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2010/1 Module Catalogue
 Module Code: ELA2003 Module Title: INTRODUCTION TO INTERCULTURAL COMMUNICATION
Module Provider: Language & Translation Studies Short Name: ELA2003
Level: HE2 Module Co-ordinator: WILLIS S Mrs (Lang & Trans)
Number of credits: 10 Number of ECTS credits: 5
 
Module Availability
Semester 1
Assessment Pattern

Unit(s) of Assessment
Weighting Towards Module Mark( %)
Reflective Learning Journal
20
Presentation
20
Essay 1: 1,000 words
25
Essay 2: 1,500 words
35
Qualifying Condition(s) 
A weighted aggregate of 40% is required to pass the module
 

Module Overview
An introduction to intercultural communication theory and analysis
Prerequisites/Co-requisites
Successful completion of HE1 or equivalent
Module Aims
This module aims to introduce students to some of the main issues of intercultural communication. Students will gain insight into these issues through case studies, lesson input, the analysis of intercultural encounters and of the students’ own experiences.
Learning Outcomes
By the end of the module students should:
  • have gained knowledge of some of the ways in which culture is defined
  • demonstrate an understanding of the main theories of intercultural communication
  • be able to apply those theories to a range of social and academic contexts
  • be able to analyse instances of intercultural communication
  • be able to identify reasons for intercultural communicative breakdown
  • be able to identify differences in pragmatic norms across cultures
  • demonstrate an awareness of their own cultural bias in intercultural communication
  • (relates to their own PDP in a multinational university, society and potential work placement)
Module Content
  • What is culture? An overview.
  • Introduction to current theory of intercultural communication
  • Culture shock and adaptation in the academic context
  • Impact of cultural difference in English as a Lingua Franca (is a common language enough for communication?)
  • Stereotypes, generalisations and bias
  • Case studies including cross-cultural discourse, academic discourse, generational discourse, gender discourse.
  • Strategies and skills for cross-cultural communication
Methods of Teaching/Learning
22 contact hours comprising a mix of lectures, workshops, tutor led seminars, student led seminars and presentations, and individual tutorials. Students are encouraged to analyse their personal experiences of intercultural communication in the light of current theory. They will also analyse video, audio and text for inter-cultural communicative issues such as pragmatic breakdown or success.
Students will also engage in scaffolded activities to enhance their own intercultural communication skills. Some seminars or presentations may be group based. The learning journal entries (on topics suggested by the course) are submitted electronically for tutor assessment and feedback by given deadlines. Essay 1 is submitted at the midway point of the course and essay 2 at the end.
Selected Texts/Journals
Books and Journal Articles
Bennett, M.J. (1998), Basic Concepts of Intercultural Communication: selected readings. Boston. Intercultural Press.
 
Bowe., H. and Martin, K. (2007), Communication Across Cultures: mutual understanding in a global world. Cambridge, Cambridge University Press.
 
Domenici, K. and Littlejohn, S. (2006), Facework: bridging theory and practice. London, Sage.
 
Holliday, A., Hyde, M. and Kullman, J. (2004), Intercultural Communication – an advanced resource book. London, Routledge.
 
Jandt, F.E. (2007), An Introduction to Intercultural Communication: identities in a global community. London, Sage.
 
Thomas, J. (1993), Cross-Cultural Pragmatic Failure, Applied Linguistics, 4, 2 pp 91 -112
 
Journal
The Journal of Intercultural Communication, www.immi.se/intercultural/
 
Selected Website
The PICTURE project www.worldenough.net/picture/
(a Socrates funded research project and resource bank for educators).
Last Updated
24.5.10