SPCM 434 International and Intercultural Communication

Overview of Course

This course examines how culture shapes communication practices and identities in international and intercultural contexts. It introduces key concepts, theories, and research in intercultural communication, with emphasis on how individuals make meaning within and across cultural systems. Students will consider how meaning is shaped through culture and how communication is interpreted and negotiated in different contexts. Particular emphasis is placed on intercultural competence as an ongoing, developmental process. Students will practice adapting to unfamiliar environments, responding thoughtfully to cultural differences, and communicating with awareness and sensitivity in global settings.
The Semester at Sea voyage provides a comparative, experiential setting in which these ideas can be explored as they unfold. As the voyage progresses, students will engage with multiple cultural contexts across port countries, examining communication practices and reflecting on their own assumptions and perceptions. Through research, reflection, and discussion, they will connect course concepts to their own experiences, using what they encounter on the voyage to deepen their understanding of communication across cultural contexts.