COMM 173F: INTERCULTURAL COMMUNICATION AND GLOBAL UNDERSTANDING/ F. VARONA / Fall 2020

CULTURE/COMMUNICATION-SPECIFIC RESEARCH 

PURPOSE : The purpose of this assignment is to develop culture/communication-specific awareness and knowledge toward some of the most prevalent cultures in the Silicon Valley. This assignment meets the Learning Objectives #1,#2,#3,and #4.

CONTENT AND STRUCTURE: Each group is to select a specific culture and complete the following sections:

I.  Introduction:(1 page)

1. Purpose and preview the main points of the research project. (1/3 of a page)
2. Description of the sample: (1/3 of a page) Describe the characteristics of the subjects interviewed: age, gender, education, ethnicity, and profession).
3. Description of the Research Methods: (1/3 of a page) Method for collecting data: Interviews (Download Sample of Interview Guide) and method for analyzing data: Content Analysis (Download instructions for Content Analysis)

II. Cultural Resume: (8 pages)

1. Describe briefly the following cultural elements and systems of the culture selected as they characterize that culture here in the Silicon Valley, in California, and the USA. ( 4 pages):

a) Population (Demographics); b) History (brief); c) Religion; d) Family system and Role Relationships; e) Traditions and customs; f) Education; g) Type of Jobs; and h) Income, and i) Forms of oppression they have experienced.

2. Classify the culture in terms of four (4) different taxonomies of cultural patterns (Hall and Hofstede). Chapters 4 & 5 (2 pages).

3. Describe four (4) fundamental beliefs or values of the culture (Chapter 5) (2 pages)

4. Describe four (4) major specific contributions of this culture to our culture in the USA, in terms of art, education, technology, family values, cultural values, celebrations, life style, etc.) (1 page)

III. Communication Style(2 pages)

Describe five (5) specific characteristics of the communication Style of the culture in terms of verbal and nonverbal communication in interpersonal and group communication contexts. (Chapter 7 and 8).

IV. Intercultural Communication Skills (2 pages)

Describe five (5) specific communication skills needed to communicate effectively with the people of that culture. You must support your answer providing a sound rationale for each specific communication skill.

V. Major Learnings (1 page) that you (as a team) have accomplished by conducting this Culture/Communication Specific Research Project. (Report 5 major learnings).

SOURCES: The two main sources of information in order to complete this assignment are:

1. Library research. Library research means that you must consult at least three literary sources (books, journals, and other publications).

2. Field research. Field research means that you must gather information through interviews, focus group (s), or surveys. Each member of the group has to interview at least two (2) persons from the culture selected.(These are face to face interviews).

It is the responsibility of the group to develop the INTERVIEW GUIDE (Download Sample of Interview Guide)  before conducting INTERVIEWS . This INTERVIEW GUIDE should include questions on the specific areas you are to cover to complete this assignment. (Include this interview guide at the end of your final report).   

- The REFERENCES should go in page 16 (Books, Journals, and persons interviewed with their names, status, and date of the interview.

- A copy of the Interview Guide should go at the end of the Report.

• The WRITTEN REPORT should be 15 pages, typed, 1.5 spaced.
• Prepare a full-sentenced Presentation Outline for classmates (2 pages). Make copies for each student.
• Please hand in TWO COPIES of written Final Report and a CD with the Power Point Presentation.

EVALUATION

Team and Individual performance