Course Objectives

This course is a critical survey of major concepts in culture and communication. Both cross-cultural and intercultural communication will be examined. The main course objectives are to:

This class will be taught in a lecture-reading-discussion format. You will be expected to actively participate in all classroom discussions and activities. You will be expected to integrate your conceptual understanding in class with “real life” intercultural experiences and observations.

Required Readings

Course Requirements

Expectations

Participation:
There will be many ways in which you are expected to participate in this course. You must come to class prepared to discuss all assigned readings and make significant contributions to class discussion. You will be expected to fully engage in activities and simulations mindfully and contribute to follow-up discussion.

Attendance:
You are expected to attend class. Each class session you will be graded on your participation. If you are absent, you will not receive credit for participation that day. If you must be absent for an unavoidable circumstance, please notify me in advance – you will still be considered absent and it will be your responsibility to get the information you missed and complete any work assigned for that class. You will also be asked to attend some non-class events such as relevant convocation or other guest lectures. You will be given sufficient notice when such attendance is expected.

Written Assignments:
All written work is to be submitted typed, double-spaced on 8.5 x 11 paper. You should proof read your work for quality of spelling, grammar, and clarity of composition.

Late/Incomplete Work:
Each course requirement will need to be completed by the specified date and turned in at the beginning of class. Late submission of work will result in a 5-point deduction for each day an assignment is late.

Reasonable Accommodation:
Any student in this course who has a documented disability should contact me personally within the first two weeks of class to discuss necessary accommodations to ensure full participation. The Center for Academic Enrichment is available to help facilitate this process.

Academic Integrity:
You will be expected to abide by the standards of Earlham’s Academic Integrity Policy as outlined in the student handbook.

Use of e-mail:
I will use your Earlham College e-mail account to communicate with you regarding changes to reading or class assignments, as well as to communicate possible notebook topics. I expect that you will check your account regularly.

Grading Scale:
Your grade will be based on your performance in the following areas:

Two Short Papers (100 points each)	200 points
Team Presentation	100 points
Final Project	100 points
Exams (100 points each)	200 points
Notebook	150 points
Miscellaneous Assignments/Quizzes	100 points
Participation	150 points
Total	1000 points

Final grades will be determined by the total number of points earned in the course. Letter grades will be assigned according to the following standard curve:

A = 92%-100%	B+ = 88%-89.9%	C+ = 78%-79.9%	D+ = 68%-69.9%	F = 59.9% or less
A- = 90%-91.9%	B = 82%-87.9%	C = 72%-77.9%	D = 62%-67.9%
	B- = 80%-81.9%	C- = 70%-71.9%	D- = 60%-61.9%

*You must complete all major assignments. Failure to do so will result in a non-passing grade, meaning F.

Assignments

Specific details on all assignments will be provided in writing throughout the semester. You will be given sufficient advance notice for completing assignments.

Short Papers:
You will be asked to write two short papers. In the papers you will be asked to apply concepts and theories from the course to a practical, real life context. Papers will be graded based on how well you demonstrate clear knowledge of the concepts, and depth of analysis.

Team Project:
You will work with a group of students to complete a cultural analysis project. Projects will culminate in a team presentation to the class. You will be graded both on the quality of the final presentation, as well as your contribution to the project as evaluated by other members of the group.

Final Project:
You will be given a choice of several different options for completing this assignment. The purpose will be to demonstrate comprehensively the knowledge and understanding you have gained in this course.

Notebook:
Each student is expected to keep a notebook with regular reflections on reading assignments, class discussions, and obsrvations on how concepts and theories from the course are appearing in daily interactions with others. Notebooks can be handwritten or typed on a computer and kept in a binder. More details about the notebook will be discussed in class.