COM 2603

Intercultural, Development &

Health Communication
Semester 1/2023
 COM 2603:
How to approach assignment 01
Semester 1/2023
 Contact lecturers & section allocation
• Prof S Moola: 012 429 6281, moolas@unisa.ac.za
Health Communication & module coordinator.
• Mr T Lechaba 012 429 6399, Elechalt@unisa.ac.za
Development Communication
• Mrs Z Mbatha mbathzj@unisa.ac.za Intercultural
Communication
My Life email account is compulsory for all communication with
UNISA

Just a reminder it is compulsory to activate and use ONLY your my Life

email account:
• for all contact/communication with lecturers and Unisa, 
• if you are experiencing any technical difficulty please contact:
myLifeHelp@unisa.ac.za - phone: 012 429 3111 (option 2)
• the online examination later in the year,
• Failure to contact us from your my life email account will result in no
response from the team. No private email addresses are allowed for
contact. 
Contact details: UNISA Student assistance services
Dear students
Please store the unisa contact numbers:
•Centralised Toll Free number: 0800 00 1870 (8am-7pm Mon-Fri) & 8am-2pm
Saturdays.
•Website: https://my.unisa.ac.za (myUnisa info) & Unisa website: 
http://www.unisa.ac.za
• Student queries: enquire@unisa.ac.za
•myUnisa: myUnisaHelp@unisa.ac.za - phone: 012 429 3111 (option 2) 
•myLife: myLifeHelp@unisa.ac.za - phone: 012 429 3111 (option 2)
• Application and Registration queries: study-info@unisa.ac.za 
•College of Human Sciences: artes@unisa.ac.za 
• General assignment queries: assign@unisa.ac.za - phone: 012 429 3710
• Exam queries, direct appropriately: aegrotats@unisa.ac.za (012 429
2254); exams@unisa.ac.za; examdisabled@unisa.ac.za;
examadmission@unisa.ac.za; Phone: 012 429 4347;
examinternational@unisa.ac.za; remark@unisa.ac.za;
purchasescript@unisa.ac.za (012 429 2700)
• Despatch: despatch@unisa.ac.za 
• College of Human Sciences query: chs@unisa.ac.za Phone: 012 429 8285
• Generic Email addresses
exams@unisa.ac.za for Examinations
aegrotat@unisa.ac.za for AEGROTAT
remark@unisa.ac.za  for remarks
purchasescript@unisa.ac.za  for purchasing a script
Please keep these contact details safely. 
 ISSUES WITH MOODLE?
My Modules/My Unisa site

Student queries can be directed to:

Toll Free Landline: 0800 00 1870 (Select option 7 for

myModules)
Email: mymodules22@unisa.ac.za (
mailto: mymodules22@unisa.ac.za)
 Assignment due dates for semester 1/2023
The assignment due dates for semester 1/2023 include:

• Assignment 01, written assignment: 20 March 2023 @ 23:00.

• Assignment 02, multiple choice Quiz (MCQ) assignment: 28 April
2023 @23:00.
NB: Please take note of the time closure.
The system is programmed with opening and closing dates. Hence no
extensions can be granted.
Assignment Unique Numbers for semester
1/2023
• Assignment/Assessment unique numbers for semester 1/2023 for
your assignments are as follows:

Semester 1/2023
• Assignment 01 788791 (written assessment)
• Assignment 02 760057 Quiz (MCQ assignment online)
• Submission takes place on Moodle, online only, please refer to the
assignment/assessment shells on my Unisa/my module Moodle
platform.
 NO FURTHER EXTENSIONS CAN BE GRANTED AT ALL

• Kindly adhere to your assignment due dates above.

