Fall 2004, Problems in Intercultural Communication, CBL
SP 415/515, Writing Intensive Class,
Tues. and Thurs. 10:00-11:50 PM, NH59


Instructor: Dr. Priya Kapoor
Office Hours: Tuesday and Thursday 12:15-1:50pm or by appointment
Office: NH 31
Phone: 503-725-3543 E-mail: Kapoorp@pdx.edu

Writing Instructors
Hiedi Bauer
E-mail: Iedihay@yahoo.com
Office hours: Wednesday 2:00pm-3:00pm and by appointment in NH 376

Course strongly recommended as preparation and foundation: Introduction to Intercultural Communication, SP 215. This is a senior level course.

Course description

This course will build upon the theories and issues discussed in the introductory course by including contemporary and classical literature on multi-cultural and intercultural communication. The purpose of this course will be to identify and analyze politically constructed categories of race, age, class, gender, in society against the backdrop of debates on multiculturalism in the US. The course will examine these categorizations of race, class, etc. in their historical, political, social and cultural context, and how those have influenced mass-mediated and interpersonal communication.

The course will use mass media (television, radio, print media, music) texts to provide examples of how we understand "difference" and "otherness" in our daily lives.

This is a service learning course in which you are required to volunteer at least ten hours (20-30 hours encouraged) of your time in community organizations and centers. The instructor will place students in appropriate organizations according to choice and availability.

Course goals
  1. To understand the complexity of practical and theoretical aspects of culture and communication.
  2. To make the bridge between community and classroom learning by volunteering in select community based organizations. This opportunity will help us develop an appreciation for diverse human experience and environment.
  3. To be able to place contemporary issues involving intercultural communication in their proper historical, political, economic, and social context.

Texts

Martin, J.N., Nakayama, T.K., & Flores, L.. (2001). Readings in Intercultural Communication: Experiences and Contexts. Mountain View, CA: Mayfield.

De La Garza, S.A.. (2004). Maria Speaks: Journeys into the Mysteries of the Mother in My Life as a Chicana. New York: Peter Lang.

Warren, J. T.. (2003). Performing Purity: Whiteness, Pedagogy, and the Reconstitution of Power. New York: Peter Lang. (Required for Graduate Students and Strongly Recommended Reference for Undergraduates)

Pertinent texts will be held in the reference section of the library when announced in class.

The following materials make good background reading for the course:

hooks, b.. (2000). Feminist Theory: From Margin to Center. Boston, MA: South End Press.

Said, E.. (2000). Orientalism(1978). New York: Random House

Ferguson, R., Gever, M., Trinh, T.M., & West, C. (1991). Out there: Marginalization and contemporary cultures. New York: The New Museum of Contemporary Art.

Anzaldua, G. (ed). (1990). Making face, making soul. San Francisco: Aunt lute foundation book.

Asante, M.K. et al. (1979). Handbook of intercultural communication. Sage.

Asante, M.K. (1987). The Afrocentric idea. Philadelphia: Temple University press.

Bhabha, H. (1990). Nation and narration. New York: Routledge.

hooks, b. (1990). Yearning: Race, gender, and cultural politics. Boston, MA: South End Press.

Lustig, M.W. & Koester, J. (1993). Intercultural competence: Interpersonal communication across cultures. New York: Harper Collins College Publishers.

Spivak, G.C. (ed. by Sarah Harasym). (1990). The post-colonial critic. New York: Routledge.

Trinh, T.M. (1989). Woman native other. Bloomington: Indiana University Press.

Valaskakis, G. (1989). "Partners in heritage: Living the tradition of spring spearing." Journal of Communication Inquiry, summer, vol.13, no.2.

Evaluation

This is a writing intensive class and therefore you will receive extensive feedback from the writing instructor/s when you submit the two assignments (graded) and the draft of the final paper. You are free to discuss with us the comments on your paper. The comments are not meant to be a reflection of your total scholarship and commitment to the course so please work with the comments and do not take them personally. You will be given the chance to rewrite the assignments within two weeks after they are handed back to you. The Writing Center, located in Cramer 188 F, (phone: 725-3570) is another good resource to get peer and expert response on your papers. It is required that you submit a draft prior to the final paper (draft on November 17). You may sign up with the writing instructor to receive feedback on your draft, before, after or during the writing process.

You are required to keep to the schedule in meeting deadlines for writing assignments. Late papers, apart from being graded down become second priority for the instructor and may not be returned till the end of term. I am currently engaged in several writing and research projects that require strict deadlines therefore late papers encroach upon my other required duties.

Do not hesitate to approach the writing instructors or me for assistance with your assignments. In particular, the writing assistants are available to consult with you on every aspect of the writing process. Do take the time to meet with the writing instructors during their office hours. They are here to help you write effective papers, both in structure and content.
  • 10% of the grade is for group work, in-class writing reports, and dialogue in class.
  • 20% of the grade is for an essay exam.
  • 40% (10+20+10) of the grade is for studying an intercultural communication problematic that involves your immediate community (the community organization you are assigned to). The central problematic and direction of individual research paper should be discussed with the Professor during office hours in the first three weeks of class as each students approach differs. Written reports of the study should include a statement of the problem -- its nature and scope -- objectives of the study, a brief overview of previous research, and analysis and interpretation of data (personal interview/s and field notes). The work will be presented in the last week of class. The reports will be handed to the instructor before the presentations end (December 1). A draft and transcribed interview are pre-requisite for turning in the final paper. You must sign up for a meeting with the writing instructor once your draft is ready. You must keep a detailed account of your experiences in the field (fieldnotes, instructions attached). These need to be turned in October 27, 2005. A detailed description of the final paper is also attached.
  • The last 30% of the grade is reserved for writing assignments (see attached details). The assignments are due on October 11 and October 20, 2005. Rewrites are due two weeks after papers are returned.
  • Graduate students will serve as discussion facilitators for group work during class. Discussion facilitation can be conducted individually or in groups of two. Graduate students may have additional meetings and discussions (times to be decided at the end of the first class).
  • All written work will be submitted at the beginning of class to receive full credit. A lower grade will be assigned for late submissions. Late arrivals will not be given extra time for class examinations. Late arrivals disrupt class, you will be asked to leave in such case.
  • A written explanation is required for change of grade requests.