This document provides the syllabus for an Intercultural Communication course taught in spring 2012. The 3-credit core course focuses on developing intercultural skills through examining culture, history of intercultural communication, cultural values, identities, communication styles, conflict, popular culture and ethics. Assessments include two individual presentations on culture, chapter presentations, 4 exams, and a final group project and presentation. The course meets twice a week and requires regular reading, writing, and attendance for successful completion.

1. CCOMM 3190.01
Intercultural Communication
Spring 2012
INSTRUCTOR: Bridget Sheffer, M.A. CRN: 24213
EMAIL ADDRESS: sheffer@dixie.edu TIME: 10:30 to 11:45
sheffer@dixie.edu
PHONE: 435-879-4279 CLASS: HAZY 203
TEXT: 435-610-1049
OFFICE HOURS: by appointment FINAL EXAM: Thursday, May 3 @ 9:30 am
TEXT
Intercultural Communication in Contexts, 5ed.
Judith N. Martin, Ph.D. and Thomas K. Nakayama, Ph.D.
INSTITUTIONAL INFORMATION
Academic Integrity: Scholastic dishonesty will not be tolerated and will be prosecuted to the fullest
extent. You are expected to have read and understood the current issue of the student handbook
(published by Student Services) regarding student responsibilities and rights, and the intellectual
property policy, for information about procedures and about what constitutes acceptable on-campus
behavior.
A.D.A.: “If you are a student with a medical, psychological, or learning disability or think you might have
a disability and would like accommodations, contact the Disability Resource Center (652-7516) in the
Student Services Center. The Disability Resource Center will determine eligibility of the student
requesting special services and determine the appropriate accommodations related to their disability.”
DMAIL : Important class and college information will be sent to your Dmail account. This information
includes your DSC bill, financial aid/scholarship notices, notification of dropped classes, reminders of
important dates and events, and other information critical to your success in this class and at DSC. All
DSC students are automatically assigned a Dmail account. If you don’t know your user name and
password, go to www.dixie.edu and select “Dmail,” for complete instructions. You will be held
responsible for information sent to your Dmail email, so please check it often.
GENERAL COURSE DESCRIPTION
This three-credit course is a core requirement for the Communication Baccalaureate degree.
Course emphases include developing intercultural communication skills by defining and
applying the following subjects: culture, the history of intercultural communication, value
patterns understanding identities, culture shock, communication styles and patterns, conflict,
popular culture, global identity and ethics.
Course Objectives:
1. Demonstrate an understanding of fundamental intercultural theories and concepts.
2. Demonstrate confidence and competence in personal cross-cultural interactions.
3. Explain types of cultural behaviors, values, and perspectives
4. Demonstrate cross-cultural skills and knowledge through experiential learning.
5. Demonstrate sensitivity and respect towards cultural diversity.
6. Explore intercultural conflict and conflict resolution

2. EVALUATIONS & COURSE REQUIREMENTS
Individual Presentations and Response Papers
There will be 2 presentations with response papers.
Chapter Presentations
You, your dyad or your group will choose one chapter to teach to the class and provide 5 test
questions to the professor for the test.
Exams
There will be 4 exams.
Final
The final will be a group project incorporating a research paper and a group presentation of
the culture of your choice.
Participation, Attendance & In-class Assignments
Attendance is critical; and participation makes class more fun for all of us. In-class assignments
are occasional random exercises with points.
Evaluation criteria summary:
Assignment Point Value Due Date
Presentation 1: My Culture w/ paper 50
Presentation 2: The Film w/paper 50
Chapter Presentation 100
Exam 1 100
Exam 2 100
Exam 3 100
Exam 4 100
Final Project 300
Participation, Attendance & In-class Assignments 300
TOTAL SCORES 1200
Percentage/Grade Breakdown
94-100% = A 84-86% = B 74-76% = C 64-66% = D
90-93% = A- 80-83% = B- 70-73% = C- 60-63% = D-
87-89% = B+ 77-79% = C+ 67-69% = D+ Below 59 = F

