1) Please watch the film "Babies" (ВКонтакте: http://vk.com/video956584_166244230) - and, as you watch, take notes about what you see in terms of intercultural communication, noting what episodes and events impressed you the most and why. Pay special attention to the "mental software" of culture, to how babies receive and absorb messages of 'normalcy,' messages about how things are done, what's important, etc. Bring your notes to class to share your observations with your teacher and the others.

2) Visit Geert Hofstede's official website , look around and then find the official matrix of dimension scores and download the MS Excel document which features data on all six dimensions of culture for different countries (6 dimensions for website.csv; 6 dimensions for website.xls). If something has gone wrong, please consult with other students or write to your teacher at : estson@gmail.com

Choose any country that interests you (or two countries) and make a diagram of its cultural dimensions on the basis of the matrix. The full description of the assignment (in Russian) is available here. You're welcome to do the assignment either in Russian or in English. Please bring the printed out diagram and its brief interpretation to class for handing in.

As an example of practical significance of Hopfstede's theory, please read a chapter from the book by М.. Колонтая "Русские медведи и Белая гвардия" "Гирт Хофстеде: Ментальная запрограммированность."

3) Please watch one or two short fragments from webinars on international business etiquette - for instance, abot China (you can watch it here or use the link in your Project Description) and Italy (which you can see here). What preliminary conclusions can you make about Hofstede's dimensions of culture in these two countries, judging from these videos? Why do you think so? Make some notes and be ready to discuss your observations in class. You are of course welcome to check your conclusions against Hofstede's data.

As promised, here are class presentations (in PDF format) for Lecture 1 and Lecture 2.

For extra fun and learning, you can also do the following:

• With permission from Sasha P., you're welcome to read about her negative and positive impressions of the USA.
• You can watch a fun video Europa & Italia, look at different attitudes toward time in different cultures, and even listen to Geert Hofstede himself.
• Feel free to watch this really cool TED talk about the linguistic genius of babies. (only 10 minutes).
• You can also check out the Xenophobe's Guides website  and browse the info about various countries. Lots of fun links!