Communicating in American Culture(s)

Calendar

WEEK #	SES #	TOPICS	HOMEWORK PREPARATION	DUE DATES
1	1	Introduction
1	2	Culture & communication: Patterns and variables (1)	1. Read Hall & Hall pp. 3–31 2. Watch Boroditsky
2	3	Culture & communication: Patterns and variables (2)	1. Read Stewart & Bennett pp. 17–44 2. Watch Gillette “Me Too” ad 3. Read Guardian article on ad	Written response #1
2	4	Communicating your cultural identity	1. Watch Iyer, “Where is Home?” 2. Read Brooks NYT article 3. Read Dillard pp. 147–149 4. Read Stewart & Bennett pp. 100–102	Oral response #1
3	[Tuesday]	No class
3	5	Anglo-American communication culture: General communication workshop #1	1. Read McWhorter 2. Read Stewart & Bennett pp. 89–99 3. Study Graff & Birkenstein pp. 163–165 4. Study course workbook part 1	Written response #2
4	6	Anglo-American communication culture: Higher ed	1. Read Dorn interview 2. Read Schiappa & Nordin pp. 6–23 3. Read Tannen pp. 214–220
4	7	Communication workshop #2: Peer review of education memoirs	1. Watch MIT video on peer review: “No One Writes Alone” 2. Study course workbook part 2	Educational memoir: First version
5	8	Anglo-American communication culture: Professional	1. Explore MIT GE/CD site on the job search 2. Explore Lynda.com on job interviews 3. Watch video on small talk
5	9	Role of geography and history in shaping American communication patterns (1)	1. Read Woodard pp. 1–19 & study map of American Nations 2. Read Gonick pp. 1–77	Written response # 3
6	10	Role of geography and history (2)	1. Read Miller, How Geography Explains the US 2. Study graphic: the Pew Research Center’s “5 Ways Americans and Europeans are Different” 3. Read Gonick pp. 93–179
6	11	Communication workshop #3: Introduction to team project proposals	Study course workbook part 3	Educational memoir: Final version and earlier version
7	12	Role of geography and history (3)	Read Gonick pp. 183–274	Written response #4
7	13	No class	Watch Yates film: Breaking Away
8	[Tuesday]	No class
8	[Thursday]	No class
9	14	Role of geography and history (4)	1. Read Jouet pp. 43–62 2. Read Gonick, pp. 273–377	Written response #5
9	15	Communication workshop #4: Peer review + team project	Scan final project assignment	Memo: Cultural film analysis of Breaking Away
10	16	Religion and American communication	1. Read Wuthnow pp. 275–305 2. Read Gordon-Reed & Onuf  3. Read Kruse
10	17	Language as a reflection of core values	1. Read Adjei-Brenyah pp. 104–114 2. Read Brooks 3. Read Marshall	Written response #6
11	[Tuesday]	No class
11	18	Popular culture: Music Guest: Martin Marks	Read Bayles, pp. 19–28	White paper proposal and annotated bibliography: Draft #1
12	19	Popular culture: Sports	1. Read Deresiewicz 2. Read Macri 3. Examine site: Sports Metaphors
12	20	Popular culture: TV	1. Read Bayles 2. Read Katz	Oral response #2
13	21	Team meetings		White paper proposal and annotated bibliography: Final draft and tentative outline
13	22	Communication workshop #5: Formal presentations	Study course workbook part 4
14	23	U.S. communication culture for newcomers: Team rehearsals		Prepare for team rehearsals: Final outline and hard copy of slides due (4/page)
14	24	Presentations Group I		Final dossiers (all drafts of proposal, bibliography, outline, and slides) due at time of presentation
15	25	Presentations Group II		Final dossiers (all drafts of proposal, bibliography, outline, and slides) due at time of presentation Group I white papers due
15	26	Course overview via student interests		Group II white papers due