HJU Cross Culture Communication Class

Wednesday, January 27, 2010

Final Class with a food festival!

Thanks for a great year! The students learned a lot from all of our guest speakers. Thanks to all for their cooperation and time. The best of luck to all of the seniors!

Monday, January 25, 2010

Thank you Mr. Mejia from UNITAR Hiroshima

We enjoyed your speech and learned a lot about UNITAR Hiroshima. In addition, you gave us a lot of advice about personal goals, and cross cultural communication. We also enjoyed hearing your stories about Ecuador and the comparisons with Japan. We will also like to thank Okabe-San for helping make this important event possible. Dr. Klein also gave us interesting comments, too. Thanks to all! Of course, there is an open invitation to all staff at UNITAR to speak to us again. Thank you again Mr. Mejia and good luck with your new mission in Hiroshima. May your family enjoy their stay in Hiroshima, too.

Please see me before class today January 25th!

Would the following students please come and see me before class. You question has been chosen to ask the guest speaker and I would like to give you your question and number.
Thanks!
Natsuki Watanabe
Momoe Taromaru
Nari Shin
Hanami Tateno
Chiho Yoshiki
Marina Shigeto
Mari Tamura
Momoko Toyota
Madoka Shintani
Ayaka Ishizaki
Rina Hirano
Mao Kawano

See you Later!
S.M.

Monday, January 18, 2010

Class #13 Reflections Class Special Speaker

Here is some background information on our special guest! See you on Monday.
Alex MEJIA

Head of Hiroshima UNITAR Office

Alexander A. Mejía was appointed by the Executive Director of UNITAR as Head of the UNITAR Hiroshima Office in October 2009. He has an extensive professional background in banking, diplomacy, public office, and academia.After working in corporate banking for seven years in Latin America, Mr. Mejía began his career as a diplomat in 1998 when he became Counselor at the Ecuadorian Embassy in Bogotá, Colombia. Subsequently in 2001, he was appointed Vice Minister of Economy for his native Ecuador. As such he was also appointed Governor to the World Bank, Governor to the Inter-American Development Bank, Board Member of the Ecuadorian Central Bank, the National Development Bank (BNF), and the National Council for Trade and Investment (COMEXI).He subsequently served in 2003 and 2004 as Director of the Andean Program at the Inter-American Council in Washington, D.C.. In 2005 Mr. Mejía was appointed by the Governor of the State of Georgia as Vice President of Government Relations for Latin America until he joined CIFAL Atlanta, as Executive Director, a training center founded by UNITAR and the City of Atlanta, in 2006.He has also held various professorships in strategic planning, international marketing, and international studies in Ecuador and the United States. He is a Board Member of the Georgia Hispanic Chamber of Commerce, the World Trade Center Atlanta, Celebrate Life International, and the World Chamber of Commerce, USA chapter.Mr. Mejía earned a Masters in Finance from INCAE University in Costa Rica and a Bachelors degree from Zamorano University in Honduras. He is also a Master in Foreign Affairs candidate at Georgetown University in Washington, DC. Mr. Mejia holds a Diploma in Political Leadership from Harvard University’s John F. Kennedy School of Government and graduated from The Political and Electoral Marketing Program of Universidad de La Sabana in Colombia.

Class #12 Education

Sorry for the late post!
Thanks to Monika Sensei for an interesting and informative talk today. I hope all of you realize that you can study many languages! Don't just study English! Open your horizons!
Here is today's homework:
After listening to today’s presentation, please read the opinion in the November 5th New York Times. http://www.nytimes.com/2009/11/08/books/review/EParker-t.html?scp=1&sq=japan%20english%20education&st=cse
　Do you agree with the writer Minae Mizumura (“The Fall of Japanese in the Age of English”)　when she says that”, “the dominance of English, especially with the advent of the Internet, threatens to reduce all other national languages to mere “local” languages that are not taken seriously by scholars. The education system, she argues, doesn’t spend enough time teaching Japanese.”

Why? Give at least 3 reasons to support your answer.

January 25th reflections class (guest speaker from Hiroshima UNITAR: Director Mejia) in Sophia building room 101.
January 27th FOOD! All groups must teach us how to make some ethnic food from their country, bring samples!

