ØKB1117 Intercultural Communication in the Workplace

Contents and structure

The course "Intercultural Communication in the Workplace" is designed to provide students with a comprehensive exploration of key theories, concepts, and practical skills essential for effective communication in diverse work environments. The course content is structured to cover a range of topics, including the impact of globalization on workplace dynamics, the intricacies of cultural belonging, and the challenges posed by ethnocentrism and cultural relativism. Students will engage with understanding and mitigating stereotypes and prejudices that may hinder effective communication. The course also explores the vital role of empathy in building strong interpersonal connections within an intercultural context. Structured around a solid foundation of communication theory, it examines the communication process, encompassing signs, interpretation, and various communication models. Special attention will be given to verbal and non-verbal communication, communication styles, conflict management and argumentation strategies in the context of diverse cultural backgrounds. The course covers the distinctions between high-context and low-context communication and explores culturally based differences in perception, cognition, and emotion. Additionally, it addresses fundamental cultural elements such as worldview, values, norms, social context, time perception, power-hierarchy-egalitarianism, individualism-collectivism, and the private-public sphere. Through a carefully structured curriculum, students gain theoretical knowledge and practical skills to navigate and excel in intercultural communication scenarios within the workplace.

Learning Outcome

Knowledge:

• Students will gain in-depth knowledge of the impact of globalization on workplace communication and understand the complexity and significance of belonging in a global work context.
• They will develop a profound understanding of the concepts of ethnocentrism and cultural relativism, and be able to analyze how these influence interpersonal communication in a diverse work environment.
• Students will gain insight into how stereotypes and prejudices affect communication in an intercultural workplace setting and learn strategies to overcome these challenges.
• They will understand empathy as a central factor in successful intercultural communication and its impact on working relationships.

Skills:

• Students will develop skills in analyzing the concept of culture and applying the concept of cultural filters to understand cultural diversity in the workplace.
• They will be able to apply the communication process as a framework for understanding signs, interpretation, and models of communication in an intercultural context.
• Students will be able to recognize and interpret both verbal and non-verbal communication, and apply different communication styles and argumentation strategies in an intercultural work context.
• They will develop skills in handling high-context and low-context communication to adapt to different cultural contexts.

General Competence:

• Students will develop the ability to understand and respect culturally conditioned differences in perception, cognition, and emotions, and apply this insight to enhance collaboration in the workplace.
• They will be able to identify and understand cultural differences in worldviews, values, and norms, as well as social context and time perception, using this knowledge to build strong interpersonal relationships.
• Students will develop awareness of hierarchy-egalitarianism, individualism-collectivism, and private-public sphere as critical dimensions in intercultural communication and learn to navigate effectively within these frameworks.

Entry requirements

None

Recommended previous knowledge

None

Teaching methods

The course consists of four to five sessions with a high degree of interactivity. Each session combines lectures, discussions, and practical exercises. Students are expected to participate actively in all parts of the course.

Compulsory learning activities

Participation in teaching sessions 3 and 4 is mandatory.

Assessment

Written school exam, 3 hours. The exam is conducted via the digital examination system. Time and location will be announced on Studentweb. Grading scale A-F, where F corresponds to fail.

Examination support material

None

More about examination support material