CZS50 Intercultural Communication

Pan-university studies
Spring 2017
Extent and Intensity
0/2/0. 6 credit(s). Type of Completion: zk (examination).
Teacher(s)
Mgr. Zdeněk Janík, M.A., Ph.D. (lecturer)
Guaranteed by
Šárka Hakalisto, M.A.
Contact Person: Šárka Hakalisto, M.A.
Supplier department: Pan-university studies
Timetable
Mon 20. 2. to Fri 19. 5. Tue 10:15–11:55 učebna 60
Course Enrolment Limitations
The course is only offered to the students of the study fields the course is directly associated with.

The capacity limit for the course is 25 student(s).
Current registration and enrolment status: enrolled: 0/25, only registered: 0/25
fields of study / plans the course is directly associated with
Course objectives
The aim of the course is to enhance students’ intercultural awareness and improve their communication skills in intercultural settings.
Students will explore how various cultures worldwide, including their own, are defined through verbal and non-verbal language, symbols and meanings assigned to the symbols, cultural values and perception of those values. The importance of international understanding and intercultural communication inside as well as outside the school context is emphasized. At the end of the course, students should be able to recognize aspects of intercultural communication; improve their communication strategies used in intercultural settings; apply various dimensions of culture in intercultural conflicts. Students should also develop positive attitudes towards other cultures and improve their skills as intercultural speakers of English.
The course uses all the advantages of an e-learning environment: all study materials, readings, and activities for students are fully web-based.
Syllabus
  • 1.Introduction
  • 2.Culture and communication
  • 3.Cultural identity
  • 4.Cultural awareness and cultural differences
  • 5.Explaining differences and similarities across cultures in Europe and elsewhere
  • 6.Cultural values
  • 7.Seeing the others: developing stereotypes and making judgments
  • 8.National cultures and cultural diversity
  • 9.Women and men in conversation: social identities affecting communication
  • 10.Western, Japanese, and other styles of conversation
  • 11.Differences in cultural values, communication and learning styles in an intercultural classroom setting
  • 12.Effective Intercultural Communication
Teaching methods
The study materials and activities required from students are on-line based in an e-learning course at moodlinka.ped.muni.cz. Students enrolled in the course will be notified by an email how to register in the e-learning course.
Assessment methods
Course Requirements:
1. ACTIVE CLASS PARTICIPATION
Read all the study materials. Follow 'Assignment for class discussion' and instructions in each of the topics to get ready for class.

2. WRITE 6 REFLECTIVE JOURNALS
By doing certain activities and answering questions in the Reflective Journals students relate the knowledge they obtain in this course with their own experience of intercultural communication. You are asked to write a minimum of one page in each of the Reflective Journals. The Reflective Journals are in the topics 2, 3, 4, 6, 9, and 11 of the e-learning course. Check the deadlines! You will have a week to write each Journal. Points will be deducted for late submission. The minimum pass for the Reflective Journals: 42 points (out of 60), i.e. 70%

3. DO 3 TESTS/QUIZES
In topics 1, 4, and 6. The quizes are designed for students to test their understanding of the study materials. Students must complete all the tests by 13 December!

4. PARTICIPATE IN 4 ON-LINE DISCUSSION FORUMS
There are 4 discussion forums in topics 2,3,5, and 7. Your contribution should have at least 3 sentences (1 paragraph is an optimum). Check the deadlines for the discussion!

5. WRITE A FINAL ESSAY
For instructions see topic 12 in the e-learning course. The deadline is 15 December, 2013. The minimum pass for the essay is 28 points (out of 40), i.e. 70%


Grading:
Active class participation: 15%
Six Reflective Journals: 35%
Three Quizzes: 5%
Four on-line discussion forums: 5%
Final essay: 40%
TOTAL: 100%
Minimum pass: 70%
Language of instruction
English
Further comments (probably available only in Czech)
Study Materials
The course is taught annually.
The course is also listed under the following terms Autumn 2010, Spring 2011, Autumn 2011, Autumn 2012, Spring 2013, Autumn 2013, Spring 2014, Autumn 2014, Spring 2015, Autumn 2015, Spring 2016, Autumn 2016, Autumn 2017, Spring 2018, Autumn 2018, Spring 2019, Autumn 2019, spring 2020, Autumn 2022, Autumn 2023, Autumn 2024, spring 2025.
  • Enrolment Statistics (Spring 2017, recent)
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