Narrative Description:
This global studies module allows the student to apply various interpersonal communication concepts to a different culture. In doing so, the student will be able to discern key differences and similarities in communicative behaviors between his or her native culture and an unfamiliar culture. Furthermore, students will be able to discover underlying reasons for differences in communicative behavior between cultures thereby underscoring the interconnected nature of communication and the larger cultural context.
Cross-Cultural Communication Analysis Report:
For this assignment, you will observe some facet of interpersonal communication within a specific culture, describe correlations between specific communicative behaviors and other factors within the culture (economic forces, gender, social class, etc.), and consider how this culture differs from your native culture.
Your report will consist of the following components:
An introduction with a thesis statement
An explanation of the historical context of the country
A current economic profile of the country
Natural resources
Industry
A very brief overview of public finances
Description of the role of social class
Description of the role of religious institutions
Description of Gender roles and norms within society
Explaining your tools of analysis
Your chosen concept(s) from our text
Cultural perceptions of the “self”. Collectivistic or individualistic culture
High or low context culture (inferences from language)
Nonverbal communication norms (emblems, proxemics, etc.)
Cultural norms guiding emotional expression
Gender roles and communication norms
Analysis
Using your chosen concept as a lens (from the text), examine the communication of your subject
Describe correlations between your background research findings and specific communication behaviors
Compare and contrast the communication of your subject culture vs. your native culture.
9. A brief conclusion summarizing your main points
To begin, choose a country as your subject from the following State Department list:
http://www.state.gov/r/pa/ei/bgn/ (Links to an external site.) Links to an external site.
Your project will be completed in five “phases.” Please see the schedule for when each of the phases should be completed.
Phase One – An explanation of the historical context of the country & A current economic profile of the country
Phase Two – Description of the role of social class, Description of the role of religious institutions & Description of Gender roles and norms within society
Phase Three – Explaining your tools of analysis
Phase Four – Using your chosen concept as a lens (from the text), examine the communication of your subject
Phase Five – Put the paper together
You may also find information from the following Library of Congress web site:
http://memory.loc.gov/frd/cs/ (Links to an external site.) Links to an external site.
You may also find information from the Global Road Warrior web site (located in our virtual library).