SPE 225: Fall 2004

Intercultural Communication

Syllabus

Professor: Annette Markham, Ph.D. Phone: 693-1356

Office: Humanities 214 email: amarkha@uvi.edu

Office Hours: 3:30-4:45 p.m. MWF or by appointment

Required Texts:

Samovar, Larry A. & Porter, Richard E. (2004). Communication Between Cultures, 5^th Edition.

Internet Access / Blackboard: Contains syllabus, policies, schedule of topics, readings, and links to useful research materials and guidelines. Important Announcements and updates to schedule are also posted on this website and participants must check for these in order to stay up to date. Participants in this course are expected to check the website frequently.

Course Description

This is a course designed to develop students’ understanding of the ways in which culture influences communication practices. The course involves the study of communication behaviors in real contexts, the analysis of cultural practices, and the application of theoretical material to the analysis of actual communication contexts. Prerequisite: SPE 119 (3 credits).

Course Objectives: Upon successful completion of SPE 225, students will be able to demonstrate their ability to:

1. Understand the connection between communication and culture

2. Critically analyze actual communication contexts in terms of intercultural communication theories,

3. Write critical thinking responses to textbook materials.

4. Conduct original ethnographic research in the field.

5. Present original research findings to colleagues.

Teaching and Learning Methods

Class meets for 50 minutes three times weekly. Primary mode of interaction is discussion of reading materials, reports on in-the-field observations and analyses, and group activities. Learning is measured by student’s performance on written responses to the reading material, weekly oral “reports from the field,” an original research project, and examinations.

Success and achievement in this course requires attendance, participation, active research in the field, and the willingness to learn. In this course, students are required to:

1. Read assigned textbook materials before the class begins.
2. Attend classes regularly and arrive on time (see specific attendance policies for details).
3. Conduct observations of intercultural communication behavior in public contexts every week.
4. Participate in class discussions.
5. Complete and submit all assignments before deadline and present speeches on date assigned.
6. Turn off cell phones, pagers, CD players and other electronic devices completely during class sessions.
7. Be respectful of classmates and the learning environment.

Methods of Evaluation

(You must complete all of the graded speech assignments to pass the class)

CATEGORY	DESCRIPTION	PERCENTAGE
Reports from the Field	Weekly Friday report (creative presentation) of observations and analysis of intercultural communication in various public locations (as assigned). Twelve will be assigned. Student may drop lowest score.	20%
QTC (Questions, Thoughts, and Contentions)	Written response to the reading assignment. Due every time a chapter is due. Ten will be assigned. Student may drop lowest score	15%
Final Project (Presentation) Final Project (Written Report)	Present research findings in video/audio documentary, website, or narrative account Explain research findings in written report format to accompany creative presentation.	25% 15%
Exam: Midterm Exam: Final	Examination over the first half of course content Final cumulative examination of course content	10% 15%

Academic Honesty and Plagiarism

The student’s written work and oral presentations must be original. If any aspect of the content and form of the student’s work is not original to (invented by) the student, the source of the content or form must be cited both in writing (on the outline) and orally. Claiming the work of another person as your own is called plagiarism and is a serious breach of academic integrity. Plagiarism is a punishable offense at the university and can result in failure in the course as well as dismissal from the university. Plagiarism includes, but is not limited to:

1. Submitting an assignment that has been wholly or partially created by another person.
2. Presenting as your own work the ideas of another person without acknowledgment of the source (paraphrasing).
3. Cutting and pasting information from the Internet into your speech outline without proper and complete source citation.
4. Forgetting to cite your sources.

Other forms of academic dishonesty include, but are not limited to:

· Collaboration allowing another student to see an examination paper.

· Copying obtaining information by looking at the answers on another student’s paper or in any source that has not been specifically approved for that purpose by the instructor.

· Cribbing taking and or using material, which has not been specifically approved, into an examination or using books, notes or other resources during on examination without the instructor’s specific approval.

· Sabotage destroying the work of another student, such as laboratory experiments or computer programs.

· Substitution taking an examination or writing a paper for someone else or inducing another person to perform such acts.

· Theft stealing an examination.

Any instances of academic dishonesty will result in immediate failure of the course. If you have any doubt as to what constitutes plagiarism or academic dishonesty, ask the professor. Do not guess, or it may have severe consequences. No academic dishonesty will be tolerated. For additional information, see the section on academic honesty in the University of the Virgin Islands catalog.

Policies for Written Work

• All written assignments must be typed on standard paper, stapled (no folders), and turned in on time. For each 24 hours an assignment is late, you will lose 10%.

• Always make a (hard) copy of everything you turn in. You will receive zero (0) points for missing papers, regardless of circumstances.

• Although this is not a writing class, you should submit professional work that is organized, clear, and free from spelling, grammatical or style errors. This requires revision and proofreading. For every typewritten submitted assignment: Each grammar error, spelling error, and typo will cost 1% of your grade for that assignment, including repeated errors. If you need help with your writing, talk to me!

Policies for Presentations:

· Any presentation must be

· You will also learn how to give constructive (both positive and negative) feedback to others.

· You are also expected to incorporate changes based on the feedback you are given.

Attendance:

· Due to the nature of this course, a great deal of learning takes place during in-class activities. Regular attendance is absolutely necessary to pass this course.

· Tardiness to class is not appropriate. If it is necessary to enter the classroom after the session has started, you should enter quietly and not disrupt in any way the ongoing activities.

Make-Up Exams and Late Submissions:

· NO make up exams will be provided.

· Late submissions are penalized 10% every 24 hours past the deadline.