Assignment

Topic 1: Evidence and Conclusions about Culture 200 words

After completing the required readings, identify the knowledge and experiences that are used when people come to conclusions about another country or culture?

What is a conclusion that you have about a country or culture that is different from your own and how did you come to this conclusion? How can you tell if the personal perception of a country or culture is accurate or a stereotype?

Topic 2: Culture and Communication -200 words count

Imagine that you are visiting a country or culture where you are not easily understood. Your expectations about time, personal space, the roles of men and women, and communication styles seem foreign to the people you encounter. You are hungry and need to get something to eat. Where will you choose to go? How will you interact with the people to get what you need? Describe what this experience would be like. Give one example of how a miscommunication could occur.

What are some ways you might seek to be understood? How can this thought experiment help you in your daily life?

Topic 3 Cross-cultural Influences- 200 word count

In learning about different countries or cultures, it can be useful to get a sense of the belief systems that are key to a worldview. The unit Reading introduces a variety of cultures as it can be a challenge to understand the roots of these different perspectives and interactions.

Research on countries and cultures can be helpful in navigating cross-cultural influences and working as a part of a global culture.

"Professor Geert Hofstede conducted one of the most comprehensive studies of how values in the workplace are influenced by culture ("Geert Hoefstede," 2015.)" Using Hoefstede's research as a guide, you will look into a country where you live or have lived, and compare the values in the survey with another country that interests you.

Use the Geert Hoefstede website to search for the values of your home country and another country.

Assume there will be a business transaction between yourself and someone from the other country you have selected. You will introduce one similarity and explain how this may be a benefit in this interaction. Then you will introduce one difference and analyze how it could lead to problems in understanding. What is the best way for people with this seeming incompatibility to overcome the differences and work toward a common goal?