Language, Culture and Intercultural Communication

2024/2025

Type: Minor

Delivered by: Department of Foreign Languages

Where: School of Arts and Humanities

When: 1, 2 module

Open to: students of all HSE University campuses

Instructors: Natalia A. Nikitina, Tatiana Tsarapkina, Natalia V. Ursul

Language: English

ECTS credits: 5

Contact hours: 64

Full Syllabus

Abstract

This course introduces students to the key concepts related to languages, cultures and intercultural communication, which are fundamental to language learning and teaching. It will focus on the social and cultural contexts of languages and how language reflects culture and society, and what this means for communication and language teaching. In the part that focuses on intercultural communication, the students will build cultural awareness and will learn how to communicate effectively with members of other cultures, including business settings, and how best to approach and deal with intercultural problems and challenges. The course will also focus on such topics as the theory of linguistic relativity, language varieties, English accents and dialects, endangered languages, language policy and language and power. In addition, this course will review basic linguistic concepts related to language teaching.

Learning Objectives

To develop knowledge of key concepts related to languages, cultures and intercultural communication, which are fundamental to language learning and teaching;
To develop/improve cultural awareness;
To improve intercultural communication skills;
To develop the skill of analyzing language for teaching purposes;
To improve academic presentation skills.

Expected Learning Outcomes

The students will develop knowledge of key concepts related to languages, cultures and intercultural communication, which are fundamental to language learning and teaching;
the students will develop/improve cultural awareness;
the students will improve intercultural communication skills;
the students will develop the skill of analyzing language for teaching purposes;
the students will improve academic presentation skills.

Course Contents

Language, Society, and Culture
Culture and Cultural Diversity
Communication Styles in Intercultural Communication
Noise/Interference in Communication Processes
Approaches to Cultural Studies. Intercultural Business Communication
Assessing One’s Level of Intercultural Awareness and Intelligence
The Theory of Linguistic Relativity
Sociolinguistics. Regional Language Variation
Sociolinguistics. Words and Culture
Persuasive Language
Bilingualism and Language Policy
The Components of Language
Phonetics and Phonology: The Sounds of Language
Morphology: The Analysis of Words
Syntax: The analysis of sentences. Pedagogical Grammar
Semantics and Pragmatics
Discourse and discourse analysis

Assessment Elements

Online game
How Different is Different (online game)
Tests/quizzes
3. Tests, quizzes, homework Assessment criteria Assessment criteria vary for each task
Language Analysis
Classroom interaction/homework
Project Presentation
Exam

Interim Assessment

2024/2025 2nd module
0.25 * Project Presentation + 0.15 * Classroom interaction/homework + 0.2 * Language Analysis + 0.25 * Online game + 0.15 * Tests/quizzes

Bibliography

Recommended Core Bibliography

Novinger, T. (2001). Intercultural Communication : A Practical Guide: Vol. 1st ed. University of Texas Press.
Randy Charles. (2018). Communication Skills. National Highlights Inc.

Recommended Additional Bibliography

Agarwal, O. P. (2010). Effective Communication: Vol. Rev. ed. Himalaya Publishing House.

Authors

URSUL NATALYA VALEREVNA
PAVLOV VLADIMIR VLADIMIROVICH

Course Syllabus