XYHX003 Fundamentals in Intercultural and Multilingual Communication (3–5 cr)

Course description

The course introduces students to fundamental issues and concepts in intercultural and multilingual communication from an interdisciplinary perspective.

Main content:

• basic processes of multilingual and intercultural communication such as identification, othering, and representation
• combining theoretical and practical approaches to multilingual and intercultural communication
• enhancing students’ knowledge of and competence in intercultural and multilingual communication
• building students’ confidence for participation in multilingual and intercultural contexts 

On completion of the course, the student is expected to

• be able to discuss fundamental issues in intercultural communication such as identification, stereotyping and processes related to multilingual interaction
• being aware of the different approaches and perspectives to intercultural communication
• understand the meaning of languages and multilingual communication as a part of interculturality
• acknowledge and be willing to engage with different ways of seeing and with realities different than one’s own
• be sensitive to power inequalities inherent in multilingual and intercultural communication.

Language of instruction is English.

The course consists of 36 hours of lectures. In addition to lectures, methods of learning include:

• selected readings, discussions, a group assignment (3 ECTS)
• all of the above plus an individual assignment (5 ECTS)