KENNESAW STATE UNIVERSITY
GRADUATE COURSE PROPOSAL OR REVISION,
Cover Sheet (10/02/2002)
Course Number/Program Name COM 7500 COMMUNICATION FOR MULTINATIONAL
CORPORATIONS
M.A. IN INTEGRATED GLOBAL COMMUNICATION
Department COMMUNICATION
Degree Title (if applicable)
Proposed Effective Date FALL 2010 (PROGRAM) SPRING 2011 (COURSE)
Check one or more of the following and complete the appropriate sections:
New Course Proposal
Course Title Change
Course Number Change
Course Credit Change
Course Prerequisite Change
Course Description Change
Sections to be Completed
II, III, IV, V, VII
I, II, III
I, II, III
I, II, III
I, II, III
I, II, III
Notes:
If proposed changes to an existing course are substantial (credit hours, title, and description), a new course
with a new number should be proposed.
A new Course Proposal (Sections II, III, IV, V, VII) is required for each new course proposed as part of a
new program. Current catalog information (Section I) is required for each existing course
incorporated into the program.
Minor changes to a course can use the simplified E-Z Course Change Form.
Submitted by:
Faculty Member
Approved
_____
Date
Not Approved
Department Curriculum Committee Date
Approved
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Approved
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Approved
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Department Chair
Date
College Curriculum Committee
Date
College Dean
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Dean, Graduate College
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KENNESAW STATE UNIVERSITY
GRADUATE COURSE/CONCENTRATION/PROGRAM CHANGE
II.
Proposed Information (Fill in for changes and new courses)
Course Prefix and Number COM 7500
Course Title Communication for Multinational Corporations
Credit Hours 3.0.3
Prerequisites COM 7300
Description (or Proposed Degree Requirements)
The ever intensified globalization has motivated and forced many business
people work cross-culturally. Intercultural communication has become an
integral component for business and managerial education. Effective
communication is a vital skill for everyone in business today, especially for
those who work in multinational corporations. Great communicators have a
distinct advantage in building successful businesses and careers. Effective
intercultural business communication requires one not only to be proficient
with business strategy and linguistic skills, but also be competent with
intercultural communication and multicultural negotiation capabilities. Using
case studies conducted at multinational corporations across the globe, this
course introduces students to the world of international business and
management by studying key concepts of intercultural communication,
negotiation, international trade and global team-building. Such areas as
cultural and sub-cultural differences, changing organizational structures,
advanced communication technologies, and verbal and nonverbal
communication channels will be covered in this course.
III.
Justification
The globalization of business, the growing interdependency within our global
village, and the need for communication professionals who understand and
are sensitive to global markets, global media and global audiences have
driven the development of the MAIGC. Indeed, the MAIGC program
approaches global communication from two disciplines: public relations and
organizational communication. Therefore, this course is one of the
cornerstones in this curriculum. This course will provide a thorough
understanding of various components vital to developing effective and ethical
communication programs designed to enhance coordination among various
international workforces, encourage collaboration among global divisions of
multinational companies, and build cooperation among these entities to meet
organizational goals.
IV.
Additional Information (for New Courses only)
Instructor:
Texts:
Schmidt, Wallace V., Conaway, R., Easton, S. S. & Wardrope, W. J. (2007). Communicating
globally: Intercultural communication and international business. Thousand Oaks, CA:
Sage Publications.
Brett J. M. (2001). Negotiating globally: How to negotiate deals, resolve disputes, and
make decisions across cultures. Boston, MA: John Wiley & Sons, Inc.
Tomlinson, J. (1999). Globalization and culture. Chicago, IL: University of Chicago Press.
