Intercultural Communication (3cr)

Objectives (course unit)

B2: Vantage ? Fluent and spontaneous communication
Aims: The discipline of Intercultural Communication generally aims to boost the communication competence of people planning to join careers that engage a considerable amount of intercultural interaction, in e.g. multinational companies, education field or tourism industry.

This introductory level course will expose students to the fundamental principles of intercultural communication. Students will also practice intercultural communication skills. The objective is to develop the students? perception and appreciation of different cultures, including their own, e.g. values, communication styles, life styles, etc.

Learning outcomes: Students gain insightful intercultural communication knowledge and tips for working with or in other cultures. They also improve their analytical skills in regard to communication between different cultural backgrounds in international and local contexts (e.g. gender, racial, professional, ethnic, organizational, etc.). Such skills will help increase the students? communication confidence as well as boost their perception of other cultures as assets rather than liabilities.

Content (course unit)

Introduction - definitions and history
Identity & perception of self in different cultures
Emotions
Stereotypes ? of perception, national/general
Language & culture
Adaptation to new cultural environments
Intercultural communication competence (basics)
Presentations
Self-evaluation & feedback

Prerequisites (course unit)

B2: Vantage ? Fluent and spontaneous communication

Exam schedules

During the class hours (first period)

Assessment methods and criteria

Evaluation of the following tasks:
Group project, report and presentations 40%
Individual assignments 20%
Participation in class 40%

Assessment scale

Pass/Fail

Teaching methods

- contact teaching
- case studies and exercises
- group project
- presentations

Learning materials

Collection of articles (will be announced in class)

Student workload

The course is 3 credits which means about 80 hours of student work in total.
Contact teaching is about 25 hours,
Making the project + presentation will be about 30 hours,
Studying the course literature and doing other assignments 25 hours

Content scheduling

The detailed course plan will be introduced during the first class.
Themes of the course are the following:
- intercultural learning
- Intercultural awareness and understanding
- Intercultural interaction
- Factors affecting in intercultural situations
- Intercultural adaptation
- Intercultural comptences and skills

Completion alternatives

-

Practical training and working life cooperation

-

International connections

-

Further information

Further information:
Irja Pietilä
irja.pietila@tamk.fi

Assessment criteria - pass/fail (Not in use, Look at the Assessment criteria above)

Passed:
Student has participated in class activities.
Student has done the assignments for the course.
Student shows an understanding of intercultural awareness process.
Student can use the models for analysing intercultual communication situations.
Failed (If the student fails in one or more of the following areas):
Student has not participated in class activities
Student has not done the assignments for the course.
Student cannot use the models for analysing intercultual communication situations.