Culture and customs (5 cr)

Objectives (course unit)

Opiskelija osaa
-toimia esimies- ja asiantuntijatehtävissä monikulttuurisessa työympäristössä.
-havainnoida ja tulkita erilaisiin kulttuureihin liittyviä tapoja, arvoja, normeja ja asenteita sekä osaa toimia näiden mukaisesti
-ymmärtää monikulttuurisia toimintatapoja ja arvoperusteita ja osaa viestiä erilaisten kulttuuritaustan omaavien työntekijöiden kanssa.
-toimia rakentavasti monikulttuurisen yhteisön jäsenenä sekä osaa torjua rasismia etnisiä ryhmiä kohtaan
-käyttää monikulttuurisuutta voimavarana ja toimii yhdenvertaisuuden periaatteiden mukaisesti

Content (course unit)

MITÄ on monikulttuurisuus?
MITEN kulttuurierot havaitaan?
MIKSI yhdenvertaisuus on tärkeä?

Evaluation methods and criteria

The course consists of two assignments which are generally assessed by the scale 0-5. A short feedback of each assignment will be given.

Assessment scale

0-5

Teaching methods

-e-learning: self-study of given sources and learning tasks writing

Learning materials

Hofstede, G. 1992 or newer editions: Cultures and Organizations. Juva.WSOY and/or
Salo-Lee, L., Malmberg, R.& Hallinoja, R. 1998 or comparable source. Minä ja muut. Intercultural communication dealing with cultural values and their impact on human behavior.
Lahti, L. 2008. Monikulttuurinen johtaminen (multicultural leadership). Juva. WSOY.
The articles or other material given in tabula.
There are links to course material in tabula.

Student workload

1 credit is 27 hours student's work

Content scheduling

The course consists of two assignments:
Part 1: Different concepts and themes are defined and concretized by the own experiences and examples. The scale of the assignment is 3 credits including the learning about the given sources and the writing the assignment.
Part 2: The task focuses on a multicultural work or study environment and its management. In addition, the assignment includes a personal interview. The scope of the assignment is 2 credits, including the learning about the given sources, interviewing and writing the assignment.

Further information

The course runs as non stop. The enrollment is made via Pakki (8T00CP61-3008). Students of the Open University of Applied Sciences enroll with an electronic form.
Enrollments will be checked about twice a month (sometimes more often) and once a student is accepted to the course she/he is also in tabula environment where are all the information (incl. assignments, sources, assignments returning areas etc.) about the course is.
The entire course is 5 credits but a students has also an option to make only 3 credits or 2 credits assignments depending on the needs and wants.
The course is open the whole year. During the teachers summer break assignments are not checked and assessed.

Assessment criteria - satisfactory (1-2) (Not in use, Look at the Assessment criteria above)

A student is able to define what the difference between cultures is and which kind of differences will exist. She/he can identify some customs, values, norms of different cultures and understand what parity means in intercultural communication and management. The use of sources is limited.

Assessment criteria - good (3-4) (Not in use, Look at the Assessment criteria above)

A student compares intercultural differences in multicultural behavior. A student recognizes special characteristics in different cultures and compare reasons for differences. She/he is able to apply cultural point of views to operations like management. She/he understand the meaning of parity in cultural competence. The versatile use of sources is noticeable.

Assessment criteria - excellent (5) (Not in use, Look at the Assessment criteria above)

A student is able to conceptualize cultural points of view. The theory is reflected in concrete action. She/he is able to analyze community's values, norms and attitudes and evaluate and improve the own know-how as part of cultural view of life. She/he understand and is able to apply the meaning of parity as a part of cultural competence. A student is able to justify cultural perspectives from the theory. Sources have been widely used.