Introductory description

Why does intercultural misunderstanding occur in communication? Conversely, what do we need to know and do in order to be able to effectively build and maintain relationships across cultures? This module provides an introduction to the nature of the cultural expectations that shape how linguistic and non-linguistic behaviour is interpreted, how social attitudes shape our perceptions of self and other, and the various strategies by which rapport can be managed within the context of intercultural relations.

Module web page

Module aims

Outline syllabus

This is an indicative module outline only to give an indication of the sort of topics that may be covered. Actual sessions held may differ.

INTERCULTURAL PRAGMATIC PERSPECTIVES
Speech acts across cultures:
e.g. Requests, apologies, compliments, offers etc. in different languages and cultures
Communication styles across cultures:
e.g. high/low context, direct–indirect, emotional–restrained styles across cultures
Theories of relational management:
e.g. Politeness theory, face theory, rapport management theory, relational dialectics
CROSS-CULTURAL PSYCHOLOGY PERSPECTIVES
Personal relationships across cultures:
e.g. Relationship formation, sexual attitudes, family relations, friendships, work relations
Emotion in Social Relations
e.g. Emotional meaning across cultures, group & intergroup emotion, facial meaning across cultures, interpersonal emotion
Social change and interpersonal relations:
e.g. Impact of gradual social change, rapid social change, traumatic events

Learning outcomes

By the end of the module, students should be able to:

• Understand and explain key concepts, models and research findings on interpersonal relations in the fields of intercultural pragmatics and cross-cultural psychology.Communicate effectively and sensitively in English in mixed cultural groups;Work effectively with others in group tasks;Plan and manage time in projects;Use a range of tools and resources effectively in the preparation of course work.

Indicative reading list

Bowe, H. & Martin, K. (2007) Communication across Cultures. Cambridge: CUP.
Culpeper, J. (2011). Impoliteness. Using Language to cause Offence. Cambridge: CUP.
Domenici, K., & Littlejohn, S. W. (2006). Facework. Bridging Theory and Practice. Thousand Oaks: Sage.
Goodwin, R. (1999) Personal Relationships across Cultures. London: Routledge.
Goodwin, R. (2008) Changing Relations. Achieving Intimacy in a Time of Social Transition. Cambridge: CUP.
Parkinson, B., Fischer, A. H., & Manstead, A. S. R. (2005). Emotion in Social Relations. Cultural, Group, and Interpersonal Processes. Hove: Psychology Press.
Spencer-Oatey, H. (ed.) (2008) Culturally Speaking. Culture, Communication and Politeness Theory. 2nd edition. London: Continuum.
Wierzbicka, A. (1999). Emotions across Languages and Cultures. Diversity and Universals. Cambridge: CUP.
Zhu, Hua (ed.) (2011) The Language and Intercultural Communication Reader. London: Routledge.

Research element

Students engage deeply with empirical research articles and present critical analyses of articles with peers.

Interdisciplinary

This module pulls together theories, perspectives, and empirical studies from fields such as anthropology, social psychology, cross-cultural psychology, linguistics, and intercultural communication studies.

International

This module deals with theories and examples from multiple national, cultural, and linguistic contexts. The module also promotes active learning and intercultural reflection amongst a highly international cohort of students.

Subject specific skills

Understand and explain key concepts, models and research findings on interpersonal relations in the fields of intercultural pragmatics and cross-cultural psychology.
Design research instruments for collecting a small amount of data on culture and interpersonal relations;
Analyse research data on culture and interpersonal relations using relevant concepts and frameworks;
Apply conceptual and empirical insights to analyse challenges in managing interpersonal relations.

Transferable skills

Communicate effectively and sensitively in English in mixed cultural groups;
Work effectively with others in group tasks;
Use a range of tools and resources effectively in the preparation of course work;
Understand the different ways in which people communicate and how this can affect interpersonal relations;
Critically evaluate key concepts, models and research findings associated with culture and interpersonal relations.