Study Guide

Learning outcomes

Students are able to
-understand cultural similarities and differences
-work effectively with international partners
-analyze business and work life cultures including Finland using different cultural frameworks
-understand culture adaptation and adjustment.

Implementation and methods of teaching

The student is able to:

- understand cultural similarities and differences.
- develop a global mindset and work effectively with international partners.
- analyze business and work life cultures with theoretical frameworks.
- understand culture adaptation and adjustment.

Teaching methods: Lectures, pair/group work and individual assignments, activities.

The course will be taught according to the hybrid strategy which means that lessons will be held in class but they will also be streamed via Zoom to those who can't attend in class due to the covid-19 pandemic. If only possible, participation in class is highly recommended due to activities.

Timing and attendance

75% attendance in contact lessons.

Learning material and recommended literature

Materials available online.
Recommended reading:
Hofstede; G. (2010): Cultures and Organizations: Software of the mind.
Lewis, R. (2006): When cultures collide.

Alternative completion methods

No alternative completion methods offered.

Learning environment

Moodle

Student time use and work load

About 80 hours

Contents

Contents:
1. Culture as an interdisciplinary phenomenon
2. Stereotype awareness
3. Theoretical frameworks for understanding cultural differences and similarities; incl. Hofstede’s 6D Model
4. Intercultural communication; Lewis’ Communication profiles
5. Cultural adaptation
6. Business cultures

Additional information for students: previous knowledge etc.

No pre-requisites. Attendance and active participation in lessons. All course assignments must be passed to complete the course.

Assessment scale

1-5

Failed (0)

The student did not meet the course requirements OR The student did not fulfil the learning outcomes.

Assessment criteria: level 1 (assessment scale 1–5)

The student basically understands that cultural similarities and differences exist.
The student has a basic understanding of the global-mindset concept and its role in effective connections with international partners.
The student can apply some theoretical frameworks to analyze business, work-life cultures.
The student understands the culture adaptation and adjustment process.
The student attends the course lessons and completes course assignment(s).

Assessment criteria: level 3 (assessment scale 1–5)

The student understands and accepts that culture similarities and differences exist.
The student has a good understanding of the global-mindset concept and its role in effective connections with international partners.
The student can apply most theoretical frameworks to analyze business, work-life cultures.
The student has a good understanding of the culture adaptation and adjustment process.
The student participates in course lessons and completes the course assignment(s).

Assessment criteria: level 5 (assessment scale 1–5)

The student understands, recognizes and accepts that culture similarities and differences exist.
The student has acquired a global mindset and can work effectively with international partners.
The student can apply a variety of suitable theoretical frameworks to analyze business, work-life cultures.
The student has an excellent understanding of the culture adaptation and adjustment process.
The student actively participates in course lessons and completes the course assignment(s).