SPCH 2300 - Intercultural Communication

Credit Hours: 4.00

Objectives:

1. Define culture and intercultural communication.
2. Explain dominant American cultural patterns.
3. Explain diverse cultural patterns.

Outcome 2:
Upon completion of this course, students will be able to document the exchange of intercultural messages.

Objectives:

1. Discuss language and intercultural communication.
2. Discuss language diversity.
3. Discuss foreign language and translation.
4. Discuss the importance of nonverbal communication.
5. Classify nonverbal communication.

Outcome 3:
Upon completion of this course, students will be able to produce plans for verbal and nonverbal communication strategies demonstrating cultural influences on various contexts.

Objectives:

1. Systematize a schema for a context.
2. Systematize a schema for a culture.

Outcome 4:
Upon completion of this course, students will be able to present evidence of successful competent intercultural conversations.

Objectives:

1. Demonstrate the ability to record observations of non‐ participatory conversations using ethnographic constructs.
2. Demonstrate the ability to record observations of participatory conversations using ethnographic constructs.

1. Assessments Theory of Group Work
   1. Forming, Norming, Storming, Performing Model
2. Unit One - Foundations of Intercultural Communication
   1. Problem: Why study Intercultural Communication?
   2. Theory Base
      1. The Challenge of Intercultural Communication
      2. Contact
      3. Defining the terms: Culture, Communication, Context, and Power
      4. The Deep Structure of Culture
      5. Family
      6. History
      7. World View
      8. Cultural Explanations of Life and Death
   3. Skill Practice Assessment
   4. Performance
3. Unit Two - Intercultural Communication Processes
   1. Problem: What are the skills necessary in the Intercultural Communication process?
   2. Theory Base
      1. Culture and the Individual: Cultural Identity
      2. Cultural Values
      3. Language and Culture: Words and Meaning
      4. Nonverbal Communication
      5. Nonverbal Codes
      6. Cultural Space
      7. Action
      8. Time
      9. Silence
   3. Skill Practice Assessment
   4. Performance
4. Unit Three - Competent Intercultural Communication
   1. Problem: How does one become a competent Intercultural Communicator?
   2. Theory Base
      1. Philosophy of Change
      2. Language is an Open System
      3. Defining Intercultural Competence
      4. Basic Components of Communication Competence
      5. Understanding Intercultural Transitions
      6. Potential Problems in Intercultural Communication
      7. Improving Intercultural Communication
      8. Folk Culture, Popular Culture, and Intercultural Communication
      9. Culture, Communication, and Intercultural Relationships
      10. Culture, Communication, and Conflict
      11. Ethical Considerations
      12. Guidelines for an Intercultural Ethic
      13. The Future of Intercultural Communication
   3. Skill Practice Assessment
   4. Performance
5. Unit Four - Intercultural Communication Applications
   1. Problem: What are the various cultural influences on the different contexts?
   2. Theory Base
      1. Culture and Context
      2. Communication and Context
      3. Assessing the Context
      4. Evolving Business Context
         1. Multi‐National Business Context
         2. Domestic Business Context
      5. Culture and Education
         1. Cultural Diversity and Education
         2. Education in a Multi‐Cultural Society
         3. Language Diversity and Multi‐Cultural Education
         4. Multi‐Cultural Competency in the Classroom
      6. Culture, Healthcare, and Communication
         1. Health Belief Systems
         2. Cultural Diversity and the Causes of Illness
         3. Cultural Diversity in the Treatment of Illness
         4. Cultural Diversity in the Prevention of Illness
         5. Religion, Spirituality, and Healthcare
      7. Skill Practice Assessment
      8. Service Learning
      9. Performance