INTERCULTURAL COMMUNICATION
Course Title: Intercultural Communication
Course Number: IST 315
Credits: 3
Pre-requisites: None
Semester: Fall
Professor: Daniel Espín
Email: daniel.espin@cis-spain.com
Office hours: By appointment
Class times: Tuesday/Thursday: 9:30-11:05
Catalog Description:
This course is an exploration of the interdisciplinary field of intercultural communication. Emphasis is on
increasing communicative competencies in cross-cultural settings. Drawing from the fields of
anthropology, communication, linguistics, psychology, and sociology, this course is designed for students
who wish to gain the practical skills necessary to communicate effectively in today’s interdependent
international community. Satisfies World Cultures General Education requirement.
Course Objectives:
By the end of the course, students will be able to:
Value and appreciate cultural diversity.
Develop lingua-cultural awareness and flexibility.
Develop skills to work and study within cultural diverse contexts.
Apply the theories of intercultural communication to daily encounters.
Identify the challenges and barriers to effective intercultural communication.
Communicate effectively with those from cultural backgrounds.
Teaching/Learning Strategies:
They are closely tied to the objectives mentioned above. Lectures, in-class discussions and
reading/writing assignments will be focused on improving your cultural awareness, identifying cultural
barriers and learning strategies to overcome them.
Evaluation Methods: The final grade for the course will combine the following:
ASSIGNMENTS—PAPERS
FINAL PROJECT
CLASS PARTICIPATION
EXAMS (2)
TOTAL
25%
25%
20%
30%
100%
*All assignments must be handed in on time in order to receive a grade.
Class Participation: This grade will be calculated to reflect your participation in class discussions, your
capacity to introduce ideas and thoughts, and to express your analysis in intellectual, constructive
argumentation. Additionally, it is important to demonstrate a positive and supportive attitude to the
instructor and your classmates, and give full attention to class activities (i.e., cell-phones off, laptop for
notes only, etc.).
Culture encounter & Culture Awareness: Culture Encounter is an experiential activity designed to
engage you with another culture. You will interact with members of another culture, apply course
concepts, evaluate the experience, and assess your skills and competencies. A number of assignments will
have to be prepared by groups of students and presented in class. The aim of these assignments is to put
in practice the concepts learnt and for students to get used to in-class presentations and team work.
Final Project Guidelines: The purpose of the final project is to investigate a topic of interest to you and
discuss how intercultural communication and global competence are essential to effective communication
in any kind of human environment. Individuals and groups will present project findings to the class and
will hand in a final project’s paper. Final project guidelines will be distributed in class, and the instructor
will assist you in selecting topics, project formats and resources for successfully completing your project.
Topics and projects must be approved by your instructor to ensure they are in accordance with the
guidelines.
Mid-term & Final Exams: The midterm and final exams are designed to check the progress you are
making towards meeting the course learning objectives. They are comprised of essay questions that test
your abilities in three important areas of competency: the amount of information you master; the accuracy
of the information you present, and the significance you ascribe to the facts and ideas you have learnt
across your study in this course.
Grading Policy:
Percentage
93-100
89-92
86-88
80-85
75-79
70-74
65-69
55-64
54 or less
Grade
A
AB+
B
BC+
C
D
F
Topical outline/Fall 2014
Session
Topic
Sep. 16
Introduction to class
syllabus and requirements
Sep. 18
Why study culture?
Martin, J. & Nakayama, T., Experiencing
Intercultural Communication, Ch. 1
Sep. 23
What is culture?
Martin, J. & Nakayama, T., Experiencing
Intercultural Communication, Ch. 2
Sep. 25
Barriers to intercultural
Martin, J. & T. Nakayama, Experiencing
Intercultural Communication, Ch. 2
Sep. 30
Barriers to intercultural
communication II.
Martin, J. & T. Nakayama, Experiencing
Intercultural Communication, Ch. 2
Cultural Dimensions.
Martin, J. & T. Nakayama, Experiencing
Intercultural Communication, Ch. 2.
Oct. 2
Oct. 7
communication I.
Required Reading
Film viewing: Babel,
Alejandro González
Iñárritu, Paramount,
2006. IMDB website:
http://goo.gl/r3PvsX
Oct. 9
Film viewing and final
discussion.
Oct. 14
Intercultural
Communication and
Tourism, I.
Martin, J. & Nakayama, T., Experiencing
Intercultural Communication, Ch. 10.
Oct. 16
Intercultural
Communication and
Tourism, II.
Martin, J. & Nakayama, T., Experiencing
Intercultural Communication, Ch. 10.
Oct. 20—
MID-TERM EXAMS
23
MID-TERM EXAMS
Oct. 24—
MID-TERM BREAK
28
MID-TERM BREAK
Session Topic
Reading/Assignment
Oct. 30
Identity and Intercultural
Communication
Martin, J. & Nakayama, T., Experiencing
Intercultural Communication, Ch. 4.
Nov. 4
Intercultural
Communication and
Business, I.
