North Seattle Community College
HUM 105: Intercultural Communication
Summer 2010
SYLLABUS
Web site:
http://facweb.northseattle.edu/jreis/HUM105/Index.htm
Group Discussion Site:
http://groups.google.com/group/interculturalcommunication2010
FACULTY:
Jane Lister Reis, Communication 206-719-8602 (cell) jreis@sccd.ctc.edu
Office Hours:
Office hours by appointment before class.
Class Hours: Saturdays, 12:00- 6:00 pm pm , CC3460
COURSE OUTCOMES: (what you should be able to "do out there" because of
being "in here".
1. Have developed an understanding and appreciation of the extent to which language
determines cultural patterns of thinking and behavior.
2. Experience more confidence and competence in skills of intercultural
communication.
3. Have developed greater awareness of the complexity of your own culture.
4. Have developed an ability to accept, and ideally to value, the differences between
yourself (and your culture) and people of other cultures.
5. Have learned to work effectively in cultural diverse groups.
7. Have developed greater capacity for critical thinking, communicating, and writing
critically and creatively in response to the reading and ideas of this course.
CORE QUESTIONS: These our my questions that I used to help frame our
learning. What are yours?
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How do our identities and beliefs shape how we learn, what we learn, and who we
are willing to learn from?
Given the identities and beliefs that we each bring to the table, how do we create
relationships with people different from ourselves?
How does communication act as an interface between people? How does becoming
a more competent communicator affect the communication outcome?
How do we work (and learn) together to create new knowledge and meaning?
How do we resolve conflicts or misunderstandings in a way that cultivates respect
and the ability to get one's needs met or heard?
YOUR CORE QUESTIONS:
REQUIRED READINGS
This class requires significant reading. Look ahead to see longer reading assignments
and plan accordingly. Bring your books to class. Sometimes you’ll need to bring all of
your texts with you. Detailed reading assignments are on the weekly schedule.
Fadiman, Anne. The Spirit Catches You and You Fall Down, Farar, Straus and Giroux,
1997.
Rothenberg, Paula. White Privilege: Essential Readings on the Other Side of Racism,
Worth Publisher, 2008.
Smith, Huston. The World's Religions, HarperOne, 2009.
Additional reading handouts will be provided in class.
General Education Outcomes
NSCC has identified general education outcomes for all our students (attitudes), and
specific skills and knowledge important for students seeking AA and AS degrees. These
“gen ed” goals underlie the curriculum planning and assessment for this class.
REQUIREMENTS AND EVALUATION
Assessment of Learning:
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cultural interview assessment tool: Multicultural Competency Rubric
Pre and Post Multicultural Competency Survey
Pre and Post Listening Survey
Graded Learning Activities:
Seminars (assessment of critical thinking, writing, communicating skills)
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Active participation in seminars is an essential part of this course. You’ll learn
and practice key seminar skills.
You’ll need to complete all reading assignments on time and attend all seminars.
You must be asked to prepare for each seminar with a written
response to the
assigned readings. Detailed directions will be provided, and both seminar papers
and participation will be evaluated.
Reflective and Analytical Essay (assessment of critical thinking and writing
skills)
You will write one paper as a "cultural detective."
Cultural Interview (assessment of understanding and application of
multicultural communication theory)
You will write one cultural interview about a communication experience.
Final Research Project - to be determined (assessment of integration skills)
Participation in an on-line community:
http://groups.google.com/group/interculturalcommunication2010 (You must have a
gmail account to log in.)
Our class has an electronic site where we can share online discussions. You will be
expected to check the site at least once a week for information and to participate in
dialogue. Questions and brief assignments will be assigned for answering on the
discussion site. The site will allow us to stay in touch and continue our conversation
between classes. It will also be the place to share critical and timely information.
Class Participation- (assessment of level of engagement)
Because this class is about communication, your presence and active engagement in the
class is critical. Your contributions are significant and irreplaceable. You are expected to
attend every class and to fully participate in all activities. In the event you are unable to
attend, take responsibility for informing your instructor and your student colleagues,
checking the schedule, and making up missed work. There is no substitute for being
here. Absences will negatively affect your grade.
Self-Evaluations (reflection of yourself as a learner)
You will complete a self-assessments of yourself as a learner at the end of this course.
Your understanding of yourself as a learner in this course will be taken into
consideration by the instructor in constructing the final grade.
COURSE EXPECTATIONS
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As a participant in this learning community, you are expected to:
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Be present and ready to start at the beginning of the class, and stay to the end.
Turn assignments in on time on the DUE date.
Turn off the cell phones, pagers, and beepers. Take off the headsets. No electronic
gizmos should be used in class. Please, no texting in class.
Keep your focus on our class work. This is not the place to do homework for other
classes or general reading.
A fragrance-free environment is part of the college code. That means no perfume,
cologne, or any heavily scented products.
If you need a break, leave quietly. You don’t need to ask permission.
Eating and drinking in class are okay as long as they don’t become distractions for
others.
Take responsibility for your own progress: ask questions as they arise and seek help
when the work feels too challenging or confusing.
If you miss class, get in touch with your teachers and your student colleagues in your
group/sE-mail usually works best. Take responsibility for getting copies of
assignments, notes, and other materials you missed.
Speaking and listening respectfully helps create an environment where we can all be
comfortable and do our best work. We’ll talk more about how best to achieve this
goal.
Devote up to two hours of study outside of class per week for every credit hour
earned – that’s 10 hours per week for reading, writing, study, and other
participation.
