Reflections Class #2

Happy holidays! I hope you enjoyed watching the movie today. In your blog please write your comments and thoughts of the movie. Do you think this is a true story? Can this really happen in today's modern times?
Next class is January 19 we are discussing table manners. The Russia and Thailand groups will be presenting . See you then.

Class Number 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?
2. What do you think about eloping? Having a wedding in a foreign location like Hawaii?
3.What is your ideal wedding?
4.What would you definitely do, wear or go to on that big day? Why is that important?
5. 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!

Class Number 7 Superstitions

We talked about many superstitions in many countries. Today's homework is to answer the following questions in your blog.
Do you think it is important to talk about superstitions in cross culture communication class? Why?
Is communication affected by superstitions?
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, Korea and Thailand groups will have a presentation on this topic.

Class Number 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 comment on other blogs! This is also important! Everyone should read and comment on Gareth's blog http://gareth-ccc.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:
Read the proverbs and sayings about time. For each one describe the meaning. Tell me what cultural values do they suggest. In your closing statement please explain a time proverb in your culture.
Proverbs:
1. Time is money.
2. A stitch in time saves nine.
There's no time like the present.
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 Australia and Russia 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!

Thank you Dr. Phuoc!

We would like to thank Dr. Phuoc for taking time from his busy schedule to talk to our Cross Culture Communication class at Hiroshima Jogakuin University. This was a unique opportunity for the students to have face to face discussions about the education system and friendship styles in Vietnam. We learned a lot and hope Dr. Phuoc learned a lot from us, too! A special thank you goes to Dr. Klein for making these arrangements! Here are the pictures from class. Enjoy!

Homework Number 4

Nice to see everyone again. This Monday class does not meet enough and I feel the semester has not really started! I hope everyone had a good time at the festival. Today we are lucky to have Dr. Phuoc Tran to speak at our class. I hope everyone enjoyed talking to him. If you want to find out more about Hue University, here is the web site http://www.hueuni.edu.vn/hueuni/en/
Next week is our reflections class, please make sure you have all of your blogs updated and commented on at least 4 blogs per subject (Death and Funerals, Language of Clothes and Friends).
Also, I have updated the blog name page, check it out!
See you.

Homework Number 3

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.

See you in 2 weeks, no class next week.

Class Blog List Fall 2008

Here is the list of blogs for the Fall 2008 class. As of December 1, 2008

Blog Address
http://vvvevevvv.blogspot.com/
http://slyusdaushimisyo.blogspot.com/
http://cheery-cat.blogspot.com/
http://hju-girl.blogspot.com/
http://redvan.blogspot.com/
http://bgcookies.blogspot.com/
http://aikoroom.blogspot.com/
http://ccculturehw.blogspot.com/
http://cassis-orange.blogspot.com/
http://gareth-ccc.blogspot.com/
http://crea-murasaki.blogspot.com/
http://ccc-blogger.blogspot.com/
http://jimina-shiomusubi.blogspot.com/

Try to comment on 5 or more blog posts, since there are few members in this class.

Homework #2

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 consolences 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?
Good Luck!

Homework #1

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?

Blog homework must be done before the next class (October 20)

Welcome (back)

This is the first blog post for the HJU Cross Culture Communication class Fall 2008. The class is on Monday's from 1:00 to 2:30 in Sophia 104. I hope we can have a successful semester and enjoy learning about communicating with the world!
S. Meiki
Instructor

Thanks for the great blogs and comments!

I have just finished marking all of your blogs and reading your comments. All of you did an excellent job. Some of you did not complete or finish homework. I will hand in your grades tomorrow morning (August 4th) If you want to know your grade, e-mail me. Have a good summer and see you in the fall.
Susan Sensei
P.S. Thanks for all of your positive comments about the course, too!

Politics

Today's speaker talked about Japanese politics. We also heard about the USA, Ghana and India's governments. International relations (IR) is also important to understand how a government approaches living with the rest of the world.
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?

This is our last class, blogs must be updated and comments ( 3 for each topic) must be done by July 31st. Please let me know what blogs you commented on. This is also a sayonara to Megan. 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

Personal Spaces

Today we talked about personal spaces. For homework answer questions 1-10 on page 18 of your textbook. Make sure you explain why you do it this way.

Remember class is Friday July 18th at 9:00. We will have a guest speaker to talk about politics and 2 presentations. This is our LAST class. 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)

Thanks for the comic Megan!

Work Place Questionairre

After listening to Ms. Yano's presentation. What kind of work place do you think you will work best in? Go to the following web site http://www.itapintl.com/ITAPCWQuestionnaire.htm Put in your first name and answer the questions. Choose 2 countries to compare your score with, Japan and another country of your choice. Your answers will tell you what country you will work best in from the above graph. Place your answer in your blog and tell me if you agree or disagree with the results. Make sure you give me reasons for your thoughts.

