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INTR 561/2: Intercultural Communication
Case Study Procedures
Why a case study? The purpose of working through case studies in this course is to enable you to develop skills in four major areas:
a. The ability to think through and discern what the actual issues are ( critical reasoning and analysis )
b. The ability to avoid major mistakes which can set a ministry back for years to come ( developing intercultural sensitivity and wisdom )
c. The ability to work together with a group and arrive at a group decision as to how to deal with a real life problem ( community and team relationships and learning )
d. The ability to learn and change your thinking as a result of discussion with others who see things differently from you ( learning to learn! )
Prior to the class period in which we discuss the case :
- Read the case carefully to become thoroughly acquainted with all of the details under consideration.
- Construct a rough time line of the events that led to the situation being considered (simply draw or write it out in your book)
- Using a high lighter, identify all of the significant characters in the case.
On your worksheet...
- List the major sets factors involved in choosing a course of action.
a. Decision(s) faced (page 1): what decision does is the person being asked to make? Include any contextual specifics of relevance (i.e., important factors in the immediate context of the case study such as deadlines, impending dangers, etc.);
b. Phenomenological analysis (page 1): From the insider's and cross-cultural worker’s perspectives:
i. What are the personal needs involved?
ii. What cultural values are important in the decision-making process?
c. Relevant Scriptural guidelines (page 2):
i. What are the most significant and relevant scriptural texts, principles, case studies, and guidelines which must be weighed in the decision-making process?
- Identify what you consider to be the one best solution (page 2). For that solution, propose
a. What the solution is and
b. How that solution may be implemented, involving a specific course of action (how the main character in the case study would implement the proposed solution). This course of action should accord with scriptural principles, be culturally sensitive, and focus on the central issue(s) of the case.
Procedures for Case Studies--Page 2
During class time...
We will use a variety of methods to split you into groups and discuss the case. You may write corrections, clarifications, new thoughts, etc. on your Worksheet, but write them in a different color from your pre-class work.
After class...
Within 2 days of the class write in your journal a brief post-discussion report ( maximum of 500 words) noting what you learned in three areas:
Section I: What I Learned about Communication/Culture
What insights did you gain or were reinforced in this case study about the process of communicating across cultural divides? How does culture interfere and/or enhance our approaches to communication about practical issues? When cultures or values clash, how might our communication styles change as a result?
Section II:
What I Learned about Applying Intercultural Communication Theory to Real Challenges
How does the theory and discussion in the course notes and class apply to the settings seen in the case studies? What theory(ies) or idea(s) did you find particularly helpful in this case? This section may overlap with the first section, but is intended to be broader than just intercultural communication. You may also consider which of the dimensions of culture has the most relevance for you and why.
Section III: What I Learned about Myself as a Communicator
This should include both positive and negative lessons. Did you see how your own communication style is intertwined with your cultural values? Did you see evidence of flexibility? Did you find yourself compromising too easily? How did you handle the tensions between truth and relationships? What type of role(s) did you play in your group (initiator, respondent, facilitator, peace-maker, conflict initiator or evader, etc.)? On your original solution, what did you propose that would help develop trust?
For your final Case Study assignment
After the last case study write a 1000 word report (using the three sections above) to integrate and synthesize from all four cases what you learned in each area. Please keep your reflection in 1st^ person; I will be looking for evidence that you know both your weaknesses and strengths.
Include your worksheets for each case study with the report; ensure that you have assigned
yourself a preparation NUMBER grade on each worksheet.
