Human Communication
Getting Started
After completing this assignment, you will be familiar with communication processes within different cultural contexts.
Upon successful completion of the course material, you will be able to:
Analyze the communication processes within groups and among different cultures.
Resources
Textbook: Communication in the Real World: An Introduction to Communication Studies, chapter 8.3.
Video: Riccardi, P. (2014, October 21). Cross cultural communication[Video file]. Retrieved from
Background Information
One requirement for effective communication is to consider your audience. Where do they come from? What will they expect? What do they know? What do they need to know? This discussion will prompt you to consider an audience and topics that would interest them.
There are few “communication” differences between and among cultures more obvious than nonverbal communication. We know that nonverbals are often misinterpreted even in one’s own culture. However, the challenges of nonverbal interpretation for anyone interacting with another culture can be frustrating and cause significant misunderstanding.
When comparing the navigating in another culture, the most common nonverbal differences are the use of gestures, but other elements such as the use of space and touch are also often very different. When traveling to other countries there are written guides that attempt to explain some of these differences. It would be wise for a traveler to seek this information. In my international travel I look up what is written about the culture in order to be as prepared as I can be. I certainly don’t want to be an “ugly American.
Below is an interesting video on the topic of culture that I suggest you view.
Cross Cultural Communication
Pellegrino, being a cross cultural expert, shares his personal and professional experience about howvery different culturescan successfully coexist next to each other. Is it difficult to live in Norway, being an expat? Do you know how to establish the mutual understanding between Italian and Norwegian? Pellegrino comes from both an English and an Italianbackground andis currently living in Norway. For the past 27 years he has traveled around the world and interacted with countless different cultures, nationalities and people-types. His work philosophy is to work with what you enjoy and what you are passionate about, what you believe you can excel in and are prepared to work hard to be excellent at, and only work with what can bring about positive change in yourself and in other people.
Instructions
1. Review the rubric to make sure you understand the criteria for earning your grade.
2. Read Chapter 8 in
Communication in the Real World: An Introduction to Communication Studies
.
a. View the video:
Cross
Cultural Communication
b. Navigate to the threaded discussion and respond to the following prompts:
i.
1. Scenario: You have been asked to speak to the local community college about intercultural communication.
2. What are some methods for finding out characteristics of your audience?
3. What are some general speech topics you might consider for further development?
4. Take one of those general topics and create a speaking outline (introduction, three main points, and conclusion).
