I300 Global Dialogues
Course Outline
Fall 2006
Tuesdays and Thursdays 9:00-10:15 a.m.
Room: ES2132
Dr. Hilary E. Kahn (IUPUI)
and
Dr. Olga Leontovich (VSPU)
Dr. Kahn’s Contact Information
Office: 2129 (stop in or make appt.)
Phone: 317-274-3812
Email: hkahn@iupui.edu (best way to get in touch)
This unique course will provide the necessary methodological and
theoretical tools to examine global issues and to critically consider
international interaction and intercultural communication. This
course, however, is truly distinctive because we will utilize innovative
communication technology to link, in real-time, an IUPUI class with a
class in Volgograd, Russia. Ultimately, the format and the
international dialogue emerging from the course will itself become a
focus of its analysis.
The co-instructors for the course are Dr. Olga Leontovich
(Communication Studies) and Dr. Hilary Kahn (International Affairs,
Anthropology, Honors). Dr. Leontovich is from Volgograd State
Pedagogical University in Russia. We will meet every Tuesday with
her Intercultural Communication Class in Russia; English will be the
language of instruction and dialogue. Other faculty members, from
IUPUI and VSPU, will provide guest lectures on occasion. On
Thursdays, the IUPUI course will meet alone for discussion, further
lectures, and analysis. We will also have the opportunity on
Thursdays to link up with other international universities to discuss
particular topics of interest.
Course Objectives
1) To foster student interest in foreign cultures, international travel,
cross-cultural connections, global dialogues
2) To create an atmosphere where students are aware of the diversity
within nations, cultures, ethnicities, and religions
3) To instill philosophy of respect, sensitivity, and cultural relativism;
to reduce ethnocentric tendencies and to break down stereotypes.
4) To provide the necessary academic tools (theories, methods) to
facilitate intercultural dialogue and to critically analyze intercultural
communication and international interaction
5) To explore issues of global concern from interdisciplinary
perspectives
6) To make students more globally competent, as well as more aware
of local issues of social concern.
Required Texts/Readings (all available electronically)
-Faye D. Ginsburg, Lila Abu-Lughod, and Brian Larkin (2002) Media
Worlds: Anthropology on New Terrain, UC Press (MWA)
-Ellen Summerfield (1993) Crossing Cultures Through Film,
Intercultural Press (CCF)
-Andrew Beck (2001) Communication Studies: An Essential
Introduction, Routledge (CSI)
-Nigel Rapport (2000) Social and Cultural Anthropology: Key
Concepts, Routledge (SCA)
*****PLEASE NOTE THAT THESE THREE BOOKS CAN BE FOUND
ON E-BRARY. YOU DO NOT NEED TO BUY THEM. THEY ARE
ON-LINE AND FREE FOR STUDENTS.
-Horst, Heather (2006) The Blessings and the Burdens of
Communications: Cell Phones in Jamaica Transnational Social
Fields, in Global Networks. 6:2 (143-159)
www.blackwell-synergy.com/doi/pdf/10.1111/j.14710374.2006.00138.x
Films
Students are also required to watch the following films by the dates
listed on the syllabus. The films will be on reserve and can be
watched at the University Library at IUPUI, or you can obtain them
through your own means.
-Lost in Translation (2003) Directed by Sofia Coppola
-Spanglish (2004) Directed by James L. Brooks
-In America (2003) Foxlight Productions
-Cuckoo (2003) Directed by Alexander Rogozhkin
Assignments and Point Values
Cultural Analysis of a Photograph (group project with students in
Volgograd)
100
Mid-Term
200
4 Film/Dialogue Assessments (50 points each)
200
Take-Home Essay Final
200
Group Led Discussions and Paper (done with students in Russia)
200
Participation/Attendance
100
Grading Scale
970-1000 A+
930-969 A
900-929 A870-899 B+
830-869 B
800-829 B770-799 C+
730-769 C
700-729 C670-699 D+
630-669 D
600-629 D-
The four Film/Dialogue Assessments will be based upon a critical
analysis of the films watched by students at VSPU and IUPUI and on
supporting lectures and dialogues. These will be 3-4 pages in length.
You will be graded primarily for critical analysis, but also for content,
clarity, organization, presentation, and creativity. These must be
typed, spell-checked, double-spaced, with one-inch margins and font
no bigger than 12 point. They will be due within two weeks after
each film is discussed, and you will be expected to apply the theories
and methods learned in class to the content of the film and the
subsequent discussions.
Cultural Analysis of a Photograph: Ten Photographs (five
representing American culture and five representing Indonesian
culture) will be used for this assignment. Small groups of students (2
or 3 students) will be assigned a photograph to analyze for content,
meaning, significance (cultural and individual), context, family
structure, relation to national culture, and power assessment. Some
students will have photos that represent their own culture; others will
not. The students will write up their analysis (approx. 5 pages,
typed) and then we will discuss the differing results on a Tuesday
class. This will be a wonderful opportunity for students to begin to
dialogue with their Russian counterparts and also to see how culture
influences modes of communication, interpretation of imagery,
perception of values, and kin structure.
Group Led Presentations and Discussions These presentations
will be done by groups of students from IUPUI and VSPU. Students
will correspond outside the classroom, either through chat rooms or
emails, in order to complete this project. The groups will choose and
agree upon a topic of global significance, which they will discuss,
analyze, and critically consider the multiple viewpoints espoused.
