NMI 510: Multi-Cultural Work Environments
2008 Course Information and Registration Instructions
Johnson Graduate School of Management, Sage Hall
Faculty:
Charlotte Rosen (Sage Hall 435,
cjr13@cornell.edu, ext. 5-4852)
Barbara Mink (Sage Hall 441,
bem5@cornell.edu, ext. 5-7372)
Please Read this page thoroughly BEFORE registering
Eligibility & Procedures:
This course is open only to graduate students who will be working in the Summer of 2008 in a country other than that of their citizenship or past work experience. NMI 510 is a 1 credit, S/U course. Registration occurs in the Spring of 2008, with a grade posted in the Fall of 2008 after the requirements are satisfied.
The registration deadline is June 23, 2008.
Prior to registering for the course, students must obtain a summer internship offer and complete the information on the registration web page. Within a few days after you register on line for the course, you will receive an approval email from Sarah Hilsman at the International Students & Scholars Office. The email will explain that you need to bring a copy of that email along with your job offer letter to the ISSO (B50 Caldwell Hall) in order to obtain your work authorization. More information about Curricular Practical Training work authorization is available here. Come to the ISSO to discuss any questions you have about CPT or email us at: isso@cornell.edu.
You MUST notify Professor Rosen and Sarah Hilsman if you change or drop the internship after registration. The internship may not be extended beyond the summer, and you may not drop the course after completing the internship without invalidating your work authorization and jeopardizing your legal status in the U.S..
Objective & Assignment:
The goal of this course is to promote an understanding of the challenges encountered in the work environment as a result of cultural differences. To that end, students are required to complete an 8-10 page paper following the summer internship that explores these differences. You may focus on national cultures (e.g., China vs. the U.S.) or, if more appropriate to your circumstances, regional or industry cultures (e.g., banking vs. high-tech).
The paper should begin with a brief description of your background and the internship (N.B., do not fill this section with long quotes from the company literature or summaries of your summer projects).
The body of the paper should focus on three incidents from the summer that illustrate the cultural differences. Include in your descriptions who was involved, what occurred, why it was significant, and how it might have been handled in your previous job or home country. Examples of types of issues to draw on include hierarchies, time management, team- work, gender roles, communication channels and styles, or work/life balance.
The conclusion should state your main take-aways from these experiences in terms of the more general assumptions you brought to the new environment and how you adapted.
It is a good idea to keep a journal during the internship to record the situations and observations on which the final paper will be based. Students may meet individually with Charlotte Rosen or Barbara Mink to review the outline of their course paper prior to the September 12 deadline. Revisions may be required before the final grade is posted.
Please go to next page to register online.