Crossing Invisible Boundaries: Business Communication in China and Beyond

Catalog description

Communicating effectively across cultural boundaries is invaluable in today's interconnected world. As China and the greater Chinese-speaking communities (i.e., Singapore) become the economic powerhouse, this course explores the complexities of cross-cultural communication with a focus on Chinese business culture. We will explore key dimensions of Chinese business cultures, including relationship-building (Chinese “Guan Xi”), face-saving (the concept “Mian Zi”), leadership styles and business etiquette. Through extensive readings of case studies, analysis, guest lectures by entrepreneurs in the Chinese communities, along with class discussions, students will analyze real-world communication dynamics in global business settings that take place in China, US, and beyond. Course taught in English.