Development Studies (DEST) 485 - Lecture 02
INTERNATIONAL AND INTERCULTURAL COMMUNICATION
Winter 2007
Tuesday 14:00-16:50  

Instructor:	Ms. Pamela Dos Ramos and Brenda Johnston
Office Location:	SS339
Office Phone:	220-2505
E-Mail:	dosramos@ucalagary.ca and brendajohnston@shaw.ca
Web Page:
Office Hours:	By appointment

Additional Information

Students must complete all assignments to receive a passing grade.

Course Description

This course is a seminar in cross-cultural communication at the personal, organizational, societal, and international levels. It will discuss the concept of 'Globalization' and its implication for communication among different cultures; analyse various theoretical perspectives underlying intercultural communication; explore issues of power, identity and influence; and examine intercultural encounters in the context of specific diversified settings.

Objectives of the Course

The objectives of the course are to:

1. Equip students with the tools necessary for interacting appropriately and effectively in the emerging context of globalization and multiculturalism.

2. Provide a critical understanding regarding the contexts and patterns of communication through which information is structured and exchanged.

3. Enable students to independently engage in a scholarly examination of aspects of intercultural communication at different levels of interaction, based on various intellectual approaches and theoretical perspectives.

Textbooks and Readings:

Larry A. Samovar, Richard E. Porter and Edwin R. McDaniel: Communication Between Cultures Sixth Edition, Belmont, CA: Thomson Wadsworth, 2007

Larry A. Samovar, Richard E. Porter and Edwin R McDaniel: Intercultural Communication: A Reader Eleventh Edidion, Belmont, CA: Thomson Wadsworth, 2006

In addition, there will be class handouts.

Assignments and Evaluation

It is the student's responsibility to keep a copy of each submitted assignment.

Note: Please return assignments directly to the instructor if possible. If it is not possible to do so, a daytime drop box is available in SS110; a date stamp is provided for your use. A night drop box is also available for after-hours submission. Assignments will be removed the following morning, stamped with the previous day's date, and placed in the instructor's mailbox.

Class Participation 15% (Students are expected to participate in class discussions in a way that indicates they are engaging with assigned readings and lectures)

Detailed Proposal for Research Paper 10% - Due February 6, 2007

Mid-Term Exam 20% - February 27, 2007

Research Paper 20% - Due March 13, 2007

Team Project 15% - Oral Presentation March 27and April 3, 2007. (The team project will involve a 30 minute oral group presentation and class discussion, and a short report from each group).

Take-home Assignment 10% - Due April 10, 2007 - This assignment will be given out in class April 3, and will involve a 5 page critical reflections paper (no research outside of text, reader, class discussions and handouts are necessary for this assignment).

Final in - class exam 10% - April 10, 2007 - The exam will involve a small group analysis and discussion of an intercultural situation.

Registrar-scheduled Final Examination: No

Please note: If your class is held in the evening, the Registrar's Office will make every attempt to schedule the final exam during the evening; however, there is NO guarantee that the exam will NOT be scheduled during the day.

Policy for Late Assignments

Assignments submitted after the deadline may be penalized with the loss of a grade (e.g.: A- to B+) for each day late.

Writing Skills Statement

Faculty policy directs that all written assignments (including, although to a lesser extent, written exam responses) will be assessed at least partly on writing skills. For details see www.comcul.ucalgary.ca/info. Writing skills include not only surface correctness (grammar, punctuation, sentence structure, etc) but also general clarity and organization. Research papers must be properly documented.

If you wish help with your writing at any stage, including drafts, you are invited to contact the Writing Centre, SS110, 220-7255.

Grading System

The following grading system is used in the Faculty of Communication and Culture:

A+ (96-100); A (92-95); A- (86-91); B+ (81-85); B (77-80); B- (71-76);
C+ (65-70); C (62-64); C- (59-61); D+ (55-58); D (50-54); F (0-49)

 

Plagiarism

Using any source whatsoever without clearly documenting it is a serious academic offense. For details see www.comcul.ucalgary.ca/info. Consequences include failure on the assignment, failure in the course and possibly suspension or expulsion from the university.

You must document not only direct quotations but also paraphrases and ideas where they appear in your text. A reference list at the end is insufficient by itself. Readers must be able to tell exactly where your words and ideas end and other people’s words and ideas begin. This includes assignments submitted in non-traditional formats such as Web pages or visual media, and material taken from such sources.

Please consult your instructor or the Writing Centre (SS110) if you have any questions regarding how to document sources.

Students with Disabilities

If you are a student with a disability who may require academic accommodation, it is your responsibility to register with the Disability Resource Centre (220-8237) and discuss your needs with your instructor no later than fourteen (14) days after the start of the course.

Students' Union

For details about the current Students' Union contacts for the Faculty of Communication and Culture see www.comcul.ucalgary.ca/info

"SAFEWALK" Program -- 220-5333

Campus Security will escort individuals day or night -- call 220-5333 for assistance. Use any campus phone, emergency phone or the yellow phone located at most parking lot booths.

Schedule of Lectures and Readings

To be handed out in class.