Description:
In order to better understand the impact of culture on communication and how to improve it, students will analyze a pop culture artifact. The essay should utilize concepts from course readings and materials. This is not an opinion piece (“I liked this book because it was so interesting!”), but an analysis piece (“The cultural communication patterns represented here could be improved by…”)
First, choose a film or novel that depicts the interaction of at least two cultures.
Second, watch the film or read the novel and take notes.
Third, write a 2-3 page essay that analyzes the film or novel. The essay should:
Describe the two (or more) cultures represented and their communication norms. Use the following questions to guide your description:
Who were the main characters?
Which cultures did they belong to?
How were these cultures represented in the artifact?
How are the characters representations of their culture?
How does their culture potentially influence their communication?
Identify a scene or instance where the two cultures interacted and describe the role of communication in the interaction.
What are the communication challenges stemming from cultural differences?
Did communication create problems?
How did the characters address and/or navigate their cultural differences?
Describe how the characters could have communicated more effectively; be sure to note specific intercultural communication strategies.
How should they have communicated to have a more successful interaction? To better understand one another?
Why would these changes in communication improve their interaction or lead to a healthier outcome?
As with all academic essays, this essay should include an introduction that identifies the movie or film being analyzed, a body that addresses the 3 prompts, and a conclusion that reviews the essay. The essay should be 12 pt. font, double-spaced, and use 1” margins. Please utilize at least 5 scholarly sources, cite them in APA format and include a bibliography.
