the u. s. american classroom and u. s. american communication style john r. baldwin, ph.d. school of...
TRANSCRIPT
The U. S. American
Classroom and U. S. American Communication
Style
John R. Baldwin, Ph.D.
School of Communication, ISU
Introduction to the American Classroom: The Syllabus
• Instructor basics–To call or not to call?–Can I text my professor?–What do I call my professor?
• Where to buy books• Course objectives (and a
behavioral, student-centered focus)
Course format
• Lecture hall classes
• Smaller classes: (often 20-30 students), Seminar/colloquia: very small (often 10 or less students)
• Independent study: almost like an English “tutorial”—just you and the prof!
Course Climate
• Informal
• Interactive– case studies– video analyses– “Socratic method”: question-answer/dialogue– Some lecture
• Rule-bound with hidden rules
• Pragmatic
Course Grading
• Exams/Tests
• Final Research Project
• Short papers/case studies
• Quizzes
• Participation
• Final Grade
The American student and the desire for preparedness and feedback
Course Expectations• Punctuality
• Preparedness
• Plagiarism
• Argumentation
• Style– Academic: concise, formal (not stuff)– Gender-neutral language
• Respect
• Writing– Level & type of errors allowed– Format manual (APA, MLA, Chicago Style, etc.)
• Grading
An Iceberg Model of Culture
http://www.swyaa.org/Handbook/Index/THE%20CONCEPT%20OF%20CULTURE.html
Some aspects of culture
High & Low Context
(E. T. Hall)
Low Context High Context
Meaning is in “explicit code”—that is, people tend to look to words for meaning or believe that meaning is “in the words.”
Meaning is “internal to communicators”—that is, in roles, situation, relationship (contexts) not spelled out
http://www.genderwork.com/images/orgdev_heads.gif
Value Dimensions
Individualism/ Collectivism
Power Distance
Uncertainty Avoidance
Masculinity/ Femininity
Long-Term Orientation
Indulgence/Restraint
Hofstede’s Dimensions
http://www.geert-hofstede.com/
Japan
Collectivistic
Individualistic
Low Power Distance
High Power Distance
JamaicaMexico
Turkey
IndiaArgentina
Denmark
Germany
United States
Italy
Venezuela
MalaysiaHong Kong
Costa Rica
Influence on the classroom?
Individualism/Collectivism Power Distance
Uncertainty Avoidance Masculinity/Femininity
Resources
• Althen, G., with A. R. Doran & S. J. Szmania. (2003). American ways: A guide for foreigners in the United States (2nd ed.). Yarmouth, ME: Intercultural Press.
• Bellah, R. N., Madsen, R., Sullivan, W. M., Swidler, A., & Tipton, S. M. (1996). Habits of the heart: Individualism and commitment in American Life (updated ed.). Berkeley: University of California Press.
• Davies, P. (2004). What’s this INDIA businss?: Offshoring, outsourcing, and the global services revolution. Yarmouth, ME: Intercultural Press.
• Gudykunst, W. B., & Kim, Y. Y. (2003). Communicating with strangers: An approach to intercultural communcation (4th ed.). Boston: McGraw-Hill.
• Harris, P. R., & Moran, R. T. (1996). Managing cultural differences: Leadership strategies for a new world of business (4th ed.). Houston: Gulf.
• Hofstede, G. (1997). Cultures and organizations: Software of the mind. New York: McGraw-Hill.
• Lanier, A. R. (2005). Living in the USA (rev. J. C. Davis; 6th ed.). Yarmouth, ME: Intercultural Press