11/23/2024 4:15:54 PM	COMM 7 Course Outline as of Fall 2025	Changed Course
CATALOG INFORMATION
Discipline and Nbr:  COMM 7	Title:  INTERCULTURAL COMM
Full Title:  Intercultural Communication
Last Reviewed:8/26/2024

Units		Course Hours per Week			Nbr of Weeks	Course Hours Total
Maximum	3.00	Lecture Scheduled	3.00		17.5 max.	Lecture Scheduled	52.50
Minimum	3.00	Lab Scheduled	0		5 min.	Lab Scheduled	0
		Contact DHR	0			Contact DHR	0
		Contact Total	3.00			Contact Total	52.50
		Non-contact DHR	0			Non-contact DHR Total	0

Total Out of Class Hours:  105.00

Total Student Learning Hours: 157.50

Title 5 Category:  AA Degree Applicable
Grading:  Grade or P/NP
Repeatability:  00 - Two Repeats if Grade was D, F, NC, or NP
Also Listed As: 
Formerly:  SPCH 7

Catalog Description:

Students in this survey course are introduced to the influence of culture on identity, perception, social organization, language, and nonverbal messages in intercultural encounters both within and outside the United States.  The course examines variations and commonalities in communication patterns across cultures.

Prerequisites/Corequisites:

Recommended Preparation:
Eligibility for ENGL 1A or equivalent

Limits on Enrollment:

Schedule of Classes Information
Description:

Students in this survey course are introduced to the influence of culture on identity, perception, social organization, language, and nonverbal messages in intercultural encounters both within and outside the United States.  The course examines variations and commonalities in communication patterns across cultures.

(Grade or P/NP)
Prerequisites:
Recommended:Eligibility for ENGL 1A or equivalent
Limits on Enrollment:
Transfer Credit:CSU;UC.
Repeatability:00 - Two Repeats if Grade was D, F, NC, or NP

ARTICULATION, MAJOR, and CERTIFICATION INFORMATION

Associate Degree:		Effective:	Fall 1981	Inactive:
Area:	D G	Social and Behavioral Sciences American Cultures/Ethnic Studies
CSU GE:	Transfer Area			Effective:	Inactive:
	D	Social Science		Fall 1995
	D3	Ethnic Studies
	D7	Interdisc Social or Behavioral Science
IGETC:	Transfer Area			Effective:	Inactive:
	4	Social and Behavioral Science		Fall 1995
	4C	Ethnic Studies
CSU Transfer:	Transferable	Effective:	Fall 1981	Inactive:
UC Transfer:	Transferable	Effective:	Fall 1981	Inactive:
C-ID:
CID Descriptor: COMM 150	Intercultural Communication	SRJC Equivalent Course(s): COMM7

Certificate/Major Applicable: Both Certificate and Major Applicable

COURSE CONTENT

Student Learning Outcomes:
At the conclusion of this course, the student should be able to:

1. Identify and analyze essential aspects of their own and others' cultural identity.

2. Apply appropriate theories to analyze intercultural communication both within and outside the United States.

3. Communicate more effectively (ethnorelatively) in intercultural communication encounters.

 

Objectives:

At the conclusion of this course, the student should be able to:

1. Describe, compare, and analyze culturally-based, communication behaviors.

2. Choose and practice methods for communicating between different cultures and sub-cultures.

3. Describe, compare, and analyze culturally-based differences in cognitive styles and world views among U.S./American cultures.

