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 according to TimeEdit schedule on campus in Lappeenranta.

Timing and attendance

80% 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. Cultural barriers incl. 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 and adjustment
6. Business cultures

Additional information for students: previous knowledge etc.

No pre-requisites. Attendance and active participation in lessons. All course assignments and the final exam 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).