Martin, J. & Nakayama, T., Experiencing
Intercultural Communication, Ch. 11.
Nov. 6
Intercultural
Communication and
Business, II.
Martin, J. & Nakayama, T., Experiencing
Intercultural Communication, Ch. 11.
Verbal Issues in
Nov. 11 Intercultural
Communication.
Martin, J. & Nakayama, T., Experiencing
Intercultural Communication, Ch. 5.
Nov. 13
Students’ presentations:
Final Projects outlines.
Nov. 18
Martin, J. & Nakayama, T., Experiencing
Nonverbal Communication
Intercultural Communication, Ch. 6.
Issues.
Popular Culture and
Nov. 20 Intercultural
Communication, I.
Students’ presentations: Final Projects
outlines.
Martin, J. & Nakayama, T., Experiencing
Intercultural Communication, Ch. 7.
Popular Culture and
Nov. 25 Intercultural
Communication, II.
Martin, J. & Nakayama, T., Experiencing
Intercultural Communication, Ch. 7.
Nov. 27 THANKSGIVING
THANKSGIVING
Dec. 2
Culture, Communication & Martin, J. & Nakayama, T., Experiencing
Conflict, I.
Intercultural Communication, Ch. 8.
Dec. 4
Culture, Communication & Martin, J. & Nakayama, T., Experiencing
Conflict, II.
Intercultural Communication, Ch. 8.
Dec. 9
Final Project Presentations. Final Project Presentations.
Dec. 11 Final Project Presentations. Final Project Presentations.
Dec.
FINAL EXAMS
15—18
FINAL EXAMS
* This syllabus is subject to change.
Required Reading:
Martin, Judith and Thomas Nakayama. Experiencing Intercultural Communication, (4th Ed.) New York :
McGraw Hill, 2011.
Additional required readings:
Falcao, Jose (2009). Cross-cultural negotiations: Avoiding the pitfalls. Insead Knowledge.
http://knowledge.insead.edu/CrossCulturalNegotiations080408.cfm
Farouky, Jumana. The Many Faces of Europe, Time.com, 2/15/2007.
http://www.time.com/time/magazine/article/0,9171,1590190,00.html
Johnson, Paul. Must the Whole World Speak English? Forbes.com. 11/24/04
http://www.forbes.com/business/forbes/2004/1129/039.html
Recommended Readings:
Hall, Edward T. The Hidden Dimension. New York: Anchor Books, 1990, 240pp.
Hofstede, Geert. Culture’s Consequences. 2nd Edition. London: Sage Publications, 2001, 616pp.
Schneider, Susan and Jean Louis Barsoux. Managing Across Cultures. Upper Saddle River: Prentice Hall,
2003, 352pp.
Course policies
Attendance Policy:
The CIS faculty and administration believe that attendance is critical to understanding and applying
knowledge and skills taught. The policy is that students must attend all classes. If a student has four
absences the final grade will be lowered by half a grade, (for example, a B will become a B-). After every
two additional absences, the grade will be lowered by another half a grade. (After six absences, the final
grade will go from a B to a C+).
Assignment Submissions:
The term paper and other required assignments must be submitted as hard copy (!) at the beginning of a
scheduled class (please see above). Work submitted at any other place or time or in any other form (e.g.
email) will not be accepted.
Late submissions:
Late work will not be accepted. There will be no alternative to completing all required work as scheduled.
Hence, failing to hand in required assignments on time results in a loss of points or – as in the case of the
term paper – in a grade of “F” (i.e. the student will lose 20% of the total of his/her final grade). In the
event of illness, documentation must be provided.
Punctuality:
Arriving more than ten minutes late to class will be considered an absence. The student might not be
allowed to enter class.
Cellular phones:
Any student who uses his/her cellular phone during class will be asked to leave the class immediately and
will not be allowed to return to class that day.
Food and drinks:
Students may only consume water during class but no other kind of drinks and no food may be brought to
class.
Breaks:
Officially permitted breaks are scheduled 10 minutes before and after each class. Students may not leave
the classroom during the scheduled class.
Academic Honesty Policy
Students are expected to know and follow CIS statements of academic honesty and integrity which you
signed off on in the CIS Academic Manual. The college views academic dishonesty as one of the most
serious offenses that a student can commit while in college and imposes appropriate punitive sanctions on
violators. While this is not an all-inclusive list, it will help you to understand some of the things instructor
look for: cheating, fabrication, plagiarism, unauthorized collaboration, participation in academically
dishonest activities and facilitating academic dishonesty.
SAMPLE RUBRIC AND OBJECTIVES.
(FILM VIEWING ASSIGNMENT: PAPER ON THE MOVIE ‘BABEL’).
ASSIGNMENT OBJECTIVES: 1, 2 & 3.
Identify the challenges and barriers to effective intercultural
communication.
Value and appreciate cultural diversity.
Develop linguistic and cultural awareness.
1
You are able to
identify the
challenges and
barriers to
effective
intercultural
communicatio
n, as shown in
the different
movie’s plots
and subplots.
A
Shows
strong
evidence
that this
objective is
being
addressed.