Monday, December 21, 2009

Class #11 Men and Women

This is one of the most interesting classes for me!

This week's homework is to read an article from the Japan Times and give your opinion. http://search.japantimes.co.jp/member/member.html?ek20060110ks.htmDo you agree or disagree with the author (who is Japanese). Please explain why in your blog.

Remember:

January 18 Topic: Education and Schools Speaker will come!

January 25 Topic: Guest speaker: UNITAR Director Mr. Mejia ( http://www.unitar.org/hiroshima/staff-and-advisors/MEJIA)

Blogs will be checked on January 25th!

January 27 (Wednesday) Topic: Food All groups must prepare a traditional food from their group country to share with us and present how to make it.

Have a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year!

Monday, December 14, 2009

Class #10 Table Manners

Today we discussed table manners from all over the world. Please answer the following questions in your blog.
1.Have you ever eaten in a restaurant in a foreign country? Where? What did you eat? Did you make any mistakes? Please explain your experience.
2. Did you learn anything?

Next class, December 21st, we will discuss the issues between Men and Women. Presentations: will be done by the Iran and Finland groups.
January 18th's topic is Education and School Systems. We will have a guest speaker. Presentations: Germany and Liberia.
January 25th is Reflections Class, we will play a card game and watch part of a movie. Blogs will be checked for the last time.
January 27th (Wednesday) The topic will be food! All groups must prepare a traditional food from their group country to share with us and present how to make it. YUMMY!
Alexis, will you make something Alaskan?

Monday, November 30, 2009

Class #8 Weddings

We talked and saw many international weddings and compared them with Japan.
Please answer the following questions in your blog:
1.Since Japanese weddings are expensive, do you think having a massive wedding like Korea or UAE is a good idea? Why?
2. What do you think about eloping? Is it a good idea or romantic? Why?
3. Have you ever thought about having a wedding in a foreign location like Hawaii? Would you do it? Why?Or Why not?
4.What is your ideal wedding?
5.What would you definitely do, wear or go to on that big day? Why is that important?
6. Have you ever been to a foreigner's wedding? What was your impression?

Next week is the reflections class and all blogs HAVE TO BE UPDATED BY THIS DATE!

Sunday, November 15, 2009

Class #7 Superstitions

Last class we had a wonderful presentation by Camilla from Denmark. This was supposed to be 15 minutes, but after hearing her interesting information, we ran over time and did not get to finish our discussion about time and culture. I was surprised about the amount of fish and bread in their diet! Since we spent so much time listening about the food and culture of Denmark, please comment in your blog about Ms. Camilla's presentation. Which part surprised you the most? What kind of Danish food do you want to try?
For today's class, we talked about many superstitions in many countries. Today's homework is to answer the following questions in your blog.
1.Do you think it is important to talk about superstitions in cross culture communication class? Why?
2.Is communication affected by superstitions?
3.Do you believe in superstitions? If yes, what superstitions do you believe?Why do you do, use, or believe in them?

Next week's class is about weddings. If you have any pictures of weddings please bring them in to share with the class. Also, the Finland and Poland groups will have presentations on this topic.

Monday, November 09, 2009

Class #6 Time

Today your first Reflection grades will be returned to you. Most of you did very well. Some of you are still giving simple, vague answers. Please give reasons for your opinions. Also at the top bar of the new post screen is a button labeled ABC with a check. This is a spelling check option and I suggest all use it to correct their posts! Some students did not answer the comments on their blogs! This is also important! Everyone must read and comment on Alexis' blog!http://akaiccc.blogspot.com/ It is very good and is a great model for what I want in your answers!

Today's class is about the different concepts of time in different cultures. For homework, please answer the following in your blog:

1. Please explain a time proverb in your culture.

2. What do the following proverbs mean:

a. Time is money.

b. A stitch in time saves nine.

c. There's no time like the present.

d.Let's meet at 4. If I'm not there by 5, leave without me at 6, and I'll be there at 7.

Next class's topic is about superstitions. The groups for Germany and Egypt will be presenting. As preparation for the class, think of 2 superstitions that you believe in. Be prepared to tall the class why you believe in them!

