City University of Hong Kong Information on a Course offered by Department of English with effect from Semester A in 2012/2013 Part I Course Title Course Code Course Duration Cross-cultural Organizational Communication EN4505 1 semester Credit Unit 3 Level Medium of Instruction Pre-requisites Pre-cursors Equivalent Courses Exclusive Courses B4 English Part II 1. Course Aims: The course aims to: 1.1 Apply cultural models and frameworks to help students to communicate effectively in international business communication. 1.2 Negotiate effectively in intercultural and international decision-making meetings. 1.3 Develop effective business messages and send these messages through appropriate communication channels within and across organizations in a global environment. 1.4 Increase students' intercultural communication competence and confidence in using English by participating in extended activities set in business and professional contexts. 1.5 Produce an analytical report on business-related topics. 2. Course Intended Learning Outcomes (CILOs) Upon successful completion of this course, students should be able to: No. CILOs 1. Apply cultural models and frameworks to help students to communicate effectively in international business communication. 1
2. Negotiate effectively in intercultural and international decision-making meetings. 3. Develop effective business messages and send these messages through appropriate communication channels within, and across organizations in a global environment. 4. Increase students' intercultural communication competence and confidence in using English by participating in extended activities set in business and professional contexts. 5. Produce an analytical report on business-related topics. 3. Teaching and learning Activities (TLAs) CILO No CILO 1 CILO 2 CILO 3 CILO 4 TLAs Apply cultural models and frameworks to help students to communicate effectively in international business communication. The teaching and learning activities encompass an understanding of various cross-cultural and organizational behavioral models. The students learn how culture affects people at individual and organizational levels. Negotiate effectively in intercultural and international decision-making meetings. Students receive input on various business and professional genres that serve as a basis for participating at intercultural decision-making meetings. Students will need to apply this skill set when participating at the intercultural decision-making meetings. Develop effective business messages and send these messages through appropriate communication channels within and across organizations in a global environment. Student assume the role of management consultants advising the identified top management on how to adapt business practices from the United States to Hong Kong, or from Hong Kong to the United States. Students apply various business and professional genres in their intercultural decision-making meetings and management consulting reports. Increase students' intercultural communication competence and confidence in using English by participating in extended activities set in business and professional contexts. Students apply the skill set learned in the class to hands-on intercultural communication experience with counterparts from the US in their email correspondence, and face-to-face videoconference decision-making meetings. Hours/week Throughout the semester throughout the semester throughout the semester 2 weeks CILO 5 Produce an analytical consulting report on business-related topics. The student team, serving as management consultants or 4 weeks 2
market researchers analyze field research data (primary and secondary) and collaboratively write a consulting report that recommends transferable and non-transferable business practices in Hong Kong and the US. 4. Assessment Tasks/Activities CILO No CILO 1, 2, 3, 4, &5 CILO 1, 2, 3, 4, & 5 CILO 1, 2, 3, 4, & 5 Type of assessment tasks/activities Weighting (if applicable) Remarks Written Assignments Management Consulting Report 70 % Group & Individual work Intercultural Video-conference Decision-making Meetings 15% Group work; Individual marks Intercultural Writing Enhancement Project 15% Individual work 5. Grading of Student Achievement: Grading pattern: Standard (A+, A, A-.F). Grading is based on student performance in assessment tasks/activities. See the attached assessment form. Part III Keyword Syllabus: Organizational communication. Negotiation. International business communication. Ethical communication in cross-cultural contexts. International organizational behavior. Culturally determined communication styles. Cross-cultural Decision-making Meetings Suggested Reading List Books Beamer, L., & Varner, I. (2001). Intercultural Communication in the Global Workplace. (2 nd ed.) Chicago, IL: Irwin. Hofstede, G. (1991). Cultures and Organizations: Software of the mind. San Francisco, CA: McGraw-Hill. Miller, K. (1999). Organizational communication: Approaches and processes. (2 nd Ed.). Belmont, CA: Wadsworth. Samovar, L., & Porter, R. (2000). Intercultural communication: A reader. Belmont, CA: Wadsworth. Trompenaars, F. (1993). Riding the waves of culture: Understanding cultural Nicolas Brealey. diversity in business. London: 3
Assessment criteria: Consulting Report Writing (70%), Intercultural Writing Enhancement Project (15%) (Marks converted from raw score out of 100) Item assessed Grade A+, A, or A Grade B+, B, or B Grade C+, C, or C Grade D Grade F Content 36 40 points 28 35.6 points 16 19.6 points 0-15.6 points and below (40 marks) (90% and above) (70% to 89%) (40% to 49%) (0%-39% and below) The content is very well selected and developed. All relevant information is included for analysis. The information is comprehensively analyzed and explained. The information and message is effectively conveyed. The purpose of writing the report is fully achieved. The content is well selected and developed. The information included for analysis is sufficient. The information is sufficiently analyzed and explained. The information and message is clearly conveyed. The purpose of writing the report is achieved. 