Intercultural Communication: Theory and Practice

Bachelor 2022/2023

Category 'Best Course for Broadening Horizons and Diversity of Knowledge and Skills'

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

Instructors: Михеева Наталья Дмитриевна, Red Bushetara, Irina I. Chironova, Daria Ulkhanovna Mirzaeva

Language: English

ECTS credits: 4

Contact hours: 74

Full 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

Upon successful completion of this course, students will be able to distinguish 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 interpret 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;
apply the understanding of different communication styles and to try out different styles and techniques

Course Contents

Intercultural Business Communication: Exploring Theoretical Background
Topic 1. Introduction to intercultural communication. Intercultural communication theories and concepts: Edward Hall.
Topic 2. Intercultural communication theories and concepts: Geert Hofstede.
Topic 3. Intercultural communication theories and concepts: Richard D. Lewis.
Topic 4. Cognitive aspects of cross-cultural communication
Topic 5. Linguistic aspects of cross-cultural communication
Topic 6. Ontological and psychological aspects of cross-cultural communication
Topic 7. Social aspects of cross-cultural communication
Topic 8. Nonverbal communication: Antropology of space
Topic 9. Intercultural barriers and conflicts
Topic 10. Intercultural communication and communication styles

Assessment Elements

Presentation
Group project
Tests
Participation in class discussions
Business communication
Written exam

Interim Assessment

2022/2023 2nd module
The final mark is calculated according to the formula: Оfinal = 0,1 ·Оpres + 0,2 ·Оproj + 0,1 ·Оtest1 + 0,1 ·Оtest2+ 0,1 ·Оtest3+ 0,1 ·Оtest4 + 0,3 ·Оexam

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

Course Syllabus