Outi, A. (2008). Diversity Management and Corporate Communication: The Challenges of
Finnish Communication Executives in Multinational Corporations. VDM Verlag
Prerequisites: COM 7300
Objectives:











Gain theoretical frameworks and practical strategies for conducting
effective business communication in a global environment;
Cultivate intercultural competence in international business negotiations
and conflict management;
Develop an understanding of cultures and subcultures and the role they
play in business communication and management;
Evaluate verbal thought patterns and nonverbal cues as they relate to
conducting business abroad or in a multicultural domestic environment;
Learn to become a culturally sensitive cosmopolitan leader in a global
team and/or a virtual team;
Sharpen public communication skills through presentations;
Examine country-specific dress, behavior, taboos, and other business and
social customs as they relate to conducting business with persons from
other cultures;
Evaluate aspects of cultural shock and reentry shock as they affect
effective intercultural communication and negotiation;
Become more willing, self-reflective, flexible, and open communicators in
intercultural communication interactions;
Practice to work on a global team and a virtual team;
Search for an internship or a job within the global context.
Instructional Method
Traditional classroom setting that includes lectures, discussions, student
presentations and student research projects.
Method of Evaluation
MNC Communication Phenomenon Paper (Individual Paper)
MNC Business Case Study Project (3-member group paper)
Participation
Total
300 pts.
500 pts.
200 pts.
1000 pts.
Final grades will be based on the total number of points earned in the course.
Letter grades will be assigned according to the following standard curve:
A
= 90% and up, 900-1000;
B
= 80% and up, 800-899
C
= 70% and up, 700-799;
D
= 60% and up, 600-699;
F
= 59%, 599 and below
V.
Resources and Funding Required (New Courses only)
Resource
Amount
Faculty
Other Personnel
Equipment
Supplies
Travel
New Books
New Journals
Other (Specify)
existing
0
existing classroom technologies
0
0
existing KSU Library holdings
existing KSU Library holdings
0
TOTAL
0
Funding Required Beyond
Normal Departmental Growth 0
VII Attach Syllabus
COM 7500
Communication for Multinational CorporationsFor MS in Integrated
Global Communication
Department of Communication
Kennesaw State University
Instructor: May Hongmei Gao, Ph.D., Office Hours: 1:00pm-3:00pm, T & R and by
appointment
Office: SO #5084, Phone: 678-797-2145, E-mail: mgao@kennesaw.edu,
Course Description
The ever intensified globalization has motivated and forced many business people to
work cross-culturally. Intercultural communication has become an integral component for
business and managerial education. Effective communication is a vital skill for everyone
in business today, especially for those who work in multinational corporations. Great
communicators have a distinct advantage in building successful businesses and careers.
Effective intercultural business communication requires one not only to be proficient
with business strategy and linguistic skills, but also competent with intercultural
communication and multicultural negotiation capabilities. Using case studies conducted
at multinational corporations across the globe, this course introduces students to the
world of international business and management by studying key concepts of
intercultural communication, negotiation, international trade and global team-building.
Such areas as cultural and sub-cultural differences, changing organizational structures,
advanced communication technologies, and verbal and nonverbal communication
channels will be covered.
Required Course Materials
Schmidt, Wallace V., Conaway, R., Easton, S. S. & Wardrope, W. J. (2007).
Communicating globally: Intercultural communication and international business.
Thousand Oaks, CA: Sage Publications.
Brett J. M. (2001). Negotiating globally: How to negotiate deals, resolve disputes, and
make decisions across cultures. Boston, MA: John Wiley & Sons, Inc.
Tomlinson, J. (1999). Globalization and culture. Chicago, IL: University of Chicago
Press.
Outi, A. (2008). Diversity Management and Corporate Communication: The Challenges
of Finnish Communication Executives in Multinational Corporations. VDM Verlag
Additional readings:
Fredriksson, R. et al. (2006). The multinational organization as a multilingual
organization: The notion of a common corporate language. Corporate
Communications: An International Journal. 11-4, pp. 406-423
Gao., H. (2006). Overcoming obstacles: American expatriates striving to learn Chinese
culture. Global Business Languages. West Lafayette, IN: Purdue University
Gao., H. & Womack. D. (2007). Approaching Chinese culture: American expatriates’
experience in China. Global Business Languages. West Lafayette, IN: Purdue
University.