Tuesday, November 03, 2009

Thank you His Excellency

Thank you His Excellency M. Bashir Ali Kurdi for a fascinating and informative class. The students and teachers at HJU appreciated this unique opportunity and learned a lot about the culture and people of Saudi Arabia. We hope you enjoyed speaking to us as much as we did listening to your answers to our questions. We welcome you to visit us again.

Monday, November 02, 2009

Class #5 Reflections and Special Speaker

I hope all of you are looking forward to today's special guest. All of your questions were good. We do not have time to ask all of them, so 13 of you were chosen to read their questions in class.
Would the following students please see Professor Klein or Alexis before class (Jimbunkan 401) to pick up their question card and question order number:
1. Madoka Shintani
2. Natsuki Watanabe
3. Yuko Sasaki
4. Chiemi Hirome
5. Juri Hatakenaka
6. Nari Shin
7. Mao Kawano
8. Chiho Yoshiki
9. Megumi Sera
10. Maho Ishida
11. Kumiko Sato
12. Misa Nakagawa
13. Maiko Emoto

You must give me your Reflections #1 paper today for grading. Next class we will be studying the concept of time in different cultures. No homework, see you November 9th.

Monday, October 26, 2009

Class #4 Friends

First, please remember we will have a very special guest speaker on November 2, next week! His Excellency, Mohamed Bashir Kardi, former Ambassador to Japan from Saudi Arabia will be speaking to us! After collecting your questions today, I will select between 5 and 10 of them. The classroom will change only for this class. Please go to Room in the Jimbunkan 401. We want to start at 1:00, DO NOT be late!
Blog homework must be finished / updated by November 2nd. Next week is our reflections class, please make sure you have all of your blogs updated and commented on at least 5 blogs per subject (Death and Funerals, Language of Clothes and Friends). Also, I have updated the student blog list page, check it out!

Monday, October 19, 2009

Class #3 The Language of Clothes

Today we discussed the language of clothes. After listening to the lecture and the meaning of colors in clothing, answer the following questions:
1. Do you judge people according to what they wear? Why?
2. Do you think Japanese society puts an importance on clothing when judging other people from another country?
3. What colors are you wearing now? Do they reflect your mood?

Next week we will discuss friends, please prepare by answering the following questions:
1. What are some subjects that you will never discuss with a friend?
2. Do you have different friends for different parts of your life? If so, how are they different to you? Do you talk about different things? Go to different places? Give me some examples.

Remember all homework in written in your blog!
Also, DO NOT FORGET we will have a very special guest speaker on November 2.His Excellency, Mohamed Bashir Kardi, former Ambassador to Japan from Saudi Arabia will be speaking to us! We need to ask the ambassador interesting and thoughtful questions. In addition to your blog homework this week, I will be collecting questions that you want to ask the Ambassador. Write these questions on loose leaf, with your name and hand them into me next class, October 26th. This IS HOMEWORK and will be graded.

Fall 2009 Blog List!

Monday, October 05, 2009

Class #2 Death and Funerals

Last week I did not get a chance to finish the presentation on the Japanese concept of wrapping. Today I will finish this lecture, so you can complete last week's homework in your blog.
We are please to announce that the former Saudi Arabia Ambassador to Japan will visit our class November 2. Let's plan a really good class together! Details will follow later.
For this week's homework, please answer the following questions in your blog:
1.Death and Funerals:a. Do you have any international friends or a host family? If so, how would you express your condolences to them if a family member died? If not, then how would you express condolences to an American host family if their Grandmother died?b. Have you ever been to a foreign funeral?
2. The language of Clothes (preparation for next weeks topic):a.Why are Japanese designer label crazy? Why is what you wear so important?b.What does “Don’t judge a book by it’s cover.” mean to you?
Next class is October 19th. The theme is the "Language of Clothes". There will be presentations by the Iran and Egypt groups.See you then.

Monday, September 28, 2009

Class #1 Fall 2009

Welcome back!

