Required prerequisite knowledge

Admission to the Master of Intercultural Studies program.

Relevance within study programme

Compulsory course in the Master programme of Intercultural studies.

Introduction

The aim of this course is to present varied but in-depth perspectives on intercultural theories and to provide students with a theoretical tool case applicable in different cultural/regional and occupational contexts.

The course is based on and enhances students´ competences from the bachelor–s studies in Intercultural Studies. The theoretical foundation is in socio-cultural anthropology, religion studies and intercultural communication, and the main focus will be on basic problems and dilemmas in intercultural understanding and cultural theories. The students will improve their knowledge of relevant literature at the research frontier as well as their familiarity with classical texts.

Learning outcomes descriptors

Knowledge

The student has 

• thorough knowledge on the theoretical and fundamental research discussion concerning cultural encounters, cultural interpretation, intercultural understanding and representations and on the basic principles, challenges and dilemmas in intercultural analysis and praxises
• advanced knowledge about a variety of important theories on culture and intercultural communication and current research debates on intercultural communication and interaction

More specifically, this includes:

• thorough knowledge on questions of cultural relativism and cultural criticism.
• thorough knowledge on challenges of stereotyping, racism and anti-semitism, xenophobia and fear of cultural differences and diversity (heterophobia), and knowledge of different kinds of tolerance programs and their impacts.
• thorough knowledge on how identities are articulated in diverse communities and societies and knowledge of conditions for inclusion and exclusion, identity formation, identity politics and stereotypes, differentiation and recognition.
• knowledge of intercultural challenges in development cooperation and North-South relations
• thorough knowledge on how different worldviews and religion set conditions for everyday life, rituals and new forms of interactions.
• insights into how trust, belonging and support of key societal values are created, sustained and changed in culturally diverse societies.
• insights into the significance of language for thought and world views
• insights into the role worldviews and religion can play in identity, belonging and value formation, conflicts and peace making.
• knowledge about current research on new forms of interfaith engagement, the impact of religious diversity in civic life, and ability to contextualise these findings within a global framework.

Skills

The student

• can assess and apply a variety of intercultural theories and to make valid theoretical choices to analyse intercultural situations and different cultural contexts.
• can analyse barriers and obstacles to intercultural dialogue and inclusive participation.
• can analyse fundamental principles, problems and dilemmas in intercultural theory and praxises.
• can analyse ethical dilemmas related to justice and inclusion vs inequality and difference, power and violence vs disempowerment and silence.
• is able to acknowledge plurality through being able to value diversity and express a differentiated, well-grounded ethical stand in dialogue and debate.

General competence

The student

• can use and communicate knowledge on intercultural theories, current research discussions on intercultural communication and interaction, and show ethical awareness, cultural sensitivity and consciously search for human commonalities across cultural differences.

Content

The course will examine the elements that affect communication and interaction across world view boundaries. During the course, students will investigate those effects in different contexts such as conflict development, intercultural mediating, inclusion and diversity management. The course participants will discuss challenges of social justice and cultural recognition, intercultural dialogue, reconciliation and tolerance education with human rights as a point of departure. The course also give insights into a variety of perspectives on inter-ethnic and inter-religious interaction, cultural pluralism, worldviews, social differentiation and power.

Teaching and learning methods

Several forms of teaching will be employed, including lectures, seminars and workshops with opportunities to train oral presentation and communicative skills. The combination of teaching, seminars and assessments during course are aimed at assisting the student–s acquisition of the various theories and train them in how theories may be applied to analyze intercultural cases and suggest solutions to intercultural challenges or dilemmas. The compulsory work requirements are also designed to train the student–s skills in group-cooperation and prepare the students for the final assessment.

Scope

600 workhours

Coursework requirements

Each student has to:

• Participate in at least three theoretical seminars
  • Present a central intercultural theory in a theory seminar, and participate actively in the group discussion. The presentation is assessed to approved / notapproved
• Participate in at least three case-seminars
  • Write three short reflexive logs, one for each case-seminar, where he/she describes and evaluates what he/she learned about the theme, the work-method, the group-dynamic and his/her own role and contribution in the group.
  • One of the above mentionedreflexive logs has to be handed in for evaluation
• Oral group exercise  with three days preparation. The students are set in groups of 2 or 3, and are given three days to prepare an analysis and proposed solution on an intercultural case provided by the teacher. After the three days of preparation, the group presents their case, their analysis and proposed solution, followed by a reflective discussion with the teacher(s) and co-students

Grading, coursework requirements

Approved / Not approved

Final assessment

• Individual paper. The student has to write an academic text on a given topic.

The length of the assignment shall be approx. 4000 words (+/- 10%).

Permitted aids under examination

All aids permitted.

Grading, examination

The assignment will be graded according to the normal ECTS grading scale from A to F, in which E or better is necessary in order to pass.

Assessment language

Scandinavian or English

Practice

None.

Course evaluation

Annually course evaluation in accordance with the quality assurance system for NLA University College. Students may also give their feedback on the course in the student group/ in class.

Available for Course Students

No.

Digital reading list

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