Interpersonal Communication Assignment One:
An Intercultural Encounter

This assignment counts under the syllabus grading category of Activities/Quizzes/Participation

Purpose: 

1.  To identify differences between you and someone from another culture that is as completely different from yours as possible.  . 

2.  To experience and analyze an intercultural interaction that takes place in person. 

Formatting Requirements:  

        1.  Due Monday, February 2, 2009, at the beginning of the class session.  After class is called to order,
             I will take your assignments as your name is called on the class roll.  No late assignments or excuses are
             accepted!  

        2.  Type or word-process and double-space the assignment.  For your assignment, use 1-2 sheets of 8.5 by 11
             inch white paper only.  Use no more than two pages and no less than one full page.  Do not continue to
             a third page.  Use one-inch margins on the left and right sides and top/bottom.  Use Courier 10 CPI or Times Roman
             12 point font.  No title pages or folders are allowed on this assignment.  DO NOT fold or staple them together.
             Failure to follow the instructions will result in a letter grade penalty for each infraction.  

        3.   Put your full name, paper title, and date in upper left corner and number each page in the upper right corner.  

                For example:

                Michael Kobleur
                SPCM 1500, 1:25 pm
                Interpersonal Assignment I
                February 2, 2009

        4.   Poor grammar, spelling, appearance, etc. will result in a lowered grade.  

Directions: 

1.  Initiate an in-person interaction with someone from a different culture who you did not know prior to this assignment. 
       You WILL NOT conduct this interview electronically through phone, computer, etc. 
       This WILL NOT be someone with whom you are friends or with whom you went to high school, or anything
       of the like.  This might feel awkward and uncomfortable for you, but it will be well worth the effort.  People
       are generally very open to talking to other people. 

2.  Try to carry on a conversation for at least five minutes.  This can be done casually while you are walking
        across campus, sitting next to someone on the bus, or before class begins. 

3.  Ask questions that focus on interpersonal communication.  You can ask about this person’s experiences in
        assimilating to the United States.  You might also ask what this person has found to be different in relationships
        and interactions from their native country.  Be sure to gather the information you need to answer the questions below. 

4. Pay attention both the answers given to your questions and the way the two of you interact as well. 

Questions to address: 

What is this person’s native country?  How long has he or she been in the United States?  Why is she or he here? 

What major differences did you discover between you and this other person? 

What similarities did you discover between you and this other person? 

What difficulties would you anticipate if you tried to develop a relationship with this person? 

How well do you think you would be able to assimilate into the other person’s culture if you were to visit? 

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