There are 2 topics for homework. Both must be answered in your blog:
1. Reflecting about today's class:
Today we discussed the Japanese concept of "wrapping". Do you agree with the web site's description?What do you do that can be called "wrapping"? Give examples and reasons for your actions.
2. Preparation for the next class "Death and Funerals" Answer these questions in your blog;a. Where do you go when you die?b. Explain why do Japanese have death memorial services 1 month, 1 year, 3 years, 7 years, etc. after a person's death?

Thursday, July 23, 2009

Class #14 Politics and Reflections

This is our LAST class. No Final. All of you worked very hard all semester!
For your homework, I want you to answer these questions:
The United Nations (UN) is the key organization to promote and maintain world peace between governments. For homework, research the UN in the library or on the Internet http://www.unic.or.jp/ . If you were working for the UN, which job would like to do using your English abilities? Why?
Since this is our last class, blogs must be updated and comments ( 5 for each topic) must be done by July 31st. Please let me know what blogs you commented on. This is also a sayonara to Garreth and Jennifer. Thanks for making our class more interesting with your ideas and perspectives. We all wish you the best of luck in your future studies. Please comment on this blog from time to time.
Take Care everyone and have a safe and happy summer. See you in the fall.
Susan Sensei

Monday, July 13, 2009

Class #13 Personal Spaces

Thanks to everyone that helped last week with the BBQ. I hope all of you got a chance to taste the food! The Bowling Green students were very happy to eat and chat with you.
Today we talked about personal spaces / proxemics. For homework answer questions 1-10 on page 18 of your textbook. Make sure you explain why you do it this way.
Remember the next and last class is Thursday July 23rd, at the regular time, 1:00 and the room is Sophia 103. We will NOT have a guest speaker to talk about politics. Blogs must be updated by July 31 and please comment on 3 blogs per topic (from the last reflections class, family life dating, work customs, personal spaces and politics)
Here is a cute comic about personal spaces:

Monday, July 06, 2009

Working with different cultures and special guest

After listening to Ms. Yano's presentation. What kind of work place do you think you will work best in? Choose a country other than Japan and research and explain 1 aspect of their business culture that is different than Japan. Do you think it is a good practice? Why?

Thursday, July 02, 2009

Thanks for a great BBQ!

Thanks to all that helped to the BBQ for the Bowling Grees State University students. We all ate well and had a good time. Gareth and Jennifer did a great job preparing. Thanks to Nolin Sensei for cooking the burgers and hot dogs!

Also, Monday we will have a guest speaker, Ms. K. Yano from Visteon Corporation. Since we will have a guest speaker and guests in class, we will not have time for presentations. We will have 6 presentations on the July 13! Sorry about that! See you on Monday.

Monday, June 29, 2009

July 6th Class Needs your help!

Next class we are lucky to have students from Wayne State University. We plan to have a BBQ with them before class. We need your help! We need students to make Potato or macaroni salad, set up the BBQ, serve food, cook burgers and hot dogs (very easy), and clean up! I will give you credit for the CCC class. Here is the schedule

10:30 to 11:30 Some kind of English class
10:30 Gareth and Jennifer plus helpers set up BBQ, decorations, music, food etc.
11:30 to 1:00 Eating and such ( My CCC class is 50 students, plus morning English class= 80 people to prep for?)
1:00 to 2:30 Susan's CCC class
1:00 Gareth and Jennifer clean up with some student help.

Please help!

Class #12 Dating Practices

Today's homework is to make a pie chart of your ideal partner's characteristics and explain why these characteristics are important to you. Are you like the American women pie chart? Below is my chart, just click on it to see it better. I want you to give me at least 4 or more characteristics.

Interested in cross culture dating? Here is an advice article that looks interesting.

http://ezinearticles.com/?Cross-Cultural-Dating&id=1075947

Another article on dating customs around the world is

http://ezinearticles.com/?Dating-Customs-Around-the-World&id=347594

Monday, June 22, 2009

Class #10 Family Life

I hope all of you enjoyed Ms. Ryoko Wood's interesting presentation. She has an interesting life experiencing both cultures and both family situations.
For homework please answer the questions in the textbook on page 14, section 4 a-f. Do not give one sentence answers, but explain them by giving evidence and examples.
I still have not hear from many of you as to what blogs you commented on. If I do not hear from you by this week you will be given a zero grade! There are too many students in this class and I really need your help on this! Thanks!

