Assignment Requirements:
● 3-5 pages, double spaced (not including bibliography/references)
● MLA style
● Times New Roman, 12 point
● At least 5 credible research sources and a citation/reference to class textbook ○ 1 MUST be a scholarly source i.e., Peer-reviewed
● You must refer to at least one of the seven cultural dimensions listed in Hostede’s Insights website: https://www.hofstede- insights.com/country-comparison-tool
Select two international countries to compare and contrast. ● One of the cultures can be the United States, though it is not required
Conduct preliminary research. You can use the question prompts below to guide your research.
1. The research should include information about cultural expectations in these countries when it comes to nonverbal communication, verbal communication, self-presentation (i.e., modesty, form of dress, etc.), gender norms, emotions, other social norms that guide interpersonal behaviors (i.e., it’s okay to burp in public without saying “excuse me”).
2. The research should also include the norms for relationships – we will have only started to cover romantic and family relationships, but you are also welcome to include friend and work relationships.
● Friend and romantic relationships – gender expectations, cross-cultural, cross-gender relationships – what is expected, accepted, etc. Freedom in relationships, Marriage customs, purpose of marriage, divorce acceptable? etc..
● Work relationships – Think about this from the perspective of a person from the U.S. traveling to another country for work. What would they have to know to succeed in a business setting? Behaviors (handshake, bow, eye contact, etc.), rules of conversation, money exchange, self-presentation, etc.
● Family relationships – family size, roles, M/F differences, family and parenting types (democratic, laissez-faire, etc.), children (number, gender, expected behaviors, etc.) communal or individualistic dimensions of culture, power distance within the family.
Pick 2-4 questions to answer for your research paper.
1. What are some of the value differences and/or similarities between these cultures?
2. What are the predominant religious beliefs espoused by members of these cultures, and how do you think these beliefs influence their behaviors?
3. What are some nonverbal communication differences and/or similarities found in these cultures?
4. What are some of the communication style differences and/or similarities found in these cultures?
5. What are some of the language or dialectical differences and/or similarities found in these cultures?
6. How are the various social or gender roles viewed in these cultures?
7. Do the family structure and roles differ in these cultures? If yes, in what ways? How does this impact communication?
8. For someone going to these cultures for a study abroad or a work assignment, what information would aid her/his cultural adjustment?
9. What are some of the stereotypes people of your culture have about people in the culture/cultures you have studied? What are the bases for these stereotypes?
10. Does the education system in these cultures differ? If yes, in what ways? How does this impact communication?
Write your research paper
● You want to pick 2-4 questions that you have researched and can find enough information so you can compare and contrast for both countries.
● This is only a 3-5 page research paper, so it is not expected that you will cover everything about both cultures.
● This is NOT a paper to weigh the countries/cultures against each other and choose the “better” country/culture. This is simply to examine the communication expectations about each country/culture and how they differ or are similar.