• After these dates & time the system will close and no further
submissions will be accepted.
• Assignments cannot be emailed to lecturers at all. This is not accepted
at all.
• Also please ensure, you do not wait until the last minute to submit your
assignments, as there can be traffic on the network.
• Assignment unique numbers are provided on Moodle & in this slide
show, to use for your assignment submissions for the semester 1/2023.
 COMPULSORY!!! Please take note
• It is compulsory that you submit a declaration with your assignment (a word version is
uploaded on the Moodle site- under the “declaration folder” and it was also sent via an
announcement). Failure to do so, will unfortunately result in a student obtaining zero 0%
for the assignment. Please read all the technical rules, in your tutorial letter CMNALLE,
101/2022 & on the Moodle site.
• In-text referencing is compulsory in the assignment, per question, from both your study
guide and textbook (or you will lose marks per question). You require a sources consulted
page, declaration, table of contents, etc. in your assignment- please consult with the
101/2023, for technical presentation rules and please ensure you adhere to them all. Please
read CMNALLE tutorial letter- for technical and referencing rules for COM 2603.
• Copied examples from the textbook and study guide are not allowed and zero will be
awarded here. Verbatim quoted assignments are not allowed and zero will be awarded here.
This applies to both assignment and exam submission- please take note and prepare ahead.
Double check- NO incorrect content & NO
corrupt/password protected files are
allowed
• Please triple check your work- ensure you submit the correct contents for COM
2603 assignments, no resubmissions allowed, incorrect content= 0%
• Please check your file is NOT corrupt before uploading, if we cannot open or
access the file zero 0% will be awarded.
• Password protected files are impossible to open- zero 0% will be awarded.
• Please embed your compulsory declaration with/within the assignment as ONE
document and ONE PDF file upload.
• What is submitted is marked and recorded as the final mark- please take note.

PLEASE CHECK YOUR FILE, YOUR CONTENTS, YOUR WORK, YOUR DECLARATION
 Read, read and more read…
• Your 101/2023 & info on the Moodle site (read in full & read and
access the site regularly).
• Your study guide.
• Your prescribed text book.
• CMNALLE: technical & referencing tutorial.
• The Moodle COM 2603 semester 1/2023 site.
• Moodle announcements.
• Moodle folders (with information).
• Etc.
Moodle help files: available on the Moodle
site for your access
• Please access, read and use the Moodle help files uploaded in a folder
on Moodle to help you familiarise yourself with the platform, tools,
navigation etc.
• Please note Moodle is the new learning management system we are
using for online teaching and learning at UNISA.
• All assignment/assessment submissions take place online on the
Moodle platform only.
• Your Quiz (MCQ) assignment/assessment can only be answered
online on the Moodle platform.
 Assignment due-dates
• Written assignment 01- 20 March 2023 @ 23:00.
• MCQ assignment 02- 28 April 2023 @ 23:00.
• Examination date: Check university updates, it will be an online, take
home- timed exam.

NB: NO late assignments will or can be accepted, please submit on

time.
 When can I submit my assignment?
Please note the system will only allow assignment submissions (written
& MCQ ) as follows: 

• Assignment 01- system opens on the 13 March 2023 at 8am. One

week before the submission date.
• Assignment 02- system opens on the 1 April 2023 at 7am. Twenty
eight days before the submission date.

Please take note of the information above. 

My compulsory textbook:
Martin, JN, Nakayama, TK, Van Rheede van Oudtshoorn, GP & Schutte, PJ. 2013. Experiencing
intercultural communication: an introduction. South African edition. London: McGraw-Hill.
 Assignment 01: instructions
• Assignment due date: 20 March 2023, the system closes at 23:00, written
assignment unique number: 788791 please do not wait until the last minute
to submit, also please note: no late assignment files are accepted. No
extensions can be granted- please plan ahead.
• Only PDF files are allowed.
• Students are required to submit their assignment via the file submission box
(upload your PDF file here- follow the system prompts). Please submit online
only, via the My Modules/My Unisa_Moodle, platform.
• No emailed assignments are allowed and will be deleted.
• Please go to the “add submission” button on Moodle to submit your answer
file online.
• Remember to click the “submission button” for your confirmation. Or
your assignment will remain in a draft form and cannot be
marked. Double check: it says “submitted” and not “Draft/in
Draft form”
• Keep screen shots of your submission (as a back-up).
• Once the submission is completed, please note no re-submissions are
allowed at all.
• Your assignment declaration is compulsory, to embed within your
assignment, and then you are only allowed to upload ONE file, in PDF.
Failure to submit a declaration will result in a student obtaining zero,
for the written assignment. Please adhere to departmental rules.
• In-text referencing per a question is compulsory, or marks will be lost
per question.
• Please use the mark allocated per question, as a guide for how much
to write, per question.

