-Syllabus for cx12-
Instructor: Skye Gentile
When Emailing (any) professor, always include: a SUBJECT in the SUBJECT line (COMM 12). Use complete sentences, and be clear offering the reader some context if necessary (remember I have over 300 students within 6 classes per semester which leaves too much room for miscommunication, error and straight up folly!
Before contacting your instructor, consider the following:
Can I find out this information by reading the syllabus; by perusing our class website; or emailing someone in my accountability team, or classmate? Please utilize those resources before emailing (any of) your professors. Office Hours: MWTH 11:30-12:30 & by Appointment, or via SkypeCourse DescriptionCatalog Course Description:
Provides an understanding of the dynamics of intercultural communication with application to American culture, subcultures and different cultures of the world. Transfer Credit: CSU; UC. C-ID COMM 150 |
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Course Objectives
Celebrating Colter White's Release
- Through reading the text, additional articles, in-class participation, self-assessments, take-home exams and in-depth group work students will explore cultural self-awareness, other-culture awareness and the dynamics that arise in interactions between people from different cultures.
- Through course play, online web presence, and teamwork students will better understand how communication processes differ among cultures acquiring knowledge and skills that (when applied) increase intercultural competence.
- Through exploration of potential barriers that exist because of deep-rooted inequity, students will work collaboratively and creatively to address these inequities and root for change.
- Through participating in inner circle conversations, student will learn how to listen to other perspectives and practice being quiet.
~Dedication
I dedicate this class to Scott Kennedy.
Through Peace you taught me about Justice.
I gratefully continue where you left off.
1948-2011
Scott Kennedy in Palestine
My Specific intention is for students to find their cultural identity; challenge their current habits of mind; and find their voice assertively and compassionately.
Course Materials
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Persepolis The Story of a Childhood by Marjane Satrapi COURSE READER: Purchase from Instructor by second week |
Classroom Decorum
The Principles of Mindful Dialog (attached) highlights what I am expecting from you. This class is an in-depth and raw look into intercultural communication. Thus, our classroom climate must invite openness, respect, and mindfulness for real change to occur. I want you to dance closer to your razor’s edge and allow others to share, without fear of being judged. Before you speak in my class I want you to stop and think if what you are about to say “is true, kind, and necessary?” What is the intention of your speech? This is not a bad skill to practice on a daily basis within every context (home, school, work, etc.) however it is mandatory practice in my classroom—I will not tolerate UNKIND SPEECH in my classroom. If you are not willing to THINK before you SPEAK, do not take this class with me.
What once was called short-term memory is now recognized as 'working memory’ Why do I share this with you? Because research has proven that our brains can only work on one thing at a time. Thus every time you multi-task between listening to lecture, and texting--you are not only distracting yourself, but you are also distracting me, and those around you--you have now deleted lecture and applied your working memory to cell phone. Furthermore, if you take lecture notes and do ‘nothing’ with that information within 24 hours of taking notes--that information will never move from hearing it to knowing it (long- term memory).
(No) Cell Phone Policy
If you are on your phone during class, I will ask you to leave and it will negatively impact your participation score.
Attendance & Participation
You currently have 100 points bagged towards your attendance/participation grade. If you miss a class, you lose 10 points. If you are late (more than 15 minutes) or leave early (more than 15 minutes) three (3) times, that equals an absence (-10 points). You have ONE (1) free pass to use at your discretion. After that--you will lose points.
If you do miss class, It Is Your Responsibility To Find Out What You Missed From Another Student (Not From Your Professor). Unfortunately this applies to ALL ABSENCES (excused, unexcused, sports related, etc.).
If you do miss class, It Is Your Responsibility To Find Out What You Missed From Another Student (Not From Your Professor). Unfortunately this applies to ALL ABSENCES (excused, unexcused, sports related, etc.).
Cabrillo College equates 4 absences as “excessive” and warrants cause for instructors to fail you. More than 5 absences WILL result in you failing this course!
Academic Honesty
Plagiarism can take shape in a variety of different ways by writers: verbatim copying without giving credit to the author, sloppy paraphrasing, recycling papers from other classes, and not including a works cited (to name a mere few). Please be certain that the work you turn in to me is of your own doing, original, and care is taken to give credit to theories, concepts and ideas that you use to help prove your argument. Using MLA (or APA) style guide is sure to cite your sources and include a bibliography for all major assignments. Plagiarism will result in an F on the assignment and possibly in the course.