3. ASSIGNMENT DETAILS:
Individual Presentations and Response Papers
There will be 2 presentations with response papers. For these assignments, you will be researching a
topic, writing a response paper to what you learn and then presenting what you have learned to the
entire class. The topics are listed below. The response paper needs to be at least 2 full, well-organized,
and well-written pages. The presentation will be 5-7 minutes.
THE TOPICS:
1. Introduce yourself through your culture. Bring a cultural artifact that represents your culture.
2. Watch a foreign film or documentary about a culture different than your own.
a. How does the (“dramatized”) culture in the film differ from your own?
b. What would be some points of “culture shock” for you? And/or points of conflict?
c. What did you learn from the culture which would enhance your self-awareness?
Chapter Presentations
During the first week of classes, you will choose a partner or a group. You and the other(s) will choose
and present a chapter from the text. Your group will also write 5 multiple-choice test questions from
your presentation which will be included in the test. The purpose of this presentation is to provide
deeper engagement in the course material. Your presentation will need to be 30 minutes long.
Exams
There will be 4 tests administered at the testing center. Each test will be worth 100 points.
Final
The final will be a group project incorporating a research paper and a group presentation of the culture
of your choice. For this project, you will be writing a 10 page research paper and doing a 30 minute
presentation. The paper and presentation need to answer the following questions:
1. What are the essential Cultural Value Patterns?
2. What are the keys to understanding this culture’s identity?
3. What are the major verbal styles?
4. What are the major nonverbal styles?
5. Is there evidence in this culture of intercultural conflict? Where and why?
6. What is this culture’s connection to globalism?
7. Are there other interesting, little-known details of this culture that would help us
communicated better with them?
Participation and Attendance
Attendance is critical; and participation makes class more fun for all of us. Two-thirds of the
information for this course will be coming from sources other than the text. This information will be
included in the tests. If you choose not to come to class, your grade will inevitable suffer
Reading
This course requires completing regular reading, writing and research exercises both in class and out of
class.

4. Writing Standards
1. Review and follow the guidelines regarding plagiarism.
2. Submit all formal writing word-processed, double-spaced, in 12-point type.
3. Conform to the APA standard academic citation style
4. Use standard word-processing fonts (Times Numeral Roman, Georgia or Century)
Late or Make-up Work
No late work accepted. For extenuating circumstances, please see me.
TECHNOLOGY
Cell Phones = silenced, texting . . .
Laptops = no distractions, or you’ll be asked to shut them down
COURSE CALENDAR
Date Topic Reading Assignment Due
1.10 Welcome and Syllabus
1.12 Defining Culture
Presentation #1;
1.17 My Culture Presentations
Paper due
1.19 My Culture Presentations Presentation #1
1.24 My Culture Presentations Presentation #1
Ch. 1
1.26 Why Study Intercultural Comm.?
Culture, Communication, Context & Ch. 3
1.31 Power
Ch. 4
2.2 History & Intercultural Comm.
2.7 Exam 1
Understanding Identities Ch. 5
2.9
2.14 Culture Shock
Ch. 6
2.16 Culture and Language
Ch. 7
2.21 Nonverbal Codes & Cultural Space
2.23 Exam 2
Presentation #2;
2.28 Film Presentations
Paper due
3.1 Film Presentations Presentation #2

5. 3.6 Film Presentations Presentation #2
3.8 Current Original Research
3.12-16 Spring Break
Ch. 8
3.20 Understanding Transitions
3.22 Exam 3
Ch. 9
3.27 Pop Culture
3.29 Pop Culture, day 2
Ch. 10
4.3 Culture and Relationships
Ch. 11
4.5 Culture and Conflict
4.10 Ethics
4.12 Global Identity
4.17 Exam 4
4.19 No Class-Research Day
Final Group Presentations,
4.24 Final Presentations
Paper Due
4.26 Final Presentations Final Group Presentations
Final Group Presentations
FINAL Thursday, May 3 @ 9:30 am Extra Credit Report Due
Extra Credit
For extra credit you may engage in a service project. Upon the conclusion of the service given, you are
to write a one page, double-spaced report. For example—as a class—two opportunities were used: we
donated to the Samoan relief fund; and we donated to the local cancer treatment center. The report
will be due on the day of the final. The project will be worth 50 points.
CANVAS:
I will be using Canvas consistently! Log in today to make sure you have access and post
to the board.