EIC 119: Cross-Cultural Understanding

The only way to truly develop…a sense of one's right to engage the world in a meaningful
manner-is to practice it (Hanstedt, 2016, para. 24).

Fall 2019
Miller Center 1
Fridays, 12:35 PM – 1:25 PM

Instructor: Britt Semenow ESM 102, bsemenow@esm.rochester.edu,

(585) 274-1165
Office Hours: Schedule an appointment online at http://brittsemenow.youcanbook.me

Grading: S/F – 1 credit hour

Course Description:
Students will study community and cultural norms in the U.S. and compare cultures through
readings, reflection, and interactive activities. The course will emphasize practices that will lead
to academic and social success at the Eastman School of Music. Designed for international
students, this class will be taken during first semester of study.

We will analyze a variety of topics through the lens of culture. While the topics may be different
each week, we will always reference back to the core culture vocabulary learned during the first
week (socialization, norm, community, tradition, cultural context, empathy, self-identity, and
shared-identity).

Course Goals and Outcomes:

Goals
Students in this course will develop cross-cultural understanding and build an academic skill set
while learning about U.S. cultural norms.

Specific Learning Outcomes:

By the end of this course, students will be able to:
Communicate with peers and faculty in a culturally appropriate manner.
Compare and contrast norms in various cultures.
Define vocabulary related to culture.
Explain how history informs cultural norms.
Articulate the difference between personality and socialization.
Choose a conflict style that is appropriate to the given situation.
Analyze and critique various materials using a cultural lens.

Format:
The course will consist of in-class discussions, demonstrations, and activities based on weekly
readings, videos, or music. Students will be required to write reflections (one page or less) on
culture topics addressed in class.

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Expectations:
Late assignments will not be accepted. All assignments are due at the beginning of class. Should
a student miss an assignment, the student will be allowed to turn in the revision (without the
benefit of professor’s feedback). Should a student miss a revision, the first draft will still be
graded. As we will cover topics multiple times using different frames of reference, it is in your
best interest to complete all assignments. You will have the opportunity to practice your revision
skills with the first two assignments leading up to the third assignment where you will be
expected to perform revisions on your own before submitting the final draft.

Students are expected to have completed the assigned readings, videos, or music prior to the
beginning of class. This course is not in lecture format! Class discussion is only possible if you
have completed the assignments.

Students are expected to communicate any questions or concerns proactively.

Course Requirements:

1. Class attendance and participation policy:

As all assignments are based on in-class discussions, absences will affect the quality of
your work. Students may miss up to two classes without penalty. Starting with the 3rd
absence, final grades will be reduced by 10% for each class missed.

All students are expected to arrive on time to every class. Every minute you are late is a
minute of material that you have missed! Should tardiness become an issue, 10% will be
deducted from your final grade.

2. Course Materials:
(a) Additional readings, videos, and music will be available via BlackBoard.

3. Assignments:
Students will complete three short reflections over the course of the semester. Reflections
will be no longer than 1 page.

Grading Procedures:
Satisfactory: 60 – 100% | Fail: 0 – 59%

1. Assignments (60%)
(a) Reflection 1 1 points
Revision 11 points
(b) Reflection 2 1 points
Revision 11 points
(c) Reflection 3 36 points

2. Participation (40%)
(a) Attendance 14 points
(b) Readings/videos done 14 points
(c) Assignments complete 5 points
(d) In-class Participation 7 points

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Academic Integrity:
“The Eastman School of Music Academic Integrity Policy seeks to provide clarity and ensure
consistency when members of the Eastman community encounter instances of plagiarized,
fabricated, or falsified information. The guidelines below provide a framework for faculty,
administrators, and students at each stage of the process from identifying cases of academic
dishonesty, through charging and penalizing offenders, to appealing verdicts and amending
penalties” (Eastman School of Music, 2016, para. 3).

You can read the full policy on Academic Integrity here:

http://www.esm.rochester.edu/registrar/policy/03-00/

Accommodations for students with disabilities:

Our school is committed to fostering a welcoming, encouraging, and empowering environment
for students with disabilities. Students with disabilities have the responsibility of contacting the
Access Coordinator as soon as possible after they have filed their intent to enroll. To schedule a
meeting with the access coordinator, call 585.274.1165, or email bsemenow@esm.rochester.edu.

It is a personal decision to disclose the existence of a disability and to request an accommodation

– a decision not to disclose will be respected. While we cannot make accommodations
retroactively (for example, allowing a student to repeat a test with new accommodation), we
encourage you to begin the documentation process at any time during the semester.

Tentative Course Schedule:

Topics Materials to be discussed Assignment Item Due

Sept 13 Culture Vocab Read / watch the
Academic Integrity (Handout in class) materials for next week
Culture Vocab Academic Integrity Activity
Reflection Examples / Lecture
September 20 Activity and Lecture

September 27 Lecture + Discussion Reflection 1 +

Sample reflections
School systems Readings/Video

October 4 Lecture + Discussion Reflection 1 Revision Reflection 1

Government & Free Speech Acculturation Stress (due Monday,
/ Academic Freedom Scale Oct
Acculturation
October 11 Activity + Discussion stress scale
Culture Shock and Stress
Oct 18 Lecture + Discussion + Reflection 2 Reflection 1
Nationalism Video revision

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October 25 Activity + Discussion Read / watch the materials Reflection 2
Religion for next week
Activity + Discussion Read / watch / Listen to
November 1 the materials for next
Gender week
November 8 Discussion Reflection 2 revision
Sexuality
November 15 Podcast discussion Read / watch the materials Reflection 2
Race and Ethnicity pt. 1 for next week revision
November 22 video + Discussion Watch materials
Race and Ethnicity pt. 2 Reflection 3
Nov 29
No Class – Thanksgiving
Break

December 6 Go over Final Reflection 3 Reflection 3

Group Discussions Reflection
December 13-15 Reflection 3 is due on December 15 at 11:59PM
Final Exams ***There is no final exam in this course.***