Your manuscript is both good and original; but the part that is good is not original, and the part that is original is not good”
--Samuel Johnson
Within all beings there is the seed of perfection. However, compassion is required in order to activate that seed which is inherent in our hearts and minds.... |
Students needing accommodations (this includes various types of learning differences) should inform the instructor (because I am here to help).
As required by the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), accommodations are provided to insure equal access for students with verified disabilities. To determine if you qualify or need assistance with an accommodation, please contact ACCESSIBILITY SUPPORT CENTER (Formerly DSPS), Room 1073, (831) 479-6379. |
A life is not important except in the impact it has on other lives |
Late Work
10% of the available points (for ALL WRITTEN assignments) will be deducted for LATE WORK! At the end of the semester there is a FINAL TURN IN Date noted in the Schedule--all work for the semester must be turned by that date.
Overview of Comm 12 Assignments
PORTFOLIO'S (Folders)
I am a big fan of portfolio instruction as an effective learning tool, however lugging those things around is a hassle. So I have created a modified portfolio system using a manila folder. Once you are enrolled in the class, I will give you a folder. Every week you will turn in your work to me, and I will record your grade, and write your score on the inside cover. Thus you should know where you are at ‘point-wise’ at all times. Once I have recorded your grade, I will staple the work in the folder. Reading outlines, and all aspects of Intercultural Connections (web presence, and field experience) will go in your folder.
READING OUTLINES:
You may receive more than 13 readings for this course. However, I am requesting that you OUTLINE, TAKE CAREFUL NOTES or CONCEPT MAP 13 of the readings taking care to determine the main ideas, concepts, theories, examples, and the like. Your outline or reading notes should offer you enough material that you can write an essay using the notes and quotes you pulled from the reading. Each reading should be several pages. Each outline is worth _____ points. On our class website I have some examples of Cornell Note-Taking Method, as well as a formal outline. You should create solid notes, and review them as standard practice. I do not lecture from the readings. The readings are designed (chosen) to add OTHER VOICES besides my own to the conversation.
READING OUTLINES:
You may receive more than 13 readings for this course. However, I am requesting that you OUTLINE, TAKE CAREFUL NOTES or CONCEPT MAP 13 of the readings taking care to determine the main ideas, concepts, theories, examples, and the like. Your outline or reading notes should offer you enough material that you can write an essay using the notes and quotes you pulled from the reading. Each reading should be several pages. Each outline is worth _____ points. On our class website I have some examples of Cornell Note-Taking Method, as well as a formal outline. You should create solid notes, and review them as standard practice. I do not lecture from the readings. The readings are designed (chosen) to add OTHER VOICES besides my own to the conversation.
Here is a quick refresher on Cornell Note-Taking Method.
TAKE HOME EXAM:
You will have one or two take-home essay exams with ample time to complete them. You are expected to write using standard MLA format and you must always provide reader with MLA works cited (you can use services like easybib.com where appropriate). When writing these essays, you will only receive credit if you use definitions from the exact readings that I provide for this class. I do use plagiarism software, and if you are caught cheating you will fail the assignment, and the class. I am more than willing to meet with students who organize study sessions at local coffee shops, or like venue.
SELF THROUGH THE SENSES:
For your final assignment for this class you will need to create your cultural narrative. This story can take shape in a variety of different forms but must address how you define yourself culturally at present. There are several steps to successfully navigating your intercultural path.
EACH OF YOU HAS A CULTURE THAT IS SIGNIFICANT, RELEVANT, AND SPECIAL.
PERSEPOLIS:
Since I am still fine-tuning this particular learning experience, I will hand out the Persepolis Assignment in class--
GRAPEVINE LETTER:
The grapevine letter is a brief letter that you will write to a future student about the content, structure, and integrity of this class. This is an anonymous letter. At the *beginning of this semester you will receive a grapevine letter from a former student. The best letters offer solid advice for how to be a successful student in this class, as well as what to expect.
INTERCULTURAL CONNECTIONS: Web Presence & Field Experience
The purpose of this assignment is to expose you to a variety of intercultural learning experiences either virtually or within the community at large. This assignment is less about the written product and more about the process, thus you only need to write one solid, thoughtful paragraph per web presence or Intercultural Field Experience (IFE) using the prompts below**
What does this look like in practice?
