Units

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Sample subject outline - 6 Week Teaching Period - 4 2012

Note: Subject outlines often change before the semester begins. Below is a sample outline.

Rationale

Success in increasingly globalised work settings requires the attitudes and skills to engage effectively with people from a range of different cultural backgrounds. This unit enhances students' awareness, understanding, sensitivity and ability to deal with cultural diversity. It takes a practical approach by providing both theoretical frameworks for interpreting differences in cultural behaviour, together with skills and strategies which can help in responding appropriately and effectively to culturally different situations. This unit will be of particular value to students planning to undertake international exchange study. This unit is also recommended to inbound international students completing their full degree program at QUT or undertaking a shorter exchange study program. The unit is valuable for students with an interest in intercultural communication, and those who are learning or have learned a second language.

Aims

The aim of this unit is to:

to provide students with an understanding of some of the key linguistic and cultural issues which affect communication between cultures; and

to equip students with skills to successfully manage encounters with different cultures

Objectives

Course Learning Goals (Undergraduate)
The QUT Business School has established the Assurance of Learning (AoL) Goals to meet contemporary industry needs and standards. Achieving these learning outcomes will assist you to meet the desired graduate outcomes set at QUT - aligned with other internationally renowned business schools. Students will develop the following capabilities relevant to a contemporary global and sustainable business environment:

Have knowledge and skills pertinent to a particular discipline (KS)

1.1 Integrate and apply disciplinary theory and skills to practical situations
1.2 Incorporate the use of technology appropriate to the discipline and context

Be critical thinkers and effective problem solvers (CTA)

2.1 Identify, research and critically analyse information relevant to a business problem or issue, be able to synthesise that information in order to evaluate potential solutions, make recommendations or otherwise effectively address the problem or issue

Be professional communicators in an intercultural context (PC)

3.1 Communicate effectively through written tasks appropriate to varied contexts and audiences
3.2 Communicate effectively through professional oral presentations appropriate to varied contexts and audiences

Be able to work effectively in a Team Environment (TW)

4.1 Demonstrate effective team skills in order to contribute appropriately to the production of a group output

Have a Social and Ethical Understanding (SEU)

5.1 Apply ethical reasoning, standards or codes of practice relevant to the discipline and make decisions that are informed by social and cultural understanding

Unit Objectives
This unit will contribute towards the development of graduate capabilities in effective communication across cultures. In particular, upon completion of this unit, you should be able to:

1. Identify factors (knowledge, attitudes and skills) which influence the effectiveness of communication in a range of cultural settings and with those from diverse cultural backgrounds;
2. Explain how these factors contribute to the complexities of communicating with individuals, groups and organisations from other cultures;
3. Implement appropriate processes and behaviours to communicate effectively in a range of cultural settings and with those from diverse cultural backgrounds;
4. Evaluate the capabilities and limitations that you and others bring to interactions in varying cultural contexts.

The specific course learning goals and unit objectives that apply to this unit are shown in the assessment section of this unit outline.

Content

• Intercultural communication and cultural intelligence


• Definitions of culture - visible and invisible

Impediments to intercultural communication - ethnocentrism, stereotyping, prejudice

• Dimensions of cultural patterns - power, time, directness, high and low context, face, politeness


• Language & Culture - variations in communicative function


• Communication styles


• Non-verbal communication


• Case studies in culture


• Study, work and life abroad


• Strategies for developing cultural intelligence - awareness, sensitivity, competence


• Adapting to a new culture - interculture; culture shock

Approaches to Teaching and Learning

In the six-week teaching period, this unit is delivered through full day workshops, and use of online learning activities. Face-to-face workshops are scheduled across a two-week period in 6TP4, 2012 as follows:

Monday 2 July from 9:00am to 4:00pm
Thursday 5 July from 9:00am to 4:00pm
Monday 9 July from 9:00am to 4:00pm
Thursday 12 July from 9:00am to 4:00pm

To be successful in the unit, students must attend all face-to-face workshops. The workshops and learning activities are designed to both inform and engage participants with concepts relevant to developing cultural sensitivity. Workshops will be interactive and require prior reading and thinking about the key issues. It is intended that the format will vary from week to week depending on the content under consideration, and participation in all sessions will be required to learn and apply the skills underpinning intercultural competence.

Assessment

Students will receive feedback in various forms throughout the semester which may include:


• Informal: worked examples, such as verbal feedback in class, personal consultation


• Formal: in writing, such as checklists (e.g. criteria sheets), written commentary


• Direct: to individual students, either in written form or in consultation


• Indirect: to the whole class

Assessment name: Presentation
Description: Description: In pairs, students prepare a presentation which reflects on a particular cultural issue or aspect of culture
Length/Duration: 10 minutes maximum
Formative or Summative: Formative and Summative
Relates to objectives: Relates to learning outcomes:Unit Objectives: 1, 2, 3, 4 and AOL goals: KS (1.2), PC (3.2)
Weight: 30%
Internal or external: Internal
Group or individual: Group
Due date: Monday 9 July


Assessment name: Case Study
Description: Description:Each student prepares a written case study which analyses a range of situations and identifies value perspectives. The case study draws on workshop activities throughout the semester.
Length/Duration: 1,500 words (maximum)
Formative or Summative: Formative and Summative
Relates to objectives: Relates to learning outcomes:Unit Objectives: 1, 2, 3, 4 and AOL goals: KS (1.1), CTA (2.1), PC (3.1), SEU (5.1)
Weight: 30%
Internal or external: Internal
Group or individual: Individual
Due date: Friday 20 July


Assessment name: Essay
Description: Description: Each student develops an essay focused on cultural and emotional intelligence, including transitions between cultures and within multicultural communities. The essay should be demonstrate knowledge and application of theory and include a reflection of personal development.
Length/Duration: 2000 words (maximum)
Formative or Summative: Formative and Summative
Relates to objectives: Unit Objectives: 1, 2, 3, 4 and AOL goals: KS (1.1), CTA (2.1), PC (3.1)
Weight: 40%
Internal or external: Internal
Group or individual: Individual
Due date: Friday 3 August


Academic Honesty

QUT is committed to maintaining high academic standards to protect the value of its qualifications. To assist you in assuring the academic integrity of your assessment you are encouraged to make use of the support materials and services available to help you consider and check your assessment items. Important information about the university's approach to academic integrity of assessment is on your unit Blackboard site.

A breach of academic integrity is regarded as Student Misconduct and can lead to the imposition of penalties.

Resource materials

Recommended Text
Beamer, L. & Varner, I. (2008) Intercultural Communication in the Global Workplace. New York: McGraw-Hill.

References
A full list of references will be provided in the week 1 Document and listed on the unit's Blackboard site.

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Risk assessment statement

There are no out-of-the-ordinary risks associated with lectures or tutorials in this unit. You should, however, familiarise yourself with evacuation procedures operating in the buildings in which you attend classes and take the time to
view the Emergency video.

Disclaimer - Offer of some units is subject to viability, and information in these Unit Outlines is subject to change prior to commencement of semester.

Last modified: 19-Jun-2012