This course intends to help students understand the basic concepts and ideologies of the three major religions and philosophies in South East Asia, particularly in China, i.e. Confucianism, Daoism and Chinese Buddhism. Students will explore the close ties between these religions and philosophies as reflected in language and communication styles, and begin to understand different concepts of the 'self' (independent and relational) and 'face' in collectivism and individualism. Students will learn to anticipate, analyze and explain some of the causes of misunderstanding or miscommunication among the peoples from the West and East.