For example, you might be asked to watch a video (on your own) and then using the prompts below you will answer the question illustrating how this “new” information connects to what we are learning in this intercultural class.
WEB PRESENCE :
Periodically, I will be posting various things to our website for you to do: watch a video; conduct an online assessment; listen to a podcast; read an article; or some such thing. I usually will send you an email notifying you that I added a Web Presence Post, so please make sure your email address in webadvisor is the one you check most frequently. The email is just a courtesy; it is your responsibility to check the website for class updates, assignments, etc…
Answer at least one question**
How does this material connect with what we have already covered in this class?
How does this material connect to what is presently happening in your own life or in the world?
How/Does this material change your current thinking about this topic? Why or why not?
What concept from class (reading, lecture) does this connect to?
INTERCULTURAL FIELD EXPERIENCE:
You will need to attend three (3) different intercultural events. I will share information regarding various events in the community. If you become aware of a community event that you think is applicable to this class, please share that information with me, (or we could possibly link a class calendar to the website and post there). All events must be PRE-APPROVED by your instructor.
Answer at least one question**
How does this material connect with what we have already covered in this class?
How does this material connect to what is presently happening in your own life or in the world?
How/Does this material change your current thinking about this topic? Why or why not?
What concept from class (reading, lecture) does this connect to?
What does this look like in practice?
For example, you might be asked to watch a video (on your own) and then using the prompts below you will answer the question illustrating how this “new” information connects to what we are learning in this intercultural class.
WEB PRESENCE :
Periodically, I will be posting various things to our website for you to do: watch a video; conduct an online assessment; listen to a podcast; read an article; or some such thing. I usually will send you an email notifying you that I added a Web Presence Post, so please make sure your email address in webadvisor is the one you check most frequently. The email is just a courtesy; it is your responsibility to check the website for class updates, assignments, etc…
Answer at least one question**
How does this material connect with what we have already covered in this class?
How does this material connect to what is presently happening in your own life or in the world?
How/Does this material change your current thinking about this topic? Why or why not?
What concept from class (reading, lecture) does this connect to?
INTERCULTURAL FIELD EXPERIENCE:
You will need to attend three (3) different intercultural events. I will share information regarding various events in the community. If you become aware of a community event that you think is applicable to this class, please share that information with me, (or we could possibly link a class calendar to the website and post there). All events must be PRE-APPROVED by your instructor.
Answer at least one question**
How does this material connect with what we have already covered in this class?
How does this material connect to what is presently happening in your own life or in the world?
How/Does this material change your current thinking about this topic? Why or why not?
What concept from class (reading, lecture) does this connect to?
COMM 12 Point Breakdown:
ATTENDANCE & PARTICIPATION 100 points
(-10 per absence)
READING OUTLINES (or Concept Map/Cornell) 130 points
(13 @ 10 points)
INTERCULTURAL CONNECTIONS:
Web Presence 4 @ 10 points = 40 points
Field Experience 3 @ 10 points = 30 points
EXAMS
Take-Home Exam(s) 30 points
PERSEPOLIS 15 points
SELF-THROUGH THE SENSES
Written 15 points
Oral 15 points
EXPERIENTIAL OPPORTUNITIES
China Town Field Trip TBD
Intercultural Mentors for Danish Students TBD
Free Floating Assignments <15 points>
GRAPEVINE LETTER 5 points
TOTAL:
A 342-380
B 304-341
C/Pass 266-303
D/No Pass 228-265
F Below 228
(-10 per absence)
READING OUTLINES (or Concept Map/Cornell) 130 points
(13 @ 10 points)
INTERCULTURAL CONNECTIONS:
Web Presence 4 @ 10 points = 40 points
Field Experience 3 @ 10 points = 30 points
EXAMS
Take-Home Exam(s) 30 points
PERSEPOLIS 15 points
SELF-THROUGH THE SENSES
Written 15 points
Oral 15 points
EXPERIENTIAL OPPORTUNITIES
China Town Field Trip TBD
Intercultural Mentors for Danish Students TBD
Free Floating Assignments <15 points>
GRAPEVINE LETTER 5 points
TOTAL:
A 342-380
B 304-341
C/Pass 266-303
D/No Pass 228-265
F Below 228
