CJVA403 Intercultural Communication and Study Skills

Faculty of Social Studies
Spring 2027
Extent and Intensity
0/2/0. 2 credit(s) (plus 2 credits for an exam). Recommended Type of Completion: zk (examination). Other types of completion: z (credit).
Teacher(s)
PhDr. Athena Alchazidu, Ph.D. (lecturer)
Mgr. Klára Hanzlíková (assistant)
Mgr. Linda Krahula Doleží, Ph.D. (assistant)
Joseph Lennon, Ph.D. (assistant)
Guaranteed by
PhDr. Athena Alchazidu, Ph.D.
Language Centre Faculty of Social Studies Division – Language Centre
Contact Person: Mgr. Klára Hanzlíková
Supplier department: Language Centre Faculty of Social Studies Division – Language Centre
Prerequisites
((FAKULTA(FSS)&&FORMA(P)&&TYP_STUDIA(MN))||(OBOR(MUSFSS)))&&(( ADAPT_B2 Adaptive Test B2 ))
B2 level or higher.
Course Enrolment Limitations
The course is offered to students of any study field.
The capacity limit for the course is 18 student(s).
Current registration and enrolment status: enrolled: 0/18, only registered: 0/18, only registered with preference (fields directly associated with the programme): 0/18
Abstract
This course, intended for master’s students of all disciplines, is a skills-based course at the B2+ level of the European Referential Framework of Languages. Its aim is practise students’ academic language and critical thinking skills. Students will practice listening (listening to lectures and note-taking, identifying the speaker’s point of view), speaking (delivering presentations, developing an argument, small talk), reading (how to understand academic articles, strategies helpful for efficient reading) and writing (writing a presentation abstract and position paper, paraphrasing and summarizing).
The skills will be practised in an intercultural context. Intercultural concepts and issues will be discussed and presented and students´ intercultural awareness will be raised.

 The course is linked to an international project involving six universities, providing students with opportunities to engage in academic exchange and collaboration in a genuinely global learning environment. As a result, the skills are practised in a strongly intercultural context. Intercultural concepts and issues are discussed and presented throughout the course, with the aim of enhancing students’ intercultural awareness and their ability to communicate effectively across academic and cultural boundaries. This semester the project in the collaboration with Museums focuses on Living craft.

Key topics
    • 1. culture - introduction, sharing, reflecting, what is culture
    • 2. language and culture - idioms, jokes, stories that we have in us
    • 3. politeness in cultures - how different languages / cultures work? lots of practical examples including body language, how not to offend... (videos)
    • 4. stereotypes - where do they come from? how to fight them?
    • 5. cultural onion - workshop on Hofstede´s concept of layers (symbols, heroes, rituals, values)
    • 6. presentation session
    • 7.-10.  A series of 3 Online international sessions with students from partner universities: 5th March, 11th March and 18th March
    • 11. mediating concepts / with different cultures/different languages, family and family members in different languages, justice in different cultures
    • 12. intercultural competence - the step beyond the intercultural communication, global citizenship, volunteering...
    • 13. Optional : 18 th May - International Student Conference participation
Study resources and literature
  • PILLER, Ingrid. Intercultural communication : a critical introduction. Edinburgh: Edinburgh University Press, 2011, ix, 197. ISBN 9780748632831. info
Approaches, practices, and methods used in teaching
discussions based on readings and videos, self-reflection and peer reflection, presentations, writing assignments
Method of verifying learning outcomes and course completion requirements

 To successfully complete the course, students must meet all course requirements:

  • Regular attendance and active participation in classes. 
  • A maximum of two absences per semester are allowed.
  • Obtain at least 61 out of 100 points for their portfolio assignments - there are 5 assignments. 
  • There is no final examination; assessment is continuous, and assignments are scheduled throughout the semester. 
Language of instruction
English
Further Comments
The course is taught annually.
The course is taught every week.
The course is also listed under the following terms Spring 2017, Spring 2026.
  • Enrolment Statistics (Spring 2027, recent)
  • Permalink: https://is.muni.cz/course/fss/spring2027/CJVA403