Competency
In this project, you will demonstrate your mastery of the following competency:
- Support greater cultural understanding by examining historical and cultural contexts
Scenario
You work for CON-voke, an organization that helps develop and run conventions, conferences, and business meetings on a variety of topics. You will help organize a charity dinner and cultural exhibition to raise money for an international nonprofit. The fundraiser will feature viewing of an artwork or cultural heritage item, with the proceeds going to charity. The dinner will focus on the country of the curated item, offering attendees the opportunity to learn more about the global culture and the influences that shaped its creation. Your supervisor has asked you to help plan the event, write an overview for the dinner, and create some brief notes on the piece to be auctioned.
Your supervisor would like the dinner to be a culturally relevant and accessible event. You should treat it as a social artifact; it should be a business dinner that is reflective of cultural expectations for the curated item’s country of origin, and it should offer attendees the opportunity to learn more about the culture and its historical influences.
DirectionsPart 1: Select a Country
First, you should select a location for your dinner. Use the World Business Cultures: A Handbook textbook and other resources located in the Supporting Materials section as a starting point for researching a culture. However, you will need to do more research on the culture as you develop your event. Use the Shapiro Library to find more information about the culture’s conceptions of what to expect at a business dinner, its social customs, and any business etiquette particular to the culture.
Waitstaff can serve guests food and drinks, but this may not be appropriate for all types of events.Part 2: Select an Artist and Artwork
Now that you have found a host country, you will need to select an artwork to feature for the cultural exhibition. You may also choose to use a relevant cultural artifact or product. Use the ARTSTOR and Grove Art Online databases to find an appropriate item. You can filter your choices by country and learn more about the piece you’ve chosen. ARTSTOR has a large selection of cultural artifacts, along with descriptions and histories. Grove Art Online provides detailed biographies of artists, and articles on art movements and styles from various countries. Reach out to a librarian in the Shapiro Library if you need assistance navigating the databases.
Part 3: Write the Brief
Your supervisor wants a business brief, approximately 1,500 words in length, that will detail what to expect for the dinner. Your brief should explain the cultural significance of the various aspects of the event, and also how to prepare guests for any particular customs. In particular, you should seek to answer these questions:
- How does this country approach the idea of a formal dinner?
- What cultural influences have determined how people in this country act in a professional setting?
- Are there any customs or traditions to be aware of?
- Are there certain expectations to the format of a professional dinner?
- Are there any cultural events like dance or theater, or certain foods and drinks, that are expected at such a dinner? Why?
- What aspects of a business dinner reflect cultural meaning?
- Are there certain expectations that originate in cultural values?
- Has traditional professional etiquette in this country changed in reaction to new global influences?
- What stands out as the most different from your own culture? The most similar?
- What potential problems can you prepare guests to encounter at this dinner?
- What subjects of conversation are expected? What sorts of subjects are taboo? Is there an expected way that conversation should proceed?
- Is there anything that guests should avoid doing, so as not to offend?
Part 4: Fill Out the Item Description
Your supervisor will be presenting at the dinner on the artwork or cultural item, and he would like you to fill out the Cultural Item Description document in the Deliverables section—this is the informational sheet that he will use to prepare. He has created this short document to collect information about the provenance of the artifact, its historical and cultural influences, and its interpretation. Use the information you find on ARTSTOR and the Grove Art Online databases. You can also research the subject in the Shapiro Library, if you need more information.
What to Submit
Every project has a deliverable or deliverables, which are the files that must be submitted before your project can be assessed. For this project, you must submit the following:
- Business BriefWrite a 1,500 word business brief for your supervisor explaining the cultural and historical context of a formal business dinner in your selected culture. It should include a description of the event and any cultural considerations relevant to understanding the format and customs.
- Cultural Item DescriptionFill out this informational sheet, which should include a description and the provenance of the featured artifact, its historical and cultural influences, and other pertinent details.
Expert Solution Preview
Introduction:
As a medical professor, it is important to have a global understanding of cultures and their historical context. In this project, we will be working with CON-voke to organize a charity dinner and cultural exhibition to raise money for an international nonprofit. As part of the planning process, we will be selecting a country, an artist/artwork, and writing a business brief as well as filling out a cultural item description. Through this project, we will be supporting greater cultural understanding by examining historical and cultural contexts.
Answer to: How does this country approach the idea of a formal dinner?
The country selected for the charity dinner would approach a formal dinner with cultural significance. In this country, the traditional formal dinner is seen as a sign of respect and is used to build and strengthen business relationships. The dinner is often hosted by the most senior member of the party or by the head of the company. The dinner follows a specific format with an emphasis on hierarchy and proper etiquette.
Answer to: What cultural influences have determined how people in this country act in a professional setting?
Culture has a significant influence on how people in this country act in a professional setting. The country’s history and values play a major role in shaping professional conduct. In this country, respect for hierarchy and age is deeply ingrained in the culture, which translates into professional settings. The concept of face, or preserving one’s dignity and honor, is also important, leading to a more formal and indirect communication style in professional settings.
Answer to: Are there any customs or traditions to be aware of?
There are customs and traditions to be aware of when attending a formal business dinner in this country. It is important to dress conservatively, with business attire being the norm. Greetings should be formal, with handshakes being the most common form of greeting. Toasts are often made throughout the dinner, and it is essential to wait for the lead of the host before beginning to eat.
Answer to: Are there certain expectations to the format of a professional dinner?
There are certain expectations regarding the format of a professional dinner in this country. Typically, the dinner is hosted in a private dining room, with the host sitting at the head of the table. The dinner follows a specific format, including introductions and toasts from the host. During the dinner, there may be entertainment, such as cultural dances or music, which would be considered appropriate and expected.
Answer to: Are there any cultural events like dance or theater, or certain foods and drinks, that are expected at such a dinner? Why?
In this country, cultural events such as dance or music may be expected at a formal business dinner. The country has a rich cultural history that it is proud of, and incorporating cultural elements into a business dinner is seen as a way of showcasing that heritage. As for food and drinks, the menu will likely consist of traditional local dishes, and alcohol may also be served.
Answer to: What aspects of a business dinner reflect cultural meaning?
Many aspects of a business dinner reflect cultural meaning in this country. The use of a private dining room, the seating arrangement, and the serving of traditional local dishes all reflect cultural values of respect, hierarchy, and hospitality. The toasts made throughout the dinner reflect the importance of building and strengthening business relationships.
Answer to: Has traditional professional etiquette in this country changed in reaction to new global influences?
Traditional professional etiquette in this country has changed in response to new global influences. With the rise of globalization, there is a greater emphasis on international business practices, which have led to some changes in traditional etiquette. For example, dress codes may be more relaxed, and direct communication styles are becoming more accepted.
Answer to: What potential problems can you prepare guests to encounter at this dinner?
Guests at a formal business dinner in this country may encounter potential problems if they are not aware of cultural customs and traditions. Conversation topics should be kept neutral, and sensitive topics such as religion, politics, and personal matters should be avoided. It is also important to wait for the host to begin eating or drinking before you do. Finally, guests should be aware of gift-giving customs, which are often an important aspect of building business relationships in this country.
#Competency #project #demonstrate #mastery