Updated Blog List

Here is the final list of the students's blogs for the Spring 2008 CCC class at HJU. Please read them every week and comment on them. If you have a comment on your blog, please respond to the comment with a thank you or opinion. This is the most enjoyable part of the class. Have fun and good luck. Please comment on at least 4 blogs a week!

http://hju-ym1109.blogspot.com/
http://jane-is-me.blogspot.com/
http://vvvevevvv.blogspot.com/
http://ccc-blogger.blogspot.com/　
http://bearscare57.blogspot.com/
http://crea-murasaki.blogspot.com/
http://mickey-dog.blogspot.com/
http://happycccghost.blogspot.com/
http://mt062076.blogspot.com/　
http://hjuccc-compton335.blogspot.com/
http://greantea-umaumai.blogspot.com/
http://hiroshimafu-okonomiyaki-love-ccc.blogspot.com/
http://kannta.blogspot.com/
http://ilovecountryside.blogspot.com/
http://cheery-cat.blogspot.com/
http://redchabaa.blogspot.com/
http://harahetta-mamanny.blogspot.com/
http://hju-girl.blogspot.com/
http://redvan.blogspot.com/
http://ccc-blog-student.blogspot.com/
http://runenight1986.blogspot.com/
http://hju-ym1109.blogspot.com/
http://bgcookies.blogspot.com/
http://slyusdaushimisyo.blogspot.com/
http://chikka-mullins.blogspot.com/
http://aikoroom.blogspot.com/

Lesson 11 Dating Customs

Today's homework is to make a pie chart of your ideal partner 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.

June 21st Chugoku Shimbun

Thank You Kawashima Sensei

We had a very interesting and informative talk yesterday. Thank you Kawashima Sensei for taking the time to talk with us. We learned a lot from your experiences here in Japan and in the USA. Please come back anytime to Hiroshima Jogakuin University! You are always welcome.

Class #9 Reflections

Today are are very lucky to have Kawashima Sensei to talk about her experiences during World War 2 and 9/11. She will also talk about Cross Culture Communication. Kawashima Sensei is a Japanese professor from Hunter College in New York City. I hope you enjoy her speech and learn a lot from her many experiences and stories.
Next week is the Family Life class. I have scheduled a very interesting speaker who is married to a foreigner and now lives in Hiroshima. Please prepare for the class by answering the questions in the textbook on page 15, section 4 a-f. Do not give one sentence answers, but explain them by giving evidence and examples. Brazil and Hungary groups have class presentation, please be ready!
All blogs MUST be updated TODAY! Do not forget to comment on other blogs and answer comments left on your blog.

June 9th Class Message

Next week is the reflection class. ALL of my blog questions from ALL previous classes must be answered in your blogs. Also, you must comment on at least 4 blogs per topic. Please let me know what blogs you commented on via e-mail. Midnight June 16 is the deadline for all updating. For next class, we have a special guest speaker Professor S. Kawashima from Hunter College talking about cross culture communication and her experiences in WW2 and 9/11.

Lesson 7 Names and Addresses

Please answer the following questions ion your blogs.


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) Now 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!

Thanks to Everyone for a successful class

Thanks to all of the Colgate University students for a great class. We all had a great time discussing our differences and similarities! We welcome any of you back to our class! As you can see from the pictures we all had fun!

Welcome Colgate University Students!

Thank you for joining us today in the Cross Culture Communication class at Hiroshima Jogakuin University. We hope you can learn about yourself and Japanese culture. Not only the differences will be explored, but the similarities, too! Our goal today is to get a good dialogue going between you and 1 or 2 HJU students on topics that are interesting to the both of you. If you want to leave a comment on this blog, we encourage you to do so.
For the HJU students of this class: Your homework is to write about the student you talked to today. Describe their answers to the topics you discussed. Try to exchange e-mails or give your blog address to the Colgate University student and keep a dialogue going after the class. Have fun.

May 26th: Lunch and Class Information

Thanks to all who volunteered to escort the Colgate University students to lunch. Don't forget to prepare and think of some questions to ask at lunch. Meet Professor Klein in front of Hinohara Hall between 12:00 - 12:15

For class, it would be good for you to read what Colgate University is all about. Go to the web site http://www.colgate.edu/index0.aspx to find information about the history, classes offered and loction of the university. Colgate University is located in New York state in the small town of Hamilton. The university was started in 1819. Colgate has 2,750 undergraduates enrolled in 51 programs, including an Asian language and studies program. Colgate is also famous for their sports programs and compete in the highest level in college sports in the USA. Check this site and do your homework before you meet these students. See you then.