Gao., H. (2008). Chinese companies going global: Operational strategies and
communication challenges. International Journal of Chinese Culture and
Management. Intersciense.
Student Learning Objectives
Through taking this course, students should be able to:
 Gain theoretical frameworks and practical strategies for conducting effective
business communication in a global environment;
 Cultivate intercultural competence in international business negotiations and conflict
management;
 Develop an understanding of cultures and subcultures and the role they play in
business communication and management;
 Evaluate verbal thought patterns and nonverbal cues as they relate to conducting
business abroad or in a multicultural domestic environment;
 Learn to become a culturally sensitive cosmopolitan leader in a global team and/or a
virtual team;
 Sharpen public communication skills through presentations;
 Examine country-specific dress, behavior, taboos, and other business and social
customs as they relate to conducting business with persons from other cultures;
 Evaluate aspects of cultural shock and reentry shock as they affect effective
intercultural communication and negotiation;
 Become more willing, self-reflective, flexible, and open communicators in
intercultural communication interactions;
 Practice to work on a global team and a virtual team;
 Search for an internship or a job within the global context.
GRADING: Grades will be determined by student performance in the following areas:
MNC Communication Phenomenon Paper (Individual Paper)
MNC Business Case Study Project (3-member group paper)
Participation
Total
300 pts.
500 pts.
200 pts.
1000 pts.
Final grades will be based on the total number of points earned in the course. Letter
grades will be assigned according to the following standard curve:
A = 90% and up, 900-1000;
B
= 80% and up, 800-899
C = 70% and up, 700-799;
D
= 60% and up, 600-699;
F
= 59%, 599 and below
Grading Standards: Students who enroll in this course are expected to demonstrate
professionalism in the following areas:
1. Course Assignments: All class assignments submitted for grading should be neatly
typed, double-spaced, in 12 point font, on standard 8-1/2 x 11 papers.
2. Points of deduction for written work: All written work will be graded based on
argument of relevance (5 points per error), organizational creativity, writing skill
(grammar, spelling and sentence structure, 3 points per error), and APA style
compliance (10-point deduction if not in APA style, 3 points per error).
3. Course Communication: Students are expected to show respect for the instructors and
one another regardless of opinion, value, cultural, and other group differences. All
students should be supportive of a cooperative learning environment in the classroom.
The instructor reserves the right to publicly address students whose behavior disrupts
the learning environment and to arrange for disciplinary action according to policies
set by the university. Disrespectful Offensive behaviors and messages will result in a
substantial reduction of your participation grade and thus damage your grade in this
course.
4. Course Preparation: Students are expected to read assigned material prior to class.
They should be prepared to answer questions related to the material in the text and
may be called on to do so. Students should also be prepared to ask questions about
issues of interest or for clarification of concepts during class. No late work is accepted.
No handwritten work is accepted.
COURSE FORMAT
This course consists of lectures, class discussions, group activities, movie watching, guest
speakers, and special presentations. Students may be asked to write brief reaction papers,
give group reports, or complete quiz questions that they will submit for class participation
points. A total of 100 points is designated for class participation. The lectures are
designed to promote dialogue on issues addressed in text chapters and to provide
additional information beyond what is included in the text.
Class discussions are designed to encourage students to express opinions, observations,
share experiences, and ask questions. The instructor might use PowerPoint and handouts
to solicit discussions. Students should use this time to clarify their understanding of
concepts encountered in course materials. Personal issues such as test and assignment
scores will not be addressed during this time. Students with these concerns should follow
the guidelines presented in the syllabus for grievances.
Group activities will be arranged to allow students to become acquainted with other class
members and their ideas. They also provide opportunities for students to see the
application of the principles introduced in course materials. The frequency and quality of
the group activities largely depends on the cooperation of group members.
Special presentations may include guest lectures, media presentations (Videos, DVD),
and so on. The instructor will schedule these according to available resources and time
constraints.
