Communication and Media Studies 651

COMS 651: Strategic Communication in Global Contexts

Credit hours (3)


This class is a graduate-level course designed to promote active learning, cognitive mastery, affective experience, and real-world application of relevant intercultural communication theories, issues, and concepts. Both cross-cultural and intercultural theories and research will be examined. This class will emphasize a “process” approach to the study of communication across cultures.


Detailed Description of Course


Major topics discussed in this course will include:
    1) The intercultural communication process
    2) Flexible communication in intercultural situations
    3) Analyzing intercultural interaction episodes
    4) Major intercultural communication theories and research
    5) The consequences of various intercultural behaviors
    6) Ethnorelativism in intercultural communication


Detailed Description of Conduct of Course


Instructional strategies for this course will typically include the following:
    1) A mix of traditional lecture-based format and student-led seminars related to the course material.  
    2) Class discussions focused on the critical analysis of intercultural communication theories and research 


Goals and Objectives of the Course


At the end of this course, students should be able to:
    1) Describe the intercultural communication process
    2) Communicate effectively with individuals from different cultures
    3) Use refined analytic skills to analyze intercultural interaction episodes
    4) Explain and apply major intercultural communication theories
    5) Describe multiple examples of ethnorelativism in intercultural communication.


Assessment Measures


Student learning outcomes will be assessed through a variety of methodologies, some of which may include:
    1) Written course assignments on course content, research articles, films, and guest speakers
    2) Participation in class discussions
    3) Completion of a final project
    4) Exams (both written and oral)


Other Course Information

None.

Review and Approval
March 14, 2016