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At the end of the course, students will:
- Be able to identify and describe fundamental theoretical concepts and principles that are relevant to understanding communication between people from different cultural and social backgrounds;
- Have insight into the concept of culture, cultural differences and how culture can influence verbal and non-verbal behaviour;
- Have insight into contributors to - and issues in - intercultural communication today, and be able to reflect critically on these;
- Have insight into acculturation/cultural adaptation, culture shock, and the development of intercultural (communication) competence, and be able to identify and critically reflect on factors that play a role in these processes.
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This course offers students an introduction to intercultural communication and the factors that shape and influence it. Due to globalization, migration and international work mobility, intercultural contact between people from different cultures -and different language backgrounds- has become more common in recent decades. Societies have become increasingly multicultural. Intercultural communication is a part of life for most people, in both everyday and work contexts. For business professionals who work in an international setting, or for students studying abroad, it is important to have insight into the ways in which culture can play a role in intercultural contact situations, in terms of behaviour in general and interpersonal communication in particular. This course considers the concept of culture, and how culture influences our thinking, acting and being. It examines the influence of culture on verbal and non-verbal communication, the relationship between culture, identity and communication, and how cultural value orientations influence our worldview and the way we behave towards others. The course also considers topics such as acculturation in immigrants and expats, culture shock, and the development of intercultural (communication) competence. |
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