• Please adhere to all the technical rules and processes as per CMNALLE
(Example: table of contents page, sources consulted page, declaration
page, in-text referencing, level of headings and sub-headings, etc. as
per tutorial letter CMNALLE).

• Incorrect module content, blank files, corrupt files, read only files,
password protected files- will obtain zero, please double check,
before you submit your assignment file online.
 INTRODUCTION & CONCLUSION
• Write a general introduction and a general conclusion for all three
sections when you are introducing and concluding the entire
assignment.
 HOW TO APPROACH MY
ASSIGNMENT 01
• What do we mean by “explain” and “discuss”
• What do we mean by referencing “in-text” & in your “sources
consulted”
• What do we mean by: explain theory & integrate with a practical
example (related to the subject field you are dealing with).
 HOW MUCH DO I NEED TO WRITE
PER QUESTION?
• Use the mark allocation per question, use that to guide you along, the
aim is to answer the question with a theoretical and practical
component (where requested per question).
• Example: 5 marks- write about half a page.
2 marks- write about a few lines.
10 marks- 1 page.
• AIM: to answer the question.
Referencing, referencing & more
referencing
• You must reference or source a text you have used per question in the
assignment, your major source would be the text book and the study
guide. You need to reference in-text as well as in the sources consulted.
If you do not reference per question you will loose marks in the
assignment per question. Please add in your declaration its compulsory.
• In-text referencing: when you are writing and answer and you quote
directly from the text book or study guide word for word you use
inverted commas, According to Martin, Nakayama, Van Rheede van
Oudtshoorn and Schuttle 2013:11) “…………………” OR “………….” (Martin,
Nakayama, Van Rheede van Oudtshoorn & Schuttle 2013:11)
 How to reference the study guide
• Any information you use from the study guide must be referenced.
• How to: in-text referencing, that is in-between the text per question.
• Example: According to The University of South Africa (2008:11)
“…………….” direct quote OR “…………….” direct quote (University of
South Africa 2008:11).
 Paraphrasing: writing/explaining a
theoretical aspect in my own words…
• This means you take the information in the text book, study guide or
any other source and you re-write the information in your own words,
BUT beware this is NOT your own work therefore you MUST still
reference in-text as well as in the sources consulted page.
Example: if you are trying to explain a definition in your own words but
you read it in the study guide:
• Health communication takes place in a medical setting between
different medical professionals and patients, they communicate with
each other about a health matter. (University of South Africa
2008:105).
 SOURCES CONSULTED PAGE AT THE
END OF THE ASSIGNMENT
• Here you list ALL the sources you referenced in-text at the end of the
assignment with full details.
Example:
• Martin, JN, Nakayama, TK, Van Rheede van Oudtshoorn, GP &
Schutte, PJ. 2013. Experiencing intercultural communication: an
introduction. South African edition. London: McGraw-Hill.
• University of South Africa. 2008. Intercultural, development and
health communication. Only study guide COM2048 for COM2603.
Pretoria: University of South Africa.
 Assignment checklist
• Have you included a declaration as a first page to your assignment? Have you and
a witness signed your declaration? (Or have you provided the names of your
witness/es if you submitted the assignment online?)

• Have you included a table of contents with headings and the correct levels of
headings?

• Have you numbered and separated the pages from one another?

• If your assignment is typed, have you left a right-hand margin of approximately 4

cm for tutorial comments?
• Have you edited your assignment to ensure that there are no spelling
and language errors?

• Have you correctly cited (referenced) the discussion with the correct
in-text references?

• Have you included a list of sources consulted at the end of your

assignment?

• Have you listed the study guide and all the other sources you used
(internet articles, books, articles, tutorial letters used) in your list of
sources consulted?
 TOPICS…
• SECTION A: Intercultural Communication

• Section B: Development Communication

• Section C: Health Communication

 INTERCULTURAL COMMUNICATION
QUESTION 1
• Read the scenario below and answer the questions that follow.

Intercultural conflicts at the University of Diversity in the Western Cape

The management at the University of Diversity has noted that there are constant conflicts among students
belonging to diverse ethnic and racial groups at the university.

