Student Learning Outcomes

Upon completion of the course, you will be able to…

• Identify and analyze essential aspects of personal cultural identity.
• Apply appropriate theories to analyze intercultural communication in the United States.
• Communicate more effectively in intercultural communication situations.

Textbook

Yes, you really do need to get a copy of the text!   The SRJC Bookstore has copies of this text, and you can also find used and PDF versions online for a good price.  It is also available for rent.  One way or another, get one.  You will need it to complete worksheets and quizzes.

Martin, Judith N. and Thomas K. Nakayama. Experiencing Intercultural Communication: An Introduction. McGraw Hill, 2018, 6th edition. ISBN-13: 978-0078036774. Copies of the text are available at the reserve desk at the Doyle Library.  

Here's the first chapter of the textbook as a PDF to get you started.   Chpt 1.pdf   

We will work through the first 10 chapters, and I expect you to reference the vocabulary and concepts in your work. 

Bring to class:  Binder or notebook with note paper and storage for handouts; ALWAYS come prepared to write in class. 

Overview of Assignments

Guidelines for assignments are linked to these pages and will be discussed during class. 

Worksheets

You will be completing five worksheets for this class and submitting them electronically to Canvas.  I suggest writing out your answers in a word document first so you can easily edit and polish your answers before copy/pasting into Canvas.  (This also protects your work from a computer-related work-deleting disaster! ) Completing these worksheets on time will help you learn and memorize new concepts and vocabulary and prepare for the in-class quizzes.

If your reading/writing skills are not at the English 100A level, consider visiting the Tutorial Center or the Writing Center to get help if you need it. I am happy to review drafts of your work and offer advice before it is due. Contact me to make an appointment.

Self-Analysis (40 points)

One of the keys to intercultural communication is self-understanding. In your first writing assignment, explore your personal values and beliefs as you learn about concepts in chapters 1 and 2 of the textbook.  You will want to have the book handy so you can read about the introductory theories and learn new vocabulary as you reflect on who you are at this time in your life.  Read the questions carefully and answer them thoughtfully, honestly.  This will deepen your capacity for self-reflection which is an essential skill for intercultural communication.

Family History (50 points)

For this assignment, interview family members or others who can help you learn new information about your personal history.  What are your immigration stories?  How did you happen to end up here in Northern California?  Evaluate how your family background has shaped who you are today.  Answer specific questions and use new vocabulary and concepts from chapters 3 and 4 in the textbook.

Three Intercultural Encounters (50 points each, 150 total)

Essential to your understanding of intercultural communication is your ability to experience it. I will give you a list of several potential experiences you can have on your own outside of class to earn credit. I want you to stretch yourself and select activities that you would normally find a bit uncomfortable because of the lack of familiarity with the culture represented. Examples: interview someone who represents an unfamiliar culture; give up your digital devices for a weekend and see how it affects your face-to-face interactions; attend a service for a religious service that is unfamiliar to you; volunteer some time at a soup kitchen serving the homeless. I will ask you to describe your experiences in each worksheet, using concepts and vocabulary from assigned chapters in the textbook. 

Group Project

Cultural Analysis and Class Presentation (80 points)

Toward the end of the semester, you will be divided into small groups to select an unfamiliar travel destination somewhere in the world. Together, you will research your destination and develop a 30 minute presentation for the class that will help us imagine adapting our communication style to interact successfully with the locals--and with people in the United States who are from that part of the world. Explore the communication barriers you need to overcome, including language differences, nonverbal behavior, manners and etiquette. If a different language is spoken, give us a lesson and help us practice a few essential phrases. What kind of beliefs and values are we likely to encounter? Much of the world’s population lives with a much lower per-capita income than we enjoy in Sonoma County; what kind of adjustments will you have to make to live as the locals do (and not in a fabulous hotel)? Will you be treated differently because of your gender or ethnicity? Will your physical disabilities be accommodated? Have fun putting together a creative presentation for the class that addresses these issues and applies the skills learned during the semester to a specific culture we might experience ourselves in the future. 

Extra credit

I do not offer extra credit assignments.  However, extra points may be given for outstanding work on any assignment.  

