Contrast the values of the United States with those of other cultures
Learn how other cultures structure time, space, goals, work, education, groups, and their conceptions of personhood in these contexts
Understand and describe issues from different cultural contexts
Analyze social, political, cultural, and economic factors that may help or hinder communication across cultures
Identify strategies for presenting information in ways that make sense to people from other cultures and eliminate barriers to intercultural communication
Cluster Focus
This cluster develops an understanding of human behavior in different cultures. In order to interpret information from other countries and ethnic groups, students need to learn that certain common notions such as perceptions of personhood, the organization of time and space, and the appropriate organization and behavior of social groups vary from country to country. This cluster will explore different cultural perspectives and value systems. Students should emerge with a more sophisticated understanding of their own and others' cultures.
Courses
ENGL 371W. Communication Across Cultures An interdisciplinary examination of intercultural communication through film and readings in anthropology, linguistics, and world literature, this course will compare the values, beliefs, social structures, and conventions of a number of cultures to those of the U.S.
Prerequisites: Passing score on the Writing Sample Placement Test, 3 hours of composition or permission of the instructor
OR
COMM 400W. Intercultural Communication With a goal of understanding the perspectives of other cultures and resolving possible conflicts, students will examine the role of perception, language, belief systems, social structures and culture practices. Applications will be made to specific cultures.
Prerequisite: COMM 200S or permission of the instructor
IT 425W. Information Systems for International Business The international business organization and its relationship to information systems architecture with emphasis on the role of connectivity technology as a driver of globalization. An introduction to the economics and structure of the international information technology marketplace.
Prerequisites: IT 360T or IT 361 or ACCT 317
MGMT 361. International Business Operations An examination of the environment of multinational business, foreign trade, and the operation of multinational enterprises. Management, marketing, accounting, and financial problems unique to enterprises operating in varying economic, cultural, and political legal environments are investigated.
Prerequisites: FIN 323, MKTG 311, and MGMT 325, or permission of the Chief Departmental Advisor.
MKTG 411. Multi-National Marketing An examination of the operational and cross-cultural aspects of international marketing, including the nature of competition, developmental marketing structures and channels, price and credit policies, promotional methods, trade barriers, and international arrangements.
Prerequisite: "C" or better in MKTG 311 (or equivalent) or permission of the instructor
PHIL 354. Comparative Philosophy East and West-Personhood An examination of the philosophical theme "personhood" in Eastern and Western traditions. The course will include a methodology for comparative analysis, a dialogue on key issues and their application to contemporary religions, psychological and gender perspectives. The class will sample well known positions in the Eastern and Western traditions as well as social and political contexts for the various conceptions.
Prerequisite: PHIL 110P or 150P or permission of the instructor
PSYC 420. Cross-Cultural Psychology A wide variety of psychological research and theory relevant to human behavior in different cultures is examined and the impact of culture on human behavior is discussed. The course examines cross-cultural research conducted by scholars around the world. In addition to factual knowledge, emphasis is placed on critical thinking and problem solving.
Prerequisite: Junior standing or permission of the instructor
OR
ANTR 320. The Sexes in Cross-Cultural Perspective An examination of the socialization and perpetuation of sex roles in different societies around the world. The course investigates issues of gender and sexuality throughout an individual's life.
Prerequisite: ANTR 110S, completion of the social science perspective or permission of the instructor.
WMST 401W. Women: A Global Perspective A study of the experiences of women worldwide, focusing largely on women in developing countries. Topics include economic issues, health, violence, political activism, sexuality, maternal and other family roles, and cultural expression.
Prerequisite: Three semester hours in a WMST or WMST cross-listed course
Foreign Language and Culture: Any of the following foreign language courses may be used for this cluster.
FR 320. Contemporary France through the Media. This course introduces students to social, political, economic, intellectual and artistic manifestations of French culture today, and also provides a day-by-day analysis of contemporary France by reading current newspapers, magazines, watching French news broadcasts and tapping into Internet resources.
Prerequisites: FR 202 or advanced placement.
OR
GER/FLET 445-COMM 444. New German Film. This course will focus on the German Cinema from perspectives such as fascism and its legacy, film as historical critique, or Weimer cinema.
Prerequisite: German section students must complete GER 311 or 312W; communication section students must complete COMM 200S.
OR
GER 355. The City as Cultural Focus This course will focus on a particular German city such as Berlin, Vienna, or Munich in light of historic and cultural shifts and continuities. Students will read literary and historical texts, poetry and newspaper articles and screen films.
Prerequisite: GER 311 or 312W or permission of the instructor.
OR
JAPN/FLET 310W. The Faces of Japan. Lectures in English, films and slides provide an introduction to the literature, culture, contemporary life style and geography of Japan
Prerequisite: junior standing or permission of the instructor.
OR
SPAN 320. Spanish Civilization. A survey of Spanish civilization from the Roman occupation of the Iberian Peninsula to the present day with emphasis on the political and social development of Spain.
Prerequisite: SPAN 312W, advanced placement, or permission of instructor.
OR
SPAN 321. Spanish American Civilization. A course designed to introduce the student to the basics of Spanish American civilization through a close study of its politics, history, art, literature, film and other related areas.
Prerequisite: SPAN 312W, advanced placement, or permission of instructor.
STUDY ABROAD
Any study abroad course at the 300-400 level that offers 3 credits can fulfill one course requirement for World Cultures: Values and Visitons. In cases where a study abroad course fits the themes of another cluster, students may request approval from the University Cluster Coordinator to use that study abroad course.
Recommended Reading
Allen, Douglas, (ed.), Culture and Self: Philosophical and Religious Perspectives East and West. (Westview Press) ISBN 0813326745 Paper
Ames, Roger T. and Wimal Dissanayake, Self and Deception: a cross-cultural philosophical enquiry (Albany, N.Y., SUNY 1996) ISBN 0-7914-3032-4 (pbk.)
