PdF:AJ0310 Inquiries in Intercultural Com - Course Information

AJ0310 Inquiries in Intercultural Communication

Extent and Intensity

0/2/0. 3 credit(s). Type of Completion: z (credit).

Teacher(s)

Ailsa Marion Randall, M.A. (seminar tutor)

Guaranteed by

Mgr. Lucie Podroužková, 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

AJ0310/01: Mon 13:55–15:35 učebna 63, A. Randall

Prerequisites (in Czech)

! AJPV_VMK Intercultural Communication

Course Enrolment Limitations

The course is also offered to the students of the fields other than those the course is directly associated with.
The capacity limit for the course is 30 student(s).
Current registration and enrolment status: enrolled: 0/30, only registered: 0/30, only registered with preference (fields directly associated with the programme): 0/30

fields of study / plans the course is directly associated with

there are 17 fields of study the course is directly associated with, display

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. 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 teachers of English with the cultural background necessary for language teaching; 2) Integrate students into group speaking situations; 3) Analyze a cultural perspective that could mitigate the culture shock awaiting those students who plan to study abroad; and 4) Outline an introduction to Czech cultural norms for foreign students studying at Masaryk University, as well as a forum for them to share their insights with their Czech classmates.

Learning outcomes

By the end of the course, the student will: be more aware of the cultural differences between people from different countries and how to react to them be able to analyse the reasons behind failure in communication be ready to face culture shock in another country be able to create a presentation based on culture for students of English

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 learning
• 11. Culture shock revisited
• 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. Class meetings are supplemented with documentary videos and guest lectures when appropriate. All students research a subject pertinant to the field and either write it as a seminar paper or present it to the class.

Assessment methods

Compulsory parts: 1. Attendance and participation in class: (25%) This is a seminar, not the sort of course you can study at home if you miss class. You must be present if you expect to learn anything, and for that reason it's important that you are here every meeting. You will be allowed only 2 absences each term. Three or more absences will mean loss of this portion of credit, or in extreme and unavoidable circumstances, additional work. You will be expected to come to the classes having read all the material provided on Moodlinka. This will be checked. 2.Presentation (25%) Options: There are 3 options and you must complete two of them to get the credit. They are each worth a maximum of 25 points. A: Lead a learning centre during one class. (This may be done twice in some circumstances) B: Write an essay on a cultural topic. C: Interview a student in Brno who is from another country and show a video of the interview in class. You must complete the compulsory parts and 2 options and get at least 70 points overall to pass the course.

Language of instruction

English

Further comments (probably available only in Czech)

Study Materials
The course is taught annually.
General note: Předmět bude realizován, pokud se přihlásí alespoň 15 studentů.
Information on the extent and intensity of the course: 2 hodiny.

• Enrolment Statistics (Autumn 2017, recent)
  
• Permalink: https://is.muni.cz/course/ped/autumn2017/AJ0310