IS 281-B: CROSS CULTURAL STUDIES, SPRING 2002, ANDERSON COLLEGE

SYLLABUS

 

I. COURSE INFORMATION

            A course for students who are interested in becoming acquainted with several cultures.  It is especially designed for international students who wish to understand the United States better and for American students who are interested in interaction with international students.  (3 semester hours)

Prerequisites:  Sophomore standing or permission of instructor.

           

Students may not earn credit for the course formerly numbered HIS 299 or HIS 281 and this course. 

           

1:00 – 1:50 p.m. M, W, and F;           Merritt Administration Building 302

           

II.        INSTRUCTOR INFORMATION

            Instructor:                   Dr. Shirley Jacks, Professor of French

            Office:                         Faculty Office Building #7

            Office Telephone:       231-2156

            Office Hours:  As posted and by appointment

 

III.  COURSE PURPOSE, GOALS AND OBJECTIVES


 

Purpose:          To study about and interact with persons of varied cultures

 

                                                            Goals:


To develop a geographic, political, literary, and social understanding of the United States and

other cultures;

 

To assist students in understanding each other through sharing cultural differences; and

 

To allow international students to share parts of their culture with the Anderson College

Community

                                   

IV.  METHODS OF ASSESSING ACHIEVEMENT OF LEARNING OBJECTIVES

            This course will employ a variety of methods to assess achievement of learning objectives.  These include quizzes, journal writing, small group and class discussions, a project with an accompanying oral report, a mid-term and final exam.

           


V.  STUDENTS FEEDBACK AND GRADING POLICIES AND PROCEDURES


 

Grading Scale:             A = 90–100;  B = 80-89;  C = 70-79;  D = 60-69;  F = 59 and below.

           

 

 

The grade will be determined on the following basis:

                        Project and class presentation            20%

                        Quizzes                                               20%

                        Journal                                                20%

                        Mid-term exam                                   20%

                        Final exam                                           20%    

                                                                                  100%

 

The journal will include reactions to readings, speakers and presentations; and the results of team discussions.

 

The two exams will be composed of a combination of identification, short answer, essay questions, and map questions.

 

Discussion Teams: Each student will be assigned to a discussion and study team.  Some of the class time will be allotted to team meetings and presentations.  Discussion will center on the topics and information presented by speeches and presentations, discovered in activities or read in assignments. 

 

VI.  CONTENT OUTLINE


           


                  1. The Family in Different Cultures

                  2. Coming of Age


                  3. How Culture Shapes Gender Roles

                  4. How Work Creates Identity


                  5. Class and Caste


                  6. The Individual in Society

                  7. Strangers in a Strange Land

                  8. Customs, Rituals, and Sports  

               

 

VII.  METHODS OF INSTRUCTION

 

            Methods of instruction will vary according to topic and guest speaker.

 


            A.  The text available in the bookstore for the course is One World, Many Cultures,        by Stuart Hirschberg and Terry Hirschberg (4th ed., Allyn and Bacon: 1998).

           

            B.  On reserve in the library:

                        A Celebration of Customs and Rituals of the World by Robert Ingpen and Philip Wilkinson (Facts on File, 1996) 

                         Holidays, Festivals and Celebrations of the World, 2nd edition                                                      (REFGT 3925.T46 1997)

                        Culturgrams: The Nations Around Us (Brigham Young University, 1997).

                        I – The Americas and Europe; Vol II – Africa, Asia, Oceania.

 

                        Kiss, Bow, or Shake Hands: How to do Business in Sixty Countries by Terri Morrison, Wayne A. Conaway, and George A. Borden (Holbrook, Mass: Bob Adams, 1994).

            In the Reference Section: Encyclopedia of World Cultures, 10 vols.

            CDRom:  World Religions

 

COMPUTER AND INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY USAGE

            To encourage the development of computing skills, students will be requested to use a word processing program to prepare their project.  Use of computer programs, such as PowerPoint, are encouraged for the presentations. 

 

 

COURSE POLICIES


Attendance:  Students are expected to attend all classes.  Attendance is recorded at the beginning of the class; therefore the student arriving late has the responsibility of reporting to the instructor at the end of the period to avoid being marked absent. 

          

            Two tardies are equal to an absence.

           

Absence from more than three times the number of scheduled class sessions per week, whether excused or unexcused, will result in a grade of  “F” unless the student requests a withdrawal or an incomplete according to the policies stated in the Student Handbook.

                       


            Make-up Policy: Students are not allowed to make up quizzes or journal entries; however, work will be accepted early.  Make-up mid-term exam will be given at full value only in cases of excused absences (i.e., absences documented by a statement from a physician or the Academic Dean).  Make-up work should be done within one week of the student’s return to class. 

           

            Academic Honesty and Dishonesty: Each student should be familiar with the Anderson College Policy as given in the Student Handbook.

 


            No active cell phones allowed in class.

 

LEARNING FACILITIES AND RESOURCES FOR STUDENTS PERTINENT TO THE COURSE

 

            The student who has questions or difficulties in the course has several avenues of assistance.  The student is strongly encouraged to talk first with the instructor who can, if necessary, guide the student to the appropriate campus resource.  For example, the Academic Services Center in Watkins 102 can provide information on study skills and tutoring; computers for word processing and internet research are available in the computer labs; and, the library can provide a variety of resources including internet research.