CASE STUDY: Discussion & Report Your report
Discuss your personal reactions to the following questions. In each case where possible, try to relate these to any theory or information covered in the class.
•     Why did Akunna move to USA?
•    What were her expectations?
•    What were her family’s expectations?
•    How did the expectations match with reality?
•    What were local perceptions of her?
•    What were the perceptions of others of Africa/Nigeria? How did Akunna react to this?
•    Discuss Akunna’s coping strategies……….How effective were these?
•    What part did food play in the story?
•    What was the significance of gifts/presents in the story?
•    What were the challenges in the relationship she formed with a local?
•     When he told her ….”He understood how you (she)felt”……why did she react the way she did?
•    What was her reaction to his parents and his relationship with his parents?
•    What was the significance of other people’s reaction to their relationship?
•    When Akunna returns to Nigeria, how do you think she might feel? Why?
•    Thinking about reading the story, how does having some background information about cultural differences and cultural values impact your reading and interpretation?
•    What do you think the “Thing around my neck” was in this case? Or what was its significance?
•    Other issues
Where possible, try to relate these to any theory or information covered in the class.

Your case study report
Part A: Personal reflection (up to 150 words)
Your reaction to the story immediately after reading it.( No theory required just personal feelings and reactions) Write in the first person..e.g. I felt…I found…etc.)

Part B: Discussion of issues between approximately 1,200-1,800 words
Write this section in third person ( ie do not use “I” or “we” or “you”)
Discuss the issues covered in the class discussion and other issues you found interesting or relevant and relate these to content and theory from class and /or your additional readings. References should be cited in this section.

Part C:  Post-Reflection (up to 150 words)
Please write this after the class discussion and ideally after writing the main part of the assignment
What have you personally gained from reading and discussing this story?
In what way do you think reading fiction might contribute to building cultural knowledge/understanding/competence?

Also reflect on your T2 results and include this in your discussion.

Reference list
A minimum of seven(7) references should be cited in addition to the actual story being discussed the reference for which is provided below.
Adichie, Chimamanda Ngozi (2009) The thing around your neck, Fourth Estate, London. P. 115-127.

Part B of your  Case study  write up.
The question to focus on;

Adiche’s short story, The thing around your neck, is fiction, however it reflects and represents experiences of many people moving between countries either by choice of as a result of other reasons.

•    Discuss the different characters/individuals in the story and their experiences in relation to the theory covered in AMB120 and other relevant material from readings.

•    It will be relevant to discuss individual expectations and experiences and also the elements of relationships which are raised between males and females and and also between parents and children.

•    It will also be relevant to discuss the two cultures which are involved and relevant values and backgrounds which contribute to the experiences and expectations of the characters.

•    In this part you are required to reference material using citations or footnotes.

Note: In section A and C you do not have to use references as it relates to your own reactions and insights from the case study.

Articles which may be useful for your case study report
On death in different cultures
http://scholarworks.gvsu.edu/orpc/vol6/iss2/3/

On love in different cultures
http://scholarworks.gvsu.edu/orpc/vol5/iss4/2/

On Acculturation

http://scholarworks.gvsu.edu/orpc/vol8/iss1/10/

Hofstede on his dimensions
http://scholarworks.gvsu.edu/cgi/viewcontent.cgi?article=1014&context=orpc

AMB120 Bridging Cultures                                        Assessment Item 3: Case study 40%

Name:                                    Student Number:

Grade    7    6    5    4    3    2-1
Higher Order Thinking (HO)
Cut off mark     25.5    22.5    19.5    15        0
Investigate real world business issues and situations through the effective analysis, evaluation and synthesis of theory and practice

30 marks
The report provided an excellent critical analysis, evaluation and synthesis of cultural theory applied to the provided case study. The report used material from unit readings and resources, supplemented by additional individual research to select and incorporate other highly relevant resources. The report strongly supports and sustains highly relevant and coherent discussion linked to the identified issues.    The report provided a very good critical analysis, evaluation and synthesis of cultural theory applied to the provided case study. The report used material from unit readings and resources, supplemented by additional individual research to select and incorporate other relevant resources. The report strongly supports relevant and coherent discussion linked to the identified issues.    The report provided a good critical analysis, evaluation and synthesis of cultural theory applied to the provided case study. The report used material from unit readings and resources. The report strongly supports relevant and coherent discussion linked to the identified issues.    The report provided some critical analysis and evaluation of cultural theory applied to the provided case study. The report used material from unit readings and resources. The report provides some support to discussion linked to identified issues.
The report provided limited or no analysis and evaluation of cultural theory applied to the provided case study, with limited or no support from material.
Cut off mark     25.5    22.5    19.5    15        0
Exercise independent judgement and initiative in adapting and applying knowledge and skills for effective planning, problem solving and decision making in diverse contexts

