GLST 220-001 Final Communication Project Cultural Considerations Template
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GLST 220
Spring 2022
Final Communication Project Part 1
Cultural Considerations Template
Due: Wednesday, April 20 by 11:59pm
50 points
NAME: Grace Macurda Course-Section: GLST 220-001
Choose one of the following cultural scenarios as the context for your communication:
a.
You have recently gotten involved with an organization that assists refugees arriving in the U.S. For the last month you have been assisting an Arab family from the Middle East by helping them
settle in their apartment, taking them shopping, and answering their questions about life in their new city. You have gotten to know the (mother or father – whichever is the same gender as you). He/she is approximately 40 years old and was a teacher in his/her country before having to
flee due to war. He/she, a spouse, and 2 pre-teen children immigrated after spending 6 years in a
refugee center in Greece. While spending time with them one day, they begin to tell you some of
their story. The conversation moves towards your faith, and they ask you what you believe. Your
response is to tell them God’s story. Consider the beliefs and worldviews of this region of the world in your sharing of God’s Story.
b.
You transferred to a state university at the beginning of the semester and you have been getting to know your new roommate who is an international student from a country in the Latin Europe cluster. He/she likes to debate Christians, is from a single parent family where the father was not in the picture at all, and is very focused on self and accomplishment. After a semester of conversations (and maybe a few animated debates), he/she asks you what all this Jesus talk really means. Your response is to tell God’s story. Consider a post-Christian worldview and the cultural values and beliefs of this region of the world in the way that you share of God’s Story.
Complete the following template 1.
Introduction: Give a brief introduction to the person & scenario you choose here. Note: We know this info above…this is where you can add specific details regarding the person’s background and beliefs as well as a description of your relationship and interactions with them prior to this God’s Story conversation.
(100-150 word paragraph with complete sentences)
I am sharing the gospel with my new roommate who is from Bordeaux, France. Over the semester, our conversations have made us really good friends. The French generally dislike public arguemnts, but really enjoy controlled debates driven by logic as a means to gain more knowledge. As a result, she mainly likes to debate with Christians. She comes from a single parent family because her Father cheated on her mother shortly after she was born and left them. The tourism aspect of France has made her extremely self-focused due to the thousands of people every year who come just to see her home and culture. She feels the need to fill the gaps her Father left behind, and since Bordeaux is highly successful in the areas of education and commerce, these two things have made her extremely accomplishment-focused. GLST 220
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2.
Communication Elements: Discuss 5 communication elements (discussed in class or in the readings) and how they should be considered in communicating God’s Story within the context you have chosen. Please note that we are not looking for definitions, but rather, application of the principles of verbal and non-verbal communication or speech acts. (75-100
words each – each answer written as a single-spaced paragraph with complete sentences)
1.
In France, direct eye contact is extremely important in a conversation. Eye contact communicates to the other person that you have respect for them and are listening to what they have to say. It would be rude to not maintain eye contact during a conversation. It is not only appreciated, but also expected from people of all social classes and genders to maintain eye contact during a conversation. During a conversation with this roommate, I would have to be intentional about eye contact. 2.
It is common in France for people to touch during a conversation with a close friend, especially among young people. In France, people will often engage in public signs of
affection once you are familiar with one another. These public signs of affection include embracing and kissing. Kissing is not purely romatic as it is here in the states,
but is also platonic and welcoming to the people of France. It would be normal for me
to greet a close friend such as a roommate with a hug or a kiss when about to start a conversation with them. 3.
The French language is very precise and does not leave much room for indirect communication or inferring. Due to this fact, French people have a very direct style of
communicating. This direct form of communication has often been misunderstood by tourists, but it is common courtesy for their culture to be direct and diplomatic and it is seen as polite to do so. I would have to make sure that my presentation of the Gospel, therefore, was direct and to the point. 4.
