Transcultural communication

Department
  • Bachelor's program Social Work
Course unit code
  • SOA-B-5-MT3-IKO-SE
Number of ECTS credits allocated
  • 3.0
Name of lecturer(s)
  • Guibert Isabelle, MA MA
Mode of delivery
  • face-to-face
Recommended optional program components
  • none
Recommended or required reading
  • Required pre-course reading with guiding questions, available on Sakai/Resources:
    -ESTEVA, GUSTAVO (2011). "Intercultural Inspiration: The Life and Work of Raimon Panikkar". In Dietrich, Wolfgang and Others (Eds.): The Palgrave International Handbook of Peace Studies: A Cultural Perspective. New York, Palgrave Macmillan. 570-585
    -ROGERS, CARL R. & RICHARD E. FARSON (1987). "Active Listening". In R.G. Newman, M.A. Danzinger, M. Cohen (eds). Communicating in Business Today. D.C. Heath & Company
    -SATIR, VIRGINIA (1988). The new peoplemaking. Palo Alto, CA: Science and Behavior Books
    TROMPENAARS FONS & CHARLES HAMDEN-TURNER (2012). Riding the Waves of Culture. Understanding Diversity in Global Business. London: Nicholas Brealey PublishingRecommended reading, partly available on Sakai/Resources:
    -BENNETT, MILTON J. (1993). "Towards Ethnorelativism: A Developmental Model of Intercultural Sensitivity." Education for the Intercultural Experience. Ed. R.M. Paige. 2nd edition. Yarmouth, ME: Intercultural Press. 21-71
    -EUROPEAN COMMISSION (1998). What? Me? A Racist? Office for Official Publications of the European Communities
    -RINGS, GUIDO AND SEBASTIAN RASINGER (EDS.) (2020). The Cambridge Handbook of Intercultural Communication, Cambridge University Press
    -ROSENBERG, MARSHALL (2003). Nonviolent Communication: A Language of Life. PuddleDancer Press
    ZAKI, JAMIL (2019). The War for Kindness: Building Empathy in a Fractured World, Crown
Assessment methods and criteria
  • Course immanent examination
Additional information about examination modalities
  • Final written exam in class: 100%
Level of course unit
  • Bachelor
Year of study
  • Fall 2025
Semester when the course unit is delivered
  • 5
Language of instruction
  • English
Learning outcomes of the course unit
  • CULTURE, INTERCULTURALITY:
    -Students develop an awareness of the meaning of culture: What does it imply and trigger? What is visible, and what remains invisible?
    -They are introduced to key aspects such as perspectives, perceptions, assumed norms, and unmet expectations.
    -They gain insight into cultural dimensions.
    -They are sensitised to what intercultural competence entails and requires. They become familiar with diverse perceptions of cultural difference and how such differences are experienced depending on one’s cultural background.
    -Throughout the course, students are encouraged to self-reflect, learn through experience, and take critical distance from their (cultural) worldview or mindset in order to better cope with unexpected or “weird” situations.
    COMMUNICATION:
    -Students gain an overview of the various meanings and functions of communication.
    -They are introduced to defensive communication styles (coping stances) to increase their awareness of how they and others communicate. They identify mechanisms that may lead to dysfunctional interactions and trigger misunderstandings, mistrust, or conflict.
    -They improve their listening, empathy, and expression skills to foster more effective interactions in personal, professional, and social settings.
    -They learn to give and receive constructive feedback.
    -They learn to recognise and express their needs and feelings in a non-violent way, strengthening self-awareness and congruent communication. They also reflect on a personal conflict.
    - They learn how to acknowledge and manage emotions in the workplace.
Prerequisites and co-requisites
  • relevant courses from previous semester
Planned learning activities and teaching methods
  • -Interactive teaching and participatory learning
    -Unconventional teaching approaches involving mind, body, spirit, heart
    -Inputs and open discussion
    -Individual and collective work
    -To enhance interaction and participatory learning, the sessions will be completely free from devices (smartphones, computers, tablets).
Work placement(s)
  • none

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