Exploring Cultural and Intercultural Issues Lynn W. Zimmerman, PhD Fulbright Scholar International Relations Institute Moldova Chisinau, Moldova Lynn.Zimmerman@trainingexpress.es

North Carolina May cheese 50 reading Australia blue Who Am I? North Carolina May cheese 50 reading Australia blue

Who are you? Make name tags Write the name you want me to call you Draw a symbol of something which identifies you culturally

Exploring Cultural and Intercultural Issues What do you think this course will be about? Exploring – asking, discovery, awareness, recognition Culture – who we are as a people and a society; identity Intercultural – between cultures Issues – definitions, awareness, similarities, differences, communication, interactions

Syllabus Modes of instruction Group work Graded Assignments 2 tests =20% At home assignments = 20% (2 points each; 1 point for completion; 1 point for completing well) In-class work = 20% (Attendance/participation) Exam = 40%

Online Component: EasyClass Valid email address required Access code for BA: 4507-R574 (zero) Access code for Masters: 3YO9-303V (letter O – then zero) Register before next class period and do the assigned task = Homework 1.

Exploring EasyClass Two main resources: Peace Corps Manual, http://www.peacecorps.gov/wws/interactives/culture- matters-workbook/ Gudykunst and Kim, Communicating with strangers: An approach to intercultural communication   HW1 (posted on EasyClass in Discussion area): In 50-75 words (3-5 sentences), tell me one thing about Moldova that I need to know as a foreign teacher living and working in this country.

What is culture? Activity Many definitions – from broad to specific Groups talk about your symbol of culture on your name tag why you chose it how it symbolizes your culture

Define Culture Write a group definition of culture Compare with other groups

Some Definitions of Culture Culture is the shared set of assumptions, values, and beliefs of a group of people by which they organize their common life. (Gary Wiederspahn)    Culture is an integrated system of learned behavior patterns that are characteristic of the members of any given society. Culture refers to the total way of life for a particular group of people. It includes [what] a group of people thinks, says, does and makes—its customs, language, material artifacts and shared systems of attitudes and feelings. (Robert Kohls)

Identifying with a Culture Why do we identify with a culture? What is the dominant culture in your country? Are there sub-cultures?

Picture Group Activity Look and identify anything that shows you what we discussed as part of culture: integrated system of learned behavior patterns characteristic of the members of any given society total way of life for a particular group of people shared systems of customs language material artifacts attitudes feelings assumptions values beliefs

Discussion What did you identify? How were the pictures similar? Different? Did anything relate to your culture?

Homework #1 Register for EasyClass Answer the question that is posted

References Gudykunst, W.B. & Kim, Y.Y. (2003). Communicating with strangers: An approach to intercultural communication. 4th ed. Boston: McGraw- Hill. Peace Corps. (n.d.). Culture matters: The Peace Corps cross-cultural workbook. Washington, DC: Peace Corps Information Collection and Exchange.