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 both LAB/LUT students and exchange students.

The course is delivered in English.

In this course students will gain an understanding and further awareness of their 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 and discussions, moodle tasks and course assignment(s). This is a discussion-based course - voluntarily talking and voicing your opinion and views in class/group discussions is 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)

Part of the hours in this course will be reserved for students to complete a number of reflection based tasks aimed to develop cultural understanding and competence. Students will also be required to complete readings or viewings related to course content.

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.
5. Cultural adaptation and adjustment
6. Business cultures
7. Multicultural teams - productivity and conflict.
8. Culturally diverse dialogues

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. They are able to do so with clear links between theory and real life applications.
The student actively participates in course lessons and completes the course task(s)/assignment parts/ assignment(s)