Topics must be approved by the instructors by Week 8. There are
two goals for these discussions: 1) they will allow students to further
investigate topics of interest, and 2) the students will present and
critically consider the topics from multiple and potentially conflicting
points of view. Thus, the students will witness the diversity of
interpretation across cultures and within cultures. Ultimately,
however, even through the differences, the students will have to
maintain open dialogue, since they will have to work together in order
to complete the assignment. In addition to the oral discussion, each
group is also expected to hand in a 8-10 page written paper that will
provide details on the topic, discuss problems that arose during the
collaborative endeavor, further explain the multiplicity in perspectives,
and that lists bibliographic sources utilized. Presentations and paper
will be graded on organization, use of materials, understanding of
topic, critical assessment of the diversity in interpretations, and depth
of investigation. Copies of correspondence, emails, and group
dialogue is also required. Presentation is worth 75 points; written
paper is 100 points; and evidence of participation is worth 25 points.
Final Exam and Mid-term will be essay form and will cover lecture,
reading, and discussion material. They will be graded on content,
contextualization of ideas, examples from life and class, use of class
methods and theories, organization, clarity, and creativity. The Midterm will cover mostly lecture, reading, and discussion material. You
will be asked to generally analyze the intercultural dialogue and
interaction that the course provided and to critically consider the
multiple perspectives represented through the first half in the context
of the lectures provided by the professors. For the final, you will be
asked to list what you have learned throughout the semester. You
will be expected to consider what you have learned in greater global
contexts and by utilizing the methods and theories discussed
throughout the semester.
Participation and attendance is worth 10% of your grade. This can
make a significant difference for the final grade. You are not allowed
to miss a Tuesday class without a very good documented reason.
You can miss one Thursday class without losing points on your
participation grade. After that one class, you will be deducted five
points for each missed Thursday. If you miss a Tuesday class
without proof of illness or some other emergency, you will lose ten
points from your grade. To receive your full points in this grading
area, we expect to hear from you during the class itself. Never be
afraid to ask a question. No question is too silly or trivial. However,
please do not talk during lectures (this is particularly important due to
the technology we will be using) and make sure beepers and cell
phones are turned off. Please raise your hand if you want to ask a
question.
Cheating and plagiarism are absolutely forbidden. Any form of
cheating and plagiarism will result in an automatic ‘0’ on the work in
question and an automatic ‘0’ in the area of participation. Therefore, if
caught cheating on an exam, you will most likely fail the course.
Additionally, the instructor will report the incident to the Student
Services Office. Remember that cheating and plagiarism are serious
offenses and can possibly lead to a student’s expulsion from the
University.
We expect each student to prepare for class. This means doing the
readings and studying for exams. This is your responsibility. On the
other hand, we understand that students have lives outside the
classroom, lives which at times conflict with school demands. If you
have a personal problem, tell us. But do not lie to us. We do not like
that.
Topic and Reading Schedule
Week 1 (August 24): Introduction
Week 2 (August 29 and 31): Culture and Communication
August 31: Read CSI (chapter on Communication) and SCA (Essay
on Codes, p.41)
Week 3 (September 5 and 7): Introductions with VSPU and more on
Communication
Sept 5: First Videoconference with VSPU
Sept 7: Read CS (chapter on Non-verbal Communication)
Week 4 (September 12 and 14):
Sept 12: Discussion on Non-Verbal Communication
Sept. 14: Ways to Analyze Communication and Culture
Read CSI (Chapter on Texts and Meanings) and SCA (Section
on Culture) and CCF (Chapter 1 “Why Films”)
TURN IN PHOTOS TO PROFESSORS BY THE END OF THIS
WEEK
Week 5 (September 19 and 21):
Sept 19: Discussion/Lecture on First Film: Lost In Translation
(Culture Shock)
Sept. 21: SCA (essay on Culture)
Week 6 (September 25 and 27): Communication, Race, and Gender
Sept. 25: Lecture with VSPU: Discussion on Gender and
Communication
Sept. 27: Read Chapter on electronic reserve (will provide more info)
Week 7 (October 3 and 5): Language and Identity
October 3: Discussion/Lecture on Second Film: Spanglish
October 5 No Reading: Work in Groups on Photo Analysis
Assignment
Mid-term Question Handed Out
Week 8 (October 10 and 12): Visual Communication and the Power
of Sight
October 10: Discussion of Photo Assessments
October 12: Presentation Topics Approval Deadline
SCA (Essay on Visualism, p. 388)
Week 9 (October 17 and 19): Mass Media and Identity
October 17: MW: Chapter 13 (Davíla), Chapter 19 (Hobart), and
article by Horst
October 19: Mid-term Due
Week 10 (October 24 and 26): Indigenous Peoples and
Communication
October 24: MW: Chapter 1 (Ginsburg) and Chapter 3 (Turner),
Chapter 2 (Prins)
Week 11 (October 31 and November 2):
November 2: Discussion/Lecture on Third Film: In America
Reading: TBA
Week 12 (November 7 and 9): Global Health
November 7: Guest Lecture by Natalia Rekhter (SPEA, IUPUI)
Reading: TBA
Week 13 (November 14 and 16): Students Choose Topic for
Discussion this Week****
Week 14: (November 21)
November 21: Discussion/Lecture on Fourth Film: Cuckoo
(rethinking verbal and non-verbal communication)
No Reading: Work on Presentations
Week 15: (November 28 and 30) Presentations
Week 16 (December 5) Presentations
Take Home Final Due on Tuesday December 12