Cultural Universals

The main goal of this paper is to gain knowledge on the social-cultural characteristics of a country (China, for our project).

Cultural Universals: China

1. Religion (Is the country known for the domination of a single religion or different religions? Is any religion conflict known? Are there any conflict religions with the neighbor countries?)
2. Language and communication (If any, what is the official language spoken? If any, what other languages are spoken in the area? Are there any dialects? What are some of social and political effects associated with groups who speak different languages/dialects than the one of the main stream? What is the linguistic style and communication style? Some verbal/non-verbal taboos to consider. What are some the main symbols used within culture?)
3. Sex, love, and marriage (Some of the related beliefs and practices; same sex marriage, etc)
4. Values (How would you describe the main values of the population living in the country? What do they believe in? How are the group/individual dynamics? What is the role and place of females in society? What is the role and place of elders? What about children?)
5. Rites of passages (What do people celebrate and how? Birth, high school graduation, engagement, marriage, death? Describe associated meaning and any material culture)

Guidelines for Paper

• Title Page includes:

Your Name / School/ Semester

List of Cultural Characteristics

Country

• At least 5-6 pages double spaced with 1 inch margins from each side – (title page and bibliography do not count as a page)

12 Times New Roman pt. font

• Page numbers on each page, excluding cover page and bibliography
• Bibliography or Works Cited page with at least 5 approved references Electronically submitted
  If possible please submit these to me ahead of time and I can get them approved by my teacher.
• The Structure of Paper

• Introduction

Explanation of the cultural characteristics researched on a country. How did researching these cultural characteristics help for a better understanding of the so called “business environment” of the country? Basically, this paragraph should be a brief description of the organization of the individual paper. Note: Do not repeat the text from the annotated bibliography here. That will result with a failing grade.

• Body

The body of the paper can be structured based on the set of cultural characteristics discussed in the paper. It is a research paper so sources should be used widely and truthfully.

• Conclusion

This part is a description of the importance of the cultural information for a better understanding a country’s population and culture, and especially for conducting a successful business in that country. Individual recommendations will lead in the group guidance for a successful business.

• Bibliography

List all the sources by using one of the known formats