20 27.6 points (50% to 69%) The content selected for analysis is somewhat sufficient. Only part of the field research data is included for analysis. Only part of the information is analyzed and explained. Only part of the information and message is clearly conveyed. The purpose of writing the report is partially achieved. The content selected for analysis is sketchy and inadequate. Only limited data is incorporated for analysis. The analysis is not informative or comprehensive. The information and message conveyed is limited. The purpose of writing the report is not clearly stated. The content selected for analysis is totally inadequate. Very limited or inaccurate data is incorporated for analysis. The analysis is not at all comprehensible. The information and message conveyed is very limited. The purpose of writing the report is not achieved in any way. Language and style (40 marks) 36 40 points (90% and above) 28 35.6 points (70% to 89%) 20 27.6 points (50% to 69%) 16 19.6 points (40% to 49%) 0-15.6 points and below (0%-39% and below) Language (sentence of speech, etc.) is highly accurate, with 80% 100% accuracy. The vocabulary used is very concise, precise, and varied. Style and tone are highly appropriate. Language (sentence of speech, etc.) is accurate, with 65% 79% accuracy. The vocabulary used is concise, precise, and varied. Style and tone are appropriate. Language (sentence of speech, etc.) is somewhat accurate, with 50% 64% accuracy. The vocabulary used is somewhat concise, precise, and varied. Style and tone are somewhat appropriate. Language (sentence of speech, etc.) is inaccurate, with 40% 49% accuracy; exhibit a great deal of editorial problems. The vocabulary used is limited and repetitive. Style and tone are generally inappropriate. Language (sentence structure, grammar: tenses, articles, prepositions, parts of speech, etc.) is very inaccurate, with 39% or less accuracy; exhibit very serious editorial problems. The vocabulary used is not concise, varied, or comprehensible. Style and tone are totally inappropriate. 4
Organization (20 marks) 18 20 points (90% and above) 14 17.8 points (70% to 89%) 10 13.8 points (50% to 69%) 8 9.8 points (40% to 49%) 0-7.8 points and below (0%-39% and below) The report format is correctly and effectively used. The subject line is very effective. Headings and subheadings are very effectively used. The scope of the study is very clearly and effectively defined. The introduction of the memo report is very effectively developed. The conclusion is provided and is very effectively expressed. Paragraphs and ideas are very coherently linked. The report format is correctly used. The subject line is effective. Headings and subheadings are effectively used. The scope of the study is clearly defined. The introduction of the memo report is included and adequately developed. The conclusion is provided and is effectively expressed. Paragraphs and ideas are coherently linked. The report format is somewhat correctly used. The subject line is somewhat effective. Headings and subheadings are used but exhibit inconsistency. The scope of the study is somewhat defined. The introduction of the memo report is included but not adequately developed. The conclusion is provided. Paragraphs and ideas are somewhat coherently linked. Only part of the report format is correctly used. The subject line is provided but does not effectively reflect the focal point of the report. Headings and subheadings exhibit inconsistency. The scope of the study is poorly defined. Part of the introduction of the report is included but not logically developed. The conclusion is provided but poorly written. Paragraphs and ideas are generally not coherently linked. The report format is incorrectly used. The subject line is missing or poorly written and fails to reflect the focal point of the report. Headings and subheadings are incorrectly used. The scope of the study is either not defined or very poorly defined. The introduction of the report is either missing or included but not developed logically. The conclusion is either missing or provided but very poorly written. Paragraphs and ideas are not at all coherently linked. Total marks: Mark grade conversion guide Grade Marks A+ 100 A 95 99 A 90 94 B+ 85 89 B 76-84 B 70 75 C+ 60 69 C 55 59 C 50 54 D 40 49 F 0 39 5
Assessment criteria: Intercultural Video-conference Decision-making Meetings (15%) (Marks converted from raw score out of 100) Items to be assessed Grade: A+, A, A- Grade: B+, B, B- Grade: C+,C, C- Grade: D Grade: F Content & Organization 50% Relevant, accurate, creative, complete, realistic Engaging and feasible Mostly relevant and creative; omits some key points Some irrelevancy/inaccuracy; low level of creativity Much irrelevant information; Barely engages audience; Little evidence of creativity Does not engage the audience, incomplete, not creative Introduction Greeting, topic, purpose, outline Middle - Supports purpose - Follows outline Clearly identifiable, effectively sets the stage for the proposal Wholly supports purpose Mostly identifiable organization Mostly supports purpose Only partially informative; unrealistic at times Partly supports purpose Presentation structure is only barely discernible Presentation structure not identifiable, confusing to the listener End - signal - summary - conclusion Language 25% Fluency Grammar Pronunciation Transitionals Interest Tone Concludes strongly, reinforces purpose Fluent Grammatically accurate Natural pronunciation Transitionals natural High interest level Highly positive & persuasive Moderately strong ending Mostly fluent Only minor grammar errors Pronunciation mostly clear Transitionals adequate Moderate interest level Moderately positive/ persuasive Weak/incomplete ending Fairly fluent Frequent grammatical errors Pronunciation affects listener comprehension Moderate use of transitionals Limited interest level Slightly persuasive Abrupt/unexpected/ incomplete ending Limited fluency Excessive grammatical errors Pronunciation unclear Transitionals barely present Interest level weak Barely persuasive Unmarked ending Fluency, Accuracy, pronunciation, use of transitional language impede audience comprehension; not interesting & not persuasive 6
Delivery 25% Eye contact Steady eye contact w/audience Natural pace Partial eye contact Periodic eye contact with part of audience; Minimal eye contact No eye contact Pace Voice/volume Natural volume Pace occasionally erratic Volume occasionally variable Speed interferes with comprehension/audience interest; inaudible at times; Erratic pace distracts Volume inadequate Pace /volume impede audience comprehension Cue cards Unobtrusive use of cue cards Some dependence on cue cards/notes Overly dependent on cue cards/notes Over use of cue cards/notes Totally dependent on reading Audience Rapport Full rapport with audience throughout presentation Moderate audience rapport throughout most of presentation Intermittent audience rapport; limited ability to hold audience attention Only occasional instances of audience rapport Audience rapport absent 7