Description:

The intercultural communication course is concerned with communication theory as it relates to cross-culture interactions. This course utilizes concepts drawn from sociology, psychology, anthropology and communication. Focus is on identifying the cultural bases of beliefs, attitudes, values and behaviors. Objectives include recognizing commonalities across cultures, tolerating ambiguity in a variety of situations, developing a more global multicultural perspective, identifying and appreciating other cultural orientations, and recognizing and assigning cultural explanations to specific behaviors. 3 hrs/wk.

Supplies: Refer to the instructor’s course syllabus for details about any supplies that may be required.

Prerequisites: NONE

Textbook(s): For information see - http://bookstore.jccc.net

Course Fees: NONE

Course Objectives:

Upon successful completion of this course the student should be able to:

1. Communicate adeptly with people of other cultural groups.
2. Describe the contributions of psychology, sociology, and anthropology to the study of communication across and between cultures.
3. Demonstrate familiarity with the research in the field of intercultural communication.
4. Recognize those things in their own culture that influence thought and behavior.
5. Identify and appreciate other cultural orientations.
6. Through role play and simulation, be able to recognize and describe behaviors as culturally motivated.
7. Recognize and assign cultural explanations to specific behaviors.
8. Differentiate between idiosyncratic and culturally based behaviors.
9. Recognize commonalities in cross-cultural experiences irrespective of specific cultures.
10. Tolerate ambiguity in a variety of situations.
11. Develop a more global multicultural perspective.

Content Outline & Competencies:

I. Demonstrate Understanding of Culture and Communication   
   A. Discuss the components of culture.
      1. Identify the student's value orientation as well as that of other
cultures.
      2. Explain the impact of symbols upon intercultural communication.
      3. Describe the role of perception in intercultural communication.
      4. Define the concept of  worldview."
      5. Identify the norms and rules of multiple cultures.
      6. Summarize verbal and nonverbal aspects of intercultural
communication.
      7. Differentiate between high- and low-context cultures.
   B. Define principles of communication.
      1. Explain the importance of perception in intercultural
communication.
         a. Explain the three stages of perception.
         b. Describe the relationship between perception and intercultural
communication.
      2. Describe the role of language in intercultural communication.
         a. List the components of language.
         b. Describe cultural influences upon language usage.
      3. Explain the importance of nonverbal communication in
intercultural communication.
         a. Describe the functions of nonverbal communication.
         b. List the nonverbal communication codes.
         c. Compare and contrast nonverbal communication across cultures.
      4. Explain the importance of listening in intercultural
communication.
         a. Describe the four stages in the listening process.
         b. Describe barriers to effective listening.
         c. List strategies for effective listening in intercultural
communication.
      5. Differentiate between content and relationship levels in
intercultural communication.

II. Show Awareness of Socio-cultural Influences on Communication
   A. Describe and explain the role of life cycle customs in intercultural
communication.
   B. Explain the importance of religious beliefs in intercultural
communication.
   C. Describe the role of social organization in intercultural
communication.
   D. Describe the role of social interaction in intercultural
communication.
   E. Define in-groups and out-groups in intercultural communication.

III. Discuss and Explain Psychocultural Influences on Communication
   A. Explain the role of social perception in intercultural
communication.
   B. Describe attitude formation and change in intercultural
communication.
   C. Identify and explain the concepts of prejudice and discrimination in
intercultural communication.
   D. Identify attributions in the communication process.
   E. Explain the role of attraction in intercultural communication
encounters.
   F. Summarize the connection between language, thought, and culture.
   
IV. Demonstrate Knowledge and Understanding of Environmental Influences on
Communication
   A. Describe the importance of geography and climate on intercultural
communication.
   B. Describe the importance of architecture and landscape upon
intercultural communication. 
   C. Describe the concept of privacy as it relates to intercultural
communication.

V. Discuss and Explain Major Issues in Intercultural Communication
   A. Explain the importance of affective experiences in intercultural
communication.
      1. Explain the importance of anxiety in intercultural
communication.
      2. Describe the importance of belonging in intercultural
encounters.
      3. Explain the importance of ambiguity in intercultural
communication.
      4. Define and explain the concepts of prejudice and ethnocentrism as
they relate to intercultural communication.
   B. List the knowledge areas related to intercultural communication
issues.
      1. Identify cultural differences in the concept of work.
      2. Identify cultural differences in the concepts of time and space.
      3. Describe language differences in relation to various cultures.
      4. Explain the importance of individualism in intercultural
communication.
      5. Define and explain ritual and superstition in intercultural
communication.
      6. Describe the importance of values in intercultural
communication.
   C. Explain the bases of cultural differences.
      1. Explain categorization as a basis of cultural differences.
      2. Explain differentiation as a basis of cultural differences.
      3. Define and explain learning styles as a basis of cultural
differences.
      4. Differentiate between in-groups and out-groups as a basis of
cultural differences.
      5. Explain attributions as a basis of cultural differences. 

Methods of Evaluation of Competencies:

Evaluation of student mastery of course competencies will be accomplished using the following methods:

(15% to 30% of grade) Tests: a minimum of three examinations.

(20% to 30% of grade) Written Work: may include (but is not limited to)
worksheets, daily exercises, reaction papers, and journals.

(20% to 40% of grade) Participation/Discussion: may include activities
done in dyads, triads, small groups and class discussion. These activities
may be evaluated through peer evaluation, self-evaluation and instructor
evaluation.

(15% to 25% of grade) Term Project: will either take the form of a single
large project or a series of small works. The project must be presented in
written form and may also be presented orally.

Grading Criteria:
   90 - 100%   A
   80 -  89%   B
   70 -  79%   C
   60 -  69%   D
    0 -  59%   F  

Caveats: NONE

Disabilities:

If you are a student with a disability, and if you will be requesting accommodations, it is your responsibility to contact Access Services. Access Services will recommend any appropriate accommodations to your professor and his/her director. The professor and director will identify for you which accommodations will be arranged.

JCCC provides a range of services to allow persons with disabilities to participate in educational programs and activities. If you desire support services, contact the office of Access Services for Students With Disabilities (913) 469-8500, ext. 3521 or TDD (913) 469-3885. The Access Services office is located in the Success Center on the second floor of the Student Center.