Activity 6

Study question discussions….

Choose one of the questions below and review the course notes and readings associated with the subject of the question. From your brief review make a posting in the discussion board for activity seven that provides at least three points in answer of the question. Also be sure to read and reply to other people’s posts.

Through this activity you can prepare to build information to answer the first report.

For the report # 1 you are asked to answer one of the following questions in approximately 800 words. See the link in content for Report #1 Questions for more detail.

1.  Provide definitions of culture and communication based upon the material in the text and lectures notes and describe the challenges of doing so.  In other words once you provide a statement on culture and communication what are its limitations and how might it constrain what culture actually is?

2. Compare and contrast the perspectives of cross-cultural psychology (SS) and cultural psychology (IA).  In doing so give a description of the basic interests and goals, methods and assumptions for each. Also indicate which approach(es) is best for the study of intercultural communication, including the Critical and Dialectical Approaches.

3. What is intercultural communication and what are the most important reasons for studying it?  In providing your answer give examples that illustrate what it is and why it is important to study.

4. Compare and contrast the models of self presented in the lecture notes and podcasts for Japan and China. Discuss the similarities and differences that you find between them. 

5. Discuss the model of individualism and collectivism as presented in class and in the text.  Compare this model with others presented in the course and provide your own critical appraisal of the merits and demerits of this model. 

6. What are the roles of language in intercultural communication?  What are the important features of language and where can one expect difficulties or challenges in communication across cultures? 

7. Describe the main functions and characteristics of non-verbal behaviour as it pertains to intercultural communication. Discuss the main features of non-verbal behaviour and provide examples that illustrated them.