Intercultural Communication | Master Course Outlines | Academics

COMM215 Intercultural Communication

3 credits

2250

Writing Placement Test score of 6 or better or COMP107 (C or better)

None

This course meets the General Education requirement for Diversity.
This course meets the General Education requirement for Critical Thinking.

Students develop cross-cultural competency by examining how different cultural backgrounds communicate based on the value systems, worldviews, and narratives that ground them. The course emphasizes major demographic and societal shifts occurring in the 21st century resulting in growing diversity and interconnectedness throughout the world.

Course Learning Goals

Students will:
1. examine the influence of culture on the communication process by analyzing a wide range of diverse cultural norms and perspectives; (Critical Thinking)
2. identify and define elements of interpersonal communication, cultural systems, and global communication;
3. analyze the process of cultural adaptation, and how it relates to cultural identity; (Diversity)
4. describe the relationship between communication and power, and explore ways that popular culture influences how people understand another culture; and (Diversity)
5. examine challenges that arise from differences in intercultural interactions and explore ways effectively to address them. (Diversity)
Planned Sequence of Topics and/or Learning Activities
1. History and significance of the study of intercultural communication
2. Culture, communication, context, and power
3. Major demographic shifts of the 21st century
4. Identity and intercultural communication
5. Language and intercultural communication
6. Nonverbal codes and cultural space
7. Intercultural adaptations and transitions
8. Popular culture and intercultural communication
9. Culture, communication, intercultural relationships and conflict
10. Engaged and effective intercultural communication
Assessment Methods for Course Learning Goals
Learning goals are assessed in a variety of means such as oral presentations, essays, quizzes or tests, formal and informal writing, as well as class activities.
Reference, Resource, or Learning Materials to be used by Student:
Departmentally selected textbooks and other learning resources. See course syllabus.