4. Describe, compare, and analyze differences within a cultural or ethnic in-groups.

5. Describe and discuss their own culturally-inflected communication behaviors.

6. Discuss and practice listening skills related to intercultural communication.

7. Discuss and practice communication skills related to intercultural competence.

8. Attend and analyze a cultural event using terms and concepts central to the study of intercultural communication.

9. Apply appropriate theories and methods of inquiry to study and research intercultural communication.

10. Demonstrate an appreciation for social and behavioral differences between people of various cultures.

Topics and Scope

I. The Nature of Social and Cultural Identity within and outside the United States

    A. Racial and ethnic identity including an in-depth focus on at least three of the following: Africans, Indigenous peoples, Asians, Chicanos/Hispanics/Latinos and Europeans

    B. Gender and sexual identity

    C. Religious identity

    D. Socioeconomic identity

    E. Physical ability identity

    F. Regional and national identity

    G. Age identity

II. Communication and Culture in the United States

    A. Intentional versus unintentional communication

    B. Symbolic nature of communication

    C. Relationship between culture and communication

III. Intercultural Communication Competence

    A. Building and maintaining intercultural relationships

    B. Intercultural conflict

    C. Building intercultural communication skills

    D. Cultural humility and social justice

IV. Forces in the United States that Create Cultural Differences

V. Components of Cultural Patterns

    A. Beliefs

    B. Values

    C. Norms

VI. Taxonomies of Cultural Patterns and Value Frameworks

    A. High and Low-Context Communication

    B. Cultural Value Patterns

    C. Cultural Value Orientations

    D. Limitations of Value Frameworks

VII. Methods of Collecting and Analyzing Cultural Data

VIII. Nonverbal Codes

IX. Verbal Codes

X. Application of Intercultural Communication Theories in Different Areas and Endeavors

    A. Business

    B. Education

    C. Health care

    D. Tourism

XI. Cultural Identity and Ethnography

XII. Obstacles to Intercultural Competence

    A. Ethnocentrism

    B. Stereotyping

    C. Prejudice

    D. Discrimination

    E. The -isms (racism, sexism, classism, ableism, etc.)

    F. Privilege

XIII. Outcomes of Intercultural Contact

    A. Assimilation

    B. Accommodation

    C. Acculturation

XIV.Theoretical Underpinnings of Intercultural Communication

    A. Communication accommodation

    B. Uncertainty reduction

    C. Layers of intolerance

Assignments:

Assignments will include:

1. Reading 30 to 60 pages per week

2. Experiential games and simulation exercises

3. Participation in various forms of intercultural communication

4. Field work including observation of and participation in cross-cultural communication outside the classroom

5. Ethnographic essays about student's own cultural identity (1000 to 2500 words total)

6. Observation reports and analysis of intercultural communication events (1000 to 4000 words total)

7. One to two midterm exam(s) and final

8. Optional group presentations about intercultural communication issues

9. Attendance

Methods of Evaluation/Basis of Grade.

Writing: Assessment tools that demonstrate writing skill and/or require students to select, organize and explain ideas in writing.		Writing 25 - 50%
Ethnographic essays, observation reports and research reports
Problem solving: Assessment tools, other than exams, that demonstrate competence in computational or non-computational problem solving skills.		Problem Solving 0 - 0%
None
Skill Demonstrations: All skill-based and physical demonstrations used for assessment purposes including skill performance exams.		Skill Demonstrations 20 - 40%
Field work, group exercises and presentations
Exams: All forms of formal testing, other than skill performance exams.		Exams 15 - 40%
One to two midterm exam(s) and final
Other: Includes any assessment tools that do not logically fit into the above categories.		Other Category 5 - 15%
Class participation and attendance

Representative Textbooks and Materials:

Experiencing Intercultural Communication: An Introduction 7th ed. Martin, Judith and Nakayama, Thomas. McGraw Hill. 2022.

Intercultural Communication in Contexts. 8th ed. Martin, Judith and Nakayama, Thomas. McGraw Hill. 2022.

Understanding Intercultural Communication. 3rd ed. Ting-Toomey, Stella and Chung, Leeva C. Oxford University Press. 2022.

Intercultural Competence: Interpersonal Communication Across Cultures. 8th ed. Lustig, Myron and Koester, Jolene. Pearson. 2021.

Intercultural Communication: A Contextual Approach. 8th ed. Neuliep, James. Sage Publications. 2020. (classic).

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