Bachelor
2024/2025
Intercultural Communication: Theory and Practice
Type:
Elective course (Foreign Languages and Intercultural Communication)
Area of studies:
Linguistics
Delivered by:
School of Foreign Languages
Where:
School of Foreign Languages
When:
3 year, 1, 2 module
Mode of studies:
offline
Open to:
students of one campus
Language:
English
ECTS credits:
4
Course Syllabus
Abstract
The main goal of the course is to study the basic conceptual and practical dimensions of intercultural communication in social and business interactions, as well as its theoretical foundations at the cross-cultural level. The course explores basic psychological and cultural concepts that explain cultural differences between people. Accomplishment of this goal will contribute to the increased level of intercultural sensitivity and help develop skills necessary for the communication in multicultural environments. Within the theoretical component of the course the following fundamental topics are covered: - Fundamental types of cultures and corresponding behaviour types;- Basic cross- and intercultural communication theories and concepts;- Linguistic/ cognitive/ psychological and social aspects of cross- and intercultural communication;- The interaction of language and culture, the role of vocabulary as a keeper of cultural information;- Types of corporate culture, business ethics, and intercultural conflicts in the workplace;- Intercultural barriers and conflicts;- Corporate culture and communication styles.
Learning Objectives
- - to explore the fundamental types of cultures and corresponding behaviour types;
- - to analyze how cultures create the worldviews and to study the peculiarities of national verbal and non-verbal behavour;
- - to explore the interaction of language and culture, as well as the role of vocabulary as a keeper of cultural information;
- - to consider various types of corporate culture and intercultural conflicts in the workplace;
- - to develop an understanding of intercultural communication competence;
- - to learn about different communication styles and to try out different styles and techniques.
Expected Learning Outcomes
- to analyze how cultures create the worldviews and to study the peculiarities of national verbal and non-verbal behavour;
- to consider various types of corporate culture and intercultural conflicts in the workplace;
- to apply the understanding of different communication styles and to try out different styles and techniques
- to interpret the interaction of language and culture, as well as the role of vocabulary as a keeper of cultural information;
- to distinguish the fundamental types of cultures and corresponding behaviour types;
- to use digital tools for effective intercultural communication
Course Contents
- Culture, intercultural communications and forming our learning community. Contemporary Trends: Multipolarity and Multimodality
- Cultural value patterns. Geert Hofstede. Edward Hall
- Cultural and ethnic identities
- Cultural shock and intercultural adjustment
- Linguistic aspects of cross-cultural communication
- Intercultural verbal styles
- Nonverbal communication
- Us and them. Stereotypes
- Technology and Intercultural Communication
- Ethical considerations for becoming an intercultural communicator. Future Trends in Intercultural Communication.
Assessment Elements
- Intercultural WorkshopStudents work in groups of 3-4 to plan and organize an intercultural workshop for business employees to navigate cultural nuances, to examine cultural differences between nations, to bring awareness to these differences, to help smooth business challenges, and to improve communication. The event should rely on the theory studied in class lectures, home reading materials, and any other additional sources. The event should be organized in an engaging interactive format for employees to obtain hands-on experience in intercultural communication.
- Business CommunicationBusiness communication is communication that is intended to help a business achieve a fundamental goal, through information sharing between employees as well as people outside the company.
- Continuous AssessmentsThe control element assesses independent preparation for seminars (information search; reading papers; watching videos; annotating and rendering the obtained materials) and class participation (taking part in discussions, debates, roundtable talks, case studies).
- Lecture TestsThe Comprehensive Lecture Test Assessment is designed to evaluate students' understanding and knowledge of lecture material through a combination of open and closed questions. This balanced approach ensures that both factual recall and critical thinking skills are tested, with the total assessment scored out of 10 points.
- ExamThe control element comprises 2 open questions to be answered in writing.
Interim Assessment
- 2024/2025 2nd module0.3 * Business Communication + 0.15 * Continuous Assessments + 0.3 * Exam + 0.1 * Intercultural Workshop + 0.15 * Lecture Tests
Bibliography
Recommended Core Bibliography
- An introdution to intercultural communication : identities in a global community, Jandt, F. E., 2013
- Cross-cultural and intercultural communication, , 2003
- Culture's сonsequences: сomparing values, behaviors, institutions, and organizations across nations, Hofstede, G., 2004
- Cultures and Organizations: software of the mind: intercultural cooperation and Its importance fo..., Hofstede, G., 2010
- The Routledge handbook of language and intercultural communication, , 2012
Recommended Additional Bibliography
- Exploring intercultural communication : language in action, Hua, Z., 2014
- Fundamental questions in cross-cultural psychology, , 2011
- Handbook of intercultural training, , 2004
- Intercultural Business Communication, 4th ed., 306 p., Chaney, L. H., Martin, J. S., 2005
- Intercultural communication, , 2017