Intercultural Communication: Key Concepts and Theories
| Module title | Intercultural Communication: Key Concepts and Theories |
|---|---|
| Module code | SMLM087 |
| Academic year | 2025/6 |
| Credits | 30 |
| Module staff | Dr Birgul Yilmaz (Convenor) |
| Duration: Term | 1 | 2 | 3 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Duration: Weeks | 11 |
| Number students taking module (anticipated) | 15 |
|---|
Module description
This Intercultural Communication module provides you with an in-depth understanding of the complexities and challenges of communication across cultural boundaries. The module covers a range of contexts, including business, education, and migration. Through interactive lectures and individual fieldwork, you will develop intercultural competence and practical skills for communicating effectively in diverse cultural contexts. The module aims to equip you with the knowledge and skills necessary to navigate the complexities of intercultural communication in a globalised world.
Module aims - intentions of the module
The aim of this module is to provide you with a comprehensive understanding of intercultural communication, its theoretical foundations, and its practical applications in various social and cultural contexts. It will explore the complexities of communication across cultural boundaries, as well as the role of language, power, identity, and discourse in shaping intercultural interactions. You will gain an understanding of concepts such as culture, identity, language, culture shock, acculturation, prejudice and othering, verbal and non-verbal communication. Additionally, you will have the opportunity to collect first-hand data on specific intercultural settings for analysis and discussion.
Intended Learning Outcomes (ILOs)
ILO: Module-specific skills
On successfully completing the module you will be able to...
- 1. Critically analyse the theoretical foundations of intercultural communication.
- 2. Evaluate the role of language, power, identity, and discourse in intercultural communication
- 3. Develop intercultural competence and practical skills for communicating effectively in diverse cultural contexts.
ILO: Discipline-specific skills
On successfully completing the module you will be able to...
- 4. Engage with a variety of research approaches, including ethnography of communication, sociolinguistics, and discourse analysis.
- 5. Demonstrate an understanding of the complexities of communication across cultural boundaries.
ILO: Personal and key skills
On successfully completing the module you will be able to...
- 6. Conduct independent research and apply theories and concepts of intercultural communication to real-world situations.
- 7. Engage in critical analysis and reflection on your own cultural assumptions and biases.
- 8. Work collaboratively with people from diverse cultural backgrounds and adapt to their communication style accordingly.
Syllabus plan
Learning activities and teaching methods (given in hours of study time)
| Scheduled Learning and Teaching Activities | Guided independent study | Placement / study abroad |
|---|---|---|
| 22 | 278 | 0 |
Details of learning activities and teaching methods
| Category | Hours of study time | Description |
|---|---|---|
| Scheduled learning and teaching | 20 | 10x 2 hour interactive lectures with group work discussions |
| Scheduled learning and teaching | 2 | 2 hour assessment workshop |
| Guided independent study | 230 | Reading and preparation for lectures and class discussions |
| Guided independent study | 48 | 4 hours twice a week for four weeks (32 hours in total) carrying out individual microethnographic field study and 2 hours reflecting and making notes on this field study after each session (16 hours in total). |
Formative assessment
| Form of assessment | Size of the assessment (eg length / duration) | ILOs assessed | Feedback method |
|---|---|---|---|
| Problem recognition and data interpretation task | 750 words | 1-8 | Written feedback with opportunity for tutorial follow-up. |
Summative assessment (% of credit)
| Coursework | Written exams | Practical exams |
|---|---|---|
| 100 | 0 | 0 |
Details of summative assessment
| Form of assessment | % of credit | Size of the assessment (eg length / duration) | ILOs assessed | Feedback method |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Essay | 50 | 3,500 words | 1-7 | Written feedback with opportunity for tutorial follow-up. |
| Videocast | 50 | 15 minutes | 1-8 | Written feedback with opportunity for tutorial follow-up. |
Details of re-assessment (where required by referral or deferral)
| Original form of assessment | Form of re-assessment | ILOs re-assessed | Timescale for re-assessment |
|---|---|---|---|
| Essay | Essay (3,500 words) (50%) | 1-7 | Referral/deferral period |
| Videocast | Videocast (15 minutes) (50%) | 1-8 | Referral/deferral period |
Re-assessment notes
Deferral – if you miss an assessment for certificated reasons judged acceptable by the Mitigation Committee, you will normally be either deferred in the assessment or an extension may be granted. The mark given for a re-assessment taken as a result of deferral will not be capped and will be treated as it would be if it were your first attempt at the assessment.
Referral – if you have failed the module overall (i.e. a final overall module mark of less than 50%) you will be required to submit a further assessment as necessary. The mark given for a re-assessment taken as a result of referral will be capped at 50%.
Indicative learning resources - Basic reading
Indicative learning resources - Web based and electronic resources
• ELE –
| Credit value | 30 |
|---|---|
| Module ECTS | 15 |
| Module pre-requisites | None |
| Module co-requisites | None |
| NQF level (module) | 7 |
| Available as distance learning? | No |
| Origin date | 11/04/2023 |
| Last revision date | 03/04/2025 |
