Study Guide

Learning outcomes

The student is able to:

- understand own cultural background and its effect on behaviour and communication.
- develop intercultural competence and intercultural communication skills to be able to act effectively in global organizations and cross-cultural environments.
- recognize cross-cultural differences and work with them.
- understand culture adaptation and adjustment for exchange purposes.
- understand the basic concepts of global citizenship and diversity.

Implementation and methods of teaching

Online course for out-going and incoming students.

Students will gain an understanding and further awareness of own cultural background and how culture influences their behaviour and communication. In addition, the course will further develop students’ skills in intercultural competence and intercultural communication. Furthermore, this course develops the students’ tolerance in cross-cultural settings and increases their ability to act effectively in global organizations and cross-cultural environments. A special focus is also given toward multicultural teams and conflict.

The course will include Zoom lectures, tasks and course assignment(s). This is a discussion-based course - voluntarily talking and voicing your opinion and views in class/group discussion expected. Attendance and active participation required.

Timing and attendance

The duration of the term.
Attendance and active participation expected/required.

Learning material and recommended literature

Hofstede; G., Hofstede, G. J., & Minkov M. Cultures and Organizations: Software of the mind. Intercultural Cooperation and Its Importance for Survival. 2010: 3rd Ed.
Lewis, R. (2006): When Cultures Collide: Leading across Cultures. 2018. 4th Ed.
Other study material provided by the teacher on Moodle.

Alternative completion methods

No alternate completion methods.

Learning environment

The Moodle platform and Zoom are used for course/lecture material.

Student time use and work load

1 ECTS = 27 hours student work
5 ECTS = 27 x 5 = 135 hours student work (Includes both in-class and out-of-class course work)

Contents

Preliminary Contents/Themes
1. Interdisciplinary approach on culture and its influence on life, studies, work etc. Connecting the individual to national levels of culture.
2.Theoretical framework for understanding cultural differences.
3. Intercultural communication.
4. Introduction to diversity management
5. Cultural adaptation.
6. Business cultures
7. Multicultural teams - productivity and conflict.

Assessment scale

1-5

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

The student is able to basically apply the acquired cultural, behavioral and communication techniques, models and processes in multicultural settings.
The student attends the course lessons and completes course tasks/assignment parts/assignment(s).

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

The student is able to diversely apply the acquired cultural, behavioral and communication techniques, models and processes in multicultural settings.
The student participates in course lessons and completes the course tasks/assignment parts/assignment(s).

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

The student is able to professionally select the appropriate cultural, behavioral and communication techniques, models and processes for different situations in multicultural settings.
The student actively participates in course lessons and completes the course task(s)/assignment parts/ assignment(s)