COURSE ASSIGNMENTS
MNC Communication Phenomenon Study (300 points, individual paper, a 12-15-page
paper in APA style, excluding cover page and reference pages): Students are scheduled to
present their reports on key communication concepts/issues/phenomenon as related to
multinational corporations. Students are encouraged to select topics that they think will
be of most interest to them personally. Grades on these assignments will be based on the
depth of research and writing quality (grammar, organization, style, and so on). You need
to present your reports in class on assigned dates.
MNC Business Case Study Paper (500 points, group project, three students per group, a
20-25-page paper in APA style, excluding cover page and reference pages):
In a five-member team, you will conduct case studies on a chosen multinational
corporation (MNC), especially those listed as top brand name corporations by Interbrand
(http://www.interbrand.com). Rather than using large samples and following a rigid
protocol to examine a limited number of variables, case study methods involve an indepth, longitudinal examination of a single instance or event: a case. Case studies provide
a systematic way of looking at events, collecting data, analyzing information, and
reporting the results. Case study research excels at bringing us to an understanding of a
complex issue or object and can extend experience or add strength to what is already
known through previous research. Case studies emphasize detailed contextual analysis of
a limited number of events or conditions and their relationships. Researchers have used
the case study research method for many years across a variety of disciplines. Social
scientists, in particular, have made wide use of this qualitative research method to
examine contemporary real-life situations and provide the basis for the application of
ideas and extension of methods. Each MNC is intricately connected to cultural, political,
social, historical, and personal issues, providing wide ranging possibilities for questions
and adding complexity to the case study. The researcher investigates the object of the
case study in depth using a variety of data gathering methods to produce evidence that
leads to understanding of the case and answers the research questions. Case study
researchers collect data from multiple resources (survey, interviews, observation,
documentation review, and even the collection of physical artifacts) and follow the
following six steps:
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
Determine and define the research questions
Select the cases and determine data gathering and analysis techniques
Prepare to collect the data
Collect data in the field
Evaluate and analyze the data
Prepare the report
Participation (200 points total): Program participation and attendance are vital to the
success of this course.
CLASS CULTURE
Students with disabilities are expected to inform the instructor immediately so that the
Department of Communication can effectively comply with the ADA and provide
reasonable accommodations for such students.
Makeup Policy: Students are allowed to fulfill course assignments only on the day these
assignments are due. Failure to do so equals an unchangeable grade of zero for that
assignment. Only students who have documented and approved excuses that are given to
me in a timely manner will be allowed to make up assignments.
Incomplete policy: A grade of I (incomplete) will be awarded at the instructor’s
discretion only to students who have successfully completed one half of the semester
with a “C” average or higher AND who present documentation of an extreme medical or
family emergency. Incomplete will not be granted for students who simply fail to turn in
assignments on time, miss tests, or cannot complete the final project by the deadline.
Academic Integrity Statement: Every KSU student is responsible for upholding the
provisions of the Student Code of Conduct, as published in the Undergraduate and
Graduate Catalogue. Section II of the Student Code of Conduct addresses the
University’s policy on academic honesty, including provisions regarding plagiarism and
cheating, unauthorized access to University materials, misrepresentation / falsification of
University records or academic work, malicious removal, retention, or destruction of
library materials, malicious / intentional misuse of computer facilities and /or services,
and misuse of student identification cards. Incidents of alleged academic misconduct will
be handled through the established procedures of the University Judiciary Program,
which includes either an “informal” resolution by a faculty member, resulting in a grade
adjustment, or a formal hearing procedure, which may subject a student to the Code of
Conduct’s minimum one semester suspension.
Use of another’s words or ideas without adequate citation constitutes plagiarism.
