Introductory description

This module explores the skills, bodies of knowledge and attitudes that facilitate intercultural interaction. To explore this we draw on methods and insights from intercultural pragmatics, cross-cultural psychology and insights from the intercultural training and business field.

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.

• Conceptualisations of intercultural competence in communication studies, business &
  management, foreign language education, and applied linguistics.
• Analysing intercultural interaction: achieving understanding
• Analysing intercultural interaction: managing rapport
• Analysing intercultural interaction: impression management
• Analysing instruments for assessing intercultural competence
• Analysing different assessment approaches to intercultural communication competence

Learning outcomes

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

• - Demonstrate in-depth knowledge and understanding of multidisciplinary conceptualisations of intercultural and competence. - Describe a range of different instruments and procedures for assessing intercultural competence.

Indicative reading list

Deardorff, D.K. (ed.) (2009) The Sage Handbook of Intercultural Competence. Los Angeles: Sage.
Glaser, E., Guilherme, M., Garcia, M. d. C. M., & Mughan, T. (2007). Intercultural Competence for
Professional Mobility. Strasburg: Council of Europe.
Kiesling, S.F. & Bratt Paulston, C. (eds.) (2005) Intercultural Discourse and Communication. The
Essential Readings. Oxford: Blackwell.
Kotthoff, H. and Spencer-Oatey, H. (eds.) (2009) Handbook of Intercultural Communication.
Berlin: Mouton de Gruyter.
Lazar, I., Huber-Kriegler, M., Lussier, D., Matei, G.S., and Peck, C. (2008) Developing and assessing
intercultural communicative competence - A guide for language teachers and teacher educators.
Strasbourg: Council of Europe.
Spencer-Oatey, H. (ed.) (2008) Culturally Speaking. Culture, Communication and Politeness
Theory. London: Continuum.
Spencer-Oatey, H. & Franklin, P. (2009) Intercultural Interaction. A Multidisciplinary Approach to
Intercultural Communication. Basingstoke: Palgrave.
Ting-Toomey, S. (1999) Communicating across Cultures. New York: Guildford Press

View reading list on Talis Aspire

Interdisciplinary

The module draws on insights from cross-cultural psychology, business and management studies and pragmatics. Students are familiarised with different insights and we work together to synthesize there, and to critically examine where this is not possible and why. Through this students acquire skills in dealing and thinking through different disciplinary approaches and learn to combine them.

International

The module critically examines the skills and competences leading to successful intercultural encounters. Students learn about intercultural skills in an international classroom and are continuously challenges to reflect on their own behaviour in intercultural encounters. This also sets them up well for critically examining the theories covered in the course in terms of their applicability to intercultural interactions.

Subject specific skills

• Conduct analyses of intercultural discourse and interaction, using different conceptual frameworks.
• Evaluate the quality and/or suitability of different instruments and procedures for assessing intercultural (communication) competence.

Transferable skills

• communicate clearly and contribute effectively in discussions
• work collaboratively in teams
• read academic papers effectively
• communicate ideas effectively in writing, using appropriate wording and structure
• work independently
• plan and manage time and workload to meet deadlines