GBPGBP (Global Business Program)

In today’s globalization, we are increasingly required to interact internationally across cultural borders. Misunderstandings and conflicts are bound to occur, which calls for constructive dialogues and creative solutions. In this course, we will focus primarily on “invisible culture” to deepen your understanding of diversity in cultural orientations, values, behavior, and language uses. You will also reflect on your intercultural experiences and explore your multicultural identities while studying dynamic cultural dimensions.

In this course, you will 1) cultivate your understanding of the relationships between culture and identity, 2) be able to analyze examples of and reasons for intercultural clashes and relate to others respectfully to come up with constructive solutions to intercultural issues and confusions, 3) be able to use concepts such as stereotypes, generalizations, othering, and marginalization in your analysis, 4) reflect on your intercultural experiences and multicultural mediation.

英語 / English

Before class you are required to work on reading and complete reading quizzes. In class we study relevant material, complete tasks in small groups, and share our discussions with the whole class. You are encouraged to actively participate in this problem-based learning (PBL). Feedback will be given orally in interaction throughout the course. Written feedback will be provided for your written assignments and class presentations within a week.
This course involves highly interactive activities. In order to reduce risks, depending on the pandemic situation class will be delivered through the combination of face-to-face and online instruction. Please check the announcement to be made on Hoppii before the start of the course.

あり / Yes

なし / No

授業形態/methods of teaching：対面/face to face

※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[オンライン/online]：Introduction

Self-introduction, course information, ice-breaking activity

2[オンライン/online]：What is culture?

Visible/invisible culture, 3Ps in understanding culture

3[オンライン/online]：3Ps of culture, Characteristics of culture

Perspectives of culture

4[対面/face to face]：Stereotypes and generalizations

Definitions and examples

5[対面/face to face]：Essentialization

The language of generalization, experiences of marginalization

6[対面/face to face]：Othering and marginalization

Case study discussion

7[対面/face to face]：Cultural diversity in academia and the workplace

Understanding diversity as an asset

8[対面/face to face]：Similarities and differences in cultural orientations-1

Analysis of cultural orientations (#1-3)

9[対面/face to face]：Similarities and differences in cultural orientations-2

Analysis of cultural orientations (#4-6)

10[対面/face to face]：Cultural case studies – 1

Analysis of use of time and group dynamics

11[対面/face to face]：Cultural case studies – 2

Application of Hofstede’s Cultural Dimensions and other frameworks

12[対面/face to face]：Student-led discussions - 1

Intercultural case studies (group presentations)

13[対面/face to face]：Student-led discussions - 2

Intercultural case studies (group presentations)

14[対面/face to face]：Student-led discussions - 3, reflection

Intercultural case studies (group presentations), Wrap-up discussion

You should complete assigned reading and/or writing before coming to class. Come ready to discuss the material with your classmates coming from different (sub)cultures.
According to the university guidelines, the preparation and review time of approximately two hours a week is recommended for this course.

Weekly readings will be made accessible through the course website (Google Classroom). Become familiar with this online resource to do your readings and post your assignments. You are also expected to check your university email account daily to keep up with course announcements.

Handouts and resources related to the course content will be made available in Google Classroom.

You will receive a formal evaluation of your work at the end of the term. The grade on a late assignment will be lowered. You will be graded on:
1) Participation (20%)
2) Reading assignments and quizzes (50%)
3) Intercultural case study discussion (10%)
4) Final group paper (20%) (tentative breakdown)

Regular attendance is essential in order to benefit from the interactive nature of this course. You will not be able to pass this course if you miss more than three class periods a semester except in extreme circumstances.

Because this course is to be conducted in English, students must be competent speakers/writers of English (e.g., native or proficient with TOEFL® iBT 81 or above). International and Japanese students of any majors are welcome as long as they are interested in diverse world cultures. Students should view each other’s cultural experiences as an asset to this course and create a friendly and respectful learning community.

Be prepared to use Hoppii, Google Classroom, and Zoom with your university account and check your university email daily. You will need to use a headset with a microphone when you attend class on campus.