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BLM BA15 - Intercultural Business Communication* *CLOSED FOR FURTHER ENROLMENT*

Faculty
Lill Ingstad, associate professor; (Susanne Lassen, part-time lecturer)
Course Coordinator
Lill Ingstad
Prerequisite/progression of the course
English language skills at least at B2-level (CEFR)
Course content, structure and teaching
The overall aim is to introduce students to theoretical as well as practical aspects of intercultural business communication.
A conceptual framework is provided giving the students an understanding of why there are differences in the way we communicate and interact in different cultures. The course should also enable students to manage communication more effectively when using the English language as a lingua franca in international communication contexts and should help students avoid serious miscommunication problems caused by cultural differences.
Summary of course content:
  • How do we define the concept of culture and what role does culture play in a communication context for society, organisations and individuals?
  • Theoretical concepts and practical methods by means of which we may identify and assess cultural differences
  • Implications of intercultural value differences for the use of language and communication strategies
  • The use of English as a lingua franca in business communication
Teaching methods:
The course consists of a combination of lectures, presentations by students, tutorials, discussions, assignments and exercises.
Please note that a good command of oral as well as written English is required.
The course's development of personal competences
The course will give students a better understanding of their own culture and communication style as well as an understanding of reasons for differences in other people’s communication styles.
This is to create awareness of and respect for cultural differences and their impact on communication. One of the aims of the course is to promote tolerance of other cultural norms and values and of different communication styles.
Learning Objectives
After completing the course, students should be able to manage communication more effectively when using English as a lingua franca in international communication contexts and students should be able to avoid serious miscommunication problems caused by cultural differences.
On successful completion of the course, students will:
  • be able to identify cultural dimensions at play in various communication situations and assess how they affect communication
  • have a meta-language enabling them to answer, analyse and discuss questions relating to intercultural communication problems
  • be able to apply the dimension(s) and the theory introduced during the course in an independent discussion of intercultural communication
  • be able to write a paper on a problem relating to intercultural communication, based on independent coherent argumentation and discussion, and in English without any serious idiomatic and grammar mistakes or any other mistakes that may cause miscommunication
Type of examination, exam aids and assessment
Individual written home assignment. All exam aids allowed.
Graded -3 – 12 (7-grade scale)
Recommended literature
Teaching materials will appear from the detailed course plan at the beginning of the course.

Last updated by The electives Office 25/02/2010