Course Syllabus
Contact Information
Course Details
For a list of course activities, scroll to the bottom of this page.
Course Prerequisites
Students taking this section of JMC 5823 Cross-cultural Communication must be enrolled in the Gaylord College online MA, Strategic Communication & Digital Strategy program. No exceptions will be made due to the size of the cohort for the online MA program.
Course Materials
The required textbook for this course is listed and hyperlinked below.
- Intercultural Communication in Your Life (2018) by Shawn Wahl, Jake Simmons, Jeffrey McCune, Jr.
Additional required supplemental materials such as articles, case studies, and videos are posted to Canvas on the Required Resources page for each week.
Grades
Breakdown
| Activity | Description | Percentage |
|---|---|---|
| Discussions (8) |
|
30% |
| Quizzes (12) |
|
15% |
| Multimedia Assignment |
|
15% |
| Research Assignment |
|
10% |
| Reflection Essay |
|
10% |
| Final Project |
|
20% |
| Total | 100% |
Scale
| Percentage | Letter Grade |
|---|---|
| 90–100% | A |
| 80–89% | B |
| 70–79% | C |
| 60–69% | D |
| Below 60% | F |
Course Components
Discussion
These weekly posts ask you to comment on current events, textbook readings, and topics related to the course themes.
Multimedia: Critical Engagement
For this assignment, you will be interviewing an acquaintance of another race and gender identity than your own. After planning the interview, you will record it (video), and also compose a written reflection on your experience.
Research: Diversity in Advertising
The purpose of this assignment is to have you evaluate contemporary ads for their portrayal diversity. It includes a written analysis, and a 1-minute audio recording with a summary of your observations.
Final Project: Strategic Communication Plan
In a small group, you will create an original, diversity-focused, Strategic Communication Plan. (Topic approved by instructor). You will identify and analyze known problematic intercultural issues from a company or organization, and then create a plan that your team believes would be successful.
Final plan to include:
- Letter of Transmittal
- Title Page and Table of Contents
- Charts/Graphs
- Executive Summary
- Situation Analysis
- Statement of Purpose
- Target Publics/Audiences
- Strategic Plan
- Timetable and Budget
- Challenges/Rebuttal
- Benefits
- Conclusions
- Bibliography & Supplements
Content Advisory
Difficult Topics
From time to time, I will present content that some may find uncomfortable because of challenging ideas, strong language [sometimes profane], bold images, or seldom-discussed topics.
I acknowledge that at times it may be uncomfortable to include difficult topics. However, it is an important part of the educational experience, as it supports the development of critical thinking skills, helps to develop and improve interpersonal skills, and prepares learners for their roles in their professional settings, as well as to be engaged citizens.
Please know that you may adjust your pace of reviewing these materials to fit your personal level of comfort. Feel free to contact me privately if you have any concerns.
Productive Dialogues
There is ample opportunity within our course for academic debate, disagreement, compromise, and for us to change our minds. In order for this to be productive dialogue, I ask that we all:
- Recognize that we are entering into this space with different experiences and understandings.
- Use reasoned arguments that are supported by reputable resources.
- Practice truly listening to one another.
- Ask questions for clarification.
- Provide and receive feedback with grace.
- Respect the privacy of those sharing. We are all learning together, and it’s important that we take from here what we have learned. Please respect that people may share how the topics in this course have impacted their personal lives and also that people may make mistakes while they learn.
- If something is said or done in these dialogues that prohibits you from being able to participate in this class, I ask that you reach out to me directly. You may also choose to use other resources on campus, such as reporting through the 24-Hour Reporting Hotline (call at 844-428-6531 or visit Report an Incident). This hotline can be used to report bias, discrimination, physical or mental harassment or misconduct by OU community members.
Course Policies
Statement of Diversity
Whether your career takes you across the globe or keeps you close to your home base, your ability to listen to, and communicate with, people from diverse backgrounds will be an asset. In the professional fields that Gaylord College represents—journalism, broadcast, professional writing, advertising and public relations—I believe it is especially important for us to become competent and comfortable with listening and talking to anyone, anywhere, as the need arises.
For this reason, as a nationally accredited program, The Gaylord College of Journalism and Mass Communication encourages all classes to provide content that “fosters understanding of issues and perspectives that are inclusive in terms of gender, race, ethnicity and sexual orientation.” JMC 5823 will expose you to many thoughtful discussions and lots of practical applications of diversity communication skills.
Teaching Philosophy
My goal is to provide a learning environment for you that will be a safe and respectful environment for you to learn about diversity and the media. No question is too basic to explore. I believe that our “personal” lives influence our public selves, so our assignments intentionally combine personal, shared, scholarly and mediated experiences to help enrich our conversations about these topics. Because of this approach, you will find that I give broad latitude in how you choose to complete graded assignments. I will always give you specific goals and outcomes. However, I will expect you to exercise your personal agency, integrity, creativity and initiative in completing these assignments.
Communication
The best way to communicate with me is through email or via the Remind app. If you have a question, I will respond as soon as possible, usually within one business day. If you would like to schedule a call, send me an email, give me a few dates and times that work with your schedule and I will confirm a time that works for me as well.
Late Policy
This is an online class and you will be able to do many of the individual assignments at your own pace—especially module readings and quizzes. However, to help you to plan your time successfully in this class, I have labeled the class modules [or learning segments], with dates that align with our current semester. In this way, you can pace yourself through the work as you might if this class met in person.
Major assignments—both individual and group—will have firm deadlines. Through gradebook settings on Canvas, you might automatically have 10 percent of total possible points deducted for late assignments up through a four-day window. After 4 days late, you will automatically receive a zero.