Quizzes

You will have five in-class, closed-book quizzes based on readings and class discussions. Attend class, take notes, read the text; I will orient my presentations around key ideas that will help you focus your studying but there is no substitute for quietly reading and thinking about the material in your textbook.  Questions will include a combination of true/false and multiple choice based on key ideas from class discussions and the text. Be sure to learn the vocabulary highlighted at the beginning of every chapter, and emphasized in the glossary at the end of the book. Notes are not allowed during exams.  If you miss class, you miss the quiz. 

Late Policy

You must be present in class to take the quizzes, and make-up exams are not allowed.  Worksheets are due at noon on Fridays.  If you miss a worksheet deadline, email me as soon as possible; late submissions may be accepted for up to 24 hours but are subject to a 20% penalty.  Submissions after 24 hours will not be accepted.

Grading Policy

Your grades will be posted to online.  Click the “Grades” link in Canvas to keep track of your grades and my personal comments to you.

Grades will be assigned as follows:

Pass‐NoPass (P/NP)

You may take this class P/NP. If taking Pass/No Pass you need at least 70% of the total class points and complete the midterm exam and the final exam to pass the class.  You must decide before the deadline, and add the option online with TLC or file the P/NP form with Admissions and Records. With a grade of C or better, you will get P.  Once you decide to go for P/NP, you cannot change back to a letter grade.

Dropping the Class

I hope you enjoy the class and want to stay through the semester!  But... life happens.  If you need to discontinue this course, it is your responsibility to officially drop it.  I will drop you if your absences exceed ten percent (10%) of the total hours of class time, which is 6 classes.  If you need to miss more than one class/assignment deadline in a row that you let me know to avoid being dropped from the class.

Attendance is Mandatory

Much of your learning experience will be based on what happens during class, so I expect you to attend every class on time and without leaving early. Attendance in this course is required. If you must be absent, it is a good idea to contact me and let me know how you plan to catch up. You can miss 3 classes without affecting your grade, but work missed during class cannot be made up and it is not my responsibility to summarize what you missed. I do not distinguish between excused and unexcused absences. Missing more than 20 minutes of any class period will count as an absence for that day. Each absence after 3 will result in an automatic 10 point deduction from your class participation points. According to SRJC District policy, if you miss more than 10% of the total hours of class time (6 days) you must be dropped from the class.   Thank you for taking this seriously!

Participation and Standards of Conduct

Classroom exercises throughout the semester are designed to strengthen your communication skills. For this reason, your active participation is required. I will keep track of your participation in my gradebook and give you points at the end of the semester based on your contributions. Being late or absent to class, leaving class early, disrupting another student’s presentation, having your phone vibrate or ring, looking at your phone, texting during class, not being prepared, displaying a bad attitude, doing homework for another class, napping, or being disrespectful to any student or to me at any point in the semester will lower your participation grade substantially. Here’s how you build your participation points throughout the semester: 

• Come to class every day, well-prepared, alert, and on time
• Speak up during class discussion
• Bring a positive attitude to the work we are doing together
• Stay on task during classroom activities; challenge yourself to excel
• Actively and respectfully listen to everyone else in the class (including me!)
• Approach group work with an open-mind and willingness to do your share
• Behave in a respectful, professional manner in accordance with the SRJC Student Code of Conduct.

Students who register in SRJC classes are required to abide by the SRJC Student Conduct Standards. Violation of the Standards is basis for referral to the Vice President of Student Services or dismissal from class or from the College. See the Student Code of Conduct page.

Collaborating on or copying of tests or homework in whole or in part will be considered an act of academic dishonesty and result in a grade of 0 for that test or assignment. Students are encouraged to share information and ideas, but not their work. See these links on Plagiarism:
SRJC Writing Center Lessons on avoiding plagiarism
SRJC's statement on Academic Integrity

Special Needs

Every effort is made to conform to accessibility standards for all instructor-created materials. Contact me as soon as possible if you find that you cannot access any course materials. Students with disabilities who believe they need accommodations in this class are encouraged to contact Disability Resources (527-4278).

Spring 2019 Schedule

Read assigned chapters before they are to be discussed and review them as needed throughout the semester. Changes to schedule will be announced in class.