The U. S. American Classroom and U. S. American Communication Style John R. Baldwin, Ph.D. School of Communication, ISU [email protected].

The U. S. American

Classroom and U. S. American Communication

Style

John R. Baldwin, Ph.D.

School of Communication, ISU

[email protected]

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

Any questions?

• John R. Baldwin

• Fell 451

• 438-7969

• [email protected]

But….just call me John…

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