St. Louis Community College
Communications Department
COM 200-476 Communication Between Cultures
3 credit hours
Spring 2015
Instructor: Sandra S. Osburn
Office: Forest Park campus; Theatre building, Room 134
Virtual Office Hours: Monday-Friday—via e-mail Hours may vary. Please allow 24-48 hours for a response.
Campus Office Hours: Mondays and Wednesdays, 9:30-10:30 a.m. and 2:00-4:00 p.m.; Tuesdays and Thursdays, 1:00-3:00 p.m.
Department Office: Forest Park campus; Theatre building, Room 126
Email: sosburn@stlcc.edu
Phone Number: 314-644-9702
Class Schedule: Online from March 23rd through May 15th, 2015
Course Description:
This course introduces the topic of Intercultural Communication, including the communication process, perception, verbal/nonverbal symbols, beliefs, values, world view, norms, identity, and social institutions. Barriers such as stereotyping, language, and culture shock are examined as well as case studies, cultural research, relationships, and communication skills.
Prerequisite: Reading Proficiency.
Course Objective(s):
The primary objective of this course is to explore communication between people from different cultures. Upon successful completion of the course, the student will know or understand:
1. The key components and characteristics of culture such as values, beliefs, norms and social practices.
2. The differences in domestic and international cultures.
3. The role of language in cultures.
4. The types of nonverbal communication symbols as well as its impact on culture and role in communication.
5. The role of history and identity on a culture’s frame of reference and its members.
6. Personal communication competency skills and traits of competent intercultural communicators.
7. The models of intercultural communication.
8. The challenges and barriers of intercultural communication.
9. The dynamics of intercultural relationships and interactions.
10. Methods and tools for researching cultures.
Text:
Lustig, M.W. & Koester, J. (2013) Intercultural Competence: Interpersonal Communication Across Cultures (7th ed.). ISBN 0-205-21124-0
Method of Instruction:
Online via Blackboard.
Please activate your my.stlcc.edu accounts to ensure that you able to receive email announcements from the instructor.
Blackboard URL Address: http://www.stlcc.edu/Blackboard/
Blackboard Help Wizard: https://www.stlcc.edu/apps/bbwizard/
A note about the class:
This is an online class. Students must be competent computer users, Internet users and must have an active my.stlcc.edu email account. To assess your technical skills level for online classes, please consider taking the following assessment. This assessment is not graded but it does provide you an insight to your skill level.
READI Assessment (Recommended but not required)
The READI Assessment uses a variety of measures to determine a student’s level of preparation for distance learning. The assessment takes about 30 minutes to complete. The assessment is available online at http://www.stlcc.edu/Distance_Learning/READI_assessment.html
Course Policies:
Attendance—Students are strongly recommended to access the online class on a daily basis to keep-up with assignments and discussions. Please plan ahead to complete all assignments in a timely manner in order to avoid any last minute technical problems. Please refer to the section on Discussion Board Postings for additional requirements.
Withdrawal Policy—This class is beneficial to your major and career choice. Withdrawing from a class is the choice and responsibility of the student. While withdrawing might look like the easy choice, it can possibly affect your financial aid eligibility, graduation date, future scholarships and transfer plans. Should you consider it for whatever reason, you are advised to discuss it with your teacher, advisor or transfer institution. The withdrawal deadline for this class is May 1st, 2015.
