Negotiating Chinese Culture

3 credits

CHINSE 3400

Chinese
College of Arts and Science

As political, business, religious, and personal encounters between Chinese and Americans increase, so also does the need for competence in negotiating these cross-cultural interactions. Whether hosting Chinese guests, visiting China for business or as a scholar, or simply trying to understand current events, a clear understanding of cultural differences and similarities can be quite valuable. Students will be introduced to multiple perspectives on American and Chinese cultural differences along with narratives of cross-cultural experiences. Course address issues related to American and Chinese cross-cultural communication in five spheres of interaction: political, religious, business, interpersonal, education. Through related readings, discussions, and structured conversations with Chinese, students will explore how this information and a deeper understanding of Chinese and American culture can be applied to more fruitful and positive cross-cultural interactions in multiple contexts. Prerequisites: sophomore standing.