AJL12083 Intercultural communication

Faculty of Arts
Spring 2026
Extent and Intensity
0/2/0. 6 credit(s). Type of Completion: zk (examination).
In-person direct teaching
Teacher(s)
Mgr. Dominika Beneš Kováčová, Ph.D. (lecturer)
Guaranteed by
Mgr. Dominika Beneš Kováčová, Ph.D.
Department of English and American Studies – Faculty of Arts
Contact Person: Tomáš Hanzálek
Supplier department: Department of English and American Studies – Faculty of Arts
Timetable
Wed 14:00–15:40 G32, except Mon 20. 4. to Fri 24. 4.
Prerequisites (in Czech)
AJL01002 Practical English II
Course Enrolment Limitations
The course is also offered to the students of the fields other than those the course is directly associated with.
The capacity limit for the course is 25 student(s).
Current registration and enrolment status: enrolled: 0/25, only registered: 9/25, only registered with preference (fields directly associated with the programme): 8/25
fields of study / plans the course is directly associated with
Course objectives

The aim of this course is to introduce students to the key concepts and theories of intercultural communication as well as their practical application in a range of intercultural contexts (e.g., work, education, romance). With its focus on relevant linguistic research, intercultural communication is in this course approached from a discourse-analytical and sociolinguistic perspective. Throughout the semester students will become acquainted with relevant theoretical concepts, terminology, core readings, case studies and methods of analysis. Students will acquire theoretical and methodological foundation to be able to interpret different intercultural communication contexts and to critically assess the complexity of intercultural communication. While the content of seminars primarily centres around situations where English is the language of communication, it also considers the use of different languages and language varieties, their prestige and the speakers’ varying access to them in intercultural contexts. Additionally, the course will provide an opportunity for students to reflect on their own intercultural experiences and to develop their intercultural communicative competence.

Learning outcomes

After completing this course, students will be able to:

  • define basic theoretical concepts relevant to intercultural communication
  • understand the complexity of intercultural communication from a linguistic perspective
  • identify potential communication breakdowns in a range of intercultural contexts
  • apply relevant theoretical concepts to the interpretation of real-life examples of intercultural communication  
  • conduct an analysis of intercultural communication adopting a discourse-analytic/sociolinguistic approach and give an oral presentation of their findings
  • evaluate the efficiency and/or potential barriers of intercultural communication
  • reflect on their own experiences of intercultural communication 

Syllabus

The topics covered in this course relate to the following areas: A) foundations of intercultural communication and key concepts, B) intercultural communication in contexts.

1.  Approaching intercultural communication, culture and context; 2. Identity and intercultural interaction; 3. Otherization and representation; 4. Interpersonal politeness and power; 5. Nonverbal communication; 6. Language as a barrier; 7. Intercultural communication in a multilingual world; 8. Corporate culture and professional discourse; 9. Intercultural communication in education; 10. Generational discourse; 11. Gender and sexuality discourse; 12. Intercultural romance

Literature
    required literature
  • HOLLIDAY, Adrian; Martin HYDE and John KULLMAN. Intercultural communication : an advanced resource book for students. 2nd ed. London: Routledge, 2010, xxii, 336. ISBN 9780203841020. info
  • PILLER, Ingrid. Intercultural communication : a critical introduction. Second edition. Edinburgh: Edinburgh University Press, 2017, xi, 227. ISBN 9781474412919. info
  • SCOLLON, Ron; Suzanne B. K. SCOLLON and Rodney H. JONES. Intercultural communication : a discourse approach. Third edition. Chichester: Wiley-Blackwell, a John Wiley & Sons, Ltd., Publication, 2012, xix, 311. ISBN 9780470656402. info
    recommended literature
  • Handbook of intercultural communication. Edited by Helga Kotthoff - Helen Spencer-Oatey. Berlin: Mouton de Gruyter, 2009, xxi, 5660. ISBN 9783110214314. info
Teaching methods
seminars, class discussion, text analysis, assignments, oral presentation
Assessment methods

attendance, class discussions, assignments in elf, in-class presentation in the final week, final test in the exam period

Students are expected to meet all requirements (attendance, etc.) in harmony with the study regulations. Students are also expected to complete assigned readings and assignments during the course and before class.

Language of instruction
English
Further Comments
The course is taught annually.
  • Enrolment Statistics (recent)
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