Blog Address List Spring 2008

Here is the complate list of the students's blogs for th Spring 2008 CCC class at HJU. Please read them every week and comment on them. If you have a comment on your blog, please respond to the comment with a thank you or opinion. This is the most enjoyable part of the class. Have fun and good luck. Please comment on at least 4 blogs a week!

http://jane-is-me.blogspot.com/
http://vvvevevvv.blogspot.com/
http://ccc-blogger.blogspot.com/　
http://bearscare57.blogspot.com/
http://crea-murasaki.blogspot.com/
http://mickey-dog.blogspot.com/
http://happycccghost.blogspot.com/
http://coffeebreak87.blogspot.com/
http://mt062076.blogspot.com/　
http://hjuccc-compton335.blogspot.com/
http://greantea-umaumai.blogspot.com/
http://hiroshimafu-okonomiyaki-love-ccc.blogspot.com/
http://kannta.blogspot.com/
http://ilovecountryside.blogspot.com/
http://cheery-cat.blogspot.com/
http://redchabaa.blogspot.com/
http://harahetta-mamanny.blogspot.com/
http://hju-girl.blogspot.com/
http://redvan.blogspot.com/
http://ccc-blog-student.blogspot.com/
http://runenight1986.blogspot.com/
http://hju-ym1109.blogspot.com/
http://bgcookies.blogspot.com/
http://slyusdaushimisyo.blogspot.com/
http://chikka-mullins.blogspot.com/

Class #5 Greetings

Today's class will cover the topic of greetings from around the world. First impressions are very important, by leqarning some of the customs of other countries, we can begin our relationships on a good start. Showing that you prepared to meet someone gives a good impression. For homework, please answer the queston #7 concerning Japan from the text on page 7. Next week we are meeting with the students from Colgate University. Don't forget to meet with Professor Klein to escort them to lunch.

Class #4 World Religions

Homework, read pages 4-7 in text for next class

Also, answer the following questions in your blog:

How do you greet people in your life? Is is different for different people? How so and why? Do you touch people when you talk to them? Why? Or Why not?

Class #2 Buddhism

After hearing today's speaker. Please answer the following question in your blog:
1. How is your daily life affected by Buddhism? What do you do and why do you do it?

Also, 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.

Have a good week.

Welcome to the HJU CCC blog!

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.

Last Class!

Thank you everyone for a very interesting and exciting class. I think we learned a lot and met many interesting people. A BIG THANKS and FAREWELL goes to Rolf! I really appreciated his male perspective in class and discussions. We wish you all the best of luck in your next adventure.
Congratulations to all the seniors! Best of luck with the next stage of your life. Reach high and attain your goals.
See some of you in the spring 2008.
S. Meiki

Reflections #3 Class Jan 23rd

I apologize about being absent last class. I was really sick and could not talk! Also, I did not want to spread it to all of you! Did you like the speaker? Mr. MazKenzie has been around the world and many interesting ideas about international education. Thanks Rolf for taking over!
At today's class, I will give all of you the reflections #3 grading sheet and expect it back next Monday, January 28th, our last class. I already sent out e-mails to students that did not give me their reflections #2 homework. If you did not get an e-mail, you are alright! We will also see a powerful movie with an important message about a world with no cross culture communication and understanding. I hope it leaves an impression with you, as much as it did with me.
Remember, next class is our food class. I look forward to tasting all the delights of the countries.

Education

After listening to today’s presentations and reading what the new Minister of Education in the newspapers. Please read the opinion in the December 6th International Herald Tribune.
http://www.iht.com/articles/2006/12/06/opinion/edkumiko.php　
Do you agree with the writer? Why? Give at least 3 examples to support your answer.

ATTENTION: Do not forget that we have class next WEDNESDAY (January 23rd) and MONDAY (January 28th) Same time, 1:00 and same place.

Wednesday's class will be a reflections class which means all blogs must be updated and 5 comments on another persons blog must be done by JAN 23rd.

Monday January 28th will be a food class. Your group must bring to class a kind of food from the country you are studying. Bring a "how to make it" presentation and enough small portions for the whole class to taste. This should be fun!

Happy New Year!

Welcome back to class! I hope all of you have had a good rest and ready to finish this semester with some interesting ideas and discussions.
I apologize for not being able to have 2 presentations (from Mongolia and Germany) about table manners last class. My computer actually burned up! I had to buy a new one over the vacation. So, let's have the presentations on January 7th.
After the presentations, we will have a small discussion about Men and Women issues, then presentations by Brazil and Phillippines.
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.htm

Do you agree or disagree with the author (who is Japanese). Please explain why in your blog.
Thanks. Next class, January 21st, is our final study class with a reflections class on January 28th. I hope to set up the guest speaker for the Jan 21st class. Will let you know later.
S. Meiki