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

Course: lectures, videos, literature, individual/pair/group tasks/assignments.
All course tasks/assignments/assignment related (online) examinations must be completed/passed to complete the course.

Timing and attendance

There will be approximately 1 x 2 hour lesson per week, except for the study break week. .
The class is taught on campus. Attendance to the course is compulsory and students are required to attend and active participation in at least 80% of the lessons. Active participation (completing homework reflection tasks and contributing to conversation tasks) is very important achieving the competences of this course.

Learning material and recommended literature

Hofstede, Hofstede & Minkov (2010): Cultures and Organizations. Software of the Mind.
Lewis, R.D. 4th Ed. (2018): When Cultures Collide.
Other study material provided by the teacher on Moodle.

Alternative completion methods

No alternate completion methods offered.

Learning environment

The course is taught in the classroom at the Lahti campus.
Students will also participant in learning through the tasks and material compiled in the course Moodle platform.

Contents

This course is designed to build your knowledge and competence in Intercultural interactions. The course will building on your own knowledge and experiences. The following will be discussed:
- concepts of culture (Understanding culture and cultures) and communication
- theoretical frameworks for understanding cultural differences and similarities
- communicating across cultures
- cultural adaptation
- processes for intercultural communication

Additional information for students: previous knowledge etc.

No pre-requisites. Attendance and active participation required in lessons.
All course tasks/assignments/assignment exam(s) must be completed/passed to complete the course.
The grades for the assignment(s), assignment parts are final grades.
Substitute work or opportunities to improve in-course tasks/assignments/assignment parts are not allowed.

Assessment scale

1-5

Failed (0)

The students have not completed the classwork or completed the work at such a level that it shows no personal knowledge of competence in the course content.

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

The student has a basic but inconsistant
- understanding of the existance of cultural similarities and differences
- ability to apply some theoretical frameworks to analyze business, work-life cultures.
- understanding of the culture adaptation and adjustment process.

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

The student has a thorough and consistent ability to understand, recognizes and accept culture similarities and differences.
- ability to apply a variety of suitable theoretical frameworks to analyze business, work-life cultures and interactions. The student can also apply this knowledge to their own personal intercultural interactions.
- understanding of the culture adaptation and adjustment process.