Course DescriptionCOM 3553 Dr. Clemencia Rodriguez
Never before did our world resemble so closely what Marshall McLuhan called "the global village." The economy functions around transnational corporations and international markets; peoples from different parts of the world migrate--for different reasons--to other parts of the world; the work-force has become diverse in many different ways: people of different ages, genders, ethnicity, race, religions, languages, have to live and work together. All this means that never before has good intercultural communication been so valuable. But what exactly is intercultural communication?
This course has been designed to
introduce you to the field of intercultural communication, or the systematic
study of communication processes between people from different cultures.
We will explore this field at three different levels: (a) cognitive; (b)
affective; (c) behavioral. The cognitive level implies becoming familiar
with concepts, ideas, and empirical research on the subject. The affective
level implies enhancing your sensitivity toward other cultures as well
as your own culture. The behavioral level will provide you with skills
to become a successful intercultural communicator.
Specific Objectives
1) To explore the history of the field of intercultural communication.
2) To study the main concepts and ideas developed within the field of intercultural communication.
3) To examine the main research findings developed by intercultural communication scholars.
4) To explore and analyze specific cases of communication processes between people of different ethnicities, races, nations, etc.
5) To experiment with communication
skills designed for multicultural contexts.
Goals
* To develop respect for others' cultures and values as well as one's own;
* To develop the necessary skills to function in a multicultural, multiracial society;
* To explore contemporary theories and issues of intercultural communication;
* To develop a cultural and historical pride for one's cultural heritage;
* To experience and reflect on cultural differences and commonalties among all human experiences.
While at the University of Texas at San Antonio my students developed web pages about the family histories as their term project. Here are some examples: