Intercultural Communication
Comm-3410
Spring 2014
Professor: Leonarda Garcia-Jimenez, Ph.D.
Office: Hellems 93
Classroom: ATLS 1B25
Class schedule: MWF 12:00-12:50 pm.
Email: leonarda.GarciaJimenez@colorado.edu Office Hours: MW 1:00-2:00 and by appointment
Description
This course is an introduction to the concepts, theories and, in general, the field of
Intercultural Communication, understood as the communication among different cultures
(age, gender, race, sexual orientation, class, etc.). We will develop a critical approach to the construction of the social minority identities (homosexuals, women, non white races, etc.) and to the concepts that tend to be naturalized by the status quo like privilege, whiteness, human being as an object, social justice, social conflict, cultural colonization, globalization, migration, etc. It is not the intention of this course to equip you with ready‐made advice for future intercultural encounters (e.g., “When meeting Korean businesspeople, be prepared to do X in situation Y.”). Rather, this course will pay special attention to the analysis of popular culture
(music, mass and social media, movies, etc.) in order to understand how public discourse represents subcultures/minorities and how those representations are or not present in our way of thinking and talking.
This class has three goals. Firstly, to understand the theory, practice and field of Intercultural
Communication. Secondly, to develop skills for analyzing Intercultural Communication in everyday life, popular media and other public discourses. And finally, to develop a reflective and ethical dialogue through cultural difference.
Required Texts
Available from the CU Bookstore
Martin, J.N., & Nakayama, T.K. (2013). Intercultural Communication in Contexts. New
York: McGraw‐Hill. Sixth Edition. ICC
Electronic Readings available on desire2learn (https://learn.colorado.edu)
Agar, M. (1994). The intercultural frame. International Journal of Intercultural
Relations, 18(2), pp. 221-237.
Aran, S., Medina, P. and Rodrigo-Alsina, M. (2011). Management of emotions in
American fiction series: when being (and feeling like) a woman sells. International
Journal of Arts and Technology (IJART), 4, pp. 6-18.
Carbaugh, D. (2005). Cultures in Conversation. New Jersey: Lea. [Chapter 2].
Castells, M. (2003). Globalisation and identity. A comparative perspective http://www.llull.cat/rec_transfer/webt1/transfer01_foc01.pdf
Collier, M. J. (1998). Researching Cultural Identity, in Tanno, D. and Gonzalez, A. (eds.).
Communication and Identity Across Cultures. Vol. XXI. California: Sage Publications, pp. 122-147.

Goodwin, R. (1999). Personal relationships across cultures. New York: Routledge. [
Chapter 1].
Gudykunst, W. and Matsumoto, Y. (1996). Cross-cultural Variabillity of
Communication in Personal Relationships, in Gudykunst, W., Ting-Toomey, S. and
Nishida, T. (ed.s). Communication in Personal Relationships Across Cultures. London:
Sage Publications, pp. 19-56.
Kuppens, A. & Mast, J. (2012). Ticket to the Tribes: Culture Shock and the ‘Exotic’ in
Intercultural Reality Television. Media, Culture & Society, 34(7), pp. 799-814.
Martin, J. N. & Nakayama, T.K. (2006). Communication as Raced, in Shpeherd, G., St
John, J. and Striphas, T. Communication as… Perspectives on Theory. London: sage
Publications, pp. 75-83.
Merskin, D. (2007). Three Faces of Eva: Perpetuation of The Hot-Latina Stereotype in
Desperate Housewives. Howard Journal of Communications, 18(2), pp. 133-151.
Reddy, V. (2002). Perverts and sodomites: homophobia as hate speech in Africa.
Southern African Linguistics and Applied Language Studies, 20(3), pp. 163-175.
Roy, S. (2012). Culturally Unconscious. Intercultural Implications of The New York
Times Representation of the Israel–Palestine Conflict in 2009 and 2011. International
Communication Gazette, 74(6), pp. 556-570
Course Assignments and Assessments
Studying Intercultural Communication (40 points). Reflect on why it is important to study
Intercultural Communication. What are the challenges of doing so? Describe your own intercultural communication – what do you say, how do you respond, how do you feel? And describe trends in mass and social media that you read, hear and see. (paper 2-3 pages).
Final Exam (120 points)
Objective questions (multiple choice) and a short essay
Quizzes (156 points)
We will make 3 quizzes (52 points each). Objective questions (short answer, multiple choice, fill in the blank, and true/false).
Practical Activities for the Analysis of Intercultural Communication (144 points)
We have a total of 4 practical activities (36 points each), surrounding the use of the theoretical stuff for the analysis of audiovisual material, analysis of social and mass media, everyday talk etc. These activities will be developed and prepared in class and for fulfilling the criteria, it is necessary to read the assignments. Sometimes the evaluation will consist in a class discussion or debate; other times, student will write a short essay in class or will respond to/with a short quiz.
Attendance and Participation (40 points)
Attendance to and participation in class is an integral part of your success in the course. I expect all students to be active members of our learning community. There will be many ways to do so, and all are valued. Our time in the classroom is your chance to ask questions, discuss concepts, and clarify the readings. Participation in this course includes being prepared by doing the readings before class, completing assignments both in and outside of class time, and coming prepared to engage in course-related conversation with your classmates. To facilitate

