Intercultural Interview Analysis

This assignment requires students to conduct an intercultural interview with someone from a cultural background different from their own. The interviewee should be asked questions that help understand their perspective on culture, the role of communication in their culture, and how their cultural practices compare and contrast with those of the student. The student will then write a 1800-2500 word essay analyzing the interview and discussing similarities and differences between their own cultural experiences and identity and that of the interviewee.

COMM 377: Paper #2 – Intercultural Interview
This assignment is worth up to 75 points.
One of the best ways to learn about cultures (our own as well as others) is to engage with people from a
different cultural background than your own. This paper helps you with that process. For this
assignment, you will interview someone (for roughly 10 – 15 minutes) who belongs to a cultural group
that is different from your own. You may not interview another student from this class. You must
conduct the interview face to face. Interviews conducted via email are NOT acceptable.
There is a list of possible interview questions at the end of this assignment. This list is provided as a
resource to help you construct your own list of interview questions. You are not required to ask these
questions. In fact, you will need to tailor the questions you ask based on the type of intercultural
relationship that exists between you and your interviewee and/or the type of cultural differences that
exist between you and your interviewee.
This interview should have 3 objectives: 1) learn about your interviewee’s perspective of culture, 2)
learn about a culture with which your interviewee identifies (How does s/he describe it? What beliefs,
traditions, customs, values, etc. give the culture its unique identity?), and 3) learn your interviewee’s
view of the role of communication in his/her culture. In all of the objectives, your interview should note
how the culture and the communicative practices in question are similar and/or different from your own.
Make and keep a recording of the interview (with the permission of the interviewee, of course!), and
take notes during the interview so that you can remember insights that you might want to share in your
essay.
Write an 1800 – 2500 word essay in which you discuss the interview and analyze how your own cultural
communication practices compare and/or contrast to those of your interviewee. Identify your
interviewee and the cultural tradition(s) they identify that differs from your own. Explain how they
describe and discuss their culture, what is important to that culture, what makes your interviewee
identify with that culture, and how those things relate to your own cultural experiences and identity.
You will turn in 3 things:
1. Your list of interview questions
2. Evidence of the interview (picture of yourself with the interviewee, screen shot of the skype
conversation, audio recording, scan of your interview notes, etc.)
3. The essay
There is not need to do outside research for this assignment, but if you do make a claim that does not
arise from the interview and is not public knowledge or clearly intuitive, cite a reputable source (no
random websites or weblogs, must have a clearly identifiable author). The same rules about academic
dishonesty apply here that apply to all other written work. Your paper must be clear of any plagiarism or
academic dishonesty of any kind. If you are unclear about what constitutes academic dishonesty, see the
link to Towson’s Academic Integrity Policy included in the syllabus. In short, do your own work, and
when you use other people’s ideas cite them. If you use other people’s words, quote them. Make sure
your paper is well organized. It should be clearly written, display correct spelling, grammar, and

punctuation. Proofread the final product before your turn the paper in. If I find an inordinate number of
errors, your grade will suffer.
Your paper should be well organized, with a clear introduction, body, and conclusion. Please use
transitions to guide the reader from one section of your paper to another. Your paper should display
correct spelling, grammar, and punctuation. Please note that I reserve the right to deduct one point, up to
a total of 10%, for each typographical, grammatical, or spelling error found in your paper. To ensure the
best grade possible, please proofread your paper carefully.
Please use correct APA format. Your paper should be in 12 pt, Times New Roman font with 1 inch
margins. There is not a research requirement for this paper, but any research that is completed must be
properly cited. Similarly, if you make a claim that is not public knowledge or clearly intuitive, please
cite a reputable source (no random websites or weblogs). Additionally, you MUST indicate when you
are quoting your interviewee directly by placing that content inside quotation marks.
Your grade will be based on 1) your selection and defense of an appropriate interviewee, 2) your
selection and application of interview questions 3) the quality and clarity of your analysis, and 4) the
quality and clarity of your writing. You should also refer to your syllabus for what constitutes “A,” “B,”
“C,” “D,” and “F” level work.
Your paper is due by 11:59 on Friday, April 8th, 2016 via Blackboard.
Papers turned in after this time without prior arrangement with me WILL NOT BE ACCEPTED.

Possible Cultural Interview Questions
Remember, these questions should be used as a springboard to generate your OWN list of questions that
are specific to you and your interviewee. Do NOT rely solely on this list for your interview.
1. How would you define “culture?”
2. What culture(s) do you see as most important to you?
3. How do you define “family?”
4. Who holds the most “status” in your family? Why?
5. How do you define success?
6. Do you consider your parents to be successful?
7. How important is education in your family?
8. Is punctuality important to you? Why or why not?
9. What is the most important meal of the day?
10. Do you eat foods that are indigenous to your culture? Why or why not? If you answered yes,
name some of the foods that you eat. If you answered no, what types of foods do you eat?
11. Did you ever live with your grandparents or extended family?
12. Do you actively participate in an organized religion?
13. How important is religion in your family? Why?
14. If religion is important in your family, do you plan to pass this on to your children? Why or why
not?
15. Are the roles of men and women specifically defined in your family? If so, what are they?
16. Do you have any eating habits/rituals that are specific to your culture?
17. Define and describe the most important (or most celebrated) holiday of your culture.
18. If you are from a culture that speaks English as a second language, do you speak your native
language? If not, why? If so, will you teach your native language to any children you have?
19. How is physical contact viewed in your culture?
20. What is considered most disrespectful in your culture?

21. What is considered most respectful in your culture?
22. What would you say is, from your perspective, the most commonly held misconception about
people of your culture?
23. Have you ever experienced racism? In what form?
24. What can be done about racism and prejudice, in your opinion?
25. Do young people today have a sense of culture?
26. What is the best thing about living in the USA?
27. What is the worst thing about living in the USA?
28. Have you ever felt excluded based on your gender or culture?
29. Do you remember excluding others based on Culture or Gender?
30. Is there anything you would like others to know that we have not included here about you or
your culture?
31. Thank you- is there anything else you would like to share?