Cross-Cultural Communication 3301-ZJ-JF007
The course introduces students to key issues in intercultural communication, demonstrating how culture, language, values and social models shape the way people perceive the world and interpret the behaviour of others. The course discusses fundamental cultural models, social roles, hierarchy and differences in worldviews. Students explore diverse styles of verbal and non-verbal communication, politeness conventions, emotional expression and their social consequences. The course examines cultural narratives, stereotypes and microaggressions, as well as sources of misunderstanding and strategies of mediation. The final part focuses on the notion of cultural “face,” globalisation and contemporary identities, developing competences essential for effective communication in diverse environments.
The course covers the following topics:
1. Introduction: culture, language and interpretive frames
What is intercultural communication? Culture as a system of meanings and a filter of perception.
Frames as culturally shaped ways of interpreting the world. The influence of language on how reality is perceived (linguistic relativity, cultural pragmatics).
Aim: establishing a shared theoretical foundation and activating students through reflection on their own cultural assumptions.
2. Cultural models, values, social roles and hierarchy
Basic cultural models: individualism–collectivism, power distance, communication context.
Differences in worldviews and social priorities. Social roles, authority, and relationship structures (high- vs low-context).
Aim: understanding how values and social structures shape communication styles and expectations.
3. Verbal communication: speaking styles, politeness and intentions
Directness and indirectness across cultures; high-context vs low-context communication.
How cultures differently interpret criticism, refusal, suggestion or praise.
Elements of intercultural pragmatics.
Aim: analysing why identical utterances may have different meanings in different cultures.
4. Non-verbal communication, emotion and cultural expressivity
Interpersonal distance, gestures, eye contact.
Cultural differences in emotional expression.
High- and low-arousal emotions and their cultural functions.
Social consequences of expressive styles.
Aim: teaching students to “read” behaviour and emotion through a cultural lens.
5. Cultural narratives, stereotypes and microaggressions
How cultures construct “stories about others.”
Stereotypes, prejudice and generalisations.
Microaggressions and unintentional norm violations.
Framing cultures in the media (optional mini case study).
Aim: understanding how social narratives shape communication and perception.
6. Intercultural conflicts and communication in practice
Sources of communicative misunderstandings.
Conflicts in international teams (analysis of real cases).
Strategies of mediation and intercultural adaptation.
Conflict-resolution models (e.g., Ting-Toomey, Kim).
Aim: developing the ability to identify and resolve intercultural problems.
7. Cultural face, globalisation and contemporary identities
“Face” in Asian cultures; honour and dignity cultures.
The role of status and hierarchy in shaping communication.
Communication in education and the workplace: authority, feedback, cooperation.
Globalisation and new identities: migration, transnationalism, third culture kids.
Aim: demonstrating the diversity of the contemporary world and concluding the course with a “global competence” perspective.
Type of course
Course coordinators
Learning outcomes
STUDENTS WHO STARTED STUDYING IN 2024/25
Knowledge Students will have in-depth familiarity with:
K_W01 Identify and characterize on an advanced level the place and status of linguistics within the humanities
K_W02 Describe on an advanced level the current trends in linguistic research within English studies
Abilities Students will be able to:
K_U01 Apply advanced terminology and notions pertinent to intercultural pragmatics and cultural studies, enabling the analysis of communication in the context of diverse value systems, cultural models and social practices
K_U03 Apply knowledge obtained during the course of studies to account for and solve a problem, thereby completing a research task related to the discipline linguistics
K_U04 Analyze linguistic phenomena and draw generalizations on their basis in the context of societal, historical and economic factors on an advanced level
K_U05 Discern alternative methodological paradigms within intercultural communication, including pragmatics, discourse analysis and cultural studies, and to choose them appropriately for the phenomenon under investigation.
K_U08 Participate in group projects, collaborate with others and be a team leader in conducting collaborative research, presentations and other tasks included in the curriculum
K_U09 Present knowledge in a coherent, precise and linguistically correct manner in English on level C2 according to the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages, ensuring an appropriate register and form
Social competences Students will be ready to:
K_K02 Apply knowledge and skills obtained during the course of studies to undertake lifelong learning, as well as personal and professional development
K_K03 Take responsibility for performing one’s professional duties, with due respect for the work of others, obey and develop the ethical norms in professional and academic settings related to the disciplines included on the curriculum of English studies
K_K04 Assess critically one’s own knowledge and skills related to the studies
_____________________________________________________
STUDENTS WHO STARTED STUDYING IN 2025/26
Knowledge Students will have in-depth familiarity with:
- K_W01 Advanced terminology, theory and research methods related to linguistic approaches used in the analysis of intercultural communication, including intercultural pragmatics, cultural models and discourse analysis corresponding to the state of the art in the discipline of linguistics, in accordance with their chosen specialization (and educational path),
- K_W04 concepts and principles concerning the protection of intellectual property and copyright.
Abilities Students will be able to:
- K_U01 apply the advanced terminology, theories and methods of linguistic research to solve complex and original research problems in accordance with his/her chosen specialization (and educational path),
- K_U04 apply the concepts and principles of intellectual property protection and copyright law.
Social competences Students will be ready to:
- K_K01 critically appraise their knowledge and content obtained from various sources,
- K_K02 initiate action in the public interest, think and act entrepreneurially.
Assessment criteria
- active participation in class (verification of outcomes: K, U, W)
- preparation of a presentation (verification of outcomes: W, U, K)
- final assignment
- group work (verification of outcomes: K, U, W)
Bibliography
Selected items:
Ting-Toomey, S., & Dorjee, T. (2018). Communicating across cultures. Guilford Publications.
Ting‐Toomey, S., et al. (1991). Culture, face maintenance, and styles of handling interpersonal conflict: A study in five cultures. International Journal of conflict management, 2(4), 275-296.
Gudykunst, W. B., et al. (1996). The influence of cultural individualism-collectivism, self construals, and individual values on communication styles across cultures. Human communication research, 22(4), 510-543.
Wharton, T. (2009). Pragmatics and non-verbal communication. Cambridge University Press.
Blais, C., Jack, R. E., Scheepers, C., Fiset, D., & Caldara, R. (2008). Culture shapes how we look at faces. PloS one, 3(8), e3022.
Additional information
Additional information (registration calendar, class conductors, localization and schedules of classes), might be available in the USOSweb system: