Bronx Community College: Department of Communication Arts and Sciences
COMM 11 Fundamentals of Interpersonal Communication Comm 11 (Fall 2016) Dr. Mercedes Diaz
REASONING AND ANALYSIS PAPER ASSIGNMENT (based on guidelines prepared by Dr. Teresa Fisher)
What is this paper about?
The paper asks you to focus on analyzing cultural difference and its impact on intercultural communication in general. For this paper, you will read a scenario and two (2) articles which discuss and/or relate to cultural values as well as reflect on your own experience. You will then write a paper in which you use supporting material from :
1) the scenario;
2) assigned articles;
3) the textbook; and,
4) your personal experience
or an example from pop culture or the news. The goal is to discuss how cultural and co-cultural values and norms influence how the communicators in the scenario acted with each other. Additionally, knowing the impact of co-cultural differences on intercultural communication success, you will discuss what communication competence strategies the communicators could have used to help them better communicate with each other.
Specific Steps:
1. Read one of the assigned scenarios (found in the Reasoning and Analysis folder on Blackboard) a. In the scenario, the values and norms in the communicators' co-cultural groups (socioeconomic status, ethnicity, sexual orientation, age, gender, disability, region, nationality, politics, etc.) and/or key cultural values (individualism/collectivism; high-context/low-context; nurturing/achievement; power distance; uncertainty avoidance) are in conflict with one another. b. Identify which co-cultural groups and/or cultural values are in conflict with each other. c. Identify which values and norms within those groups are in conflict
2. Create a thesis statement that sums up your position about cultural values and then three main points that you will use to prove that thesis. The thesis statement should me the main idea of the paper and should respond to the question: "What is this paper about?" The three main points should be related to the thesis statement. a. You will be using examples from the scenario, your own
2. Create a thesis statement that sums up your position about cultural values and then three main points that you will use to prove that thesis. The thesis statement should me the main idea of the paper and should respond to the question: "What is this paper about?" The three main points should be related to the thesis statement. a. You will be using examples from the scenario, your own life and the assigned articles to support your main points.
3. Reflect on your personal experience with co-cultures: a. Choose a specific example (scenario or situation) from your experience that will support one or more of your main points and thus prove your thesis.
4. Read two of the assigned articles (found in the Reasoning and Analysis folder on Blackboard) a. Choose two articles that have examples that will support your main points and thus prove your thesis.
5. Write a 3-5 page double-spaced MLA formatted paper in which you:
a. State your thesis (in the 1" paragraph)
b. Support your thesis (opinion or idea) about the assigned topic
c. Discuss in detail how cultural values and norms influenced how the communicators in the scenario acted with one another
d. Discuss what specific communication competence strategies the communicators could have used to help them better communicate with each other and why.
THINGS TO REMEMBER 1. Remember to utilize what you learned from the textbook and in class. Additionally, ask yourself: What communication competence strategies could the communicators have used to help them better communicate with each other?
2. The paper must be uploaded to Blackboard the day it is due. The due date for the final formal paper will be the last day of class (December 12, 2016). There will be NO extensions granted. a. Prior to the final paper, you will also submit an outline. The outline or draft will be due no later than Thanksgiving break (Nov. 25).
3. Your paper will be marked according to the department scoring rubric. A copy of the rubric may be found in the folder for the assignment.
4. Follow MLA guidelines for format and citation. To read up a bit more on how to properly format a paper using MLA format
and Analysis folder on Blackboard) a. Choose two articles that have examples that will support your main points and thus prove your thesis.
5. Write a 3-5 page double-spaced MLA formatted paper in which you:
a. State your thesis (in the paragraph)
b. Support your thesis (opinion or idea) about the assigned topic
c. Discuss in detail how cultural values and norms influenced how the communicators in the scenario acted with one another
d. Discuss what specific communication competence strategies the communicators could have used to help them better communicate with each other and why.
THINGS TO REMEMBER
1. Remember to utilize what you learned from the textbook and in class. Additionally, ask yourself: What communication competence strategies could the communicators have used to help them better communicate with each other?
2. The paper must be uploaded to Blackboard the day it is due. The due date for the final formal paper will be the last day of class (December 12, 2016). There will be NO extensions granted. a. Prior to the final paper, you will also submit an outline. The outline or draft will be due no later than Thanksgiving break (Nov. 25).
3. Your paper will be marked according to the department scoring rubric. A copy of the rubric may be found in the folder for the assignment.
4. Follow MLA guidelines for format and citation. To read up a bit more on how to properly format a paper using MLA format and citations, follow this link: latnaanthiglish.purdue.edu/
5. Include a Works Cited section or page. a. The website Easybib.com makes it simple for you to create a properly formatted citation for your paper's Works Cited section. To access Easy Bib, click here:
http://www.easybib.com/
Reasoning and Analysis Student Guidelines - Fall 2016 pg. 2