SFB50414 Intercultural Communication (Spring 2018)

Facts about the course

ECTS Credits:
10
Responsible faculty:
Faculty of Computer Sciences, Engineering and Economics
Course Leader:
Jutta Cornelia Eschenbach
Teaching language:
English
Duration:
½ year

Table of contents

The course is affiliated to the following study programme

  • Mandatory course in Bachelor's Programme in International Communication
  • Specialisation course in Bachelor's Programme in Business Administration, specialisation: International Communication
  • Optional course in Bachelor's Programme in Society, Language and Culture

Teaching semester

  • Bachelor's Programme in International Communication: 2nd semester (spring)
  • Bachelor's Programme in Business Administration, specialisation: International Communication: 6th semester (spring)
  • Bachelor's Programme in Society, Language and Culture: 4th or 6th semester (spring

Content

  • Elementary social anthropology
  • Other relevant topics within the field of intercultural communication
  • Theories of how to compare cultures
  • Analysis of communication situations applying various theories

The student's learning outcomes on passing the course

Knowledge
The candidates have gained knowledge of aspects of language and culture that may influence and hamper communication between people from different cultures (non-verbal communication, language functions, context, prejudice, stereotypes, world view, values, norms and ethics).

Skills
The candidates are familiar with methods and principles of how to compare their own culture with other cultures and identify potential causes of non-functioning communication.

General competence
The candidates have general intercultural competence.

Teaching and learning methods

Lectures and seminars in English.

Workload

The course will give the student approximately 280 hours of work.

Coursework requirements - conditions for taking the exam

  • One oral presentation
  • One written assignment

All coursework must be completed at given deadlines and approved before signing up for the final exam.

Exam

Oral indiviual examination of approx. 30 minutes.
No aids permitted. Assessment on the A-F grading scale.

Course evaluation

The course is evaluated by the students each semester. The result of the evaluation is reported to the faculty's committee for study quality.

Reading list

The reading list is updated November 11, 2017.

  • Samovar, L. A., Porter, R. E. & McDaniel, E. R. (2017). Communication between Cultures. Australia: Wadsworth/Cengage Learning. (Earlier editions will work as well)
  • Hofstede, Geert, Hofstede, Gert Jan & Minkov, Michael (2010). Cultures and Organizations: Software of the Mind: Intercultural Cooperation and its Importance for Survival. New York: McGraw-Hill. (Chapters 1, 3-7).
  • Compendium (electronic).
  • Course material handed out in class and/or posted on the learning platform.

Last updated from FS (Felles studentsystem) Oct. 15, 2026 2:54:59 AM