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COMU 315
Global Cultures Signature Assignment
Week 4 (80 pts.) Revised COMU 315 – (2020)
This Signature Writing Assignment fulfills the Program Learning Outcome 2, Diversity: Demonstrate an understanding of intercultural
complexities. This Signature Assignment also fulfills the Institutional Learning Outcome 4, Global Cultures: Explain the relationship between a
global issue and the history, values, politics, economy, communication styles, or beliefs and practices of one or more cultures affected by that
issue.
Instructions:
After watching the Belgian / French film “Fear and Trembling,” respond to the following prompts in an essay (a minimum of 750 words.). Please
clearly address each prompt (1-4) and each of the components within each prompt.
Prompt 1: Imagine that you took over Amelie’s position in that company after she left and that she had explained in detail what had
occurred there. What did you learn about Anglo-European and Japanese cultural differences from this information (in the film) that would
help you succeed better than she did? Would it have made any difference if she were a man?
Prompt 2: How are women treated differently from men in the film? Describe similar situations that you might have witnessed or heard
about in an American context. Are these matters that would have been reported to an American Human Resources Director?
Prompt 3: On a 1-10 scale per item, apply the “Ten Cultural Contrasts” to Amelie’s work performance review at the end of her year at the
Yumimoto Corporation from both the perspective of her supervisor, Mori Fubuki’s, and the one she would have gotten at an American or
Western European company. From your perspective which review would be fairer? NOTE: Since you will probably be renting the film, be
sure that you closely evaluate it when you have access. The Mori Fubuki’s work review occurs at one hour 14 minutes into the film.
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Prompt 4: What are three specific instances of stereotyping that you noticed in the film? Describe the instances and why you considered
them to be cultural stereotyping. The film was made in 2004. How might the situations have changed if it were made today?