•
Management has also noted that students rarely interact or form study groups with members of other
racial groups – the majority of students only study with members of their own racial group. Despite offering
diversity training, management has come to realise that this has not helped. According to the university,
intercultural conflict between white and black students is common at the university. The majority of black
students say there is racism at the university, and most lecturers treat them badly. Management believes
there might be other factors, besides cultural differences, that influence intercultural communication among
students at the university. The vice-principal has invited you, as an intercultural communication expert, to
explain what other factors influence intercultural conflict, besides cultural differences.
1.1 Explain how the following factors influence intercultural
communication, by using examples from the above scenario.

1.1.1 Power (5)

1.1.2 Historical context (5)
 
1.2 Discuss acceptance, the second stage in majority identity
development, and explain how this stage may influence
intercultural communication at the University of Diversity. (5)
QUESTION 2

2.1 Discuss the following value orientations, and provide examples from your own experience:

2.1.1 Collectivist/individualist value orientation (5)

2.1.2 High-context vs. low-context communication (5)
 
2.2 The manager of B&B multinational company, based in the United States, devised a
communication strategy for a B&B franchise that she was planning to open in Southern Africa. She
based the communication strategy on the idea that Africans are collectivistic. However, this
communication strategy failed, as some African employees preferred an individualistic approach to
work and communication. Discuss two limitations of the value frameworks and provide examples
from the scenario above. (5)

Sub-total: [30]
 DEVELOPMENT COMMUNICATION
QUESTION 1
You have been requested by a development organisation to be its development
communication consultant, to promote the diffusion of a new idea into your
community. Discuss the steps you would follow to implement a diffusion of
innovations development project in your community. Your discussion should be
guided by the following aspects:

1.1Provide a definition of ‘diffusion of innovations’. (4)

1.2Explain the four stages of diffusion of innovations, with relevant examples from
the new idea you are diffusing in your community. (2X4=8)
 
1.3 Which mass media would you use during stage 1
(knowledge), to promote the innovation, and why? (4)

1.4 How would you promote the innovation during stages 2, 3

and 4? (4)
QUESTION 2
2.1 Provide an explanation modernisation theory as a dominant paradigm, by
focusing on its main characteristics. (5)
 
2.2 Provide an explanation of dependency theory as a dependency
paradigm, by focusing on its main characteristics. (5)

Sub-total: [30]
 HEALTH COMMUNICATION
QUESTION 1
Read the scenario below, before attempting to answer the questions that follow.
Nathi has been acting strangely, and his family believe he has become possessed. He has
become obsessed and compulsive about different aspects. He has become confused, with
thoughts that recur, and unwanted repetitive acts that he is unable to resist. His uncles have
suggested that he consult a medical doctor to obtain a diagnosis.
 
Nathi is willing to go to the doctor with his uncle, but his dad is unhappy and wants to take him
to a herbalist. Nathi’s mother is very worried and wants her son to get better soon. His cousins
also arrive to visit him and offer their support.
 
Nathi’s best friend has advised his family and him to read up on OCD as an illness. Since his
friend is a final-year medical student, he has been researching this illness as part of a project
he is working on for university.
 1.1 Provide a definition of obsessive-compulsive disorder
(OCD) and integrate Nathi’s situation (see above) in your
discussion. Remember to reference the theoretical discussion
and link this with practical examples from the scenario above.
(3)
1.2 Provide an explanation of the clinical management of this
illness from both a biomedical and an outcomes-based
approach. (3)
1.3 Provide an explanation of what the core focus of the OCD
Association of South Africa is all about. (2)
1.4 Explain what the objectives of the OCD Association of
South Africa are, and link each objective to Nathi’s situation (see
the scenario above).
QUESTION 2:
2.1 Provide a detailed explanation, with full references, of what euthanasia means or how it
is understood in different cultures, and by people with different ethical positions. (4)

2.2 From your cultural or religious perspective, what is your opinion on euthanasia? Are
you for or against it? (2)

2.3 Consult the media by searching for an example of euthanasia. Now report on the
incident: was it allowed, or not? Which parties sought to participate, or actually participated
in the process? How was the health communication message communicated to audiences
via the media? (4)

