Course title
Course description
This course is conducted completely in English.
In this omnibus course, each week a different professor in the Innovative Global Program introduces some aspects of their native country and culture as hints for living and working in their culture. Students can begin to understand, respect, and adjust to the culture, style of communication, and expectations in social behavior and workplace communication in 13 different cultures.
Purpose of class
This course is designed to prepare students to work in international teams as students, laboratory researchers, and engineers in their future careers.
Students will begin to learn 1) how to assess their own assumptions from their own culture and adjust to different cultures 2) the key points about each culture presented in class.
You will learn basic sociological frameworks for understanding diversity in the world, expected behavior and styles of communication, and practical hints on how to adjust to living and working in each culture presented.
Ultimately, the goal is to begin to understand positive points about each culture, develop respect for diversity, openness to a variety of people, and some strategies for living in other cultures.
Goals and objectives

Goals and objectives Course Outcomes
1. You will begin to reflect upon, understand, and communicate your own cultural assumptions, how your home culture compares with others, and how to assess yourself in the future as you encounter new cultural situations.
B
2. You will become familiar with key points of living and working in 13 different cultures as presented by professors from those cultures, and demonstrate your understanding through written responses to each presentation.
B
3. You will participate in dialogue with the presenters to develop curiosity, openness, and flexibility when dealing with different cultures, and the desire to show respect and sensitivity for people's cultural differences.
B
4. You will practice openness & other skills needed for working in a multicultural team to produce your final project and communicate your results with your classmates.
B
Language
English
Class schedule

Class schedule HW assignments (Including preparation and review of the class.) Amount of Time Required
1. Introduction to the Course
Assessing your own cultural assumptions, biases, and expectations in behavior and communication
Overview of Comparative Cultural Theories
Meeting different cultural expectations in communication
Reading & exercises on intercultural communication 180分
Writing short response paper 120分
2. Introduction to Life in Japan Homework: Reading & viewing material before class 100分
Writing short response paper 120分
3. Introduction to Life in South Korea Homework: Reading & viewing material before class 60分
Writing short response paper 60分
4. Introduction to Life in China Homework: Reading & viewing material before class 120分
Writing short response paper 60分
0分
5. Introduction to Life in Vietnam Homework: Reading & viewing material before class 60分
Writing short response paper 60分
6. Introduction to Life in Turkey Homework: Reading & viewing material before class 60分
Writing short response paper 60分
7. Introduction to Life in Italy Homework: Reading & viewing material before class 60分
Writing short response paper 60分
Writing a summary essay 240分
8. Introduction to Life in Poland Homework: Reading & viewing material before class 60分
Writing short response paper 60分
9. Introduction to Life in the U.K. Homework: Reading & viewing material before class 60分
Writing short response paper 60分
0分
10. Introduction to Life in India Homework: Reading & viewing material before class 60分
Writing short response paper 60分
11. Introduction to Life in Bangladesh Homework: Reading & viewing material before class 60分
Writing short response paper 60分
Working on final project 190分
12. Introduction to Life in Thailand Homework: Reading & viewing material before class 60分
Writing short response paper 60分
Working on final project 200分
13. Introduction to Life in Malaysia Homework: Reading & viewing material before class 60分
Writing short response paper 60分
0分
14. Introduction to Life in Indonesia Homework: Reading & viewing material before class 60分
Writing short response paper 60分
0分
Total. - - 2650分
Relationship between 'Goals and Objectives' and 'Course Outcomes'

Discussion & Participation Weekly Written Responses Final Video Project Mid-term Comparative Cultural Essay Total.
1. 0% 5% 5% 15% 25%
2. 0% 35% 0% 5% 40%
3. 10% 0% 0% 10%
4. 0% 0% 25% 25%
Total. 10% 40% 30% 20% -
Evaluation method and criteria
10% In-class participation & discussion
40% Weekly written response papers after each class that show thoughtful interaction with the topics and questions
20% Midterm essay on what you have started to learn about cultural assumptions and how to adapt to different cultural expectations by comparing cultures in the journey so far
30% Final project: video that introduces your own culture and other aspects of cultural comparison made by your group
To pass this course, students need at least 60% of the total score and passing grade on the completed final project.
Feedback on exams, assignments, etc.
ways of feedback specific contents about "Other"
The Others In-class, by e-mail, and during office hours
Textbooks and reference materials
Reference materials:
Myer E. (2014). The Culture Map: Decoding how people think, lead, and get things done across cultures. Public Affairs.
Deerdorff D, Arasaratnam-Smith LA. (2017). Intercultural Competence in Higher Education: International Approaches, Assessment, and Application. Routledge.
Various articles, web sites, videos assigned by speakers as preparation homework before each lecture.
Prerequisites
None
Office hours and How to contact professors for questions
  • office hours: Thursdays after 15:00 and by appointment. Others to be announced
  • drned@shibaura-it.ac.jp
Regionally-oriented
Regionally-oriented course
Development of social and professional independence
  • Course that cultivates a basic interpersonal skills
Active-learning course
Most classes are interactive
Course by professor with work experience
Work experience Work experience and relevance to the course content if applicable
N/A N/A
Education related SDGs:the Sustainable Development Goals
  • 10.REDUCED INEQUALITIES
Last modified : Sat Sep 09 07:37:16 JST 2023