Intercultural Communication: Culture and CommunicationLaajuus (5 cr)

Objective

Upon successful completion of the course participants will have an understanding of the complex and pervasive nature of culture, of all forms of verbal and nonverbal communication, and of the connection between values-orientations, behaviors and communication. They should also have a basic understanding of the challenges, which communicators of different cultural background face, and be able to arrive at insights into deeper layers of culture based on observations of behaviors.

Content

The course is helpful for anyone aiming at working in a multicultural environment, particularly in the service sector (for example, but not exclusively, tourism, business and trade, administration). It includes: definitions of culture; models of communication; the Lewis Model, which connects values-orientations to behaviors (patterns of communication); developing a personal cultural profile; additional cultural concepts affecting communication.

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 with partners of a different cultural background.