Spring 2009
Cross-Cultural Communication: Japan in the Global Context
Instructor: Kentei Takaya Office: SF227
TEL: (02) 2905 2562
Email: 075079@mail.fju.edu.tw
Time & Place: Monday 3:40 – 5:00 (SF131) Tuesday 3:40 – 5:00 (LA404)
Textbook: Davies, Roger J, Osamu Ikeno. The Japanese Mind. Vermont:
Tuttle Publishing, 2002.
Date Topics Assignments
Wk1 (M)
2/16 Course Introduction Wk1 (T)
2/17 Overview of Cross-Cultural Communication Wk2 (M)
2/23 Ambiguity (Aimai) pp.9-14 Wk2 (T)
2/24 Japanese Personal Space (Hedataru to Najimu) pp.109-112
Wk3 (M)
3/2 Japanese Sense of Determination (Gambari) pp.83-91 Wk3 (T)
3/3 Modesty in Japanese Culture (Kenkyo) pp.143-148
Wk4 (M)
3/9 Silence (Chinmoku) pp.51-56 Wk4 (T)
3/10 Implicit Way of Communication (Haragei) pp.103-106 Wk5 (M)
3/16 Concept of Japanese Dependence (Amae) pp.17-19 Wk5 (T)
3/17 Concept of Japanese Social Obligation (Giri) pp.95-99 Wk6 (M)
3/23 Japanese Sense of Private Space (Honne to Tatemae) pp.115-116
Wk6 (T)
3/24 Japanese Private and Public Self (Uchi to Soto) pp.217- 219
Wk7 (M)
3/30 Japanese Custom of Gift Giving (Zoto) pp.233-241 Wk7 (T)
3/31 Laying the groundwork (Nemawashi) pp.159-162 Wk8 (M)
4/6 “Thank you, That’s All I Wanted to Know: Exploring Cultural Variables.”
Professor Lauren Cifuentes, Texas A& M University Wk8 (T)
4/7 Seniority Rules (Senpai - Kohai Relationships) pp.187- 192
Wk9 (M)
4/13 The Social Expectations of Women in Japan (Ryosaikenbo) pp.179-184
Wk9 (T)
4/14 Male and Female Relationships in Japan (Danjyo Kankei) pp.61-68
Wk10 (M)
4/20 Aesthetics in Japanese Culture Midterm
Assignment Due Wk10 (T)
4/21 Simplicity and Elegance as Japanese Ideals of Beauty (Wabi-Sabi) pp.223-229
Wk11 (M)
4/27 Japanese Sense of Seasons pp.153-157 Wk11 (T)
4/28 Festivals in Japan Wk12 (M)
5/4 Fashion in Japan Wk12 (T)
5/5 Japanese Pop Culture Wk13 (M)
5/11 Folk Tales of Japan pp.171-175 Wk13 (T)
5/12 Amakudari (Descent from Heaven) pp.23-31 Wk14 (M)
5/18 Negotiation in Japanese Culture Wk14 (T)
5/19 Puzzling Features of Japanese Society Wk15 (M)
5/25 Puzzling Behavior of Japanese
Wk15 (T)
5/26 Puzzling Character and Tastes of Japanese Wk16 (M)
6/1 Puzzling Features of Japanese Company Wk16 (T)
6/2 Manners in Japan Wk17 (M)
6/8 Japanese Humor Wk17 (T)
6/9 Adopting Elements of Foreign Culture pp.127-131 Wk18 (M)
6/15 Japanese Group Consciousness pp.195-197 Final Assignment Due
Wk18 (T)
6/16 Promoting Successful Intercultural Communication
Course Requirements:
Class Participation/Attendance 20%
Midterm Assignment 30%
Final Assignment 30%
Class Presentation 20%
