Master
2021/2022
Research Seminar "Cross-Cultural Communication in Asia"
Category 'Best Course for Career Development'
Category 'Best Course for Broadening Horizons and Diversity of Knowledge and Skills'
Type:
Compulsory course (Business and Politics in Modern Asia)
Area of studies:
Asian and African Studies
Delivered by:
Institute of Asian and African Studies
When:
1 year, 4 module
Mode of studies:
offline
Open to:
students of one campus
Master’s programme:
Business and Politics in Modern Asia
Language:
English
ECTS credits:
3
Contact hours:
16
Course Syllabus
Abstract
The course “Cross-cultural Communication in Asia” is designed for two-year master’s programme students, who major in “Business and Politics in Modern Asia” and prepares them for solving research problems, forms knowledge and practical skills of independent research work related to professional activities, including research work in foreign language. The course provides students with fundamentals of intercultural context together with complex knowledge of modern Asia development. It is also devoted to communication between different cultures and includes the study of theoretical aspects of intercultural communication, covering the key-concepts with a wide variety of cases, supported by a comprehensive reading list. The course will focus on: cross-cultural communication theories and Chinese communication characteristics, the rise of business anthropology in China, negotiating with Chinese partners and framework for cross-cultural understanding, Japanese communication culture, Japanese business system etc. Course also identifies characteristics of Chinese business culture that differ from the Japanese (in the dimensions of “high context” / “low context”, collectivism / individualism etc.). The course sets a background for the further studies of the complexity and increasing heterogeneity of Asian cross-cultural communication styles and future prospects of cross-cultural communication in Asia. Students study lecture materials, prepare seminar presentations, pass KAHOOT and LMS tests on required material, take part in discussions on selected issues.
Learning Objectives
- The course aims to provide students with the tools they need to create cross-cultural communication skills and gain more success with their employers (mainly, Chinese and Japanese companies).
Expected Learning Outcomes
- Able to advise individuals, departments and organizations on the development problems of the countries of Asia and Africa, using modern methods of direct and remote (using information and communications technologies) consulting; develop specific proposals for optimizing various types of practical activities.
- Able to analyze, verify, evaluate the completeness of information in the process of professional activity.
- Able to build professional activities, business and make choices, guided by the principles of social responsibility.
- Able to choose consciously interpersonal interaction strategies with representatives of countries and cultural bearers of Asia and Africa.
- Able to conduct business negotiations in foreign languages (one oriental and English).
Course Contents
- 1 year. Lecture 1. The problem of subject definition in cross-cultural communication. Basic categories of Chinese traditional culture and their modern interpretations in the context of cross-cultural communication.
- Lecture 2. Chinese business etiquette and business world (关系 – “guanxi” system) – socio-cultural norms and rules.
- Lecture 3. Japanese culture and its’ key concepts.
- Lecture 4. Japanese communication culture.
- 2 year. Lecture 1. Managing business in China: negotiating with Chinese partners and framework for cross-cultural understanding.
- Lecture 2. Discourse of East and West cultures in the process of cross-cultural communication
- Lecture 3. Japanese companies
- Lecture 4. Japan in the modern world
Assessment Elements
- PresentationDepending on the number of students, presentations will be conducted in groups by 2-4 students. The time limit for presentation is 20 minutes and should not be exceeded. Students are expected to read literature recommended in the syllabus, as well as to search for extra sources, especially in order to get most recent information on the topic of their presentation. The report begins with the presentation of the topic, abstract and objectives to the audience and ends with conclusions and a list of references. 1. Content of the report - corresponds to the stated topic, fully reveals the topic; - should be made in an academic language; - reporter should present logical and convincing argumentation, complete and reasoned answers to the questions; - lack of factual errors; - reporter should understand the main terms of the report, if necessary – explain their meaning to the audience; - appropriate conclusions to the stated objectives. 2. Presentation design - the presence of illustrative material (maps, diagrams, tables, photos) with an indication of the source; - a list of sources, drawn up in accordance with the requirements. 3. Speech - it is not allowed to read in advance prepared text on any medium; - the roles of the participants are evenly distributed; - compliance with the time limit (20 minutes). NOTE that the highest grade (10) implies the involvement of the audience in the discussion.
- Engagement in class discussions / TestLecturers evaluate students progress, including assigned readings comprehension and contribution to discussions. The component is calculated as an average grade achieved on all seminars. Accumulative marks (min – 0, max – 10) for the participation in class discussions/case-studies are released at the end of the course (before the final assessment takes place).
- Written examThe exam for the course will be held in the test format on the SmartLMS platform, includes 30 questions. Regulations: quiz = 1 minute, fill the gaps = 2 minutes, open-ended = 3 minutes. Updating the answer is not allowed.
- Engagement in class discussions / TestLecturers evaluate students progress, including assigned readings comprehension and contribution to discussions. The component is calculated as an average grade achieved on all seminars. Accumulative marks (min – 0, max – 10) for the participation in class discussions/case-studies are released at the end of the course (before the final assessment takes place).
- PresentationDepending on the number of students, presentations will be conducted in groups by 2-4 students. The time limit for presentation is 20 minutes and should not be exceeded. Students are expected to read literature recommended in the syllabus, as well as to search for extra sources, especially in order to get most recent information on the topic of their presentation. The report begins with the presentation of the topic, abstract and objectives to the audience and ends with conclusions and a list of references.
- Written examThe exam for the course will be held in the test format on the SmartLMS platform, includes 30 questions. Regulations: quiz = 1 minute, fill the gaps = 2 minutes, open-ended = 3 minutes. Updating the answer is not allowed.
Interim Assessment
- 2021/2022 4th module0,5*Written exam + 0,5*Accumulative grade, where: Accumulative grade = 0,4*PPT(China) + 0,4*PPT(Japan) + 0,2*TEST (discussion)
- 2022/2023 2nd module0,5*Written exam + 0,5*Accumulative grade, where: Accumulative grade = 0,4*PPT(China) + 0,4*PPT(Japan) + 0,2*TEST (discussion)
Bibliography
Recommended Core Bibliography
- Evrard, A. Y., & Appadurai, A. (2017). Modernity at Large : Cultural Dimensions of Globalisation. London: Macat Library. Retrieved from http://search.ebscohost.com/login.aspx?direct=true&site=eds-live&db=edsebk&AN=1564340
Recommended Additional Bibliography
- Schweitzer, S., & Alexander, L. (2015). Access to Asia : Your Multicultural Guide to Building Trust, Inspiring Respect, and Creating Long-Lasting Business Relationships. Hoboken, New Jersey: Wiley. Retrieved from http://search.ebscohost.com/login.aspx?direct=true&site=eds-live&db=edsebk&AN=978132
- Sergey Mikhnevich. (2016). The Glory of Intelligence: China’s Smart Power and the Implications for Security in the Asia-Pacific Region. https://doi.org/10.17323/1996-7845/2016-01-92