Intercultural Communication 4219-AL007
Format
Workshops:
From Theory to Practice: presentation of theory, discussion and practical application
Presentations:
students will make a presentation on their group assignments.
Guest Lectures:
experts from pertinent fields will speak then have discussions with the class.
Field Trips:
visits to cultural sites.
Content
• The dominant traits of the American work culture.
• Basic principles of communication: verbal and non-verbal communication, symbolic and contextual characters of communication. Communication models, barriers to effective communication, defensive vs. supportive style, sending skills, active listening, feedback.
• Effective Communication. Building goodwill: you-attitude, positive emphasis and bias-free language. Effective work-related writing: letters, minutes, memos, plans and reports. Clarity, grammar, punctuation and mechanics.
• Job Search. Writing resumes and application letters, employment interviewing, follow-up communication.
• Presentation Skills. Strategy: purpose, audience, credibility, cultural context. Structure: direct/indirect. Delivery: channels, owning delivery, managing Q&A. Visual aids: clutter issue, purpose, consistency. The art of pitching.
Type of course
Mode
Course coordinators
Learning outcomes
Upon completing the course students will have:
Knowledge that will allow them to:
• recognize and understand the importance of cultural context in communication
• understand the patterns and rules of effective communication in intercultural context
• develop and sustain a high level of intercultural awareness and intercultural competence
Skills that will allow them to:
• expand range of communication nonverbally and verbally
• express ideas in writing and speaking in a way that will be goodwill building, bias-free and positive
• write effective and concise work-related documents: letters, minutes, memos, reports and plans
• give a well–structured, purposeful and credible oral presentation in a format appropriate for a given audience
• complete an accurate and complete resume and cover letter
• prepare for all stages of recruitment process
Competences that will allow them to:
• understand the importance of communication and cooperation
• develop interpersonal skills that contribute to satisfying professional relationships
Assessment criteria
Max 10 points
• 3 points: in-class activity
• 4 points: group project and its in-class presentation
• 3 points: individual written assignments
All elements of the final grade must be delivered.
GRADING:
5 10 points
4+ 9 points
4 8 points
3+ 7 points
3 6 points
The format and content of the Students’ correspondence with the Instructor as well as the general communication during the class will be evaluated according to the standards of effective communication – this may increase or decrease the final grade by as much as 1.0.
This is a communication class.
Bibliography
Obligatory readings
1. Gibson, R., (2021), Bridge the Culture Gaps. A toolkit for effective collaboration in the diverse, global workplace, John Murray Press.
2. Hall, E.T. (1976), Beyond Culture. Doubleday
3. Hofstede’s Insights https://www.hofstede-insights.com
4. Jensen (2009). “Integrity: Without It Nothing Works”, Harvard Nom Research Paper No. 10-042
5. Meyer, Erin (2015) The Culture Map. Decoding how people think, lead, and get things done across cultures, New York: Public Affairs.
6. Think Fast, Talk Smart: Stanford University Podcast https://www.gsb.stanford.edu/business-podcasts/think-fast-talk-smart
Recommended readings:
1. Bolles, R. (2021) What Color Is Your Parachute? 2022: Your Guide to a Lifetime of Meaningful Work and Career Success, Ten Speed Press
2. Covey, Stephen R. (1990) The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People, New York: Fireside
3. Fisher, R., Ury, W. and Patton, B. (2011) Getting to Yes: Negotiating Agreement Without Giving In, Penguin Books
4. Hall E. (1990) Understanding Cultural Differences, Yarmouth
5. Hofstede, G. (2010) Cultures and Organizations, McGraw-Hill
6. Kahneman, D. (2011) Thinking, Fast and Slow, Farrar, Straus and Giroux
Additional information
Additional information (registration calendar, class conductors, localization and schedules of classes), might be available in the USOSweb system: