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Knowledge, Information and Communication: Theories of Cross-Cultural Exchange

Johannes Angermüller, ISOZ Magdeburg
HS Makrosoziologie, European Studies
winter 2003/2004, Tuesdays 9:15 am to 10:45 am
office hours

Short description

This seminar will compare a few theoretical approaches to the problem of communication and information such as systems theory, media studies, discourse analysis, and cultural studies approaches. In order to apply these theories we will have a look into the diversity of European cultures, institutions and systems, especially in the areas of education and media. Short essays are to be written on a regular basis.

Course Syllabus

October 14th 2003
>> Introduction I

October 21st 2003
>> Introduction II

  • Deborah Tannen (1985): Cross-Cultural Communication. Teun A. van Dijk (ed.): Handbook of Dicourse Analysis. Volume 4. Discourse Analysis in Society. London et al.: Academic Press, pp. 203-215.
  • John B. Thompson (1995): Social Theory and the Media. In: David Crowley and David Mitchell (eds.), Communication Theory Today. Cambridge: Polity, pp. 27-49.


    • Introduction: Corina Scholz

    October 28th 2003
    >> Pragmatics and Communicative Action I: Conversation and Culture

  • Teun A. van Dijk (1985): Introduction: Dialogue as Discourse and Interaction. In: Teun A. van Dijk (ed.): Handbook of Dicourse Analysis. Volume 3. Discourse and Dialogue. London et al.: Academic Press, pp. 1-11.
  • Deirdre Boden (1995): Talk, Text and History. In: David Crowley and David Mitchell (eds.), Communication Theory Today. Cambridge: Polity, pp. 140-169.
  • Robin Lakoff (2000[1975]): Talking Like a Lady. In: Lucy Burke, Tony Crowley, Alan Girvin (eds.), The Routledge Language and Cultural Theory Reader. London and New York: Routledge, pp. 154-160.


    • Introduction: Amke Siuts, Nadya Lazaroba

    November 4th 2003
    >> Pragmatics and Communicative Action II: Cross-cultural Encounters

  • Richard Porter and Larry A. Samovar (1997): An Introduction to Intercultural Communication. In: Larry A. Samovar and Richard E. Porter (eds.), Intercultural Communication. A Reader. Eighth Edition. Wadsworth Publishing Company: Belmont et al., pp. 5-26.
  • Mary Fong (1997): The Crossroads of Language and Culture. In: Larry A. Samovar and Richard E. Porter (eds.), Intercultural Communication. A Reader. Eighth Edition. Wadsworth Publishing Company: Belmont et al., pp. 207-213.
  • Donal Carbaugh (1997): Finnish and American Linguistic Patterns: A Cultural Comparison. In: Larry A. Samovar and Richard E. Porter (eds.), Intercultural Communication. A Reader. Eighth Edition. Wadsworth Publishing Company: Belmont et al., pp. 221-226.
  • Robert A. Friday (1997): Contrasts in Discussion Behaviors of German and American Managers. In: Larry A. Samovar and Richard E. Porter (eds.), Intercultural Communication. A Reader. Eighth Edition. Wadsworth Publishing Company: Belmont et al., pp. 297-307.


    • Introduction: Andreja Donat, Franziska Panter

    November 11th 2003
    >> Pragmatics and Communication III: Strategies and Paradoxes

    Turn in your first essay based on reading assignments from October 21st to November 11th!

  • John Platt (1989): Some types of communicative strategies across cultures: Sense and sensitivity. In: Ofelia García and Ricardo Otheguy (eds.), English across Cultures. Cultures across English. A Reader in Cross-cultural Communication. Berlin, New York: Mouton de Gruyter, pp. 13-29.
  • Gregory Bateson (1985): A Theory of Play and Fantasy. In: Robert E. Innis (ed.), Semiotics. An Introductory Anthology. Bloomington: Indiana University Press, pp. 129-144.
  • Wen-Shu Lee (1997): That's Greek to Me: Between a Rock and a Hard Place in Intercultural Encounters. In: Larry A. Samovar and Richard E. Porter (eds.), Intercultural Communication. A Reader. Eighth Edition. Wadsworth Publishing Company: Belmont et al., pp. 213-221.