contributions to discussion, each of you should come to class with at least two questions about or responses to one or more of the day’s readings that will aid discussion.
Attendance is required that is why the final grade will be lowered by 10 points for each unexcused absence after the first three.
Course Policies
Communication with Instructor: Feel free to communicate with me either face-to-face during class, in office hours, or by means of e-mail. As email is an official form of university communication, you are expected to check your CU email accounts regularly since course information or notifications may be sent by email. You may email me at any time and I will work to be responsive; as I have other responsibilities, expect longer response times during weekends and holidays. Also, please note that you will be required to use the CULearn site to access course materials.
About Taking Notes in Class: Please be aware that you are responsible for taking notes during class. If you miss class, you are responsible for getting notes from another student in class. I will upload power points presentations once we have finished the readings per unit.
A Note about Technology in the Classroom: Laptops and other technology in the classroom should be used ONLY for learning purposes and during the practical activities (check
Tentative Schedule). During theoretical classes the use of technological devices is not allowed.
About Dates: Assignments turned in or submitted late will be subject to a 10% reduction in grade.
Make Up Exams, Paper or Practical Activities: Make-ups can only be done in the case of religious or documented medical reasons (illness, accidents, etc.).
Grade Distribution (500 points total)
A 465-500
A- (90%) 449-465
C+
C
385-399
365-384
B+
B 415-434
B- (80%) 400-414
435-448
C- (70%) 350-364
D+
D
335-349
315-334
D- (60%) 300-314
F = 299 or below
Tentative Schedule
Week 1
Jan 13
Week 2
Jan 20
*no class 20 Martin Luther King, Jr. Holiday
Week 3
Jan 27
Contents
Unit 1. Studying Intercultural
Communication
F: Chapter 1 of ICC
Unit 1. Studying Intercultural
Communication
W: Read Goodwin and Gudykunst
Unit 2. The Field of Intercultural
Communication

Week 4
Feb 3
Week 5
Feb 10
Week 6
Feb 17
Week 7
Feb 24
Week 8
Mar 3
Week 9
Mar 10
Week 10
Mar 17
M: Read Chapter 2 of ICC
W: Read Agar
F: Paper “Studying Intercultural
Communication”
Unit 3. Communication and Culture
M: Read Chapter 3 of ICC
W-F: Practical Activity 1
Unit 3. Communication and Culture
M: Read Communication as Raced
F: Quiz units 1, 2 and 3
Unit 4. History and Intercultural
Communication
W: Read Chapter 4 of ICC
Unit 4. History and Intercultural
Communication
W: Read Carbaugh
F: Practical Activity 2
Unit 5. Identity and Intercultural
Communication
W: Read Chapter 5 of ICC
Unit 5. Identity and Intercultural
Communication
M: Read Reddy
W: Read Merskin
F: Practical Activity 3
Unit 6. Intercultural Transitions
W: Read Chapter 8 of ICC
F: Quiz units 4, 5 and 6
Enjoy your spring break and start preparing
Unit 7.
Read Roy
Week 11
Mar 24
*Spring Break. Have Fun!
Week 12
Mar 31
Week 13
Apr 7
Week 14
Apr 14
Unit 7. Popular Culture
M: Read Chapter 9 of ICC
W: Read Aran, Medina and Rodrigo-Alsina
Unit 8. Intercultural Relationships
M: Read Chapter 10 of ICC
W: Read Kuppens & Mast
F: Quiz units 7 and 8
Unit 8. Intercultural Relationships
W:
F: Practical Activity 4
Week 15
Apr 21
Week 16
Apr 28
UNIVERSITY COURSE POLICIES
Unit 9. Culture and Conflict
W: Read Chapter 11 of ICC
M: Final Exam
Accommodation for students with special needs: If you qualify for accommodations because of a disability, please submit to your professor a letter from Disability Services in a timely