EVALUATION:
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Seminars 20%
Communication cultural interview 20%
Reflective Writing 20%
On-Line participation 10%
Class participation 10%
Final Project 20%
Total
100%
Completion of all major assignments is required for a passing grade. Learning is a
developmental process; your growth in writing, communication, seminar, critical
thinking, and contribution to the learning community is taken into consideration when
evaluating your work.
Late work policy: Late work will lose 10% for each class day that something is late
past the due date (20% per week), except in cases of genuine, documented emergency.
Because seminar papers are essential preparation for seminar, seminar papers will not
be accepted late.
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NUTS AND BOLTS
Organizing Material
Use a 3-ring binder with loose-leaf paper and divider tabs, or an accordion folder with
dividers or folders inside, to organize the material for this course. You should have a
place for in-class writing, prewriting and drafts, essays, seminar papers, case studies,
class handouts, and other material. Keep every handout and every piece of work until
the class is over. Don’t throw anything away.
Standard Format for Assignments
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All homework must be computer printed or typed; hand-written work is
unacceptable.
Put your name, the class name, the assignment name, and the date at the top
right of page 1.
Use 1-inch margins, double line spacing, 12-point font size, and a standard serif
font like Times or Times New Roman.
Use a 1/2-inch indent at the beginning of new paragraphs. Do not insert an extra
line space between paragraphs.
Staple your paper in the upper left hand corner.
Number the pages.
Academic Honesty
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To take the words or ideas of someone else and present them as your own is
plagiarism and is unacceptable in any college class. Examples of plagiarism
include the following:
Incorporating into your own writing, without proper acknowledgement, words,
sentences, or paragraphs from another written source,
Paraphrasing so closely or so extensively from a source that the sentences and
ideas really belong to the original writer,
Submitting as your own whole essays written by someone else,
Receiving so much help from another person that the work is not honestly your
own.
The Student Code of Conduct states that “academic dishonesty, to include cheating,
plagiarism, or knowingly furnishing false information to the college,” may bring
disciplinary action. A teacher who believes plagiarism has taken place may require that
a piece of writing be revised to eliminate the plagiarism, or deny credit for a piece of
writing that is not original. In addition, a formal report may be filed with the college.
Students who repeatedly commit plagiarism are subject to penalties that may include
expulsion.
Committing plagiarism does tremendous harm to your education. If you are having
trouble with an assignment, please talk to your teachers so we can find a solution. If a
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friend in any class asks you for help that you feel could be plagiarism, do yourself and
your friend a favor and say no.
Disabilities Services (http://www.northseattle.edu/services/disability)
The Disability Services Offices can be reached at 527-3697 (Room CC 2346A). Disability
services can assist students with both physical and learning/academic disabilities. For
students with documented disabilities, this office can help with accommodated testing,
interpreting, accessibility, tutors, and assistive technology.
Accommodation for disabilities is a civil right. If you need accommodation, or think you
might, contact Disability Services.
The Loft Language Lab (http://www.northseattle.edu/services/loft/)
The Loft is the campus language lab/writing center, located on the top floor of the
library. The Loft provides free tutoring and computer learning programs. Tutoring
sessions can help with reading, writing, grammar, listening and speaking. The Loft web
site has lots of helpful information, and Loft tutors can provide on-line help with your
work!
The Loft is one of the best things about this college: please use it.
Computer Labs & Storage
(http://www.northseattle.edu/services/complab.htm)
Open computer labs are located in the Instructional Building (IB) room 3303 (both PCs
and Macs) and the first floor of the library. The computer labs have a variety of software
and are open for walk-in use. Check the hours of operation on the web site or the signs
on the doors. Staff and librarians can answer your questions.
Network storage on the college computers is available to all NSCC students. Ask the staff
in the computer labs how to use and access this storage.
Security Services: CC 1252
(http://www.northseattle.edu/services/security/)
The Security Office (206-527-3636) is open from early morning until late at night.
Security officers can help with safety concerns, car emergencies, lost and found, and
parking issues.
If you need help on campus at any time, do not hesitate to contact them.
Unusual Events: Earthquakes & Fire Alarms
In the event of an earthquake while you are on campus, get under a desk, table, or
doorway until the movement stops. Do not run out of the building during an
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earthquake. Once the movement stops, evacuate calmly, following the evacuation route
mapped in the classroom.
In the event of a fire bell, leave the classroom immediately, following the evacuation
route.
To Be Here, or Not to Be Here?
We all want you in class. Nobody can replace you! Even if you’re having a rough day,
feeling down, or tired – please come. The goal of this class is to make it as comfortable
and enjoyable as possible.
However, if you’re ill, though, please stay home in bed. Especially if you have flu
symptoms, your own well being and everyone else’s will be best served by you staying
home and taking care of yourself. Send your instructor an e-mail or a text; if you are
able to post on-line, please use this resource. We all look forward to seeing you 24 hours
after your fever has come down.
FACULTY COMMITMENT
As a faculty member at North Seattle Community College, I want to help each of you to
succeed. I am available to meet to discuss any issues or problems that come up, before
they overwhelm you – or me. I can usually help you work out a solution and help
identify resources in the college to support you. As your instructor, I am open to
suggestions for improvement in all aspects of the program. At the end of the quarter, I
will be asking for your feedback.
IN CONCLUSION
Intercultural Communication classes are exciting and demanding for all of us. As your
teacher I have put a lot of thought and hours into planning this course, but your ideas
and energy will help shape what it becomes. Ultimately we will create this learning
experience together. I look forward to discovering new insights with you.
Jane Lister Reis
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