People from different cultures usually perceive the world differently. That might be the biggest challenge for intercultural communication. Do you know Chinese people normally think there are seven colors in the rainbow while the British people take six colors for granted? Also, have you ever heard that the Germans usually use feminine adjectives, like beautiful and elegant, to describe a bridge, while the Spanish people tend to use masculine words like strong and long? Being aware of intercultural differences and analyzing them so as to adapt your communication to a different culture is never an easy thing. If that is the case, welcome to join our course.
Through multi-disciplinary and multi-dimensional perspectives, this course is targeted at helping students:
1. Understand cross-cultural theories, and cultural characteristics and formation process of Chinese and Western civilizations;
2. Master the tools of observation, analysis, comparison and evaluation of cultural differences, and form cross-cultural awareness;
3. Apply cross-cultural communication strategies to properly handle cross-cultural misunderstandings and conflicts caused by cultural differences;
4. Use English effectively to participate in international academic exchanges in a cross-cultural environment;
5. Cultivate and enhance critical thinking ability and humanistic quality.
1.1 Globalization
1.2 Global Competence---Being a Global Citizen
1.3 Understanding Others---Intercultural Communication
1.4 Understanding Ourselves---To Have China' Stories Retold
Chapter 2 How Do We Understand Culture?
2.1 What is Culture?
2.2 Metaphors of Culture
2.3 Characteristics of Culture
Chapter 3 How Do We Perceive the World？
3.1 Perception: Definition and Process
3.2 Six Barriers in Interculture Communication
3.3 Cultural Conflicts and Integration
3.4 Cultural Diversity, Inclusivity and Cultural Translation
Chapter 4 Language, Thought and Culture: Sapir-Whorf Hypothesis
4.1 Language, Thought and Culture
4.2 Sapir–Whorf Hypothesis: Linguistic Determinism
4.3 Sapir–Whorf Hypothesis: Linguistic Relativity
Chapter 5 Verbal and Non-verbal Communication
5.1 Communication Overview
5.2 Verbal Communication
5.3 Non-verbal Communication
Chapter 6 How to Understand Cultural Diversity?
6.1 Kluckhohn and Strodtbeck's Value Orientations Theory
6.2 Edward Hall’s High Context and Low Context Cultures
6.3 Hofstede's Six Dimensional Model of Values
Chapter 7 Roots and Origins of Chinese Culture
7.1 Geographical and Economic Background of Chinese People
7.2 The Concept of He (Harmony) in Chinese Culture
7.3 Confucius’ Thought of He (harmony) between Individuals: Ren (benevolence)
7.4 Confucius’ Thought of He (harmony) between Individuals: How to Practice Ren (benevolence)
7.5 The Concept of Tianrenheyi (the unity of Heaven and Man)
7.6 Reversal is the Movement of Tao
Chapter 8 Virtues in Cultures
8.1 Virtues
8.2 Core Values in Western Cultures
Chapter 9 Literature and Paintings
9.1 Chinese Literature
9.2 Western Literature Orientation
9.3 Chinese painting: Ink-and-wash painting
