CMST 1140 Topics in Communication: Puerto Rican Culture

Description

Topics in Communication: Puerto Rican Culture will teach students how to be effective intercultural communicators by learning about various aspects of communicating across cultures. After completing the classroom portion of the course, students will have the opportunity to travel to Puerto Rico to experience another culture firsthand and apply the intercultural communication skills that they have learned in the course. Students will experience the vibrant local heritage of Puerto Rico as they explore and celebrate traditional customs with locals.

Credits

3

Prerequisite

None

Corequisite

None

Topics to be Covered

1. Definition of culture, cultural values, beliefs, and norms

2. Cultural identity (nationality, race, class, gender, etc.)

3. Cultural biases (discrimination, stereotyping, prejudice, ethnocentrism)

4. Verbal and Nonverbal communication, intercultural communication competence, and culture shock

Learning Outcomes

1. Explore how cultural identity shapes, and is shaped by, communication. (MnTC Goal 7a, 7d)

2. Compare/contrast patterns of thought, value, belief, and behavior (verbal and nonverbal) exhibited in different cultures. (MnTC 7e, 8b)

3. Define the role of perception and bias in intercultural communication interactions. (MnTC Goal 7c, 8d)

4. Articulate the skills needed to manage various intercultural communication contexts. (MN\nTC Goal 7e, 8b)

5. Analyze how the media perpetuates cultural stereotypes, which affect both interpersonal and international relations in cross-cultural contexts. (MnTC Goal 7c, 8a, 8c)

6. Assess and reflect on one’s own personal intercultural communication competency. (MnTC Goal 7c, 8d)

7. Explain the need for intercultural communication competency in a global and ever-changing world. (MnTC Goal 7e, 8d)

8. Demonstrate verbal and nonverbal communication skills necessary for living and working in a society with great population diversity. (MnTC Goal 7e, 8d, 8b)

Credit Details

Lecture: 3

Lab: 0

OJT: 0

MnTC Goal Area(s): Goal Area 07 - Human Diversity, Goal Area 08 - Global Perspective

Minnesota Transfer Curriculum Goal Area(s) and Competencies

Goal Area 07: Human Diversity

1. Understand the development of and the changing meanings of group identities in the United States’ history and culture.

2. Demonstrate an awareness of the individual and institutional dynamics of unequal power relations between groups in contemporary society.

3. Analyze their own attitudes, behaviors, concepts and beliefs regarding diversity, racism, and bigotry.

4. Describe and discuss the experience and contributions (political, social, economic, etc.) of the many groups that shape American society and culture, in particular those groups that have suffered discrimination and exclusion.

5. Demonstrate communication skills necessary for living and working effectively in a society with great population diversity.

Goal Area 08: Global Perspective

1. Describe and analyze political, economic, and cultural elements which influence relations of states and societies in their historical and contemporary dimensions.

2. Demonstrate knowledge of cultural, social, religious and linguistic differences.

3. Analyze specific international problems, illustrating the cultural, economic, and political differences that affect their solution.

4. Understand the role of a world citizen and the responsibility world citizens share for their common global future.