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Center for Curriculum and Transfer Articulation
Elements of Intercultural Communication
Course: COM263

First Term: 1995 Fall
Lecture   3 Credit(s)   3 Period(s)   3 Load  
Subject Type: Academic
Load Formula: S


Description: Basic concepts, principles, and skills for improving oral communication between persons from different minority, racial, ethnic, and cultural backgrounds



MCCCD Official Course Competencies
1. Identify the nature, elements, and impact of culture. (I)
2. Assess one`s own cultural self-awareness in relation to comparative or contrast cultures. (I)
3. Identify and describe the basic elements of the communication process. (II)
4. Identify potential barriers to communication and describe how to avoid them or manage them in a variety of situations. (II,IV,X)
5. Describe the relationship between culture and communication and explain its impact on interpersonal, group, and public communication. (III,IV,X)
6. Compare similarities and differences universal to all cultures. (IV,X)
7. Describe the process of perception and the perceptual problems most commonly found in cross-cultural encounters. (IV,X)
8. Describe the nature of stereotyping and prejudice, explain how they edit or control one`s behavior, and identify strategies to overcome them. (IV,X)
9. Describe the nature of racism and ethnocentrism, explain how they edit or control one`s behavior, and identify strategies to overcome them. (IV,X)
10. Demonstrate skills and strategies for dealing with similarities and differences in perception. (IV)
11. Identify communication breakdowns which stem from perceptual differences. (IV)
12. Assess different learning styles and approaches to learning. (V)
13. Describe the impact of culture on how we think and respond to our world. (V)
14. Describe how culture impacts everything we do. (V)
15. Describe language as the verbal codes of behavior and explain problems related to language differences. (VI, VII)
16. Identify and describe similarities and differences in verbal and nonverbal behaviors across cultures. (VI)
17. Demonstrate the skills necessary for effective cross-cultural interactions as a sender. (VIII)
18. Demonstrate the skills necessary for effective cross-cultural interactions as a receiver.(VIII)
19. Identify and describe the steps of culture conflict and culture shock. (IX)
20. Identify cycles of adjustment. (IX)
21. Describe issues and problems in intercultural communication.(X)
22. Identify the impact of intercultural communication and the role of training effective cross-cultural communicators. (X)
23. Identify changes in the national and global environments which necessitates the study of intercultural communication. (X)
MCCCD Official Course Competencies must be coordinated with the content outline so that each major point in the outline serves one or more competencies. MCCCD faculty retains authority in determining the pedagogical approach, methodology, content sequencing, and assessment metrics for student work. Please see individual course syllabi for additional information, including specific course requirements.
 
MCCCD Official Course Outline
I. Nature of Culture
   A. Definition and Elements
   B. Examples of Cultural Differences
   C. Examples of Cultural Similarities
   D. Aspects of Learned Behaviors
   E. Impact of Culture on Personality
   F. Cultural Self-Awareness
   G. Contrast Approaches to Study of Culture
   H. Foreign and Domestic Cultures
II. Nature of the Communication Process
   A. Definition and Elements
   B. Potential Barriers
   C. Responsibilities of Communicators
   D. Models of Communication
   E. Sender/Receiver Skills
   F. Feedback and Responsiveness
III. Relationship of Culture and Communication
   A. Relationship Elements and Process
   B. Impact of Each upon the Other
   C. Models of Communication and Culture
   D. Intercultural Communication
   E. Interracial Communication
   F. International Communication
   G. Impact on Interpersonal, Group, and Public Communication
IV. Nature of Perception
   A. Definition and Elements of the Process Across Contexts
   B. Blocks to Perception
   C. Individual Differences
   D. Perceptual Problems Across Cultures
   E. Dealing with Similarities and Differences
      1. Skills
      2. Strategies
   F. Nature and Impact of Stereotypes
   G. Nature and Impact of Prejudices
   H. Nature and Impact of Discrimination/Racism
   I. Nature and Impact of Ethnocentrism
   J. Skills of Culture Management/Diversity Management
   K. Projection of Attitudes, Behaviors, and Expectations on Others
V. Socio-Psychological Impact of Culture
   A. How One Learns
   B. How One Thinks and Processes Information for Decisions
   C. Social Organization within a Culture
   D. Customs, Habits, and Mores of a Society
   E. Nature of One`s Cultural Image or Characteristics
   F. Motives, Attitudes, and Value Systems of the People
   G. Business and Aspects of Relating at All Levels of an Organization
   H. Interpersonal Relations, Group Work, and Public Management Practices
VI. Language: Verbal Codes of Behavior
   A. Language Differences as a Problem
   B. Language as Reflection of Values, Perception, and Thought Process
   C. Social Meaning in Language Structure
   D. Differences in Translation
VII. Nonverbal Communication: Codes of Behavior
   A. Universal Codes of Behavior
   B. Cultural Differences
   C. Relationship of Verbal and Nonverbal Communication
   D. Skills of Perception Checking
   E. How to Read Cues Across Cultures
   F. How to Project Effective Behaviors Across Cultures
VIII. Skills of an Effective Cross-Cultural Communicator
   A. Appreciation and Respect for Other Cultures and Their Differences
   B. Active Listening
   C. Perception Checks
   D. Feedback and Responsiveness
   E. See and Sustain Varieties of Information
   F. Tolerance of Ambiguity in Self, Others, and in Relationships
   G. Anticipate and Manage Problem Areas in Communication
   H. Find Common Ground and Objectives with Someone Whose Values and Preferences are Different
   I. Cope with Stresses of Multicultural Environments
   J. Clarification of Communication
   K. Express Positive Regard for Another
      1. Eye Contact
      2. Posture
      3. Tone of Voice
      4. Display of Interest
   L. Sense of Humor-No Matter What
IX. Culture Conflict and Culture Shock
   A. Definition and Elements
   B. Steps and Process
   C. Elements of Role Fatigue
   D. Preparation for Cultural Immersion
   E. Reverse Culture Shock and Reentry to Home Culture
X. Intercultural Issues and Problems
   A. Problems and Issues
   B. Ethical Issues and Considerations
   C. Future Prospects/Impact on Life and Job Market
   D. Research Trends in the Future
   E. Barriers/Strategies to Overcome Them
   F. Training Issues and Development of Cross-Cultural Training
   G. Impacts/Need For Intercultural Study
      1. Tourism
      2. Educational and Cultural Exchange
      3. International Business Relations
      4. International Relations and Conflict Resolution
      5. Communication in a Changing World of Media and Technology
 
MCCCD Governing Board Approval Date:  6/27/1995

All information published is subject to change without notice. Every effort has been made to ensure the accuracy of information presented, but based on the dynamic nature of the curricular process, course and program information is subject to change in order to reflect the most current information available.