MAAL7003 Understanding Intercultural Communication
COURSE TEACHER:
Dr. Lorena Potter
Email: lpotter@hku.hk
OVERVIEW
This course introduces different approaches to studying and conceptualizing intercultural communication and intercultural communicative competence and development. It also develops students’ ability to apply the theoretical concepts to evaluate, reflect and decide on the method of being an effective intercultural speaker using English as a lingua franca in a highly globalised world.
OBJECTIVES
1. To critically evaluate the theoretical concepts of intercultural communication and intercultural communicative competence from multiple perspectives;
2. To critically evaluate and reflect on the ways in which English is effectively used in intercultural interactions with reference to literature; and
3. To decide on the most effective method of being an intercultural speaker.
COURSE LEARNING OUTCOMES
By the end of the course, students should be able to:
- Understand and critique different approaches to study intercultural communication and related concepts
- Apply theoretical concepts, analyze and evaluate intercultural communication experiences
- Demonstrate awareness of past and present intercultural communication experiences
SUGGESTED READINGS
Byram, M. (2021) Teaching and Assessing Intercultural Communicative Competence. 2nd Edition. Bristol: Multilingual Matters.
Neuliep, J. W. (2021) Intercultural Communication: A Contextual Approach. 8th Edition. London: Sage.
Journals:
Journal of Intercultural Communication
Journal of Intercultural Communication Research
Language and Communication
Journal of Pragmatics
SCHEDULE
| Session | Content |
| 1 | Understanding the definitions and theories of culture |
| 2 | Understanding cultural patterns |
| 3 | Understanding verbal and non-verbal communication in intercultural communication |
| 4 | Understanding intercultural communicative competence |
| 5 | Understanding intercultural communication in the workplace and the educational context |
| 6 | Teaching intercultural communication |
ASSIGNMENT
Instructions:
Recall two intercultural encounters (e.g., misunderstanding/disagreement/discussion in social interactions/ in the workplace) between you and a person/persons from another culture. Describe and provide detailed background information about the situation/encounter/event, topic, people involved and examples for illustration. Then, drawing on relevant intercultural communication theories/concepts/models, analyze and discuss critically the extent to which the events/encounters could be seen as a success or failure in intercultural communication, and what could be done to improve/support intercultural communication.
Write an essay of not more than 2,500 words (+/- 10%).