manner (for exam accommodations provide your letter at least one week prior to the exam) so that your needs can be addressed. Disability Services determines accommodations based on documented disabilities. Contact Disability Services at 303-492-8671 or by e-mail at dsinfo@colorado.edu.
If you have a temporary medical condition or injury, see Temporary Injuries under Quick
Links at Disability Services website and discuss your needs with your professor.
Accommodation for religious observance: It is the responsibility of every instructor to clearly explain his or her procedures about absences due to religious observances in the course syllabus so that all students are fully informed, in writing, near the beginning of each semester’s classes. Campus policy regarding religious observances states that faculty must make reasonable accommodation for them and in so doing, be careful not to inhibit or penalize those students who are exercising their rights to religious observance. Faculty should be aware that a given religious holiday may be observed with very different levels of attentiveness by different members of the same religious group and thus may require careful consideration to the particulars of each individual case. See http://www.colorado.edu/policies/fac_relig.html
If you have questions about providing students with religious accommodations, please contact the Office of Discrimination and Harassment at 303-492-2127.
A comprehensive calendar of the religious holidays most commonly observed by CU-Boulder students is at http://www.interfaithcalendar.org/
Campus policy regarding religious observances requires that faculty make every effort to deal reasonably and fairly with all students who, because of religious obligations, have conflicts with scheduled exams, assignments or required attendance. In this class, please, contact the instructor if it is your case.
See full details at http://www.colorado.edu/policies/fac_relig.html
Classroom behavior: Faculty and students should be aware of the campus ‘Classroom
Behavior’ policy as well as faculty rights and responsibilities,
Students and faculty each have responsibility for maintaining an appropriate learning environment. Those who fail to adhere to such behavioral standards may be subject to discipline. Professional courtesy and sensitivity are especially important with respect to individuals and topics dealing with differences of race, color, culture, religion, creed, politics, veteran’s status, sexual orientation, gender, gender identity and gender expression, age, disability, and nationalities. Class rosters are provided to the instructor with the student's legal name. I will gladly honor your request to address you by an alternate name or gender pronoun. Please advise me of this preference early in the semester so that I may make appropriate changes to my records. See policies at http://www.colorado.edu/policies/classbehavior.html and at http://www.colorado.edu/studentaffairs/judicialaffairs/code.html#student_code
Discrimination: The University of Colorado at Boulder policy on Discrimination and
Harassment, the University of Colorado policy on Sexual Harassment and the University of
Colorado policy on Amorous Relationships apply to all students, staff and faculty. Any student, staff or faculty member who believes s/he has been the subject of discrimination or harassment based upon race, color, national origin, sex, age, disability, religion, sexual

orientation, or veteran status should contact the Office of Discrimination and Harassment
(ODH) at 303-492-2127 or the Office of Judicial Affairs at 303-492-5550. Information about the ODH, the above referenced policies and the campus resources available to assist individuals regarding discrimination or harassment can be obtained at http://www.colorado.edu/odh
Honor code: All students of the University of Colorado at Boulder are responsible for knowing and adhering to the academic integrity policy of this institution. Violations of this policy may include: cheating, plagiarism, aid of academic dishonesty, fabrication, lying, bribery, and threatening behavior. All incidents of academic misconduct shall be reported to the Honor Code Council (honor@colorado.edu; 303-725-2273). Students who are found to be in violation of the academic integrity policy will be subject to both academic sanctions from the faculty member and non-academic sanctions (including but not limited to university probation, suspension, or expulsion). Other information on the Honor Code can be found at http://www.colorado.edu/policies/honor.html and at http://www.colorado.edu/academics/honorcode/