Sub-total: [30]
 COMPULSORY DECLARATION:
• COM 2603- Written assignment 01 compulsory declaration 2023:
please check for the word version on the Moodle platform-compulsory
declaration folder. Please access, fill in your details, embed within your
final assignment document, PDF & upload ONE file only, via the Moodle
platform online.
• No declaration= zero (0%)
• Please reference in-text per question or marks will be lost, per
question.
• Please ensure you make use of your own unique examples (where
requested per section). Please do not copy examples from the textbook
for any section, or marks will be lost here too for copying.
 ASSIGNMENT 02: Quiz (MCQ)
ASSIGNMENT
• Due date: 28 April 2023 @ 11pm.
• Please read all prescribed work for all three sections and answer carefully.
• Select correct options per question online on the Moodle platform
• Submit on the due date- you have to take the Quiz online only.
• No extensions allowed. No resubmissions allowed. One attempt per
question & one attempt per the Quiz only.
• Assignment instructions are available on the Moodle platform, in the
assignment folder for this Quiz/Assessment- please access.
• Feedback: will only be available on the My Modules/Moodle/My Unisa
site after the due date.
 Examination revision: online class session
We will try to host an online class for examination revision on the:
- Date: to be announced
- Time: to be announced
- Link: will be available closer to the time of the broadcast, check your
my Unisa/Moodle announcements, and e-tutor platforms for updates.
- You require Google Chrome to access the live class via the internet
link.
 Examination for semester 1/2023
• Will be online later in the semester.
• Please check the exam revision folder on the myUnisa/MyModules/Moodle site- closer to the
exam time.
• A declaration is compulsory here as well (or zero will be awarded) & the university honour pledge.
• In-text referencing is compulsory per question, in the exam or marks will be lost per question.
• Unique examples (not copied from the textbook or study guide are required, where requested in
the exam) or marks will be lost for copying examples from our sources provided.
• No full verbatim, inverted commas exam is allowed or zero will be awarded. Paraphrasing and
refencing all sources is compulsory.
• It will be a timed, take home exam.
• It will be online- internet connection is required.
• No emailed exams are allowed.
• More information will be communicated by us and the university as the semester proceeds.
Only one, PDF file can be uploaded.
No resubmissions are allowed, please submit correctly the first time.
Blank, incorrect module content, corrupt, read only files, password protected etc. files are zero.
Please double-check your work before you upload your file.
Format: online, take home, timed examination.
Please do not leave blanks in the examination.
Please number your exam answer pages and number each question exactly- as per the exam
question paper.
The final submission is accepted and marked.
Scanned exams: clarity and legibility is core as what is submitted is marked as the final mark.
The invigilator App: details on this will be placed on Moodle. Please watch this video on
https://vimeo.com/607264524 how to use the App. Please note students need to access the App
immediately, once they download the exam paper, or the time to access/for entry expires. The App
needs to be open and running throughout your exam period. Exam papers need to be submitted
on the myExams system/platform (single file upload) for the App- follow the system prompts here
please. If you experience technical difficulties on The Invigilator App, contact the technical
helpdesk via WhatsApp on 073 505 8273. No App- no mark.
More exam rules will be communicated closer to the exam time- please check Moodle for updates.
 GOOD LUCK!!!
• Please work hard.
• Ask us if you feel lost, we are here to help!
• Remember to reference in-text and in the sources consulted OR you
will lose marks per question. Please try hard here.
• Start studying for your exam from now.
• Read your myLife accounts and check the Moodle platform often
please.
• Email us if you need help 
STUDY GUIDE UNITS PRESCRIBED BOOK CHAPTERS

Study unit 1 Chapter 1

Study unit 2 Chapter 2, 4

Study unit 3 Chapter 3

Study unit 4 Chapters 5 and 6

Study unit 5 Chapter 3

Study unit 6 Chapter 7

Study unit 7 Chapter 8

Study unit 8 Chapter 13

   

Intercultural communication in the tourism context Chapter 9

Part B: Development communication Chapter 13

Part C: Health communication Chapter 12

Intercultural communication and business communication Chapter 10 (can be linked to globalisation aspects in the study guide)

Intercultural communication and education (South African context) Chapter 11

Study guide Section topic New prescribed book

Activity 1.1 Why study intercultural communication? Chapter 1

Activity 1.2 The history of the study of intercultural communication – early development of the discipline No reference

