• Identify the implications of the ongoing globalization process for intercultural communication.
• Demonstrate knowledge of basic definitions and dimensions of culture.
• Analyze cultural influences on communication and interpersonal behavior.
• Demonstrate intercultural competence by evaluating intercultural situations and suggesting linguistic and communicative strategies for the parties involved.
• Use key theories, models, and the meta-language introduced in the course (i.e., syllabus) to present critical and coherent discussion, analysis, and evaluation.
• Formulate theoretical and analytical points clearly and correctly, while observing academic conventions with respect to references, style, argumentation, etc.

The overall objective of the course is to give the student knowledge and understanding of how communication is related to culture and what this implies for intercultural communication and management in an increasingly globalized world. The other objective is that the student becomes able to apply his or her intercultural understanding in communicating.

The objectives are achieved through the study of relevant literature, examples of practice, and cases.

The course is structured around 6 topics/modules, where each module contains a lecture class and a case-based seminar class. 

1. Globalization & intercultural communication

2. Value orientations

3. Intercultural verbal communication

4. Intercultural nonverbal communication

5. Intercultural relationship management

6. Responsible global management

The course is relevant for the development of several core competencies of the BA EOK graduate. Specifically, the course prepares students to tackle communication and dissemination tasks in an international, intercultural context. Students develop an understanding of potential cultural differences in communication situations, and how to adapt communication strategies to fit these differences. More broadly, the course also equips students with some basic tools to advise organizational management and employees on intercultural issues (e.g. in relation to intercultural negotiations and conflict management). 

Textbook:

Ting-Toomey, S., & Chung, L. C. (2011). Understanding intercultural communication (2 ed.) New York: Oxford University Press. http:/​/​global.oup.com/​us/​companion.websites/​9780199739790/​book/​

Readings:

Students will be asked to download some articles/e-book chapters through CBS Library. The following list is a sample, and subject to change. The final list of readings will be posted on LEARN. 

• Bird, A., & Stevens, M. J. (2003). Toward an emergent global culture and the effects of globalization on obsolescing national cultures. Journal of International Management, 9(4), 395-407.
• Donaldson, T. (1996). Values in tension: Ethics away from home. Harvard Business Review, 74(5), 48-62.
• Ghemawat, P. (2001). Distance still matters. Harvard Business Review, 79(8), 137-147.
• Gladwell, M. (2008). Outliers: The story of success (pp. 177-233).  New York, NY: Little Brown and Company. 
• Hall, E. T. (1998). The power of hidden differences. In M. J. Bennett (Ed.), Basic concepts of intercultural communication: Selected readings (pp. 53-67). Boston, MA: Intercultural Press
• Hooker, J. (2009). Corruption from a cross-cultural perspective. Cross-Cultural Management: An International Journal, 16(3), 251-267.
• Johnstone, B. (1989). Linguistic strategies and cultural styles for persuasive discourse”. In  S. Ting-Toomey & F. Korzenny (Eds.), .Language, communication, and culture: Current directions (pp. 139-156). Beverly Hills, CA: Sage.
• Just, S. (2004). Communicative prerequisites for diversity—protection of difference or promotion of commonality. Intercultural Communication, 7.
• Trompenaars, F., & Woolliams, P. (2004). Business across cultures. John Wiley & Sons. 

Cases:

Students are required to purchase course cases from http:/​/​www.thecasecentre.org/​. Registration and access through the CoursePack is required for a discounted student price. Other case/exercise materials will be uploaded on LEARN.