SPE 219 - Intercultural Communication

Credits: 3
Lecture Hours: 3
Lab Hours: 0
This course will explore the historical and contemporary societal factors that shape the development of individual and group identity involving race, class, and gender through an examination of intercultural communication and methods by which people of various races, cultures, genders, religions, socio-economic backgrounds, sexual orientations, and gender identities communicate verbally and non-verbally. Students will focus on similarities and differences in communication behaviors, and they will explore how perceptions, language usage, nonverbal style, thinking modes and values influence communication between individuals of different cultures. They will also analyze the role that complex networks of social structures, including communications media, social media and the film and media industries, play in the creation and perpetuation of the dynamics of power, privilege, oppression, and opportunity. By the end of the course, students will more fully understand their own cultures, as well as intercultural communication in their community, place of employment, country, world, and in the media.
Prerequisite(s): ENG 101