Demonstrat
es mastery
of course
material.
Uses
relevant
terms
throughout
the paper.
Understand
s and uses
academic
English
correctly.
ASame
but
earns
fewer
points
.
B+
Shows
average
evidence
that this
objective is
being
addressed.
Demonstrat
es a high
degree of
understandi
ng of course
material.
Relevant
terms are
often used
throughout
the paper.
Understands
and uses
academic
English
correctly
most of the
time.
B
Shows
average
evidence
that this
objective is
being
addressed.
Demonstrat
es
understandi
ng of course
material.
There are
few
mechanical
or
grammatical
errors
and/or
misspellings
. Relevant
terms are
sometimes
used.
Understands
and uses
academic
English
correctly
most of the
time.
BShows some
evidence
that this
objective is
being
addressed.
Demonstrat
es some
understandi
ng of course
material.
There are
some
mechanical
or
grammatical
errors
and/or
misspellings
. Relevant
terms are
sometimes
used.
Understands
and uses
academic
English
correctly
most of the
time.
C+
Shows some
evidence
that this
objective is
being
addressed.
Demonstrat
es some
understandi
ng of course
material.
There are
many
mechanical
or
grammatical
errors
and/or
misspellings
. Relevant
terms are
rarely used.
Rarely uses
academic
English.
C and below
Shows no
evidence
that this
objective is
being
addressed.
Cannot
demonstrate
understandi
ng of course
material.
Submits
work that
falls below
course
expectations
. Grammar
is
significantly
flawed.
Relevant
terms are
not used.
Rarely/neve
r uses
academic
English.
2
Your
paper
proves
you are
able to
value and
appreciate
cultural
diversity
among
the
movie’s
characters
.
A
Shows
strong
evidence
that this
objective is
being
addressed.
Demonstrate
s mastery of
course
material.
Uses
relevant
terms
throughout
the paper.
Understands
and uses
academic
English
correctly.
ASame
but
earns
fewer
points
.
B+
Shows
average
evidence
that this
objective is
being
addressed.
Demonstrate
s a high
degree of
understandi
ng of course
material.
Relevant
terms are
often used
throughout
the paper.
Understands
and uses
academic
English
correctly
most of the
time.
B
Shows
average
evidence that
this objective
is being
addressed.
Demonstrates
understandin
g of course
material.
There are
few
mechanical
or
grammatical
errors and/or
misspellings.
Relevant
terms are
sometimes
used.
Understands
and uses
academic
English
correctly
most of the
time.
BShows some
evidence that
this objective
is being
addressed.
Demonstrates
some
understandin
g of course
material.
There are
some
mechanical
or
grammatical
errors and/or
misspellings.
Relevant
terms are
sometimes
used.
Understands
and uses
academic
English
correctly
most of the
time.
C+
Shows some
evidence that
this objective
is being
addressed.
Demonstrates
some
understandin
g of course
material.
There are
many
mechanical
or
grammatical
errors and/or
misspellings.
Relevant
terms are
rarely used.
Rarely uses
academic
English.
C and below
Shows no
evidence that
this objective
is being
addressed.
Cannot
demonstrate
understandin
g of course
material.
Submits
work that
falls below
course
expectations.
Grammar is
significantly
flawed.
Relevant
terms are not
used.
Rarely/never
uses
academic
English.
3
Your
answers
show you
have
managed
to
develop
both
linguistic
and
cultural
awarenes
s.
A
Shows
strong
evidence
that this
objective is
being
addressed.
Demonstrate
s mastery of
course
material.
Uses
relevant
terms
throughout
the paper.
Understands
and uses
academic
English
correctly.
ASame
but
earns
fewer
points
.
B+
Shows
average
evidence
that this
objective is
being
addressed.
Demonstrate
s a high
degree of
understandi
ng of course
material.
Relevant
terms are
often used
throughout
the paper.
Understands
and uses
academic
English
correctly
most of the
time.
B
Shows
average
evidence that
this objective
is being
addressed.
Demonstrates
understandin
g of course
material.
There are
few
mechanical
or
grammatical
errors and/or
misspellings.
Relevant
terms are
sometimes
used.
Understands
and uses
academic
English
correctly
most of the
time.
BShows some
evidence that
this objective
is being
addressed.
Demonstrates
some
understandin
g of course
material.
There are
some
mechanical
or
grammatical
errors and/or
misspellings.
Relevant
terms are
sometimes
used.
Understands
and uses
academic
English
correctly
most of the
time.
C+
Shows some
evidence that
this objective
is being
addressed.
Demonstrates
some
understandin
g of course
material.
There are
many
mechanical
or
grammatical
errors and/or
misspellings.
Relevant
terms are
rarely used.
Rarely uses
academic
English.
C and below
Shows no
evidence that
this objective
is being
addressed.
Cannot
demonstrate
understandin
g of course
material.
Submits
work that
falls below
course
expectations.
Grammar is
significantly
flawed.
Relevant
terms are not
used.
Rarely/never
uses
academic
English.