Plagiarism
Plagiarism is the most common form of academic misconduct at OU. There is basically no college-level assignment that can be satisfactorily completed by copying. OU's basic assumption about writing is that all written assignments show the student's own understanding in the student's own words. That means all writing assignments, in class or out, are assumed to be composed entirely of words generated (not simply found) by the student, except where words written by someone else are specifically marked as such with proper citation. Including other people's words in your paper is helpful when you do it honestly and correctly. When you don't, it's plagiarism.
For more information about plagiarism, watch this video and then take this short course offered by University Libraries.
University Academic Policies and Student Support
Land Acknowledgement
Long before the University of Oklahoma was established, the land on which the University now resides was the traditional home of the “Hasinais” Caddo Nation and “Kirikirʔi:s” Wichita & Affiliated Tribes.
We acknowledge this territory once also served as a hunting ground, trade exchange point, and migration route for the Apache, Comanche, Kiowa and Osage nations. Today, 39 tribal nations dwell in the state of Oklahoma as a result of settler and colonial policies that were designed to assimilate Native people.
The University of Oklahoma recognizes the historical connection our university has with its indigenous community. We acknowledge, honor and respect the diverse Indigenous peoples connected to this land. We fully recognize, support and advocate for the sovereign rights of all of Oklahoma’s 39 tribal nations. This acknowledgment is aligned with our university’s core value of creating a diverse and inclusive community. It is an institutional responsibility to recognize and acknowledge the people, culture and history that make up our entire OU Community.
Course Catalog
Search the OU Course Catalog.
Student Handbook
Please familiarize yourself with the OU Student Handbook.
Student Support Services
OU offers a variety of services to support students. For more information, please refer to the Student Support Module in your Orientation course.
Online Library
Access digital materials and other resources at OU Libraries.
Copyright Statement and Privacy Information
Sessions of this course may be recorded or live-streamed. These recordings are the intellectual property of the individual faculty member and may not be shared or reproduced without the explicit, written consent of the faculty member. In addition, privacy rights of others such as students, guest lecturers, and providers of copyrighted material displayed in the recording may be of concern. Students may not share any course recordings with individuals not enrolled in the class or upload them to any other online environment.
Academic Integrity
As a member of the OU community, it is your responsibility to protect your educational investment by knowing and following the rules. The Student Code is available from the Office of the Vice President for Student Affairs, and is contained in the Student's Guide to Academic Integrity.
Academic honesty is incredibly important within this course. Cheating is strictly prohibited at the University of Oklahoma, because it devalues the degree you are working hard to get. Should you know of someone else engaging in academic misconduct, please report it to your instructor or directly to the Office of Academic Integrity. Your instructor has a professional obligation to report academic misconduct.
In addition to the course conduct policies outlined by your professor in the Course Syllabus in the online classroom, please review the Graduate Student Handbook.
Religious Observance
It is the policy of the University to excuse the absences of students that result from religious observances and to reschedule examinations and additional required classwork that may fall on religious holidays, without penalty. [See Faculty Handbook 3.15.2].
Reasonable Accommodation for Disabilities
The Accessibility and Disability Resource Center (ADRC) is committed to supporting students with disabilities to ensure that they are able to enjoy equal access to all components of their education. This includes your academics, housing, and community events. Please review OU's Accessibility Policy.
If you are experiencing a disability, a mental/medical health condition that has a significant impact on one or more life functions, you can receive accommodations to provide equal access. Possible disabilities include but are not limited to learning disabilities, AD(H)D, mental health, and chronic health. Additionally, we support students with temporary medical conditions (broken wrist, shoulder surgery, etc.) and pregnancy.
To discuss potential accommodations, please contact the ADRC at 730 College Avenue, (phone) 405-325-3852, or adrc@ou.edu.
Title IX Resources
Anyone who has been impacted by gender-based violence, including dating violence, domestic violence, stalking, harassment, and sexual assault, deserves access to resources so that they are supported personally and academically.
The University of Oklahoma is committed to offering resources to those impacted, including: speaking with someone confidentially about your options, medical attention, counseling, reporting, academic support, and safety plans. If you would like to speak with someone confidentially, please contact OU Advocates (available 24/7 at 405-615-0013) or another confidential resource (see "Can I make an anonymous report?").
You may also choose to report gender-based violence and discrimination through other means, including by contacting the Institutional Equity Office (ieo@ou.edu, 405-325-3546) or the police (911).
Because the University of Oklahoma is committed to the safety of you and other students, I, as well as other faculty, Graduate Assistants, and Teaching Assistants, are mandatory reporters. This means that we are obligated to report gender-based violence that has been disclosed to us to the Institutional Equity Office. This includes disclosures that occur in class discussions, writing assignments, discussion boards, emails, and during Student/Office Hours.
For more information, please visit the Institutional Equity Office.
Adjustments for Pregnancy/Childbirth Related Issues
Should you need modifications or adjustments to your course requirements because of documented pregnancy-related or childbirth-related issues, please contact me as soon as possible to discuss your options. Generally, modifications will be made where medically necessary and similar in scope to accommodations based on temporary disability. Learn more about the rights of pregnant and parenting students by consulting the FAQ sheets provided by the Institutional Equity Office.
Mental Health Support Services
If you are experiencing any mental health issues that are impacting your academic performance, counseling is available at the University Counseling Center (UCC). The Center is located on the second floor of the Goddard Health Center, at 620 Elm Rm. 201, Norman, OK 73019. To schedule an appointment, call 405-325-2911. For more information, please visit the University Counseling Center.
Final Exam Preparation Period
Pre-finals week will be defined as the seven calendar days before the first day of finals. Faculty may cover new course material throughout this week. For specific provisions of the policy please refer to OU's Final Exam Preparation Period policy.
Course Summary:
| Date | Details | Due |
|---|---|---|