ISSS 2012 – Multiculturality
Contact hours
26
credit points
2
Lecturer
Gema García Luján
ESERP, Barcelona, Spain
Topics
learning outcomes:
This course serves as an introduction to the field of intercultural
communication by looking at the practical application of theory and
research. It identifies the key factors presented by intercultural interaction
both at home and abroad and how these needs affect people, their jobs, and
their relationships. It focuses on the strategies and skills needed to deal
effectively with these challenges in a broad variety of interaction contexts.
The course will cover several general topics including: perception,
convergence, communication and culture, linguistic differences, ecological
influences on culture, common and important dimensions of cultural
difference, stereotyping, the challenges presented by intercultural
encounters, adaptation and culture shock, diversity management,
maintaining motivation in intercultural settings, and the social and personal
benefits of intercultural interaction.
In addition, the above topics are applied to several specific contexts of
intercultural interaction, including international business, multicultural
classrooms and workplaces, foreign study, diplomacy…
outline:
1. The basis, the natural trust. Be aware of the real important things
2. Macrocultures & Microcultures
3. Cultural Identity, Ethnocentricism & Cultural Relativity
4. Social Perception, Microcultures
5. Stereotyping
6. Intro to Nonverbal Communication & the Concept of Time
7. High- and Low-Context Cultures
8. Language differences, Verbal style and the culture of language
9. Kinesics and use of space
10. Adapting to a Culture, Culture Shock
11. Intercultural Competency and Effectiveness
12. Dealing with and Managing Intercultural Conflict
13. Cross-cultural Differences in Values and Beliefs, Value Clarification
14. Media as a shaper of Cultural Thought Processes
15. Doing business with Latin America
16. Doing business with Asia
17. Doing business with Middle East
18. Doing business with Europe
References
 Dodd, Carley H. Dynamics of Intercultural Communication
 Diversity and Multiculturalism by Shirley R. Steinberg
Teaching methods
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Lecture with discussion
Case studies
Class discussion
Values clarification exercise
Grading
Written exam (90 minutes)
Teaching language
English