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Regular version of the site

Business and Professional Communication in Cross-Cultural Environment(Soft Skills)

2020/2021
Academic Year
ENG
Instruction in English
3
ECTS credits
Delivered at:
School of Foreign Languages
Course type:
Compulsory course
When:
3 year, 4 module

Instructors

Course Syllabus

Abstract

The course includes two main blocks studied at the same time: in the first block students get acquainted with various aspects of business interaction in an intercultural environment: self-presentation, personnel management and teamwork, business etiquette, preparation for public speaking and delivery of presentations, negotiations, conflict resolution, etc. Training is based on role-playing games, case studies, brainstorming and discussions. The purpose of the second block is to familiarize students with the classifications of national and business cultures of different countries of the world and their impact on business behavior, the implementation of tasks and strategies in the international business environment. As a part of the course, students have the opportunity to study and compare the specifics of the culture of Russia, Western countries (USA, Germany, Great Britain), and the Asian region (China, Japan).
Learning Objectives

Learning Objectives

  • Learning objective: The key objective of the course is developing cross-cultural competence to effectively communicate and function in professional and academic environment.
Expected Learning Outcomes

Expected Learning Outcomes

  • Students name and describe the basic terminology of cross-cultural communication and group culture.
  • Students describe the DMIS. Students analyze the aspects of national culture.
  • Students create the cultural profile of Russia.
  • Students describe the main aspects of the theory of E.T. Hall
  • Students develop scenarios of a first meeting with business partners.
  • Students create a cultural profile of the USA.
  • Students describe the model of G. Hofstede
  • Students create a cultural profile of China.
  • Students describe the typology of cultures by R. Lewis
  • Students create a cultural profile of Germany
  • Students describe and analyze different communication styles
  • Students create a cultural profile of the UK.
  • Students create a cultural profile of Japan.
  • Students compare various communication techniques.
  • Students develop an efficient approach to conflict resolution
  • Students use effective negotiation techniques.
  • Students use effective presentation delivery techniques.
  • Students analyze techniques of dealing with difficult communicators.
  • Students describe various working styles.
  • Students describe and analyze various team roles,
  • Students develop an approach to creating and motivating a team.
Course Contents

Course Contents

  • Introduction to building cultural awareness. Culture and communication.
    Understanding the terms and concepts of “culture” and “communication”. Elements and layers of culture. Cultural stereotypes.
  • Developmental Model of Intercultural Sensitivity. Сulture and culture shock. Сultural profile: Russia
    Сulture and culture shock. Stages of acquiring cross-cultural competence. Сultural profile: Russia (national and business culture).
  • Сross-cultural theory of E.T. Hall. First meetings: introductions, small talk. Cultural profile: USA
    Hall’s cultural parameters: attitude to space and time. High-context and low-context cultures. First meetings.: introductions, small talk. Cultural profile: USA (national and business culture).
  • G. Hofstede’s cultural dimensions. Interactive communication style. Cultural profile: China
    Classification of cultures according to six dimensions of G. Hofstede (Power Distance, Individualism/Collectivism, Masculinity/Femininity, Uncertainty Avoidance, Short-/Long-term orientation, Indulgence/Restraint). Interactive communication style. Cultural profile: China (national and business culture).
  • R. Lewis’ theory. Cultural profile: Germany.
    Linear-active, multi-active and reactive types of culture. Cultural profile: Germany (national and business culture).
  • Сommunication styles. Cultural profile: UK
    Types of communication styles (non-verbal communication). Cultural profile: UK (national and business culture).
  • Verbal and non-verbal communication. Cultural profile: Japan.
    The functions of nonverbal communication. Classifications of nonverbal communication. Cultural profile: Japan (national and business culture).
  • Dealing with difficult communicators. Cultural profile: Italy and Spain.
    Types of difficult communicators. Strategies to handle difficult communicators. Cultural profile: Italy and Spain (national and business culture).
  • Presenting and negotiating across cultures. Сultural profile: India
    Presentation techniques. Setting clear objectives for a negotiation. Influencing strategies for negotiations. Cultural profile: India (national and business culture).
  • Managing conflict. Cultural profile: France
    Understanding and avoiding conflict. Dealing with conflict. Cultural profile: France (national and business culture).
  • Handling questions. Cultural profiles: Arab countries.
    Recognizing different types of questions. Q&A sessions: efficient strategies. Cultural profile: Arab countries (national and business culture).
  • Working in an International Team. Cultural profile: Scandinavia
    Basic principles of teamwork. Team roles and responsibilities. Diversity and creativity. Cultural profile: Scandinavian countries (national and business culture).
Assessment Elements

