The Art of Business in China: Face, Relationship and Etiquette

Catalog description

What does it mean to “lose face” in a Chinese business setting? Do you shake hands or nod at a Chinese business banquet? What does it mean when you give a Chinese person a compliment and they respond, “No, no, where, where?” This advanced-level Chinese language course will help students understand the cultural concepts, such as face, relationships, business etiquette, humility, and the idea of the “iron bowl”, that shape Chinese business dynamics. Through reading and analyzing real-world cases and opinion pieces in Chinese, and attending guest lectures by intercultural and local entrepreneurs, students will not only gain language and cultural proficiency but, more importantly, critically reflect and develop intercultural competence. This is a three-credit course with two 75-minute in-person meetings each week. The target audience for this course is second language and heritage learners who possess Intermediate High proficiency or above. The course language, including all readings (articles and videos) and instruction language, will be in Chinese.