A2BP_VMKA Inquiries in Intercultural Communication A

Faculty of Education
Autumn 2014
Extent and Intensity
0/2/0. 2 credit(s). Type of Completion: z (credit).
Teacher(s)
Ailsa Marion Randall, M.A. (seminar tutor)
Guaranteed by
PhDr. Irena Přibylová, Ph.D.
Department of English Language and Literature – Faculty of Education
Contact Person: Jana Popelková
Supplier department: Department of English Language and Literature – Faculty of Education
Timetable of Seminar Groups
A2BP_VMKA/01: Mon 10:15–11:55 učebna 2, A. Randall
Prerequisites (in Czech)
( A2BP_PJ1B Practical Language 1B && A2BP_GR1B Grammar B && A2BP_SFFB Phonetics Seminar B ) || A2BP_SOZK Complex Exam
Course Enrolment Limitations
The course is only offered to the students of the study fields the course is directly associated with.
fields of study / plans the course is directly associated with
Course objectives
This is not a class in American or British studies, but rather a course in cultural fluency with the emphasis on the difference in social and cultural patterns between the Czech Republic and English speaking lands. American And British History are prerequisites, and the course must be followed by the continuing second half in the summer semester in which students will research, organize and present a class of their own on some aspect of inter-cultural differences. In the winter semester, classes will meet for two hours every week and will be organized as traditional seminars in which students are assigned texts on a given subject and come to class prepared to discuss it in open conversation around the seminar table.
The aim of the class is to: 1) provide (future and current) teachers of English with the awareness of culture and cultural differences necessary for effective language teaching in the 21st century; to support them in designing and developing culturally relevant lesson plans for their own classrooms; and to provide each individual the material, supervision and support to integrate culture into their English language teaching. 2) give students the opportunity to speak in group situations and provide each individual the material, supervision and support to lead an hour's interactive class presentation; and 3) demonstrate a cultural perspective that could mitigate the culture shock awaiting those students who will study abroad.
Syllabus
  • 1. Introduction and organization
  • 2. Migration, integration and the changing world
  • 3. Culture shock and expectations
  • 4. What's normal? - for example Czechs and Americans
  • 5. Culture, values and language
  • 6. Cross cultural dialogs
  • 7. High/low context cultures
  • 8. Symbol, gesture and body language
  • 9. Cultural fluency
  • 10. Culture in language teaching
  • 11. Methodology for presentations
  • 12. Conclusion and evaluation
Literature
  • PETERSON, Brooks. cultural Intelligence. Intercultural Press, 2004. info
  • SHULMAN, Myra. Cultures in Contrast. University of Michigan Press, 1998. info
  • NOLLEN, Tim. Culture Shock. London: Kuperard, 1997. ISBN 1-85733-190-7. info
  • MACIONIS, John and Nijole BENOKRAITIS. Seeing Ourselves. Prentice Hall, 1995. info
Teaching methods
Classes are organized as traditional "round table" discussion seminars in which students are assigned texts on a given subject, asked to find an example of such cultural behavior in "real life", and come to class prepared to discuss it in open conversation around the seminar table.
Assessment methods
1)Attendance: Two absences are permitted. Three or more will mean loss of credit
2)Reading and analysis of all assigned texts and voluntary discussionin the seminar.
3)Presentation of cultural methodology appropriate for the presenter's English language teaching situation
4)Comprehensive oral exam covering information from both semesters of the course
Language of instruction
English
Follow-Up Courses
Further Comments
Study Materials
The course is taught annually.
The course is also listed under the following terms Autumn 2007, Autumn 2008, Autumn 2009, Autumn 2010, Autumn 2011, Autumn 2012, Autumn 2013, Autumn 2015, Autumn 2016, Autumn 2017, Autumn 2018, Autumn 2019, autumn 2020, Autumn 2021.
  • Enrolment Statistics (Autumn 2014, recent)
  • Permalink: https://is.muni.cz/course/ped/autumn2014/A2BP_VMKA