Posted on December 15, 2021 by Stacey Vye

Class 05 -Cultural Misunderstandings and How to Thrive

Summary: First, you got in to groups or pairs and discussed the 4Cs, and reported one point that resonated with you that another classmate mentioned. Then, we finished our cultural misunderstandings and how to thrive unit.

For your homework, please do in-text citations with APA summarize the readings and viewings. Here is a guide to help you:

An APA Quick Guide

Note: These videos are over exaggerations of culture based on Hollywood, USA movie productions. Nevertheless, they are useful for our cultural communication discussions.

After each clip, here are some discussion questions. You can also make your own:

· What cross-cultural differences/misunderstandings were in the movie clip?

· How did the actors react to these issues?

· Why did these misunderstandings happen?

· What would you do in this situation?

Mr. Baseball: Meet the Family and Etiquette in Japan

Cross-culture Etiquette: Mr. Baseball

Outsourced: A US transfer to India

Cross-Cultural Business Etiquette: Outsourced

Homework for Class 05: Please choose one video or reading that is the most interesting to you to view with the closed captions (CC) to read, and then reflect and analyze what you observed and complete the 4-Cs worksheet attached below. The four Cs are concepts, challenges, connections, and changes. If you prefer to read, there are also reading options too!

Please email the homework by 06/27/2023 by 4 PM.

Note: Please experiment and chose the option you like best. If the option you selected does not work for you, please try another or search for your cultural viewing. If you choose your original homework, please email me.

Then, I can share your fantastic cultural homework with the group.
If you would like to discuss the same video, please arrange this with your classmate, and watch the same video or do the same reading. That’s okay too, and fun!

Reading Option 1: Fundamental/Intermediate
International Relations EDU. (2019). 5 ways to avoid mistakes in cross-cultural communication. International Relations EDU. https://www.internationalrelationsedu.org/5-ways-to-avoid-mistakes-in-cross-cultural-communication/

This reading reveals five ways to avoid mistakes in cross-cultural communication.
Reading Option 2: Intermediate/Advanced

Toegal, G., & Barsoux, J-L. (2016). 3 situations were cross-cultural communication breaks down. Harvard Business Review. https://hbr.org/2016/06/3-situations-where-cross-cultural-communication-breaks-down

Toegal and Barsoux (2016) reveal the three most common situations were cross-cultural communication breaks down.

Video Option 1: Cultural Norms Around the World: Cultural Norms Around the World: Fact Point

Fact Point. (2017, Aug. 24). Unbelievable shocking norms from around the world [Video].

YouTube. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YlsWtHx1L9s&t=4s

The ‘fact point’ broadcasting service suggests that since that because not everyone can travel the globe, they bring the world to you. In this episode, the presenters compare and contrast different cultures from different societies.

Video Option 2: Cultural Differences, National Geographic Sudanese/US Cultural Differences: National Geographic

National Geographic. (2009, Oct. 24). Cultural differences National Geographic [Video].

YouTube. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BT0kzF4A-WQ&t=4s