Maui Community College
Course Outline
1. Alpha and Number
Communication 210
COM 210
Course Title
Intercultural Communication I
Credits
3
Date of Outline
March, 2004 (As part of the Amnesty
Program for Student Learning
Outcomes and Assessment)
2. Course Description
Explores problems and opportunities
of communicating in a variety of
intercultural contexts. Focuses on
theory and practice in managing
intercultural communication
effectiveness.
3.
3 hours lecture per week
Contact Hours/Type
4. Prerequisites
ENG 100, or consent
Corequisites
None
Recommended Preparation
None
Approved by _____________________________________ Date________________
2
5. General Course Objectives
Communication 210 is a three-credit lower division course which is designed to
provide an overview of the intercultural communication process. The United
States is pluralistic nation composed of people with great differences in ethnic
backgrounds, religions, socioeconomic levels, and native languages, in addition to
natural diversities based on sex, age, and physical and mental abilities. These
differences are particularly apparent in Hawaii. How students deal with these
differences influences their potential for academic, social, and vocational success.
This course may help students to contribute to and benefit from the nation's
democratic society, overcoming effects of debilitating racism, classism, and
sexism.
For detailed information on how Communication 210 focuses on the Maui
Community College general education standards, see the attached curricular grid.
The main focus is on Standard 4, Oral Communication in an intercultural context.
This requires critical thinking. Writing is used to develop both the oral and the
critical thinking processes.
Communication 210 fulfills three of the six credits in the English/
Communications requirement or three of the nine-twelve credits for the
Humanities requirement for A.A. and A.S. degrees. Articulation is being applied
for at other CCs.
6. Student Learning Outcomes
For assessment purposes, these are linked to #7. Recommended Course Content.
On successful completion of this course, students will be able to:
a. demonstrate understanding of the elements of intercultural communication;
b. describe the complexity of the intercultural communication process;
c. apply effective communication skills in intercultural communication
interactions to communicate more confidently;
d. recognize and manage possible problems in intercultural communication;
e. work individually and in small groups to present information to others;
f. recognize and respond appropriately to nonverbal messages cross-culturally;
g. handle intimidating intercultural situations; and
h. recognize gender and cultural differences in intercultural communication;
7. Recommended Course Content and Approximate Time Spent on Each Topic
Linked to #6. Student Learning Outcomes.
1 - 2 Weeks
1 - 2 Weeks
1 - 2 Weeks
1 - 3 Weeks
Intercultural Communication Process (a, b, e)
Relationship Between Communication and Culture (a, b, e)
Perception and Communication (a, b, c, d, e)
Personal Orientation System (a, b, c, d, e, h)
3
1 - 3 Weeks
1 - 3 Weeks
1 - 3 Weeks
1 - 3 Weeks
1 - 2 Weeks
Social Institutions (a, b, c, d, e, g, h)
Social Relationships (a, b, c, d, e, g, h)
Verbal and Nonverbal Communication (a, b, c, d, e, f, g, h)
Communicating Effectively Interculturally (a, b, c, d, e, f, g, h)
Culture Shock (a, b, c, d, e, f, g, h)
8. Text and Materials, Reference Materials, Auxiliary Materials and Content
An appropriate text(s) and materials will be chosen at the time the course is
offered from those currently available in the field. Examples include:
Gudykunst, W. B. (2003). Cross-cultural and intercultural communication. Sage.
Hall, B. (2005). Among cultures: The challenge of communication, (2nd Ed.).
Belmont, CA: Wadsworth, a division of Thomson Learning, Inc.
Jandt, F. E. (2003). An introduction to intercultural communication: Identities in
a global community, (4th Ed.). Sage.
Klopf, D. W. (2001). Intercultural encounters, fifth edition: The fundamentals of
intercultural communication, (5th Ed.). Morton Publishing Co.
Martin, J. N., & Nakayama, T. K. (2005). Experiencing intercultural
communication: An introduction, (2nd Ed.). McGraw Hill.
Samovar, L.A., & Porter, R.E. (2004). Communication between cultures, (5th
Ed.). Belmont, CA: Wadsworth, a division of Thomson Learning, Inc.
9. Recommended Course Requirements and Evaluation
Specific course requirements are at the discretion of the instructor at the time the
course is being offered. Suggested requirements might include, but are not
limited to:
Oral Exercises
Written Exercises
Journals
Papers/Research
Tests and Quizzes
Class Activities
Attendance
Class Participation
10. Methods of Instruction
10 - 30 %
0 - 30 %
10 - 30 %
10 - 30 %
40 - 60 %
10 - 30 %
0 - 10 %
0 - 10 %
4
Methods of instruction will vary considerably with instructors. Specific methods
will be at the discretion of the instructor teaching the course and might include,
but are not limited to:
a.
b.
c.
d.
e.
f.
g.
h.
i.
j.
k.
lectures;
large and small group discussions/activities;
experiential exercises and problem solving;
case studies;
films, dvd, video tapes, television programs and other forms of media;
group and individual projects and papers;
assignments, tests, and reading;
guest lecturers;
role playing;
service-learning, community service, and/or civic engagement projects; and
other contemporary learning techniques (such as problem-based learning,
investigative case-based learning, self-paced programs, etc.).