HUM 105 Intercultural Communication:
10-10:50
11-11:50
Beyond Borders
Fall 2008
Instructor: Tracy Lai
Phone: 206-587-6958
Seattle Central Community College
Meets Daily
FA0405
BE4182
5 Credits
Office: Room 4132
Hours: TWTh 8:15-9:00 a.m., 12-1 p.m.
Also by appointment
Email: tralai@sccd.ctc.edu
URL: http://seattlecentral.edu/faculty/tralai/
Welcome to the class. HUM 105 explores intercultural communication through a wide variety of readings,
discussions, collaborations, films, service-learning, reflective writing, and other activities. We will begin by
considering how we understand culture and what it means to communicate in various ways between different
cultures. Our text is an anthology of readings that address some of the main dynamics shaping the global landscape,
some that may be familiar to you, while others may challenge your perspective and values. Try to suspend judgment
while learning about other cultures. In order to truly increase your intercultural communication skills and
knowledge, you must first identify your own “borders.”
The specific requirements for the service-learning assignment will be addressed separately during an
orientation with the service-learning coordinator, Patti Gorman.
In addition to learning content from lectures, readings, discussions, service-learning and videos/films, these
are my goals for this course:
COURSE OBJECTIVES:
 Build a learning community in which we are actively engaged in critical thinking and constructing possible
interpretations;
 Analyze the historical roles of inequality, colonialism, domination and globalization in shaping intercultural
assumptions and relationships;
 Increase intercultural knowledge in a global context;
 Build intercultural communication skills in terms of mutual respect;
 Explore service-learning as a way of experiencing intercultural communication.
STUDENT OUTCOMES:
1. Analyze intercultural communication in a global context and identify examples in oral, written and visual
forms.
2. Apply intercultural communication concepts to service-learning experiences.
3. Collaborate in discussions and group projects that engage multiple perspectives, mediums and disciplines.
4. Self-assess and increase one’s intercultural communication skills and knowledge.
5. Apply an historical understanding of global relationships to intercultural dynamics.
Please note that if you need course adaptations or accommodation because of a disability, if you have
emergency medical information to share with the instructor, or if you need special arrangements in case the building
must be evacuated, please make an appointment with the instructor as soon as possible. For more information,
contact Disability Support Services, room 1147, 587-4183. www.seattlecentral.edu/disability-support/index.php
Course Methods & Format
This class relies upon collaboration among class members and inquiry as a process for developing intercultural
understanding and skills. Class weekly schedule will include 2-3 lecture/discussions which address the themes and
texts. On other days we will critique documentaries or break into small group discussions. We will also discuss
HUM 105, Fall 2008
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service-learning progress and group projects. This class emphasizes active involvement in your own learning
process and evaluation. You should plan on saving your assignments with a flash drive.
Required Text:
Rothenberg, Paula S. Beyond Borders: Thinking Critically about Global Issues. New York: Worth, 2006.
ATTENDANCE &
WITHDRAWAL
Good attendance is highly correlated with high gradepoints. Students are NOT
automatically dropped from courses. Drop-class forms are available in room 1141 and
4128. If turned in by October 3, no instructor’s signature is needed. November 14 is
the last day to withdraw and requires an instructor’s signature. A “W” (withdrawal)
appears on your transcript. Without the completed form, a “0.0” is assigned.
STUDENT
RESPONSIBILITIES
By week 2, try to complete the reading by the beginning of the week. Skim for main
themes and take notes to organize and develop your ideas, as well as sharpen discussion.
It is unnecessary to memorize all the dates and details. Focus on expressing your
understanding in your own words. Please make at least one appointment during the
quarter with the instructor to discuss your progress.