Plagiarism is strictly prohibited! All sources used in your written work must be cited
using APA Format. All outside source material must be given credit or referenced. Any
non-original work will result in failure of the assignment and possibly failure of the
course. If I perceive that a portion of material has not been adequately cited, I will return
the assignment for rectification. A 1-letter grade late penalty will automatically be
applied. Failure to rectify the assignment may result in a charge of plagiarism that will be
directed to the College Judiciary. Fabrication of data is a serious offense equivalent to
plagiarism, and it will be handled with the same procedure.
Interpretation of and changes to this syllabus: The instructor reserves the absolute
right on the interpretation of this syllabus. All questions on this syllabus shall be resolved
by consulting the instructor. The instructor reserves the right to change the Course
Calendar, the dates of exams and tests, the due dates of written assignments, the
instructor’s office hours, and other components of this syllabus, as appropriate.
Announcements of such changes and/or amendments will be given in advance.
COURSE SCHEDULE
DAY
COURSE CONTENT
Day 1
Course introduction
Basic concepts of communication
Communication models
Ethnocentrism
stereotypes, and prejudice and
discrimination
The concepts of globalization,
international business, global
marketplace, intercultural
communication, and cosmopolitan
leadership
Self-introductions
Day 2
The concepts of cultural synergy,
global organizations, virtual teams
The process of intercultural learning
and adaptation
Culture shock
Cases of expatriates experience in
China
Classroom exercise (Finding
common ground)
APA style compliance
Day 3
Day 4
Personal voice, accent, dialect and
language
Nonverbal Communication
Context and culture
Hofstede’s five cultural dimensions:
Individualism-collectivism, Power
distance index, Masculinityfemininity, Uncertainly avoidance
index, Long term orientation
Symbols, abstraction and perception
Proxemics, Chronemics (P-time v.
M-time)
Characteristics of intercultural
conflict
Approaches to conflict
Managing intercultural conflict
ASSIGNMENTS DUE
Schmidt Chapter 1:The concept
of international business and
global marketplace
Schmidt Chapter 2: The concept
of Intercultural communication
and the cosmopolitan leader
Additional handouts from Gao
on communication at WebCT
Online Documentary: Thomas
Friedman’s visit to Indian’s call
centers
Schmidt Chapter 3: The concept
of cultural synergy and the
global organization
Schmidt Chapter 4: Cultural
contact and interfacing with
others
Gao (2006), Gao & Womack
(2007): American expatriates in
China
Sign up for cultural reports
and case study topics (both
group projects)
Schmidt Chapter 5: The
nature of language and
nonverbal communication
http://www.geert-hofstede.com
Schmidt Chapter 7:
Cosmopolitan leadership, teams
and the global marketplace
Schmidt Chapter 8: Disturbing
Day 5
Day 6
APA style presentation
Ways of conducting research
Documentary: Mardi Gras: Made in
China
How to do business in Asia and Latin
America
Concepts of face, guanxi
Negotiation, mediation and
arbitration
Negotiation and culture
MNC Communication Phenomenon
Presentations-1
Day 7
Business negotiation strategies and
challenges
MNC Communication Phenomenon
Presentations-2
Day 8
Day 9
Day 10
Globalization and culture-1
Globalization and culture-2
MNC Communication and Business1
the equilibrium and creating
planned change
Schmidt Chapter 11: Doing
business in East Asia and the
Pacific Rim
Gao (2008): Chinese companies
going global
Schmidt Chapter 6: Intercultural
communication and conflict
management
Brett Chapter 1: Negotiation
and culture: A framework
Brett Chapter 2: Negotiating
deals
Brett Chapter 3: Resolving
disputes
Tomlinson Book (first half)
Tomlinson Book (second half)
Outi Book (first half)
European business mentality
Day 11
MNC Communication and Business1
Outi Book (second half)
European business culture
Day 12
Contemporary issues of MNC
Communication
MNC as multilingual organizations
Fredriksson et al. (2006), Gao
(2008) articles
ODI from emerging markets
Day 13
Questions and answers, catch up,
video watching and course wrap up
Day 14
Day 15
Case study project presentations-1
Case study project presentations -2
Case study project papers due