The E-Journal of Intercultural Relations, Summer 1998, Vol. 1(3)   Posted: 6/30/98   Teaching/Training Resource Syllabus for Intercultural Communication -- Allen

Taught by Todd Allen Department of Speech and Visual Communication Geneva College Beaver Falls, PA

"Men hate each other because they fear each other; they fear each other because they do not know each other; they do not know each other because they do not communicate; they do not communicate because they are separate.”
Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.

“In Germany, the Nazis first came for the Communists, and I didn’t speak up because I wasn’t a Communist. Then they came for the Jews, and I didn’t speak up because I wasn’t a Jew. Then they came for the trade unionists, and I didn’t speak up because I wasn’t a trade unionist. Then they came for the Catholics, and I didn’t speak up because I was a Protestant. Then they came for me, and by that time there was no one left to speak for me.”
Rev. Martin Niemoeller

“I give you a new commandment, that you love one another. Just as I have loved you, you also should love one another. By this everyone will know that you are my disciples, if you have love for one another.”
John 13:34-35

Course Description:

This course is about communication within different cultures (i.e. cross-cultural) and communication between different cultures (i.e. intercultural). Students will become attuned to the values, beliefs, and assumptions they hold generally and about communication specifically as they interact with people unlike themselves. The course combines theory and research from a communication perspective and a Christian worldview. The course will involve the application of communication concepts through activities, simulations, reflection papers, and group discussions.

Course Objectives:

1. To encourage students to explore their individual cultural identity and heritage.
2. To provide an understanding of the dynamics of cross-cultural and intercultural communication.
3. To identify barriers to effective cross-cultural and intercultural communication and develop strategies for dealing with these barriers.
4. To equip students with the basic skills and information needed to communicate with people from other cultures.
5. To develop an awareness of contemporary events that illustrate the need for improved
   cross-cultural and intercultural communication skills.
6. To gain a Biblical understanding on issues of culture, difference, communication, and reconciliation.

Course Texts:

• Dynamics of Intercultural Communication (Fifth Edition). Dodd. McGraw Hill Publishers. 1998.
• Black Like Me (Thirty Fifth Anniversary Edition). Griffin. Signet Publishing Co. 1996.

 

Course Policy:

Attendance is required. In this course which gives three hours of credit, more than three hours of absences (3 absences) will be detrimental to your final grade. Each student will be expected to participate in class discussions and activities. Any work submitted late will be penalized one letter grade.

Assignments:

1. Midterm Exam -- 20%
2. Final Exam -- 20%
3. Course Journal -- 10%

The journal will consist of personal reflections on issues discussed in class. Also included in the journal are your reactions to issues of cross-cultural and intercultural communication discovered through an analysis of contemporary events. At minimum students should make 1 journal entry per week.
Due May 1.

4. Cultural Autobiography -- 20%
(Report/Presentation

The cultural autobiography report/presentation will highlight the students cultural identity and heritage. The autobiography will include a discussion of elements such as ethnic background, family structure, religious experience, cultural traditions, etc.... Reports will also include a section analyzing how the student’s life experiences effect their relationships with and understanding of people who come from different cultural backgrounds. (6-8 typed, double spaced pages)
Due March 25.

5. Reflection Paper #1 -- 5%

Select a news article dealing with issues of cross-cultural or intercultural communication and provide a “brief” summary of its content.
(2-3 typed, double spaced pages) Due January 23.

6. Reflection Paper #2 -- 5%

View a minimum of 1-2 hours of television programming and provide a brief summary of the content as it relates to issues of cross-cultural and intercultural
relationships. (2-3 typed, double spaced pages) Due March 6.

7. Reflection Paper # 3 -- 10%

Read Black Like Me and write a brief summary of the content as relating to the principles of cross-cultural and intercultural communication discussed in class and in the text. (3-5 typed, double spaced pages)
Due April 13.

8. IP Reflection Paper -- 10%

Each student will be assigned an “intercultural partner” through the Intercultural E-Mail Classroom project. This paper is to be based on your “interactions” with your e-mail partner. Students will need to make contact with their partner a minimum of 2-3 times per week. In order to complete this assignment, all students will need to register with the Computer Center for an e-mail account.
(2-3 typed, double spaced pages)
Due April 29.