Intercultural Communication

Online Course

Shanghai International Studies University (SISU)

Future Learn

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Intercultural Communication

What is the course about?
Prerequisites & Facts
Cost, Certificate & Degree
Reviews & Experiences

What is the course about?

Intercultural Communication

The course Intercultural Communication is an online class provided by Shanghai International Studies University (SISU) through Future Learn. It may be possible to receive a verified certification or use the course to prepare for a degree.

Learn the essentials of cross-cultural interaction with this free online intercultural communication course.

Course description

Explore how to improve your communication with people from other cultures
5 weeks

As business becomes ever-more global, intercultural communication has become a vital skill.
If you work in a multinational office, work or study abroad, or simply want to know how to improve your communication skills, understanding how to overcome cultural differences is crucial.
On this course you’ll learn how to understand the nuances of cross-cultural interaction, understanding your own and others’ cultural identities. You’ll learn different communication styles, and how values can change from country to country.

Introduction to the course and field, potential learning objectives, and leading definitions of what constitutes “intercultural communication”.
Exploration of story narratives, metaphors, and meanings related to interculturality.
Analysis of situated cases to identify sources of intercultural misunderstanding.
Benefits of intercultural applications to personal life, business and education.
Variations in personal, social, and cultural identity, and cultivate greater awareness and sensitivity to one’s own and other’s cultural identities.
Exposure to and appreciation of cross-cultural complexity through the social learning engagement of this international community.
Social perceptions of stereotypes, prejudice, and discrimination related to intergroup contact.
Variations and perceptions of typical communication behaviors or practices and taxonomies for understanding context, space, time and other contextual factors (Hi-low Context, Proxemics, Monochronic-Polychronic, Silence).
Exposure to and application of leading values frameworks and levels of analysis that undergird cultural assumptions, expectations, and behaviors (from Hall, Hofstede, Schwartz, the WVS).
Experiential descriptions of culture shock and coping dynamics, adaptation processes, and growth outcomes in cross-cultural transitions.
Reflection on complex cases, other’s comments, and replies to enhance mindful observation, analysis, and understanding toward cultivating intercultural competence.

Identify the importance of learning intercultural communication.
Describe the composition and significance of your cultural identities.
Compare cultural assumptions of your own and others.
Identify cultural variations in communication styles.
Classify some major cultural values underlying different behaviors.
Apply these for adaptation in intercultural interactions more confidently and resourcefully.

This course is suitable for pre-university, undergraduate and post-experience students. You will need conversational English or above, an interest in international issues, and curiosity about, exposure to or experience of other cultures.

Shanghai International Studies University (SISU)
Shanghai International Studies University (SISU), established in 1949, is one of the earliest institutions where China’s higher education in foreign languages took shape.

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Prerequisites & Facts

Intercultural Communication

Course Topic

Business & Management, Language, Professional Development

University, College, Institution

Shanghai International Studies University (SISU)

Course Skill Level

see course summary

Course Language

English

Place of class

Online, self-paced (see curriculum for more information)

Degree

Certificate

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Degree & Cost

Intercultural Communication

To obtain a verified certificate from Future Learn / Shanghai International Studies University (SISU) you have to finish this course or the latest version of it, if there is a new edition. The class may be free of charge, but there could be some cost to receive a verified certificate or to access the learning materials. The specifics of the course may have been changed, please consult the provider to get the latest quotes and news.

Shanghai International Studies University (SISU)

Intercultural Communication

provided by Future Learn

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