LANG 7015 Intercultural Communication (PG)

Credit Points 10

Legacy Code 102338

Coordinator Mustapha Taibi Opens in new window

Description This subject aims to develop the students' communicative competence in intercultural contexts, raise their awareness of issues in language use and socio-cultural dimensions, and equip them with the knowledge and skills necessary for intercultural communication. It also prepares students to critically analyse linguistic and cultural differences around them, appreciate linguistic and cultural diversity, and integrate the subject contents into their future careers (e.g. further studies or employment). It highlights the impact of intercultural communication in a range of real-life sectors, such as second language teaching and learning, translation and interpreting services, international business, tourism, community services, and organisational communication.

School Humanities & Comm Arts

Discipline Translating and Interpreting

Student Contribution Band HECS Band 1 10cp

Check your fees via the Fees page.

Level Postgraduate Coursework Level 7 subject

Restrictions

Students must be enrolled in a postgraduate program.

Learning Outcomes

On successful completion of this subject, students should be able to:

  1. Identify links between language and culture
  2. Demonstrate awareness of linguistic and cultural factors that contribute to (un)successful intercultural communication
  3. Examine cross-linguistic and cross-cultural differences in verbal and nonverbal communication
  4. Conduct linguistic analysis of authentic spoken and written discourses from an intercultural perspective
  5. Analyse linguistic and cultural diversities critically by examining linguistic and cultural differences
  6. Identify effective cross-communicative strategies in various contexts
  7. Demonstrate intercultural competence to discuss and apply intercultural communication knowledge and skills to professions (e.g. ESL/EFL teaching, translation and interpreting services, multicultural education, international business, tourism, social services, etc.)
  8. Develop appropriate intercultural attitudes towards different languages and cultures

Subject Content

- intercultural adaptation model
- relationships between language and culture
- Differences in language use (e.g. lexical non-equivalence and gaps) and culture (e.g. self-orientation vs other-orientation)
- cross-cultural variability (e.g. Individualism Vs collectivism)
- intercultural relationship management (e.g. horizontal Vs vertical)
- face Issues and face-work across cultures
- intercultural nonverbal communication competence
- Culture-specific manifestations in spoken (e.g. politeness vs impoliteness) and written discourses (e.g. linear vs non-linear)
- speech acts across cultures (e.g. requests and apologies)
- Hidden dimensions across cultures (e.g. low-contact vs high-contact)
- intercultural communication challenges and strategies (e.g. stereotyping, miscommunication and pragmatic failure)
- Intercultural sensitivities (e.g. cultural practices and values, address terms, taboos and solidarity-focused or power-focused communication)
- intercultural communication research Topics, methods, and tools.

Assessment

The following table summarises the standard assessment tasks for this subject. Please note this is a guide only. Assessment tasks are regularly updated, where there is a difference your Learning Guide takes precedence.

Type Length Percent Threshold Individual/Group Task
Presentation 10 minutes for each student 20 N Individual
Portfolio 2 hours (45 mins for online discussion, approx 1,500 words); 30 mins for multiple choice questions; 45 mins for open-ended questions, approx 1,000 words 40 N Individual
Essay 3000 words 40 N Individual

Prescribed Texts

  • Neuliep, J. W. (2018). Intercultural communication: A contextual approach (7th ed.). Thousand Oaks, California: Sage Publications, Ltd.

Teaching Periods

Spring (2023)

Parramatta City - Macquarie St

On-site

Subject Contact Mustapha Taibi Opens in new window

View timetable Opens in new window

Spring (2024)

Parramatta City - Macquarie St

On-site

Subject Contact Mustapha Taibi Opens in new window

View timetable Opens in new window