30 marks
The report has effectively identified and appropriately acknowledged different perspectives considered in the context of an ethnorelative framework, including strong incorporation of your personal responses and experiences.    The report has effectively identified and acknowledged different perspectives considered in the context of an ethnorelative framework, including incorporation of your personal responses and experiences.    The report has identified and different perspectives considered in the context of an ethnorelative framework, including incorporation of your personal responses and experiences.    The report attempted to identify different perspectives with some consideration of an ethnorelative framework. There is some consideration of your personal responses and experiences.        The report has limited or no identification or acknowledgement of different perspectives.

Professional communication (PC)
Cut off mark     17    15    13    10        0
Use information literacy skills and communicate effectively and professionally in written forms and using media appropriate for diverse purposes and contexts.

20 marks    The case study demonstrated an exceptional level of writing, at professional standard. The structure and layout of the case study guided the reader and was visually appealing. There were no errors in grammar, vocabulary, spelling, or punctuation. The case study correctly used an appropriate referencing style (ie in-text or footnotes) with a complete and accurate reference list.    The case study demonstrated an excellent level of writing, at professional standard. The structure and layout of the case study guided the reader and was visually appealing. There were no errors in grammar, vocabulary, spelling, or punctuation. The case study correctly used an appropriate referencing style (ie in-text or footnotes) with a complete and accurate reference list.    The case study demonstrated a very good level of writing, at professional standard. The structure and layout of the case study guided the reader and was visually appealing. There were minor errors in grammar, vocabulary, spelling, or punctuation. The case study correctly used an appropriate referencing style (ie in-text or footnotes) with a complete and accurate reference list.    The case study demonstrated a satisfactory level of writing, at professional standard. The structure and layout of the case study attempted to guide the reader. There were some errors in grammar, vocabulary, spelling, or punctuation. The case study used an appropriate referencing style (ie in-text or footnotes), but with minor errors, and included a reference list.        The case study demonstrated a poor level of writing.. The structure and layout of the case study did not guide the reader. There were a number of errors in grammar, vocabulary, spelling, punctuation, and/or referencing.
Cut off mark     8.5    7.5    6.5    5        0
Use information literacy skills and communicate effectively and professionally in oral forms for diverse purposes and contexts.

10 marks
You actively participated in discussion of the case study by effectively communicating your own perspectives, and demonstrated active listening and consideration of alternative perspectives.    You actively participated in discussion of the case study by communicating your own perspectives, and demonstrated active listening and consideration of alternative perspectives.    You actively participated in discussion of the case study by communicating your own perspectives, and some demonstration of active listening and some consideration of alternative perspectives.    You participated in discussion of the case study.        You fail to participate in discussion of the case study.
Teamwork and self (TS)
Cut off mark     8.5    7.5    6.5    5        0
Exercise self-reflection, responsibility and accountability in relation to own learning and professional practice.

10 marks    The case study includes an excellent reflection on individual CQ Self-Assessment (T2 score) and cultural value orientations. The reflection considers how strategies developed in response to T1 score have been enacted. Future plans for learning and development for culturally diverse business and social environments are presented.    The case study includes a very good reflection on individual CQ Self-Assessment (T2 score) and cultural value orientations. The reflection considers how strategies developed in response to T1 score have been enacted. Future plans for learning and development for culturally diverse business and social environments are presented.    The case study includes a reflection on individual CQ Self-Assessment (T2 score) and cultural value orientations. The reflection considers how strategies developed in response to T1 score have been enacted. Future plans for learning and development for culturally diverse business and social environments are presented.    The case study includes a basic reflection on individual CQ Self-Assessment (T2 score) and cultural value orientations. The reflection has some consideration of strategies developed in response to T1 score have been enacted. Basic future plans for learning and development for culturally diverse business and social environments are presented..        The case study includes a weak or incomplete reflection on individual CQ Self-Assessment (T2 score) and cultural value orientations.

Mark (out of 100):