Intercultural Communication: Culture and ConflictLaajuus (5 cr)

Objective

Upon successful completion of the course participants will have an understanding of culture as based on values. They will understand the cognitive mechanisms behind stereotyping. They will be familiar with differences and shifts in values around the world, and of the conflicts they produce. They will understand the concepts of honor, face and dignity cultures, and of the challenges these concepts produce between national cultures, as well as between cultural majorities and minorities.

Content

The course is helpful for anyone aiming at working in a multicultural environment, particularly where cultural conflict might occur or be dealt with (for example, but not exclusively, political sciences, social work, education and law). It includes: Definitions of culture; the World Values Survey; research into culture as based on the concepts of dignity, honor and face; the role of identities in cultural conflict.

Assessment criteria, satisfactory (1)

5-1/fail

Execution methods

Lectures 30 h, multicultural team work and written assignment.

Accomplishment methods

Active participation in lectures and lecture journal, completion of team work assignment.