Com 263 Intercultural Communication

Instructor	Sheila Merritt
Telephone	480-461-7537
Office	AC #14
Fax	480-461-7350
Office Hours	Tues.     11:00 - 11:50
	Wed.     11:00 - 11:50
	Thurs. 11:00 - 11:50
E-mail	smerritt@mesacc.edu

Course Webpage:         Accessed through MyMCC link on MCC homepage ( http://www.mesacc.edu )   All course materials and grades will be posted on the course website.  To gain access you will need to log in using the username and password with your MEID/maricopa account and then select the WebCT link next to your Com 263 course.

Textbook:

Com 263: Intercultural Competence: Communication Across Cultures Peason Custom Library	ISBN-10: 1-256-03540-8 ISBN-13: 978-1-256-03540-4
Note: you may also use Intercultural Competence: Interpersonal Commuication Across Cultures 6th Edition by Myron W Lustig and Jolene Koester.	ISBN-10: 0205595758 ISBN-13: 9780205595754

Course Description: The major objective of this course is to provide you with an overview of the study of communication and culture. Specifically, we will look at the ways that culture influences our communication and the development of both professional and personal relationships with people from different cultural backgrounds. Our goal is to provide you with the theoretical base and practical application of concepts that will improve your effectiveness in communicating with members of cultural groups different than your own.

Course Outline: The following is a skeletal outline of the course including the basic topics, assignments and chapters covered in each unit

Topic	Reading Assign
Module 1 Building the Foundation
The Intercultural Imperative	Chapter 1a
Process of Communication	Chapter 1b
Culture and Intercultural Communication	Chapter 2-3
Module 2 Cultural Patterns and Perception
Cultural Patterns and Perception	Chapter 4
Diverse Cultural Patterns: Taxonomies	Chapter 5
Cultural Identity and Biases	Chapter 6
Module 3 Communication Codes
Verbal Intercultural Communication	Chapter 7
Nonverbal Intercultural Communication	Chapter 8*
Module 4 Communication in Context
Intercultural Communication in Context	Chapter 11
Potential for Intercultural Competence	Chapter 12
NOTE: due to time constraints we will not be covering Chaptesr 9 or 10 in your text

Course Requirements

Quizzes - 100 points (as follows)

#1            Chpts.1-3                                              25 points

#2             Chpts. 4-6                                             25 points

#3             Chpts. 7-8                                             25 points

#4             Chpts 11-12                                          25 points

Journal Assignment - 150 points    The purpose of the journal assignments is to give you the opportunity to apply the concepts we discuss in an effort to increase your own intercultural competence. It will involve research, observation and interaction with a partner from a culture different from your own.  What follows is a tentative list of Journal Assignments:

Journal #1	Personal Cultural Resume
Journal #2	Cultural Patterns
Journal #3	Cultural Taxonomies
Journal #4	Examining Communication Codes
Journal #5	Academic Controversy
Journal #6	Final Report

Class Participation - 150 points    Throughout the semester you will be involved in various in-class or pre-class activities based upon assigned readings, homework and lectures. 

• In-class activities will be designed to give you the opportunity to interact with your peers in a structured setting giving you the benefit of feedback from various sources.  The activities will not be graded, but you will receive credit for participation. Because of the nature of this aspect of the course there will be no make-ups for missed class activities.  There will be NO EXCEPTIONS to this rule.  (Please don't ask.)
• Pre-class activities will be designed to prepare you for participation in subsequent class activities. They will involve reading assigned material and participating in a variety of activities to verify your understanding of the relevant concepts (i.e. review quizzes, etc.) Completion of designated pre-class activities is a requirement for participation in class activities. If you have not done the pre-class activity you will be unprepared for class and will not be allowed to participate in the class activitiy for credit.

Final Grades: The total points possible for this course is 400. Scores will be regularly updated on the course website  (My Grades). Final grades will be assigned according to the following scale:

A	has far exceeded the requirements of the assignment and the overall quality of the work is exemplary.	360 - 400
B	has exceeded the minimum requirements and the overall quality was above standard	320 - 359
C	as met the minimum requirements of the assignment satisfactorily	280 - 319
D	has not met minimum requirements or the quality was unsatisfactory	240 - 279
F	has not met minimum requirements	0 - 239

Policy Concerning Make-ups: You will be allowed to make up tests without penalty only if 1) arrangements are made with me prior to the exam or 2) you provide written verification (i.e. doctor's excuse, etc - faxed to me) of your reason for missing the test. Any other written assignments will receive a 10% penalty for each class period late. (Remember: Class activities cannot be made up.)

Attendance:     Faithful and prompt attendance is expected.  Roll will be taken each day and it is your responsibility to sign the attendance sheet.  Absence is not an excuse for a missed assignment.  If you are absent it is your responsibility to find out about any assignments given and to turn them in on the assigned due date.  Class activities cannot be made up.  If you are absent on the date of a class activity those points will be lost.  (Note:  Attendance sign-in sheets will be used to track participation in class activities.)

Withdrawal: Three consecutive unexcused absences before the 45^th day constitutes grounds for automatic withdrawal from the class.  If, after the  45^th day, you are unable to complete the class, it will be your responsibility to withdraw officially.  No one will be automatically withdrawn after the 45^th day.  Grades will be assigned based on total points earned for the semester

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Student Success:  Not everyone is ready to take intercultural communication.  There are significant reading and writing demands.  In the past, the more successful students typically have completed or are presently taking English 102 (or equivalent) or have substantial experience with information literacy.  Because class projects involve oral presentations, proficiency in English is essential.

Special Needs: Mesa Community College is committed to the success of all our students.  Numerous campus support services are available throughout your academic journey to assist you in achieving your educational goals.  MCC has adopted an Early Alert Referral System (EARS) as part of a student success initiative to aid students in their educational pursuits.  Faculty and Staff participate by alerting and referring students to campus services for added support.  Students may receive a follow up call from various campus services as a result of being referred to EARS.  Students are encouraged to participate, but these services are optional. 

Early Alert Web Page with Campus Resource Information can be located at:  http://www.mesacc.edu/students/ears
or at the “Early Alert” selection at the mymcc link from MCC’s home page.

Academic Misconduct: Each of you is responsible for your own work.  Cheating and plagiarism will be subject to disciplinary action. Please see your MCC Handbook for more specific information

Note: This syllabus is tentative and is subject to change as the semester progresses.