The general aim of this course is to provide an overview of the major theories and issues in Intercultural Communication, with particular reference to developments in the last 25 years. In today's ‘globalised’ world, it is increasingly necessary to communicate successfully across boundaries of languages, styles and values. This course will involve critical consideration of the problems involved in communicating across such boundaries, of cross-cultural difference in general, and of the concept of ‘culture’ itself. Where possible, students' own varied cultural backgrounds will be used as a basis for discussion.
Learning Outcomes
By the end of the module students should be able to:
Demonstrate familiarity with major theories of and approaches to Intercultural Communication;
Demonstrate a critical appreciation of a discourse -oriented approach to intercultural communication;
Demonstrate development of the skills necessary for the critical consideration of ‘culture’ – both as a general concept (e.g. to what extent is ‘culture’ distinct from / overlapping with ethnicity, nationality, class, religion, language... etc. ) and as specific representations thereof (e.g. ‘British culture’, ‘Asian culture’, ‘America’s culture wars’, etc.);
Demonstrate ability to apply such knowledge / skills to critical consideration of key issues of intercultural communication in the contemporary era of ‘globalisation’.