    • Introduction: Nadine John, Susan Hoffmann

    November 18th 2003
    >> Semiotics and Communication I: The Classical Model

  • Ferdinand de Saussure (2000[1916]): The Nature of the Linguistic Sign. In: Lucy Burke, Tony Crowley, Alan Girvin (eds.), The Routledge Language and Cultural Theory Reader. London and New York: Routledge, pp. 231-240.
  • Roman Jakobson (1971[1968]): Language in relation to other communication systems. In: Selected Writings. II. Word and Language. The Hague, Paris: Mouton, pp. 697-708.
  • Roman Jakobson (1999[1960]): Linguistics and Poetics. In: Adam Jaworski and Nikolas Coupland (eds.), The Discourse Reader. London, New York: Routledge, pp. 54-62.


    • Introduction: Alexandra Kusztal, Malgorza Lakota

    November 25th 2003
    >> Semiotics and Communication II: The Limits of the Classical Model

  • V.N. Vološinov (1985): Verbal Interaction. In: Robert E. Innis (ed.), Semiotics. An Introductory Anthology. Bloomington: Indiana University Press, pp. 47-66.
  • Edward T. Hall (1997): Context and Meaning. In: Larry A. Samovar and Richard E. Porter (eds.), Intercultural Communication. A Reader. Eighth Edition. Wadsworth Publishing Company: Belmont et al., pp. 45-54.
  • Michel Foucault (2000[1970]): The Discourse on Language. In: Lucy Burke, Tony Crowley, Alan Girvin (eds.), The Routledge Language and Cultural Theory Reader. London and New York: Routledge, pp. 231-240.


    • Introduction: Alicia Zyubrzinska

    December 2nd 2003
    >> Social Theory and Communication I: Normative Approaches

  • Simone Chambers (1995): Discourse and Democratic Practices. In: Stephen K. White (ed.), The Cambridge Companion to Habermas. Cambridge, New York, Melbourne: Cambridge University Press, pp. 233-259.


    • Introduction: Martina Mikeszova, Aleksandra Suska

    December 9th 2003
    >> Social Theory and Communication II: Medium Theories

  • Niklas Luhmann (2000): The Reality of the Mass Media. Cambridge: Polity.
  • Denis McQuail (1995): Mass Communication and the Public Interest. In: David Crowley and David Mitchell (eds.), Communication Theory Today. Cambridge: Polity, pp. 235-253.
  • Joshua Meyrowitz (1995): Medium Theory. In: David Crowley and David Mitchell (eds.), Communication Theory Today. Cambridge: Polity, pp. 50-77.


    • Introduction: Natalia Hyla, Kai Gleissner

    December 16th 2003
    >> Social Theory and Communication III

    January 13th 2004
    >> Postmodernity, Globalization and the World System I

    Turn in your second essay based on reading assignments from November 18th to January 13th!

  • Mark Poster (1995): The Mode of Information and Postmodernity. In: David Crowley and David Mitchell (eds.), Communication Theory Today. Cambridge: Polity, pp. 173-192.
  • Ien Ang (1995): In the Realm of Uncertainty. The Global Village and Capitalist Postmodernity. In: David Crowley and David Mitchell (eds.), Communication Theory Today. Cambridge: Polity, pp. 193-213.


    • Introduction: Anja Hess

    January 20th 2004
    >> Postmodernity, Globalization and World System II

  • William Melody (1995): Dear C. Barnlund (1997): Communication in a Global Village. In: Larry A. Samovar and Richard E. Porter (eds.), Intercultural Communication. A Reader. Eighth Edition. Wadsworth Publishing Company: Belmont et al., pp. 27-35.
  • Majid Tehranian (1995): Communication and Development. In: David Crowley and David Mitchell (eds.), Communication Theory Today. Cambridge: Polity, pp. 274-306.


    • Introduction: Awla Adamska

    January 27th 2004
    >> Summary

    February 3rd 2004
    >> Conclusion

  • Possible term paper subjects
  • Guidelines for producing a term paper (in German)
  • Turn in your term paper with a properly filled out Schein by February 16th. Leave it in my departmental mail box (at the corner of the copying machine).


    • General Remarks

    Each participant is encouraged to give a presentation during one of the classes (10 minutes). On November 11h and January 13th all students are expected to turn in short essays (Magister students: 3 to 5 pages, European Studies: 2 to 3 pages, in English or in German) where the reading assignments of the preceding sessions are to be critically discussed and where own ideas should be developed. 2 Credit points can be obtained for participation, an oral presentation and the two essays, an additional 3 credit points or a "Hausarbeitsschein" can be obtained for another longer essay (Magister students: 15 to 20 pages, European studies: around 10 pages). Class attendance is obligatory at all times; up to two absences are possible on justification only. A few tips, explanations and guiding questions for your reading convenience will be posted by every Friday before each class here.