Activity 1.3 The history of the study of intercultural communication – approaches No reference

Activity 1.4 The history of the study of intercultural communication – dialectical approach No reference
Activity 2.1 Culture and communication – culture Pages 21-28

Activity 2.2 Culture and communication – communication Pages 28-31

Activity 2.3 Culture and communication – context and power Pages 31-33

Activity 2.4 Culture and communication – histories No reference

Activity 2.5 Culture and communication – the power of histories No reference

Activity 2.6 Culture and communication – history and identity No reference

Activity 2.7 Culture and communication – intercultural communication and history No reference

Activity 3.1 Identity and intercultural communication – the dialectic nature of identity No reference

Activity 3.2 Identity and intercultural communication – identity and language No reference

Activity 3.3 Identity and intercultural communication – identity development Pages 59–62

Activity 3.4 Identity and intercultural communication – social and cultural identities Pages 48–58

Activity 3.5 Identity and intercultural communication – stereotypes and prejudice Pages 33–-38

Activity 3.6 Identity and intercultural communication – multiculturalism Pages 62–65

Activity 4.1 Language and intercultural communication – the dialectic nature of language Pages 90–92

Activity 4.2 Language and intercultural communication – language and perception Pages 92–94
Activity 4.3 Language and intercultural communication – cultural variations in language Pages 94–97
Activity 4.4 Language and intercultural communication – multilingualism Pages 102–107
Activity 4.5 Language and intercultural communication – language, politics and policies Pages 106–107
Activity 4.6 Nonverbal codes and cultural space Pages 116–123
Activity 4.7 Nonverbal codes and cultural space – cultural space  
Activity 5.1 Understanding intercultural transitions Pages 9–13

Understanding intercultural transitions – thinking dialectically about intercultural

Activity 5.2 transitions No reference
Activity 5.3 Understanding intercultural transitions – six trends in international migration No reference
Activity 5.4 Understanding intercultural transitions – types of migrant groups No reference
Activity 5.5 Understanding intercultural transitions – types of migrant groups No reference
Activity 5.6 Migrant-host relationships No reference
Activity 5.7 Cultural adaptation No reference
Activity 5.8 Cultural adaptation – interpretive approach Pages 62–65
Activity 5.9 Cultural adaptation – critical approach Pages 62–65
Activity 6.1 Learning about culture without personal experience Pages 128–131
Activity 6.2 Consuming and resisting popular culture Pages 134–137
Activity 6.3 Representing cultural groups Pages 137–138
Activity 6.4 US popular culture and power Pages 131–134
Activity 7.1 Culture, communication and intercultural relations Pages 142–144
Activity 7.2 Thinking dialectically about intercultural relationships No reference
Activity 7.3 Benefits and challenges of intercultural relationships Pages 142–147
Activity 7.4 Intercultural relationships Pages 147–159

Activity 8.1 Characteristics of intercultural conflict Pages 235–236

Activity 8.2 Two theoretical approaches and the dialectic perspective No reference

Activity 8.3 Social science approach to conflict – types of conflict Pages 236–237

Activity 8.3 Social science approach to conflict – strategies for dealing with conflict Pages 238–239

Activity 8.4 Interpretive and critical approaches to conflict No reference

Activity 8.5 Managing intercultural conflict Pages 239–140

Activity 8.6 The future of intercultural communication – the components of competence No reference

The future of intercultural communication – applying knowledge about intercultural

Activity 8.7 communication No reference

Activity 8.8 The future of intercultural communication – what the future holds No reference
• To complete your studies, you need to study all three sections:
• In order to complete section A: Intercultural Communication, you
need to acquire the prescribed book as well as use your study guide.
• For section B: Development Communication and section C: Health
Communication, you need to study the material in both the study
guide and the prescribed book.
• Draw up your own study programme for a semester period of 15
weeks. Take the examination date into consideration and allow
yourself sufficient time to revise for the examination, as we have
already suggested.
• Start your studies at learning unit 1 of your study guide. Do all the
activities in each learning unit as they will not only better prepare you
for the examination, but will also teach you various skills that you will
be able to apply in real-life working situations.