2024/25 Undergraduate Module Catalogue

MODL1162 An Introduction to Thinking Interculturally

20 creditsClass Size: 45

Module manager: Dr Haynes Collins
Email: h.collins@leeds.ac.uk

Taught: Semester 2 (Jan to Jun) View Timetable

Year running 2024/25

Module replaces

MODL1161

This module is approved as a discovery module

Module summary

In a world which is rife with conflict, intercultural understanding offers potential for developing greater understanding and cooperation between diverse groups of people. However, the concept of interculturality is problematic and can be used in ways which have the potential to cause harm. This module will promote a reflective and critical approach to interculturality by considering it with respect to current issues and world events. This will include case studies and engagement with everyday social interaction to larger discourses and structures which permeate global contexts. If you are interested in developing a global perspective and an inquisitive and critical mindset, then this module can help you achieve those objectives.

Objectives

This discovery module provides students with an introduction to themes which support the 'language and intercultural understanding' discovery theme including exploring the notion of culture and interculturality; intercultural contact; language and culture; borders and mobilities; digital interculturality and multimodality. This module will take a critical, historical and interdisciplinary approach to intercultural studies and intercultural communication to develop students' critical thinking and communicative skills, open attitudes and greater awareness and understanding of global complexity. The module will introduce key theories which underpin intercultural studies and intercultural communication in areas such as international business, politics, language and translation, and popular and media discourse. Students will be encouraged to apply a range theories to analyse case studies and incidents in daily life.

Some key questions addressed include: To what extent are culture and interculturality problematic concepts? How has the field of intercultural communication developed historically? To what extent can the notion of interculturality be a positive force for social justice? What is the relationship between nationality and culture? What is a small culture? Are language and culture synonymous? How is the notion of culture relevant to language and translation? How and why are languages disappearing? What challenges do sojourners and migrants face as they move across national borders? What challenges do international students face studying abroad? How does the notion of culture influence marketing and advertising? What is the role of localisation in international business?

Learning outcomes
On successful completion of the module students will have demonstrated the following learning outcomes relevant to the subject:
1. the necessary knowledge, skills and awareness to be able to operate more effectively and critically in a complex worl d
2. the ability to critically engage with the concept of interculturality and culture and how these concepts are used discursively in various representations including border studies, language, international business and political discourse;
3. the ability to identify dimensions of culture and demonstrate a critical approach of attempts to align these with ‘national cultures’.
4. an awareness of the need for a critical approach to making predictive outcomes based on cultural orientation;
5. the ability to analyse incidents of possible intercultural conflict, to reflect critically on their specific causes and to suggest solutions to conflict.

Skills Learning Outcomes

On successful completion of the module students will have demonstrated the following skills learning outcomes:
1. the ability to recognise and express knowledge and understanding and how it relates to personal experience and to demonstrate learning and growth from this experience.
2. the ability to weigh up different arguments and perspectives, using evidence to form opinions, arguments, theories, and ideas.
3. the ability to question norms, practices and opinions and to reflect on one’s own values, perceptions and actions.
4. the ability to empathise with the views and experiences of others, appreciate multiple perspectives, and to collaborate equitably across gender, ethnicity and other groups.

Syllabus

Details of the syllabus will be provided on the Minerva organisation (or equivalent) for the module

Teaching methods

Delivery type	Number	Length hours	Student hours
Supervision	5	1.00	5.00
Lecture	11	1.00	11.00
Private study hours			184.00
Total Contact hours			16.00
Total hours (100hr per 10 credits)			200.00

Opportunities for Formative Feedback

Student progress will be monitored by attendance and participation in seminars and by engagement and monitoring of participation with online materials.

Methods of assessment

Coursework

Assessment type	Notes	% of formal assessment
Assignment	Reflective Log & Cultural Fragment Essay	100.00
Total percentage (Assessment Coursework)		100.00

Normally resits will be assessed by the same methodology as the first attempt, unless otherwise stated

Reading list

The reading list is available from the Library website

Last updated: 08/05/2024

Disclaimer

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