Project Spotlight: Media and Culture Analysis
| Affiliation: | Instructor: | Department/Institution: | Class: |
|---|---|---|---|
| ECU | Sachiyo Shearman | School of Communication | COMM 3180 – Intercultural Communication |
| Partner | Reiko Nebashi | Meiji University, Tokyo, Japan | Intercultural Communication and Multiculturalism |
Project Description:
In my class, I created an IVE/COIL Module where students meet synchronously with peers in another country. We typically negotiate and find a time that works for both universities and students, and we usually set a minimum of four synchronous meeting sessions over a two-month period. We create groups of 4 to 6 students (2 to 3 from other countries, such as Japan, and 2 to 3 from ECU) to complete this COIL/VE collaborative assignment. Students in groups are then asked to find a multinational corporation that they pretend to work with. They are then asked to find a product that is sold in Japan but not in the US, and vice versa. As an international team in an MNC, they work together to promote these products in their final presentation. On the last day of the IVE/COIL synchronous session, students are asked to do a group presentation.
Modality:
Synchronous, Project-based
Tools Used:
Zoom; Google Slides
Project Length:
2 Months
Learning Outcomes/Goals:
Students in this class learn about the theory, concepts, and processes of intercultural communication. Students are given this opportunity to engage in this experiential learning while communicating with students in other countries. They are going to collaborate, negotiate, and work with international classmates to complete this project. They are expected to learn about cultural differences in verbal and nonverbal communication styles, view their communication behaviors more objectively, and be able to learn to be a culturally humble, empathetic, and effective communicator in diverse settings.