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. It develops students’ ability to apply the theoretical concepts and theories to evaluate, reflect, and decide on the methods of being an effective intercultural speaker using English as a lingua franca in a highly globalised world.
Aims
- To critically evaluate the theoretical concepts of intercultural communication and intercultural communicative competence from multiple perspectives;
- To critically evaluate and reflect on the ways in which English is effectively used in intercultural interactions with reference to literature; and
- To decide on the most effective methods of being an intercultural speaker.
Course Learning Outcomes (CLOs)
Upon successful completion of this 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
Assignment
100% coursework
Recall two intercultural encounters (e.g., misunderstanding, disagreement, or discussions in social interactions or in the workplace) between you and a person(s) from another culture. Describe and provide detailed background information about the context, the topic, and the people involved giving examples for illustration when necessary. Then, drawing on relevant intercultural communication theories, concepts, and models, discuss and critically analyse and reflect on the extent to which these encounters could be regarded as a success or failure in intercultural communication, and what could be done to improve and support intercultural communication competence.
Write an essay of not more than 2,500 words (+/- 10%).
GenAI Policy
This course allows the use of Generative-AI and follows a balanced policy.
Key References
Byram, M. (2021). Teaching and assessing intercultural communicative competence (2nd ed.). Multilingual Matters.
Hinkle, E. (2001). Building awareness and practical skills to facilitate cross-cultural communication. In M. Celce-Murcia (Ed.), Teaching English as a second or foreign language (3rd ed., pp. 443-458). Heinle & Heinle.
Knapp, K. (2015). English as an international lingua franca and the teaching of intercultural communication. Journal of English as a Lingua Franca, 4(1), 173-189. https://doi.org/10.1515/jelf-2015-0003
Lustig, M. W., Koester, J., & Halualani, R. (2018). Intercultural competence: interpersonal communication across cultures (8th ed.). Pearson.
Patel, F., Li, M., & Sooknanan, P. (2011). Intercultural communication: building a global community (1st ed.). SAGE. https://doi.org/10.4135/9781446270318
Piller, I. (2025). Intercultural communication: a critical introduction (Third Edition.). Edinburgh University Press. https://doi.org/10.1515/9781399519915
Neuliep, J. W. (2021). Intercultural communication: a contextual approach (8th ed.). SAGE Publications, Inc.
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 |