Units
Intercultural Communication and Negotiation Skills
Unit code: MGB225
Contact hours: 3
Credit points: 12
Information about fees and unit costs
The course develops students' abilities to identify and resolve problems in cross-cultural communication or negotiation situations where cultural differences have created misunderstandings or undesirable or unexpected outcomes. It first explores the concept of 'national culture' by considering the work of major theorists of cultural value dimensions - from Hall to Schwartz. Students are encouraged to analyse communication/negotiation process issues in terms of these value dimensions and to practise managing the process of communication/negotiation to improve their outcomes.
Availability
| Semester | Available |
|---|---|
| 2013 Semester 1 | Yes |
| 2013 Semester 2 | Yes |
Sample subject outline - Semester 1 2013
Note: Subject outlines often change before the semester begins. Below is a sample outline.
Rationale
Culture underpins all human activities. An ability to understand and manage the ways culture impacts on communication and negotiation is essential for business professionals in both national and international contexts. Most business professionals are challenged with managing a culturally diverse workforce and/or undertaking business within a multi-cultural environment. In order to achieve effective interpersonal and corporate communication skills and be able to successfully negotiate within and across country specific or international organisations, you first need to understand the influence of culture. You can then modify your communication style to effectively communicate and negotiate with culturally different colleagues, competitors and clients. This unit builds on your prior learning in management, people and organisations to provide you with the conceptual frameworks and interpersonal skills to enhance your organisational and management capabilities at the local, national and international business levels.
Aims
The aim of this unit is to provide you with key knowledge and a range of practical skills in interpersonal and corporate communication and negotiation in various business contexts with particular emphasis on the influence of culture on communication and negotiation.
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
On completion of this unit, students should be able to:
1. Demonstrate a knowledge of core theories of culture, communication and negotiation.
2. Plan and critically reflect on intercultural business communications and negotiations.
3. Demonstrate skills in communicating and negotiating effectively in an intercultural context.
4. Apply both theory and knowledge to local, national and international business 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
Approaches to Teaching and Learning
A wide range of teaching and learning strategies are used in teaching this unit to create interactive learning experiences. Lectures involve the use of power-point slides, videos, industry/everyday examples, discussion, and analysis of theory. Tutorials focus on case analysis, negotiation simulations, group discussions, and refelections.
This unit uses the SafeAssign tool in BlackBoard. SafeAssign is a text matching tool that assists students to develop the academic skills required to correctly use and cite reference material as well as to check citations and determine possible instances of plagiarism. You will be expected to submit draft and/or final versions of one or more assignments using SafeAssign. Your Unit Coordinator will provide detailed information on how the software will be used in this unit.
Assessment
Students will receive feedback in various forms throughout the semester which may include:
Assessment name:
Research Report
Description:
You need to carefully analyse the assigned case in the context of cultural differences. You also need to identify intercultural communication problems and relate them to theories/models covered in lectures. Based on existing literature, provide recommendations on how these problems can be overcome.
Length/Duration: 1500 words
Formative or Summative: Formative and Summative
Relates to objectives:
Unit objectives: 1, 4 and AOL goals: KS (1.1), CTA (2.1), PC (3.1), SEU (5.1)
Weight:
40%
Internal or external:
Internal
Group or individual:
Individual
Due date:
Week 7
Assessment name:
Negotiation Simulation
Description:
The purpose of this piece of assessment is to evaluate your ability to work as a member of a negotiation team and assess your group's ability to plan, prepare, participate and demonstrate skills in an intercultural communication and negotiation context and reflect on your experience. (Marks incoporate self and peer assessment of group proceses).
Length/Duration:Three 30-minute simulations in weeks 9-11, with the planning form due just before each simulation starts, and the 800 word reflection on each simulation due the week following the simulation.
Formative or Summative: Formative and Summative
Relates to objectives:
Unit objectives: 1, 2, 3, 4 and AOL goals: KS (1.1), PC (3.1), TW (4.1), SEU (5.1)
Weight:
40%
Internal or external:
Internal
Group or individual:
Group
Due date:
Weeks 9-12
Assessment name:
Quiz
Description:
Quiz will be completed online in Blackboard. Further details will be provided in the Week 1 document and in class.
Length/Durtion: 30 minutes
Formative or Summative: Summative
Relates to objectives:
Unit objectives: 1 and AOL goals: KS (1.1), CTA (2.1)
Weight:
20%
Internal or external:
Internal
Group or individual:
Individual
Due date:
Week 13
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
Prescribed Text
A textbook for this unit is available to buy from the University Bookshop in the Student Guild and is entitled "Essentials of Negotiation" (ISBN: 9780071267731) by McGraw Hill Publisher. Students are strongly encouraged to purchase this textbook.
References
Additional Sources can also be found at the unit's Blackboard site.
Other Resources
There are no out of the ordinary costs associated with the unit.
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: 23-Jan-2013
