IGESSIGESS (Institute for Global Economics and Social Sciences)

Effective communication is critical to our successful life and careers. But the question is “How can we become an effective communicator?” In this course, we will be aiming to be effective communicators by understanding the following three topics:
(1) Effective communication with a focus on others
When we want to be a good communicator, learning how to speak and write clearly is not enough; it is important for us to improve our ability to connect with others. The ability to truly connect with others is the key to building good relationships and improving our communication. In this course, we will learn how to communicate effectively by focusing, not on our own perspective, but on the perspective of others and their interests.
(2) Understand cultural differences
Understanding cultural differences of people we communicate with is also very important for effective business communication. In this course, we will learn a model called “The Culture Map” and decode how cultural differences impact international business communication.
(3) Understand unconscious bias
In this course, we also learn about unconscious bias. Unconscious bias refers to a bias that we are unaware of, and which happens outside of our control. Unconscious bias happens by our brains making quick judgments and assessments of people and situations without us realizing. Our biases are influenced by our background, cultural environment and personal experiences. Increasing numbers of global companies are introducing in-company education programs on unconscious bias because it could be a potential obstacle for their business unless they effectively address it. In this course, we have a basic understanding about unconscious bias and learn how to deal with it.

We aim at achieving the following goals:
(1) Learn basic methodologies for effective business communication with a focus on others
(2) Understand cultural differences in communication with “the Culture Map”
(3) Have basic understanding about unconscious bias and how to cope with it.

英語 / English

Feedback on assignments submitted by students will be provided in class or through the Learning Management System. Each class consists of reporting from students, group discussions and lectures.
Please note that the teaching approach may vary according to which threat level we are at. The details will be announced through the Learning Management System.

あり / Yes

なし / No

※各回の授業形態は予定です。教員の指示に従ってください。

1：Introduction

Provide overview of the course

2：Effective business communication 1(Content (1))

Learn how to convey a clear message

3：Effective business communication 2(Content (2))

Learn how to tell an engaging story

4：Effective business communication 3(Content (3))

Learn how to organize content

5：Effective business communication 4(Oral communication skill (1)

Learn how to listen to understand

6：Effective business communication 5(Oral communication skill (2)

Learn how to listen to understand(continued)

7：Effective business communication 6(Written communication skill)

Learn structuring documents

8：Effective inter-cultural communication 1

Overview of the culture map model

9：Effective inter-cultural communication 2

Communicating across cultures(Low-Context vs. High-context)

10：Effective inter-cultural communication 3

Cultural differences in evaluation(Direct negative feedback vs Indirect negative feedback)

11：Effective inter-cultural communication 4

Cultural differences in persuasion(principles- first vs. Application-first)

12：Effective inter-cultural communication 5

Cultural differences in leadership (Egalitarian vs. Hierarchical)

13：Effective inter-cultural communication 6

Cultural differences in decision making (Consensual vs. Top-down)

14：Unconscious bias

Understand overview and background of unconscious bias.
Discuss multiple case studies and consider how we can solve unconscious bias.

Preparatory study and review time for this class are 2 hours each.
As we use a textbook in this course, students are required to read the textbook before each class.

Jay Sullivan, “Simply Said: Communicating Better at Work and Beyond”, Wiley, 2016
Erin Meyer, “The Culture Map” Public Affairs, 2014

References will be introduced at the beginning of the course.

Grading will be decided based on following criteria:

(1)Active class participation:40%
(2)In class presentation:30%
(3)Completion of final writing assignment:30%.

Please note if students miss four or more classes, they cannot receive credit without a justifiable reason. Even with a justifiable reason, if students miss four or more classes, their evaluation may be adjusted.

To be explained at the beginning of the course.

No special equipment is used in this class.

Please note that if the number of students attending the first class significantly exceeds expectations, in order for the instructor to effectively manage the class, the number of students who are allowed to register for the course may be limited.