COMM 3147
Intercultural Communication
Dr. Bill Edwards
Spring 2009

COMM 3147 is an introductory course studying providing an overview of the study of communication and culture. Both cross-cultural (comparisons of communication across cultures) and intercultural (communication between members of different cultures) aspects of communication will be examined. (Prerequisite: COMM 2105 Interpersonal Communication. If you took interpersonal communication elsewhere or from someone other than Dr. Edwards, you should review with him the course you took before making a final commitment to schedule this course).

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Textbooks:

Ting-Tommey, S. & Chung, L. C. (2005). Understanding intercultural communication. Los Angeles, Roxbury.

Bourhis, J., Adams, C., & Titsworth, S. (2009). Style manual for communication studies, 3rd edition. Boston: McGraw-Hill. [Style sheet used for advanced communication courses; the research project for this course will use APA style].

You will probably need to buy at least one supplementary guide book (costing probably less than $25), but you will need to wait for in class instructions before selecting one. There may be rental expenses for one or more films (costing $5-10 total).

Specific course objectives include:

1. To understand how culture influences interpersonal communication.

2. To recognize and express identification in self and others, especially as identification is shaped by culture.

3. To explain how cultural differences in communication are communicated via different message systems.

4. To demonstrate skills that would create and/or improve cultural awareness, sensitivity, appreciation, and tolerance.

5. To learn how to manage typical problems in intercultural communication such as assimilation, culture shock, hospitality, and visiting a foreign culture.

Grades will be based on the following assignments and activities:

1. Two major exam focused on reading assignments.

2. Two critical incident case studies (typically, each report is 2-4 pages of text).

3.  A research paper using of Hall's primary message system about a national culture.

4.  Leadership, participation, and service.