SCOPESCOPE (Sustainability Co-Creation Programme)

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
Unconscious bias refers to a bias that we are unaware of, and which happens outside of our control. Unconscious bias happens when we make quick judgments and assess other people and situations. Our biases are influenced by our background, cultural environment and individual 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 of 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 based on “the Culture Map”
(3) Gain a basic understanding of unconscious bias and how to cope with it.

Among diploma policies, "DP2" is related

英語 / English

Each class consists of lectures, students’ presentations and group discussions.

Feedback on assignments submitted by students will be provided in class or through the Learning Management System.

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

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。

Week1[対面/face to face]：Introduction

Overview of the course

Week 2[対面/face to face]：Effective business communication 1 (Content (1))

Conveying a clear message

Week 3[対面/face to face]：Effective business communication 2 (Content (2))

Telling an engaging story

Week 4[対面/face to face]：Effective business communication 3 (Content (3))

Organizing content

Week 5[対面/face to face]：Effective business communication 4
(Oral communication skill(1))

Learn how to listen to understand

Week 6[対面/face to face]：Effective business communication 5
(Oral communication skill(2))

Learn how to listen to understand(continued)

Week 7[対面/face to face]：Effective business communication 6 (Written communication skill)

Learn how to structure documents

Week 8[対面/face to face]：Effective cross-cultural communication 1

Overview of the culture map model

Week 9[対面/face to face]：Effective cross-cultural communication 2

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

Week 10[対面/face to face]：Effective cross-cultural communication 3

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

Week 11[対面/face to face]：Effective inter-cultural communication 4

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

Week 12[対面/face to face]：Effective cross-cultural communication 5

Cultural differences in leadership (Egalitarian vs. Hierarchical)

Week 13[対面/face to face]：Effective cross-cultural communication 6

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

Week 14[対面/face to face]：Unconscious bias

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

Students are required to read the textbook before each class.
Preparatory study and review time for this class are 2 hours each.

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(making comments and asking questions) : 30%
(2) In class presentation(on average two times): 35%
(3) Final writing assignment: 35%.

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.

Instructor will give individual feedback to student presentations for future improvement.

No special equipment is used in this class.

This course aims to deepen students' understanding of various business communication topics through student presentations and class discussions. The language used in the class will be English. Therefore, students taking this course should understand that active class participation and sufficient English communication skills are essential conditions for taking this course.

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.