The French appreciate humour, but not the one-liners that Americans tend to find funny. French people appreciate witty and ironic humor that is often told in the form of real-life stories and situations. Telling a thoughtless one-liner could cause someone
from France to lose respect or patience in hearing what you have to say. In being clever in your joke-telling, witty jokes and humorous stories are one way to gain the appreciation of the French. 5.
Compliments are another way to gain the respect of the French. French people love to
hand out compliments as well in conversation. However, saying “thank you” after receiving a compliment is considered rude. In French culture, it is much more polite to humbly deny the compliment, otherwise you might come across as cocky or rude. When having a conversation with my roommate, I need to expect this humble denial and not press the compliment until she says thank you. I also need to learn to respond the same way out of respect and politeness as to not come across as rude and lose her respect. 3.
Cultural Value Orientations: List and discuss 5 cultural value orientations (of the 10 that were emphasized in class and in the readings) and how they should be considered in communicating God’s Story within the scenario you have chosen. Again, please note that we are not looking for definitions, but rather, application. (75-100 words each – written as a single-spaced paragraph with complete sentences)
1.
It will be important to consider that France scores very high on individualism. This is
reflected in the scenario I have chosen because the roommate is focused on self. It will be important to communicate the idea we are each intricately made by an GLST 220
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intentional creator, inctricately woven in our mother’s womb and intimately known by the Father. However, it will also be important to emphasize the idea that God died for ALL. He lived a selfless and sinless life. His death was the most selfless and humble act in human history, and we are called to live like He did. 2.
France also scored high on uncertainty avoidance. This will be difficult because it means that they have a tendency to avoid things that are unfamiliar. Luckily, Bordeaux happens to be one of the most open cities in France when it comes to new ideas due to their ever-changing market. This means that while the roommate might be curious, she might still have some hesitation in accepting what I have to say. This is why it is so important that I choose my words carefully and give her time to respons, ask questions, and process. 3.
While France as a whole scores relatively low in masculinity, there is another elvel to
consider. France is divided by social classes- the upperclass is more feminine and the lower class is more masculine and competitive. Since the roommate comes from a single parent home and is currently going through college payments and debt, their family is most likely part of the working class. This means she will be competitive in nature, seeking to win the debate and see my point of view fall apart. I need to be soft
in my tone and convince her that I am not looking to argue or compete, but rather share and converse about spiritual matters. 4.
France also scored highly in the area of long term orientation. This means that my roommate likely values the big picture. She wants to know what this truth I am presenting to her means long term, not only in her current circumstance. I can explain
to her how in the long term, God is always constant. He never changes and He is always in control. I can mao our god’s long term plan for the world, His plan to return
and finally restore His relationship with His people wholly and for good. 5.
France scored highly on power distance. In France, different surnames are used to address people of different class or age than you. This means that they value a fair amount of inequality. God as King would make the most sense to my roommate, but I
think it is important to establish that God is also Father, Sacrificial Lamb, and Friend. This would help her to understand that the nature of God is not overbearing, but rather that God wants a personal and intimate relationship with her even though He is holy and perfect, so much so that He would give up His only son to die for her. 4.
Relevant themes:
We talked about various themes in class, for example: God’s presence, the brokenness of the world, honor/shame, fear/power, sacrifice, God’s kingdom, being a sojourner, etc. Identify a theme that might be helpful to incorporate as you share God’s story in this context and with this person. Discuss why this theme might be helpful in communicating God’s story contextually. (75-100 words – written as a single-spaced paragraph with complete sentences)
I think it would be beneficial to keep a constant theme of God as Father. Since my roommate had a Dad that wronged her family and walked out, I think it would be important to paint the picture that that is not the kind of Father God is. I also think it would be important for her to understand His selfless fatherly nature in giving up His one and only son humbly so that she may be forgiven. This way God can convict
her of her focus on self. Lastly, I think it would be good for her to see God as a Father figure, not simply
a monarch. He wants an intimate, personal relationship with her and does not look down on her. GLST 220
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GLST 220
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Note: All word counts are minimum. You can go over by no more than 50 words on each paragraph.
GLST 220