Select a country* that interests you. Conduct academic research (4 scholarly sources or 2+2 (2 scholarly and 2 non-scholarly sources minimum) and address the following elements:

Core cultural values and beliefs based on research (300 words minimum; cite your research; 4 points).
Common communication practices based on research (300 words minimum; cite your research; 4 points)
Social divisions based on research (e.g., class, race/ethnicity, religion, gender; 300 words minimum; cite your research; 4 points)
Conduct an interview with 2 people** from your selected country about your research (5-8 mins; 4 points). What do they think of your research findings? What additional insights can they provide? Attach a signed note. ***
Reflect on your interviews and research and address (300 words minimum; 4 points):
Do you share similar cultural values and traditions? Yes, How similar? No, How different?
Do you share similar communication practices? Yes, How similar? No, How different?
Do you share similar social divisions? Yes, How similar? No, How different?
  6. References

Research Articles
Interviewees: Last Name, Age, Sex, Length of Stay in Your Selected Country
* Where can I find people from other countries? Through personal, work, and social contacts. Online. Please visit San Jose State University’s International House.

During Covid-19, all interviews must be conducted online to mitigate the spread of the virus.

** Ideally, a man and a woman from the same country (born and raised). Your interviewees must have lived in the country for at least 10 years up to their adulthood so they have first hand knowledge of the culture. USA is not an option. If you are Chinese, China is not an option. A classmate born and raised in the US but living in a Chinese household is not a suitable cultural informant. 

*** A signed note must include duration of the oral interview and the platform used to conduct the interview. Email exchanges cannot replace oral interviews.

You should not start your research until you find the two individuals for your interview.

Please upload both files at the same time. If you are unable to upload both, submit the signed note (not the Engagement file) in the comment space.