Study Guide

Objectives (course unit)

This course offers fundamental understanding of cultural issues in today's global business, social and communicational environment. The course also provides the participants with the skill to navigate successfully in intercultural environments.
After successfully completing the course, the participants will be able to:
- understand culture from critical point of view emphasizing national and organizational culture.
- identify factors which are root causes for cultural differences.
- bridge cultural differences for smooth coexistence.
- empower own self for leading, communicating and negotiating people with diverse cultural background.
- recognize dynamics of multicultural team / group at work.

Content (course unit)

- Culture in general, elements of culture, national cultural typologies, organizational culture.
- Influence of culture on leading, communicating and negotiating beyond national boundary.
- Teams made up of people from diverse cultural background.
- Work culture.

Further information (course unit)

Part of 'Free Choice Studies' for Mutual Master's courses 2024.
Self-paced and 100% Online course.
Implementation starts in Auguest (01.08) runs throughout the year including summer break (31.07).
Student can enroll at anytime during the implementation period, however needs to complete the course within stipulated time as stated in the implementation plan.

Assessment criteria, satisfactory (1-2) (course unit)

The student can define culture, recognises cultural differences and other phenomena in the field related. While doing tasks, he/she needs assistance. The student knows diverse courses of action but cannot justify his/her choices in practical context. He/she gives and receives feedback but considers and assesses things from his/her viewpoints. He/she cannot judge things from multiple perspectives. He/she is aware of course load and able to do routine tasks but may need to remind.

Assessment criteria, good (3-4) (course unit)

The student understands culture from multiple perspectives and analyses its impact upon doing business, learning, and educating in international context. The student, as a resource person, shows how to act independently or parts of a group in bridging cultural diversity in learning, educating, business and working environment. He/she can search for diverse courses of action while dealing with clients having different cultural backgrounds. The student knows how to use feedback systematically in allocating tasks among culturally diverse clients and ensure organizational growth thereby.

Assessment criteria, excellent (5) (course unit)

The student understands culture from multiple perspectives and analyses its impact upon doing business, learning, educating in international context. The student, as a resource person, shows how to act independently or parts of a group in bridging cultural diversity in learning, educating, business and working environment. He/she can search for diverse courses of action while dealing with clients having different cultural backgrounds. The student knows how to use feedback systematically in allocating tasks among culturally diverse clients and ensure organizational growth thereby. He/she knows to perform his/her tasks responsibly in a group and independently as well. The student is flexible and non-hesitant in taking international assignment.

Location and time

Part of 'Free Choice Studies' for Mutual Master's courses 2024.
Self-paced and 100% Online course.
Implementation starts in Auguest (01.08) runs throughout the year including summer break (31.07).
Student can enroll at anytime during the implementation period, however needs to complete the course within stipulated time as stated in the implementation plan.

Exam schedules

The course will not have any exam but reading, feedback, individual task, project and presentation

Assessment scale

0-5

Teaching methods

This is an online course. Study methods are followed:
Reading, individual task, project and presentation

Learning materials

- Organization Culture and Leadership, Edgar H. Schein, 5th edition
- Cultures and Organizations: Software of the mind, Geert Hofstede et. al, 3rd edition
-The Cultural Map, Erin Meyer, International edition 2015
- When Cultures Collide, Richard D. Lewis, 4th edition. 2018
- Suggested materials to electronic course platform moodle

Student workload

Total: 27x5= 135 hours
Reading of suggested course materials: 30h
Individual activities: 30h
Peer task reading & commenting : 10h
Project & presentation: 30h
Following presentations, presentation participation diary writing & course feedback: 25h

Content scheduling

There will be weekly tasks and activities.Workload of the course will be divided into 8 weeks.

Completion alternatives

- Self-paced and 100% Online course.

Practical training and working life cooperation

- Course activities and tasks will have working life connections

International connections

- The students will may add international experiences to course tasks and activities

Further information

- Course task submission after deadline will affect overall course grade negatively

- Citation is needed to support your argument or discussion or statement.