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

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 booksbooks Course objectives (and a behavioral, student-centered focus)

Course format Lecture hall classes Smaller classes: (often 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

Some aspects of culture High & Low Context (E. T. Hall ) Low ContextHigh 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

Value Dimensions Individualism/ Collectivism Power Distance Uncertainty Avoidance Masculinity/ Femininity Long-Term Orientation Indulgence/Restraint Hofstede’s Dimensions

Japan Collectivistic Individualistic Low Power Distance High Power Distance Jamaica Mexico Turkey India Argentina Denmark Germany United States Italy Venezuela Malaysia Hong Kong Costa Rica

Influence on the classroom? Individualism/CollectivismPower Distance Uncertainty AvoidanceMasculinity/Femininity

Any questions? John R. Baldwin Fell 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 (2 nd 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 (4 th ed.). Boston: McGraw-Hill. Harris, P. R., & Moran, R. T. (1996). Managing cultural differences: Leadership strategies for a new world of business (4 th 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; 6 th ed.). Yarmouth, ME: Intercultural Press