culture
through the arts, literature, cuisine, music, etc. You will investigate the cultural norms, values,
and beliefs of various cultures.
Assignment Style: Written/ Oral Presentation
Written Requirements: 4-10 pages (per group) Typed, MLA format
30 Min Presentation/Discussion
Sources: 4-8
Presentation Aides: Required
Assignment # 5-Cultural Values Collage
Create a collage with two other people from your culture. This collage should be a direct
reflection of who you, what you value and believe in.
Assignment Style: Informal Oral Presentation
Presentation Aides: Required
Assignment #6- Self-Culture Presentation
This presentation discusses your own culture as passed down to you by parents or family
member. Discuss identity issues, celebrations, opinions toward education, language, religion,
and any supplemental information that gives a clear view of your culture.
Assignment Style: Oral/Written Presentation
Written Requirements: 5-10 pages typed, MLA format
Sources: 4-8
Presentation Aides: Not Required
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Grading:
ASSIGNMENTS
WEEKLY PRACTICE (15X10)
CULTURAL CUISINE
CULTURAL COLLAGE
SELF-CULTURE
PRESENTATION
GROUP PRESENTATION
VISION BOARDS
MIDTERM
FINAL
Total possible points
Keep Track of your grade:
100
100
100
200
150
100
100
150
1000
TOTAL POINTS PERCENTAGE GRADE
A
900 to 1000
90%-100%
B
800 to 899
80%-89%
C
700 to 799
70%-79%
D
600 to 699
60%-69%
F
Below 600
Below 60%
My Group: GROUP ____
Contact Number
Email Address
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
Tia Madison’s Pet Peeves: Showing up late to class; Letting the classroom door slam; Reading a different textbook
during class or Doing homework from another class; Taking a nap in class; Not calling or emailing when absent;
Trying to submit late work; Showing up late on exam days or presentation days; Having personal conversations
during a lecture or speech; Coming to class unprepared; Not reading your syllabus; Giving Excuses “Excuses are
tools that build monuments to nothing”; Mistaking my kindness for weakness; Asking for a grade you did not earn;
Hand written papers; Papers with no name.
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Tentative SPEE 126 Calendar (Umoja)
UMOJ
A-126
WEEK
1
WEEK
2
WEEK
3
WEEK
4
WEEK
5
WEEK
6
WEEK
7
WEEK
8
WEEK
9
WEEK
10
WEEK
11
WEEK
12
WEEK
13
WEEK
14
WEEK
15
WEEK
16
WEEK
17
Finals
Tue
s
20Aug
27Aug
3Sep
10Sep
17Sep
24Sep
1Oct
8Oct
15Oct
22Oct
29Oct
5Nov
12Nov
19Nov
26Nov
3Dec
10Dec
17Dec
Umoja orientation
Chapter 2
Collage
Presentations
Chapter 3
Chapter 5
Group A
Presentation
Group B
Presentation
midterm Review
Chapter 7
Chapter 9
Chapter 10
Chapter 12
Group D
Presentation
Group F
Presentation
Final Exam
Self- Culture
Presentations
Self- Culture
Presentations
10:30-12:30/
Vision Boards
Thur
s
22Aug
29Aug
5Sep
12Sep
19Sep
26Sep
3Oct
10Oct
17Oct
24Oct
31Oct
7Nov
14Nov
21Nov
28Nov
5Dec
12Dec
19Dec
Assignments Due
Chapter 1
Indaba-Umoja’s future
9am-12pm
Collage Presentations
Chapter 4
CHAPTER 6
Indaba-Cultural Cuisine
9am-12pm
Group C Presentation
MIDTERM
Chapter 8
Indaba-Umoja
Mentorship 9am-12pm
Chapter 11
Chapter 13
Group E Presentation
Final Review
Be Thankful!!
Self- Culture
Presentations
Self- Culture
Presentations
Enjoy your winter break
:-)
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Umoja Community Calendar
Fall 2013
Umoja students 2013
August
September
October
November
December
8/27: Student
Welcome/ Ice
Cream Social,
12:30-1:30
9/13: Cultural
Trip
10/11: College
Tour
11/ 8-9: IndabaUmoja IX Conference
Hosted by
College of Alameda
12/5: Kwanzaa
Celebration, 6pm
8/29: IndabaUmoja’s future
9-12
9/26: IndabaCultural
Cuisine
10/24: IndabaUmoja
Mentorship 9-12
11/21- Social Activity,
7pm
12/19- End of the
semester Activity,
7pm
Umoja is a community and critical resource dedicated to enhancing the cultural and educational
experiences of African American and other students. The UMOJA community seeks to educate the whole
student--mind, spirit, and body.
We believe that when the voices and histories of African American students are deliberately and
intentionally recognized, it will help students experience themselves as valuable and worthy of an
education.
Contact Us:
Umoja Office
256-4513
Umoja Counselor
256-4517
Tia Madison
259-8963
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