Class Hour: Friday, Fourth Period
(14:10-15:40)
Place: CALL Self-Study Lab (Across Wing 1F)
Period:
2nd Semester
[Objectives]
The primary aim of this course will be to
deepen participants’ understanding of intercultural communication
concepts and to further develop skills for creating positive relations with
people from around the world. This will be accomplished through three means: 1)
Participants will explore the notion of subjective (i.e., subconscious) culture
and how to overcome common misunderstandings between people socialized in
different cultures; 2) Participants will have many opportunities to reflect
upon their experiences abroad, extract what can be learned from them, and
strategize how to use this knowledge to improve their intercultural
communication skills; 3) In order to increase self-cultural awareness,
participants will discuss as cultural informants on WebCT BBS, using
intercultural communication concepts to explain their respective cultures .
These goals will be pursued through a variety of instructional methods,
including case studies, interactive lectures, and discussions. Materials will
be drawn from a wide range of sources, including newspaper articles, magazines,
intercultural communication textbooks, case studies, and videos. The underlying
theme running throughout the material will be the pursuit of international
understanding.
There is no prerequisite subject necessary to enroll into this class.
The lectures will be carried out mostly in English while both the text and handouts are written in English. Therefore, students should have a fair knowledge and skills of English to accomplish the required readings and writings in addition to a computer literacy in using Rits WebCT BBS to discuss the issues with other classmates. Each student is required to participate in each discussion at least once. Students are expected to attend class regularly, participate in all activities, and to complete readings before/after each. Students who can fulfill these expectations are encouraged to enroll for this course.
[Evaluation]
The final grade = Discussion participation
on WebCT (50%) + PowerPoint presentation (30%) + Quality of PowerPoint file
(20%)
[Textbook]
Jandt, Fred E. (2000). Intercultural Communication: An Introduction, 3rd
Edition, Sage Publications. ISBN 0-7619-1432-3 (Paperback)
[Tentative Schedule]
Week 1 (Oct. 4): Introduction & Culture as Context for Communication
(The Dispute Over Defining Culture) *Reading Assignment #1 - Chapter 1
(p.3-p.23) Week 2 (Oct. 11): Culture as Context for Communication (Defining Communication
as an Element of Culture) *Reading Assignment #2 - Chapter 2 (p.24-p.46)
Week 3 (Oct. 18): Culture as Context for Communication (Barriers to Intercultural
Communication) *Reading Assignment #2 - Chapters 3 & 4 (p.47-p.94)
**WebCT Discussion #1 on “Stereotypes and
Prejudice as Barriers”
Week 4 (Oct. 25): Communication Variables (Nonverbal Communication) *Reading
Assignment #3 - Chapter 5 (p.97-p.119)
Week 5 (Nov. 1): Communication Variables (Knowing Culture Through Language)
*Reading Assignment #4 - Chapter 6 (p.120-p.141)
Week 6 (Nov. 8): Communication Variables (Language as a Barrier) *Reading
Assignment #5 - Chapter 7 (p.142-p.165)
**WebCT Discussion #2 on “Translation
Problems”
Week 7 (Nov. 15): Communication Variables (Culture’s Influence on Perception)
*Reading Assignment #6 - Chapter 8 (p.169-p.188)
Week 8 (Nov. 22): Cultural Values (Children, Women, and Families) *Reading
Assignment #7 - Chapter 9 (p.189-p.212)
Week 9 (Nov. 29): Cultural Values (Dimensions of Culture) *Reading Assignment
#8 - Chapter 10 (p.213-p.233)
**WebCT Discussion #3 on “Japanese Culture vs. Others”
Week 10 (Dec. 6): Cultural Values (Contact Between Cultures) *Reading Assignment
#9 - Chapter 13 (p.282-p.308)
Week 11 (Dec. 13): Cultures Within Cultures (Immigration and Acculturation
+ Forces Against Assimilation) *Reading Assignment #10 - Chapter 14 (p.311-p.333)
and part of Chapter 15
Week 12 (Dec. 20): Cultures Within Cultures (Establishing a Culture / Identity
and Subgroups) *Reading Assignment #11 - parts of Chapters 17 and 18 (p.371-p.416)
Week 13 (Dec. 27): The Future - Improving Intercultural Communication *Reading Assignment #12 ? Chapters 19 and
20 (p.419-p.454)
**WebCT Discussion #4 on “Becoming an
Intercultural Person”
Week 14 (Jan. 10): Oral Presentations Using
PowerPoint (1)
Week 15 (Jan. 17): Oral Presentations Using PowerPoint (2
[Reference Materials]
Materials will be distributed regularly to supplement the textbook.
[Course Facilitator:]
Professor Kazunori Nozawa; #443 Across Wing; Phone: 077-561-4816; E-mail:
nozawa@ec.ritsumei.ac.jp; Office Hour: Monday 13:00-16:00; Other date and
time can be arranged by appointment.