OUTGOING STUDENTS: Cultural Difference Diary, Group 4 (4 cr)

Evaluation scale

H-5

Objective

After successful completion of this course, students will have consciously dealt with the experience of cultural differences and cultural adaptation, during a prolonged stay (internship or student exchange) abroad, and they will have developed self-awareness in intercultural communication.

Execution methods

This course requires familiarity with the basic terminology of Intercultural Communication. Attending at least one course in this field (XICP-code) is recommended, but not compulsory. Participants who have not completed courses in Intercultural Communication, will acquaint themselves with basic concepts and terminology of this field using Gallois, Liu, Volčič: Introducing Intercultural Communication (available at the library). Please read chapters 2-9 (without the case studies), and chapter 12 (pages 247-255).

Accomplishment methods

Successful completion will depend on the depth of insight, the informational values of the observations, and the academic level of analysis.

Content

Participants keep an observation diary during their exchange (internship), writing down their observations about cultural differences between their destination and their own country of origin. These will include analysis of verbal communication styles, aspects of nonverbal communication, questions of social identity, the nature of relationships, societal norms, and values. The diary is to be 8-12 pages long (not counting cover sheet, table of contents, etc., and using standard font size 11). It may be written in English or Finnish.

Teaching methods

Online 2

Assessment criteria, approved/failed

Pass/fail