CMST C150: Intercultural Communication
| Item | Value |
|---|---|
| Curriculum Committee Approval Date | 11/15/2013 |
| Top Code | 150600 - Speech Communication |
| Units | 3 Total Units |
| Hours | 54 Total Hours (Lecture Hours 54) |
| Total Outside of Class Hours | 0 |
| Course Credit Status | Credit: Degree Applicable (D) |
| Material Fee | No |
| Basic Skills | Not Basic Skills (N) |
| Repeatable | No |
| Grading Policy | Standard Letter (S) |
| Local General Education (GE) |
|
| Global Society Requirement (CGLB) | Yes |
| California General Education Transfer Curriculum (Cal-GETC) |
|
| Intersegmental General Education Transfer Curriculum (IGETC) |
|
| California State University General Education Breadth (CSU GE-Breadth) |
|
Course Description
This course is an introduction to the study, practice, and application of communication concepts and theory in intercultural contexts. Analysis of cultural influence and interactional patterns to explain, predict, and improve communication behavior within and across cultural groups. With emphasis of examination of various communication patterns across cultures to increase interpersonal and intercultural effectiveness and to decrease ethnocentric and prejudicial beliefs and discriminative behavior. ADVISORY: ENGL C1000, and CMST C100 or COMM C1000. Transfer Credit: CSU; UC. C-ID: COMM 150.C-ID: COMM 150.
Course Level Student Learning Outcome(s)
- Identify and evaluate cultural biases and apply effective intercultural communication skills to devise strategies to manage these problems.
- Identify and evaluate the cultural beliefs, values, and norms of a given culture and the impact of those components on intercultural communication.
- Identify the relationship and impact of cultural viewpoints on verbal and nonverbal communication.
Course Objectives
- 1. Explain the role of self-awareness in the study of intercultural communication and the impact on cultural and individual identity.
- 2. Identify the personal and social benefits for the study of intercultural communication.
- 3. Describe various perspectives in the study of intercultural communication and the effects on ways of thinking, perception and interpretation.
- 4. Identify the various definitions of culture.
- 5. Identify universal components of culture and analyze their impact on communication.
- 6. Analyze the relationship between culture and communication.
- 7. Explain the impacts of verbal and nonverbal communication on culture.
- 8. Analyze strategies for effective communication within and between cultural groups.
- 9. Recognize cultural biases including ethnocentrism, stereotyping, prejudice, and discrimination.
- 10. Analyze the impact of cultural biases on communication.
- 11. Analyze theories of intercultural communication and identify their impact on communication within and between cultural groups.
- 12. Analyze and demonstrate effective intercultural communication behaviors in various intercultural contexts.
Lecture Content
Introduction to intercultural communication. Five (5) imperatives for intercultural competence Demographic Technological Economic Peace Interpersonal Components of Communication Characteristics of communication Transactional Communication Introduction to culture Definition of culture Five (5) characteristics of culture Culture-related terminology Elements of how cultures differ Definitions of intercultural communication Intercultural interactions Similarities and differences of intercultural communication Intercultural-related terms Intercultural communication in the United States Cultural diversity metaphors Cultural groups in the United States Intercultural competence Intercultural competence defined Components of intercultural competence Tools for improving intercultural competence B.A.S.I.C Eight (8) B.A.S.I.C behaviors D.I.E Description, Interpretation, Evaluation Cultural patterns of communication Defining cultural patterns Components of cultural patterns Beliefs Values Norms Social Practices Characteristics of cultural patterns Four (4) functions of cultural patterns Orientations towards cultural patterns Cultural pattern taxonomies High to low context (Hall) Five (5) dimensions (Hofstede) Power distance Uncertainty avoidance Individualism -vs- collectivism Masculinity -vs- femininity Long term -vs- short term Indulge nce -vs- restraint Three (3) group problems (Schwartz) Autonomy -vs- embeddedness Egalitarianism -vs- hierarchy Harmony -vs- mastery G.L.O.B.E (Global, leadership, organization, behavior effectiveness Nine (9) G.L.O.B.E categories of dominant cultural patterns Cultural Identity Identity defined Cultural Social Personal Three (3) stages of cultural identity formation Unexamined Search Achievement Characteristics of cultural identity Cultural biases Social categories Ethnocentrism Stereotyping Prejudice Discrimination Racism Verbal Communication Power of language Verbal communication defined Features of language Symbolic Rule guided Interpretation in intercultural communication Language, thought, and culture in intercultural communication Sapir - Whorf Alternate versions of language, dialects, accents, and jargon Code Switching Nonverbal Communication Nonverbal communication defined Nonverbal characteristics Multi-channeled Continuous Relationship of verbal and nonverbal communication Accent Compliment Contradict Regulate Substitute Cultural universals in nonverbal communication Cultural Variations in nonverbal communication Functions of nonverbal communication in intercultural communication Nonverbal messages Physical appearance Environment Kinesics Proxemics Haptics > Vocalics Chronemics Code Usage Message organization preferences Writing and Speaking Organization preferences in the United States Organization preferences in other languages and cultures Cultural variations in persuasion Persuasive style Acceptability of evidence Cultural differences in persuasive style General strategies that form persuasive style Quasilogical Presentational Analogical Cultural variations in conversational