Monday, June 15, 2009

Class # 9 Expressing Feelings

Today we talked about how people from different cultures express feelings verbally and non-verbally. Even the words to express feelings are sometimes hard to translate!
For homework, you must update all blog homework by Sunday June 21 midnight for grading.
Also, to prepare for next week's speaker on family life, read page 14, think about the differences between Japan and this country!

Monday, June 08, 2009

School Bullying

First, we want to say thank you to Dr. Cowie for taking time out of her busy schedule to talk with us today. I think we all learned something from her discussion that we can apply to our lives. Here is some of the information she gave us:
1. Newspaper article from 1999. "Ijime: A Social Illness of Japan"
2. From the BBC News December 2006 "Japan's Deadly Bullying Problem"

3. Here is the 8 page article in Japanese, Dr. Cowie wrote titled "Understanding Why Children and Young People Engage in Bullying"

Remember, Dr. Cowie would really like to hear your comments on today's class. Please ask them by using the comment button for this post. You questions and comments are anonymous! Ask anything!

Sunday, May 31, 2009

Class Number 7 Names and Addresses

In preparation for next week's class, please answer the following questions in your blog.

1.Are feelings, emotions and facial expressions universal across borders, happy, sad, etc..?
2. Try to name as many feelings as possible in Japanese. ( 10 minimum) Then, write the English translation.
3. Are there any feelings in Japanese that cannot be translated into English?

Don't forget to comment on other classmates blogs!

Sunday, May 24, 2009

Class Number 6 Greetings

After today's discussions and presentations, answer these questions on your blog:
1. How do you greet members of your family? (mother, father, older brother, younger brother, grandparents, etc.)
2. How do you greet people that are important in society?
3. Do you greet people from the opposite sex in a different way?
4. Do you hug anyone? If yes, who and when. If no, why not?

Next week we will discuss Names and addresses, please prepare for this by analyzing your first and last name. Please write in your blog what each name and Chinese character means.
Presentations next week are going to be by Philippines and Nepal.

Monday, May 18, 2009

Class #5 Reflections

We have NO homework this week! All blogs must be updated by midnight tonight, May 18th. Some addresses have been updated and added. Please re-check these blogs to comment on.
Next week is greetings. " presentations by Kenya and Denmark will present on greetings in these countries. Don't forget your textbook!

Monday, May 11, 2009

Class Number 4 World Religions

Homework, read pages 4-7 in your text for next class.
Also, answer the following questions in your blog:
How do you greet people in your life?
Is it different for different people? How so and why?
Do you touch people when you talk to them? Why? Or Why not?

Blog List Spring 2009

Monday, April 27, 2009

Class #3 Buddhism

After hearing today's speaker. Please answer the following question in your blog:
How is your daily life affected by Buddhism? What do you do and why do you do it? Please give 5 examples and make sure you explain why you think you do them!

Next week no class! (Golden Week vacation)

See you in 2 weeks. Have a relaxing holiday.

Monday, April 20, 2009

Class #2 What is Culture? What is CCC?

Today we will NOT have a guest speaker! Sorry, he will come next week instead. Today we will discuss what is culture, communication and cross culture communication? For homework, read the newspaper for the next week and find an article that has to do with cross culture communication problems. Post the link to this article, summarize it in your blog in English. It can be an English newspaper (Japan Times, New York Times, Washington Post, Yomiuri, Asahi) or a Japanese newspaper. Just remember to summarize it in English in your blog!

Monday, April 13, 2009

Welcome to HJU Cross Culture Communication Class!

Welcome to the HJU Cross Culture Communication class. I hope you will learn a lot about your own culture and the cultures of other people around the world. Understanding is the key to accepting and I hope we can all become cross culture competent. This is the first blog of the new school year. Your homework today is to create your own blog for this class. Remember do not use your real name in the blog. When you have created it, please e-mail me (smmeiki@yahoo.com) your blog address and your name. I will keep the secret! I am happy to welcome you to this class.

Tuesday, February 03, 2009

Last Class Picture!

Thanks to Aiko for the great picture!