Intercultural communication (3cr)

Objective

• To increase the students' understanding of concepts and theories of culture.
• To help the student develop communication skills that can be used in intercultural communication encounters.
• To increase the students' awareness of her or his own attitudes, perception and feelings relative to culture and cultural groups

Accomplishment methods

• Lecture to impart knowledge of concepts, theories and ideas.
• Group discussion and activities to allow the student to synthesize and apply knowledge and concepts
• Personal exploration and reflection through journaling and writing to enable the student to integrate information into his or her own worldview/paradigm.
• Outreach activities aimed at providing the students the opportunity to learn from people outside of the immediate classroom

Content

- Introduction to the course
- basics of intercultural communication (ICC)
- history and forms of ICC
- communication and culture
- cultural perception and values
- cultural influence on perception
- stereotypes and prejudice
- cultural values and language
- nonverbal communication and culture
- intercultural relationship development, third culture
- intercultural conflict management
- intercultural competence
- intercultural adaptation, culture shock

Assessment criteria, satisfactory (1)

Student attends to classes and performs the required tasks with decent results.

Assessment criteria, good (3)

Student takes part actively to class discussions and activities and shows understanding of the course themes through well performed assignments.

Assessment criteria, excellent (5)

Student takes part actively to class discussions and activities and shows deep understanding of the course themes through excellent performance in assignments.