Download Intercultural Communication

INTERCULTURAL COMMUNICATION
The course «Intercultural Communication» is designed for postgraduates who
study for their master’s degree. It is aimed at getting most important theoretical
notions of cultural concepts and the way they influence interpersonal
communication. Increased academic mobility and contact among cultures, a global
marketplace, and the emergence of newcompanies and workforces require the
development of communication skills and abilities that are appropriate to a
culturally diverse society and to life in a global village. Special attention is paid to
the communication inherent in international business, which includes such
concerns as negotiations and communication within multicultural organizations.
The course covers the issues of categorizing cultures, paying attention to such
types as collectivistic versus individualistic, high-context versus low-context,
linear-active and reactive versus multi-active, affective versus neutral, masculine
versus feminine cultures. Sets of attitudes, beliefs and values are examined, taking
gender aspect of communication into account. The specificity of verbal
communication across cultures is reflected in turn-taking, self-disclosure and
employing silence as a discourse component. While there are many kinds of nonverbal communication, the course focuses on such aspects of human behavior
which are particularly relevant to intercultural communication: the use of space
(proxemics), the use of time (chronemics) andbody language (kinesics).
The course comprises lectures and seminars which imply the use of active
and interactive forms of teaching: presentations, group discussions, debates, case
studies of culture shock/cultural misunderstanding, role play, etc.