AJ22091 Sociolinguistics: Dimensions of Intercultural Communication

Faculty of Arts
Spring 2011
Extent and Intensity
0/2/0. 2 credit(s) (plus 3 credits for an exam). Recommended Type of Completion: zk (examination). Other types of completion: z (credit).
Teacher(s)
prof. Mgr. Jan Chovanec, Ph.D. (lecturer)
Guaranteed by
Jeffrey Alan Vanderziel, B.A.
Department of English and American Studies – Faculty of Arts
Contact Person: Tomáš Hanzálek
Prerequisites
The course addresses the following subject areas: Intercultural communication, linguistics, cultural studies. The course is NOT exclusively linguistics-oriented. No pre-requisites are expected.
Course Enrolment Limitations
The course is only offered to the students of the study fields the course is directly associated with.

The capacity limit for the course is 20 student(s).
Current registration and enrolment status: enrolled: 0/20, only registered: 0/20
fields of study / plans the course is directly associated with
there are 9 fields of study the course is directly associated with, display
Course objectives
To provide basic understanding of the practices in and study of intercultural communication. To provide the skills for analysing issues in intercultural communication on the basis of personal experience or different materials; as well as skills needed to apply theoretical insights. To familiarise the student with basic literature in the field of intercultural communication and to deepen his or her knowledge of its applicability in education, working life and business. Course also aims to introduce a variety of theoretical perspectives in intercultural communication. To provide an introduction to German business culture. Differences between Germany, Austria and Switzerland will be addressed.
Syllabus
  • The course will have 3 segments: 1) Intercultural communication from the point of view of linguistics (the operation of pragmatic principles, face, miscommunication) 2) Introduction to basic concepts and models of intercultural communication (a short history of research in the field, cultural differences and value dimensions, as well as a variety of other practical and theoretical approaches). 3) Aspects of German business culture (case studies, videos, texts, differences between the three German-speaking countries). After the course, participants will be familiar with different scholars’ approaches to analyzing and categorizing business culture. They will have an understanding of the most important traits of German business culture, and will be aware of differences between the three German speaking countries.
Literature
    required literature
  • KRAMSCH, Claire J. Language and culture. 1st pub. Oxford: Oxford University Press, 1998, x, 134. ISBN 0194372146. info
  • Selected chapters from the above publications as well as additional readings from other sources
  • Chen, Guo-Ming (2005) Foundations of Intercultural Communication
  • Hofstede, Geert H. (1997) Cultures and Organizations. Software of the Mind.
  • Sarangi, Srikant and Malcolm Coulthard (2000) Discourse and Social Life. Harlow: Longman.
    not specified
  • WIERZBICKA, Anna. English : meaning and culture. Oxford: Oxford University Press, 2006, ix, 352. ISBN 0195174755. info
Teaching methods
The course will be organized by Jan Chovanec and taught in cooperation with guest lecturers from Finland (Ville Jakkula and Jörn Severidt, University of Lapland, Finland). We also anticipate the visit of two other guest speakers from abroad this term (tentative topics: Anglo-Irish linguistic and cultural interface; Representing gender in cosmetics product advertising). The course will consist of: (1) independent reading of assigned literature; (2) Two to three orientation sessions in the reading week (these may take the form of consultations during the term, depending on the number of students); (3) two to three days of intensive classes (up to six 90-minute sessions) in the credit week, to be run by the guest lecturers.
Assessment methods
Students will be expected to submit 3-5 brief reflections on the independent readings during the course. The final written exam will address the students' understanding of the relevant literature and their ability to see connections between the authors and concepts. There is no final essay for this course.
Language of instruction
English
Further comments (probably available only in Czech)
Study Materials
The course is taught once in two years.
The course is taught: in blocks.
The course is also listed under the following terms Spring 2016.
  • Enrolment Statistics (Spring 2011, recent)
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