Course Name Year Term Period Faculty / Graduate School All Instructors Credits
12739:[2025 Spring]IR18‐CA203 Bridge to International Studies I (Cultural Understanding)(RB) 2025 Spring Tue2 College　Of　International　Relations STRAUMANN CHISATO 2

Campus

KIC

Class Venue

RYOYUKAN　RY305

Language

English

Course Outline and Method

【+R-Jugyo】
Information for “+R-Jugyo” will be posted on the “Course News” on manaba+R by April 1. Be sure to check the “Course News” on manaba+R.

“Culture hides more than it reveals and strangely enough what it hides, it hides most effectively from its own participants. Years of study have convinced me that the real job is not to understand foreign culture but to understand our own.” (Edward T. Hall)

This class introduces basic concepts of intercultural communication and their applications to a wide range of contexts. Students will be able to deepen their understanding of intercultural communication from various contexts and examine the issues of intercultural communication and cross-cultural relations, including Japanese cultural contexts, so that students can develop sensitivity to intercultural interactions.

Through variety of hands-on exercises and activities, this course is aiming at becoming aware of student’s own and others’ cultural identities and improve communication skills and interpersonal skills.

Student Attainment Objectives

By participating in this class, students will be able to:
1) Increase positive attitudes towards people from culturally different backgrounds and develop skills and attitudes that bridge cultural differences
2) Through many pair, small group, and whole-class discussions, raise cultural self-awareness, and awareness of others and recognize how our core cultural values are shaped
3) Explore the importance of “Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Belonging” and their impact on social situations
4) Understand how ethnocentrism and stereotyping affect intercultural communication and develop and enhance cultural sensitivities
5) Encourage students to reflect, challenge, and potentially shift their own perspective.

Recommended Preparatory Course

Course Schedule

Lecture/Instructor（When there are multiple instructors) Theme
Keyword, References and Supplementary Information
1

Getting started

- Review the syllabus and how the course will proceed
- Expectations for students
- Kick-off simulation activity


2

Unit 1 Communication

What's communication? How people communicate and how miscommunication occur

3

Unit 2 Culture

What's culture? Identify cultural values, behaviors, and assumptions.

4

Unit 3 Nonverbal Communication

Understand different nonverbal communication styles and identify strategies to avoid miscommunication..

5

Unit 4 Communicating Clearly

- Different communication styles: High Context vs. Low Context cultures
- Importance of Assertiveness

6

Unit 5 Culture and Values

- Introduction to cultural dimensions: Hierarchy-oriented vs. Equality-oriented, Individual-oriented vs. Group-oriented
- Different cultural values

7

Unit 6 Culture and Perception

- Introduction to cultural dimensions: Achievement vs. Cooperation, Strong Uncertainty - avoidance vs. Weak Uncertainty avoidance
- Different way of seeing things

8

Unit 7 Diversity

Understand what "Diversity, Equity, Inclusion and Belonging" is and discuss the issues around us

9

Unit 8 Stereotypes

- Difference between Stereotyping and generalization
- Learn ways to avoid stereotyping and suspend judgment

10

Unit 11 Talking about Japan

- Recognize key core values of Japanese culture
- Typical proverbs in Japan

11

Unit 10 Culture and Change

- Globalization and culture
- Role of media in influencing cultural and society

12

Unit 12 Becoming a Global Person

- How people develop a deeper understanding and appreciation of cross-cultural differences
- "Developmental Model of Intercultural Sensitivity"

13

Unit 9 Culture Shock

What's culture chock? Understand cultural adjustment process, common problems of cultural adjustment, tips for cultural adjustment

14

Final presentations and discussions

Details: TBA

Class Format

All classes are to be conducted face to face; however, in the case of an emergency the instructor may elect to provide online (live-streamed) classes provided that the maximum number of online classes remains less than 1/2 of the total number of classes for the specified course. If an instructor does conduct a live-streamed class, then the link will be posted on Manaba+R.

Recommendations for Private Study

Students are expected to come to class prepared (readings and exercises) and spend about 120 minutes on course-related studies outside of class weekly. Students are strongly encouraged to keep up to date with classwork and consult with the teacher for any questions they might have.
 
Read news (either paper version or online version) in English – It can be The Washington Post, The New York Times, The Guardian, The Independent, The Japan Times, The Asahi Shimbun, etc. Please do not use USA Today, The Daily Mail, or any tabloids. Pay attention to any cultural issues/international relation issues, such as race/color, gender, class, sexuality, age, religion, (dis)ability, or DEI (Diversity, Equity & Inclusion) in the world and Japan.

Grade Evaluation Method

Kind Percentage Grading Criteria etc.
Final Examination (Written)

Report Examination
(A report to be submitted by the unified deadline)

Exams and/or Reports other than those stated above, and Continuous Assessment　
(Evaluation of Everyday Performance in Class)		 100

Active class participation: 20%
Homework: 20%
Weekly Reflection Journals (10 x @ 3% each): 30%
Final presentation: 30%

Grade Evaluation Method （Note）

Class attendance and Class participation - Class attendance refers to being physically present in a class, while class participation refers to actively engaging in-class activities
Class attendance: follow Ritsumeikan University policy
Class participation:
- The percentage of the participation grade is shown on this syllabus.
- During the Introduction Session, clear guidelines and assessment methods will be provided.

Advice to Students on Study and Research Methods

(1) Be responsible for your own learning. (Responsibility/Self Management);
(2) Keep up with the assignments and do not fall behind. (Meeting the deadline/Time Management) - Weekly journal writing (Reflection, Critical Thinking Skills)
(3) Read (understand) the designated reading assignments in the textbook thoroughly. (Preview)
(4) Form your own ideas and opinions, and share them in class. (Personal growth)
(5) Make vocabulary notes and terminology notes. (Organizing Skills)

Textbooks

Title Author Publisher ISBN Code Comment
Speaking of Intercultural Communication (異文化理解の英語コミュニケーション) Peter Vincent Nan’un-do 南雲堂 978-4-523-17840-8

Textbooks （Frequency of Use, Note）

We use the textbook every time. / 教科書は、授業で毎回使用する

Reference Books

Title Author Publisher ISBN Code Comment
The Hidden Dimension Edward T. Hall Anchor 978-0385084765
The Silent Language Edward T. Hall Anchor 978-0385055499
Beyond Culture Edward T. Hall Anchor 1978-0385124744
Basic Concepts of Intercultural Communication: Selected Readings Edited by Milton Bennett Intercultural Press Inc. 978-1877864629
Cultures and Organizations: Software of the Mind, 3rd ed. Geert Hofstde, Gert Jan Hofstde, Michael Minkov McGrow-Hill 978-0071664189

Reference Books （Frequency of Use, Note）

Web Pages for Reference

Thesaurus (for synonyms): https://www.thesaurus.com/
English dictionaries: https://dictionary.cambridge.org/; https://www.merriam-webster.com/
English Grammar and Punctuation Rules: https://www.grammarbook.com/

How to Communicate with the Instructor In and Out of Class(Including Instructor Contact Information)

Learning Management System （manaba+R）,Talk with Students,Other (Separate instructions will be provided)

Other Comments

Please note that class schedule and contents may be subject to change depending on the circumstances
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