2022/23 Taught Postgraduate Module Catalogue

MODL5012M Skills and Issues in Intercultural Studies

30 creditsClass Size: 40

Module manager: Dr Corinne Painter
Email: c.j.painter@leeds.ac.uk

Taught: Semester 1 (Sep to Jan) View Timetable

Year running 2022/23

This module is not approved as an Elective

Module summary

This module aims to introduce you to the field of intercultural studies, both as a branch of sociolinguistics (intercultural communication) and as a key dynamic that can be seen in the contemporary world and examined from a cultural, historical, political and/or theoretical perspective across a broad range of case studies. You will focus on intercultural communication in a series of six workshops. Topics will include definitions of culture, identity and stereotypes; communication variables; nonverbal communication; and the analysis of 'critical incidents'. You will have a weekly class that focuses on a particular concept or theme in intercultural studies. Topics covered in these classes will change from year to year but will typically include colonialism (the legacy of), globalisation, migration and diaspora, cultural appropriation, cosmopolitanism, inter-faith relations, and transnationalism.You will be assessed through a reflective log (for intercultural communication) and an exam comprised of short-answer questions (for intercultural studies).

Objectives

This module aims to introduce students to the field of intercultural studies, both as a branch of sociolinguistics (intercultural communication) and as a key dynamic that can be seen in the contemporary world and examined from a cultural, historical, political and/or theoretical perspective across a broad range of case studies. Students will be introduced to the key principles of the discipline and encouraged to reflect critically on their own lived experience in relation to the topics covered.

Learning outcomes
On completion of this module, students should be:
1. Familiar with the key principles of intercultural communication, and able to identify and analyse instances of intercultural communication difficulties, both their own and those of others, as well as suggest solutions to those difficulties. This will contribute to their achieving the specified programme learning outcome of taking a proactive and self-reflective role in working and developing professional relationships with others.
2. Able to discuss coherently, knowledgeably and critically a selection of key issues in intercultural studies as they affect the contemporary world. In so doing they will demonstrate their achievement of the following specified programme learning outcomes:
a) the demonstration of specialist knowledge and mastery of techniques relevant to the discipline;
b) the critical and creative evaluation of current issues, research and advanced scholarship in the field.

Skills outcomes
One of the main skills outcomes for this module is that, on completion, the student should have increased intercultural sensitivity that will enable him/her to act and react effectively and responsibly in cross-cultural situations.

This is a very important skill for enhancing employability at an international level (business, diplomacy, aid work, etc) and links directly to the specified learning outcomes of the programme for which this module is compulsory.

Syllabus

The syllabus for this module comprises a series of six workshops relating to intercultural communication (weeks 1-6) and a weekly class (1-hour lecture followed by 1-hour seminar discussion) focused on a particular concept or theme in intercultural studies.

The intercultural communication element will cover definitions of culture, identity and stereotypes; communication variables; nonverbal communication; and the analysis of 'critical incidents'. Topics covered in the Intercultural issues classes will change from year to year depending on staff research specialisms and availability, but will typically include for example colonialism (the legacy of), globalisation, migration and diaspora, cultural appropriation, cosmopolitanism, inter-faith relations, and transnationalism.

Teaching methods

Delivery type	Number	Length hours	Student hours
Workshop	6	1.00	6.00
Lecture	10	1.00	10.00
Seminar	10	1.00	10.00
Private study hours			124.00
Total Contact hours			26.00
Total hours (100hr per 10 credits)			150.00

Private study

Reading (2 hours per hour of contact time): 44 hours
Mid-term assessment preparation (reflective log): 30 hours
End-of-semester exam preparation: 50 hours

Opportunities for Formative Feedback

Formative feedback will be provided regularly in class during seminars and workshops, and in particular, in the final summary class which is designed to prepare students for the January exam.

Methods of assessment

Coursework

Assessment type	Notes	% of formal assessment
Reflective log	2,000 words. Description of a cross-cultural 'critical incident' experienced by the student.	34.00
Total percentage (Assessment Coursework)		34.00

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

Exams

Exam type	Exam duration	% of formal assessment
Standard exam (closed essays, MCQs etc) (S2)	2 hr	66.00
Total percentage (Assessment Exams)		66.00

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: 29/04/2022 15:25:49

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