Assessment Elements

  • non-blocking Participation/Class activity
    Unprepared speech: discussions, games, solving cases ,etc.
  • non-blocking Presentation: cultural profile
    This is a class activity, the use of slides and visuals is compulsory. The presentation structure is provided by the teacher, topics are chosen by students.
  • non-blocking Role play/monologue
    Prepared role play/monologues on the topics studied within the course.
  • non-blocking Test
    Tests are aimed at revising the basic models and approaches to ICC and cultural knowledge.
  • non-blocking Interview
    0.500
Interim Assessment

Interim Assessment

  • Interim assessment (4 module)
    0.5 * Interview + 0.125 * Participation/Class activity + 0.125 * Presentation: cultural profile + 0.125 * Role play/monologue + 0.125 * Test
Bibliography

Bibliography

Recommended Core Bibliography

  • Warren, T.L. Cross-Cultural Communication: Perspectives in Theory and Practice / Thomas L. Warren. – Oxon; New York: Routledge: Taylor & Francis Group, 2017. – (Baywood's Technical Communications Series / ser. ed.: Charles H. Sides). – Текст: электронный // DB ProQuest Ebook Central (ebrary) [сайт].

Recommended Additional Bibliography

  • Brett, J.M. Negotiating Globally: How to Negotiate Deals, Resolve Disputes, and Make Decisions Across Cultural Boundaries / Jeanne M. Brett. – 3rd ed. – San Francisco: John Wiley & Sons, Inc., 2014. – 320 p. – ISBN 9781118602614. – Текст: электронный // DB ProQuest Ebook Central (ebrary) [сайт]. – URL: https://ebookcentral.proquest.com/lib/hselibrary-ebooks/reader.action?docID=1651185&query=negotiating%2Bglobally
  • Halverson, C.B. Effective Multicultural Teams: Theory and Practice / ed. by Claire B.Halverson, S. Aqeel Tirmizi. – Dordrecht: Springer Science + Business Media B.V., 2008. – 299 p. – (Advances in Group Decision and Negotiation; Vol. 3). – ISBN 9781402069567. – Текст: электронный // БД Springer Books [сайт]. – URL: https://link.springer.com/book/10.1007/978-1-4020-6957-4
  • Hofstede, G.J. Exploring Culture: Exercises, Stories and Synthetic Cultures / Gert Jan Hofstede, Paul B. Pedersen, Geert H. Hofstede. – Yarmouth: Intercultural Press Inc, 2002. – 234 p. – ISBN 9781877864902. - Текст: электронный // DB Books 24x7 [сайт]. – URL: https://library.books24x7.com/toc.aspx?bookid=6723
  • Lewis, R.D. When Teams Collide: Managing the International Team Successfully / Richard D. Lewis. – London; Boston: Nicolas Brealey Publishing, 2012. – 321 p. – ISBN 9781904838357. - Текст: электронный // DB Books 24x7 [сайт]. – URL: https://library.books24x7.com/toc.aspx?bookid=47354
  • Moran, R.T. Managing Cultural Differences: Global Leadership Strategies for the 21st Century / Robert T. Moran, Philip R. Harris, Sarah V. Moran. – 7th ed. – Burlington; Oxford: Elsevier Inc., 2007. – 708 p. – (Managing Cultural Differences). – ISBN 978750682473. - Текст: электронный // DB ProQuest Ebook Central (ebrary) [сайт]. – URL: https://ebookcentral.proquest.com/lib/hselibrary-ebooks/reader.action?docID=3562904&query=Moran%252C%2BRobert%2BT
  • Багана Ж., Дзенс Н.И., Мельникова Ю.Н. - Основы теории межкультурной коммуникации: учебное пособие - Издательство "ФЛИНТА" - 2017 - 308с. - ISBN: 978-5-9765-2813-0 - Текст электронный // ЭБС ЛАНЬ - URL: https://e.lanbook.com/book/92727
  • Кулинич, М.А. Теория и практика межкультурной коммуникации : учебное пособие / М.А.Кулинич, О.А.Кострова. — 2-е изд., стер. — М.: ФЛИНТА, 2017. — 248 с. — ISBN 978-5-9765-2823-9. — Текст: электронный // ЭБС «Лань»: [сайт]. — URL: https://e.lanbook.com/reader/book/92713/#1 (дата обращения: 27.09.2019). — Режим доступа: для авториз. пользователей.
  • под редакцией Л. Г. Викуловойи Е. Ф. Серебренниковой - Основы межкультурной коммуникации. Государственные и национально-культурные символы: учеб. пособие - Издательство "ФЛИНТА" - 2019 - 277с. - ISBN: 978-5-9765-4270-9 - Текст электронный // ЭБС ЛАНЬ - URL: https://e.lanbook.com/book/125170