Intercultural Communication: Dynamics of cultural identities in global interaction

Who is the course for?

This course is designed for anyone who wants to improve their confidence and sensitivity during intercultural interactions.

It will be particularly beneficial to those currently working with international students or clients, or those planning to travel.

What topics will you cover?

Introduction to the course and field, potential learning objectives, and leading definitions of what constitutes “intercultural communication”.

Exploration of story narratives, metaphors, and meanings related to interculturality.

Analysis of situated cases to identify sources of intercultural misunderstanding.

Benefits of intercultural applications to personal life, business and education.

Variations in personal, social, and cultural identity, and cultivate greater awareness and sensitivity to one’s own and other’s cultural identities.

Exposure to and appreciation of cross-cultural complexity through the social learning engagement of this international community.

Social perceptions of stereotypes, prejudice, and discrimination related to intergroup contact.

Variations and perceptions of typical communication behaviors or practices and taxonomies for understanding context, space, time and other contextual factors (Hi-low Context, Proxemics, Monochronic-Polychronic, Silence).

Exposure to and application of leading values frameworks and levels of analysis that undergird cultural assumptions, expectations, and behaviors (from Hall, Hofstede, Schwartz, the WVS).

Experiential descriptions of culture shock and coping dynamics, adaptation processes, and growth outcomes in cross-cultural transitions.

Reflection on complex cases, other’s comments, and replies to enhance mindful observation, analysis, and understanding toward cultivating intercultural competence.

What will you achieve?

By the end of the course, you‘ll be able to…

Identify the importance of learning intercultural communication.

Describe the composition and significance of your cultural identities.

Compare cultural assumptions of your own and others.

Identify cultural variations in communication styles.

Classify some major cultural values underlying different behaviors.

Apply these for adaptation in intercultural interactions more confidently and resourcefully.