structure Speaking and silence Conversational rules Variations in conversational style Intercultural competence and Interpersonal relationships Cultural variations in Interpersonal relationships Three (3) primary dimensions of interpretation of interpersonal communication messages Control Affiliation Activation Relational Dialectics Definition of "Face" in Interpersonal relationships Maintenance of Face in interpersonal relationships Improving intercultural relationships Interpersonal competence in intercultural relationships Uncertainty reduction Differences in intercultural relationships Episodes and Contexts Episodes defined Five (5) components of social episodes Cultural Patterns Social Roles Rules of interaction Interaction scenes Interaction contexts Contexts for intercultural communication Healthcare Family and gender roles Education Business Intercultural Outcomes Intercultural contact Power distance Attitudes among cultural members Outcomes of intercultural contact Adaptation -vs- Culture Shock Adaptation process Assimilation Integration Separation Segregation Ethics Tourism
Method(s) of Instruction
- Lecture (02)
- DE Online Lecture (02X)
Instructional Techniques
Learning is facilitated through lecture and application of concepts including analysis of critical thinking as related to writing, presenting, and interaction with people from other cultures. Facilitation of group discussion. In-class written, research, and speaking assignments to prepare students for out-of- class graded assignments. Demonstration through simulation of intercultural interactions and presentation of case study materials. Graded assignments of research on pertinent intercultural issues, written analytical essays, and individual presentations or group presentations. Instructor conferences with students/ groups to discuss papers and presentations.
Reading Assignments
Reading of the textbook. Reading of relevant information sources, including periodicals, newspaper, professional and academic journals, online materials, and books to serve as foundation for research and cultural analysis assignments.
Writing Assignments
Weekly written journal of substantial length recording summary and analysis of an intercultural interaction involving a member of another culture. Written outlines to be presented in-class of extemporaneous informative speeches that include information and discussion about intercultural concepts and theory. Written essay of substantial length analyzing an intercultural news event or incidents of intercultural misunderstanding using course concepts. Research paper of substantial length focused on cross cultural differences and similarities relating to a specific topic to demonstrate the universal unique communication processes that exist between two or more cultures. Midterm and final examinations. Exams can be essay or exams with essay section.
Out-of-class Assignments
Case study analysis: using one of the tools for improving intercultural competence or cultural taxonomies from the textbook, evaluate the intercultural competence of the primary characters in the case study. Using evidence from the textbook, outside sources, and specific examples from the case study to support arguments. Examination and written reflection of intercultural experiences with others in the following contexts: education, business, family, or interpersonal interaction. Written review of research on current cultural and intercultural topics from relevant information sources, including, periodicals, newspapers, professional and academic journals, online information, and books, to serve as foundation for in-class presentations.
Demonstration of Critical Thinking
To demonstrate through participation in dialog between student and instructor and classroom discussion the ability to apply skills, conceptual, and theoretical instruction, to express understanding of cultural variations in beliefs, values, communication practices, and their impacts on intercultural relationships and communication. To demonstrate through classroom discussions, written assignments, analysis of intercultural interactions and examinations, the skills to evaluate and adapt communication to increase intercultural competence and effectiveness. Analysis, synthesis, and demonstration in writing and oral presentation of how cultural factors influence understanding of other cultures and communication.
Required Writing, Problem Solving, Skills Demonstration
Written essay of substantial length will be evaluated on the ability to demonstrate and explain understanding of relationships between cultures and their unique communication processes. Written journal and analysis essays will be evaluated on the ability to demonstrate intercultural competence, including understanding of their own culture and other cultures. Written formal outlines that accompany oral presentations of intercultural concepts and theories will be evaluated on outline structure and demonstrated ability to research, organize, support, and discuss theories and processes of communication with people from other cultures. Written essay exams will be evaluated on the demonstrated ability to understand, recall, and synthesize text and lecture information.
Eligible Disciplines
Communication studies (speech communication): Masters degree in speech, speech broadcasting, telecommunications, rhetoric, communication, communication studies, speech communication, or organizational communication OR bachelors degree in any of the above AND masters degree in drama/ theater arts, mass communication, or English OR the equivalent. Masters degree required.
Textbooks Resources
1. Required Lustig, M.W.; Koester, J. Intercultural Competence: Interpersonal Communication Across Cultures, 7th ed. Pearson, 2013 Rationale: - Legacy Textbook Transfer Data: Legacy text 2. Required Martin, J.D.; Nakayama, T. Intercultural Communication in Contexts, 5th ed. McGraw Hill, 2010 Rationale: - Legacy Textbook Transfer Data: Legacy text
Other Resources
1. Coastline Library