Tentative Topics, Reading Schedule & Major Due Dates
BB = Beyond Borders
Week
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
September 22-26
September 29-Oct 3
October 6-10
October 13-17
October 20-24
October 27-31
November 1-7
November 10-14
8
No class Tues 11/11
Deadline to withdraw
11/14
9
November 17-21
10
11
November 24-26
Topic/Reading
Due Dates
Perspective
BB, part 1
Colonialism
BB, part 2
Constructing Difference
BB, part 3
Domination
BB, part 4
Inequality & Violence
BB, part 5
Response #1
Transnational Institutions
BB, part 6
Globalization
BB, part 7 (#1-11)
Globalization - continued
BB, part 7 (#12-22)
Social Change Movements
BB, part 8
Our Voices
No class 11/27-28
December 1-5
Finals 12/8-10
Our Voices
S-L Proposal
Group Project
Proposals
Response #2
S-L midpoint
Midquarter SE
Response #3
S-L Portfolio Peer Eval
Response #4
S-L Portfolio (includes
final self-evaluation),
Presentations
Presentations,
Course Evaluation
HUM 105, Fall 2008
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Documentaries may include: Ethnic Notions, Still Killing Us Softly, Tough Guise, Advertising and the
End of the World, Yesterday is Now, Forsaken Cries, First Person Plural, Nazrah: a Muslim Women’s
Perspective
GRADING: Grades will be based on evaluation of 4 areas. The percentage of the final gradepoint is in parentheses.
Participation and response writings will be graded as credit/no credit (such as mid/final self-evaluations) or on a
wholistic basis: outstanding (+), good (), needs work (-). The project and Service Learning portfolios will receive
decimal grades (.7 – 4.0) and evaluation criteria will be clarified in separate instructions.
Participation (20%)
Project (25%)
S-L (25%)
Response Writings (30%)
Discussion co-facilitations,
self-evaluations, in-class
engagement
Group project and
presentation
Service-learning
portfolio, see
separate hand-out
Integrate responses to text,
discussion and films
The following descriptions are examples to help you achieve the gradepoint that you are working towards:
Misses class often. Does not complete assignments.
Barely Passing
Inattentive or does not participate in class. Never takes notes. Does not talk with or know
.7 (D-) to 1.4 (D+)
the instructor. Writes in simple declarative sentences.
Misses class. Completes assignments with minimal effort. Pays attention in class. Takes
Passing/Average
1.5 (C-) to 2.4 (C+) some notes. Knows instructor. Writes descriptively, relies heavily on text.
Misses class occasionally. Completes assignments fully. Contributes to discussion. Tries
Above Average
2.5 (B-) to 3.4 (B+) to collaborate with class members. Takes notes consistently. Talks with/e-mails instructor
as needed. Writes with organization, and focus, reflects good comprehension of course
materials and original thought.
Outstanding
3.5 (A-) to 4.0 (A)
Rarely misses class. Completes assignments with high standards and quality. Actively
involved in class without dominating discussions. Collaborates well. Exemplary notebook
that shows critical inquiry. Communicates frequently with instructor. Revises writing for
mechanics, style, content. Writing demonstrates research, synthesis, connections and
original thought.
BEYOND THE CLASSROOM
 Student Assistance Center gives free workshops on study and college survival skills. Room 1102,
587-3852. www.seattlecentral.edu/advising.
 SCCC has excellent reference librarians. They are trained in the organization and access of
information and can suggest many ways of locating the “perfect” source. Make it a habit to
always consult a reference librarian on research projects. Inter-library loans are a possibility, but
allow lag time between your request and the item’s arrival. Room 2101.
 Collegewide Tutoring System (room 2103) offers individual weekly tutoring on a variety of
subjects (including writing, presentations). Sign up in room 1102.
 Seattle Public and King County Library systems offer free borrower cards. These libraries have
other resources, different from those in the Seattle Community Colleges library system.
 University of Washington Suzzallo Library has an excellent periodical and reference collection,
open to the public for use in the library. Copy machines are available.
 Form study groups with class members. By studying together regularly, you can support each
other’s efforts to be thorough, critical and knowledgeable.
HUM 105, Fall 2008
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OTHER COURSE POLICIES
 Make every effort to attend class on time. This course is not a correspondence class and
significant information and understanding develops from in-class work.
 Out of respect to other members of the class, do not use your cell phone during class. Give your
full attention to the presentation, discussion and other course activities.
 Inform the instructor of absences.
 Make-up work is arranged only on an individual basis by consultation with the instructor. Late
work may receive a lower evaluation.
 Try to meet with the instructor at least once during the quarter to discuss your progress,
especially in developing your service-learning portfolio and making connections to our
humanities course.