Intro to Intercultural Communication is a survey course that focuses on the importance of culture in our everyday lives, and the ways in which culture affects communication skills and processes. In an era of rapid globalization being able to communicate across cultures is imperative to our ability to function in a diverse workplace, city, and world. This class will introduce the student to foundational and contemporary concepts, practices, and processes of intercultural communication, methods of critical intercultural analysis, and the scholarly field of Intercultural Communication. Through the study of intercultural communication theories, and reflection on contexts (social, cultural and historical) in which we live and communicate, students will develop sensitivity to the role culture plays in communication.
Prerequisites
CMST& 210 Interpersonal Communication or CMST& 220 Public Speaking
Course Outcomes
Upon successful completion of the course, students should be able to demonstrate the following knowledge or skills:
- Develop and improve upon the ability to conduct research and writing.
- Evaluate communication contexts and assess possible cultural influences.
- Apply interpersonal speaking skills that are culturally appropriate and sensitive.
- Develop knowledge and experience in speaking about cultural differences and cultural similarities.
- Creating and preparing culturally appropriate content in visual and written formats.
- Summarize foundational theories in the field of intercultural communication.
- Analyze patterns of behavior that reveal cultural influence, such as use of space and time.
- Identify cultural influences in your own communication.
- Demonstrating effective communication skills when speaking in diverse contexts.
- Generate oral and written communication that is grounded in clear organization, proper citation, and error free writing.
Institutional Outcomes
IO1 Students will be able to communicate clearly and effectively.
Course Content Outline
Content might include:
- Define culture and intercultural communication
- The development of Intercultural Communication as a field
- Cultural values and identities
- The role of cultural values and identities in verbal and nonverbal communication
- Ethnocentrism, stereotyping, assimilation, cultural relativism, and culture shock
- Communication challenges and opportunities as related to globalization
- Communication challenges and opportunities as related to interpersonal communication
- Communication challenges and opportunities as related to work
- Non-western models of politeness
- Non-western models of conflict resolution
- Ethical intercultural communication
- Managing intercultural challenges using communication strategies
Department Guidelines
PO4 Should be assessed: Students will be able to recognize or articulate personal/interpersonal aspects of, or connections between, diverse cultural, social, or political contexts.
PO5 Should be assessed: Students will be able to solve problems by gathering, interpreting, combining and/or applying information from multiple sources