Intercultural Communication

Code:

MTSL004

Acronym:

CINT

Keywords
Classification	Keyword
OFICIAL	Language Sciences - Translation

Instance: 2022/2023 - 2S

Active?	Yes
Responsible unit:	Department of Germanic Studies
Course/CS Responsible:	Master of Arts in Translation and Language Services

Cycles of Study/Courses

Acronym	No. of Students	Study Plan	Curricular Years	Credits UCN	Credits ECTS	Contact hours	Total Time
MTSL	30	Study plan	1	-	3	21,5	81

Teaching language

Suitable for English-speaking students

Objectives

Module aims: The aim of this course is to develop in students not only the sensibility to recognise, understand and accept cultural differences, but also the capacity to perform the role of a cultural mediator. These competences will be transmitted in theoretical and practical seminars, where phenomena related to different cultural dimensions such as time and space will be explored. Concepts like culture, identity, otherness, acculturation and globalization will be treated. Special attention will be given to the communicative strategies used in different cultures, above all in face-to-face interaction. This implies also the study of the role of nonverbal modalities in communication, and of how they reveal the underlying cultural values. For the training of these competences different kinds of materials will be used, such as press articles, publicity and films. Module outcomes: Students who will successfully accomplish this module will have acquired the following competences as intercultural mediator:
- knowing how to identify the rules for interaction to a specific community, including non-verbal elements,
- knowing about cultural values and practices, so that they are able to interpret presuppositions, implicit meanings, stereotypes - organizing approaches to clients/potential clients (marketing) from different cultures and
- negotiating with the clients from other cultures, to clarify their requirements and objectives

Learning outcomes and competences

1. A group discussion on theoretical concepts related to the notion of culture will enable a more conscious awareness of their own culture, values and cultural practices, ways of interpreting the world and how this is reflected in the language and the different modes of communication.
2. The teaching of the theoretical underpinnings of the program allows the understanding of concepts such as acculturation, stereotypes, prejudice, discrimination, identity and otherness, essential for acquiring intercultural competence.
3. The product may be cultural practices - advertising, various rituals - invites reflection on the relationship between them and the underlying cultural values, as well as capacity development of interpretation.
4. The discussion based on acquired knowledge requires a reflection on intercultural contexts and ways to anticipate and overcome misunderstandings caused by misinterpretation, culturally determined.

Working method

Presencial

Program

1 Different meanings of "culture" - diachronic perspective

2. Recent approaches the concept of culture

3. Comparing cultures:

3.1 Contact between cultures

3.2 Acculturation / Miscegenation / Globalization

3.3 Identity / Alterity

3.4 Cultural Dimensions

4. Culture and Language

4.1 Modes of communication: direct / indirect, conversational maxims cultural, assumptions, expectations

4.2 Methods of communication (speech, prosody proxemics, posture, movements of the head, trunk, eyes, facial expressions and gestures) and cultural variations

  5. Interpreting values / standards / cultural dimensions from various types of materials: advertising images, movies, communicative events

Mandatory literature

Bowe, Heather and Martin, Kylie ; Communication Across Cultures: Mutual Understanding in a Global World , Cambridge University Press, 2007. ISBN: 978-0521695572/
Cuche, Denys; A noção de cultura nas ciências sociais, Fim de Século, 2003. ISBN: 972-754-192-5
Dahl, Stephan; Intercultural Research: The Current State of Knowledge, (January 12, 2004). Middlesex University Discussion Paper No. 26. , Available at SSRN: http://ssrn.com/abstract=658202, 2007
Geert Hofstede; Culturas e organizações : compreender a nossa programação mental , Edições Silabo, 1997. ISBN: 972-618-160-7
Hall, Edward; The silent language, Anchor Books, 1990. ISBN: 0-385-12474
Hall, Edward; Beyond culture, Anchor Books, 1981. ISBN: 0-385-12474-0
Hall, Edward; The hidden dimension. Man’s use of space in public and private. , Anchor Books, 1990. ISBN: 0-385-08476-5
Hall, Edward; The dance of life : the other dimension of time , Anchor Books, 1984. ISBN: 0-385-19248-7
Holliday, Adrian, Hyde, Martin, Kullman, John ; Intercultural communication. An advanced resource book, Routledge, 2004. ISBN: 0-415-27061-8
Trompenaars, Fons / Hampden-Turner, C.; Riding the waves of culture : understanding cultural diversity in business , Brealey, 2004. ISBN: 1-85788-176-1

Teaching methods and learning activities

The subject will be presented both by the teacher and by the students. Materials like press textes, publicity and films will be used. Besides the discussion of different theoretical concepts other types of materials will be used, such as: text media, advertising and films. These kinds of text will serve as the basis of analysis and discussion, where the contents of the program will be applied.

Software

power point
word
windows explorer

keywords

Humanities > language sciences

Evaluation Type

Distributed evaluation without final exam

Assessment Components

Designation	Weight (%)
Participação presencial	30,00
Trabalho escrito	70,00
Total:	100,00

Amount of time allocated to each course unit

Designation	Time (hours)
Estudo autónomo	61,50
Frequência das aulas	19,50
Trabalho de investigação
Total:	81,00

Eligibility for exams

positive note in all acessment components

Calculation formula of final grade

written work and exercices = 80 %

active participation in class = 20 %

Examinations or Special Assignments

-

Special assessment (TE, DA, ...)

according to the evaluation standards
(for additional works to the final project contatct the teacher)

Classification improvement

According to the evaluation's regulations