Module Catalogue 2024/25

Pre Requisite Comment

N/A

Co Requisite Comment

N/A

Aims

- To provide an overview of culture, interculturality and identity

- To develop an understanding of the issues surrounding culture, interculturality and identity

- To develop an appreciation of the ways different researchers have carried out studies of culture, interculturality and identity

- To develop an understanding of the different ways culture, interculturality and identity are manifested in our daily lives

-To develop an appreciation of how language is a core issue in culture, interculturality and identity

Lectures will be underpinned by the idea that culture, interculturality and identity are ubiquitous constructs that are integrally tied to the various contextual instantiations that represent our lives. This includes, but is not limited to, speaking in a foreign language, discussing politics amongst friends, eating, grooming, shopping, and dinner time conversations. A number of concepts will be introduced to help students critically evaluate the Hofestedian idea that national or regional groupings are accurate representations of any given society.

Outline Of Syllabus

-Notions of culture, interculturality and identity
-Approaches to culture
-How cultures ‘interact’
-Knowing cultures
-The culture of cross-cultural communication
-Identity and culture
-Hofstede and cross cultural communication
-Intercultural competences

Intended Knowledge Outcomes

- To critically evaluate the research literature on culture, interculturality and identity

- To understand how the language relates to culture, interculturality and identity

- To be familiar with the main methodological approaches to investigating culture, interculturality and identity

Intended Skill Outcomes

-Critical thinking
-Critical reading
-Argumentation

Teaching Rationale And Relationship

The lectures will focus on the module’s major themes, and will, at all times, deconstruct and problematize essentialist, static and ‘modern’ notions of ‘culture’, ‘cross-culture’ and ‘identity’. Students will be given the opportunity to discuss, in small groups, themes raised in lectures and readings. Group activities will also provide the basis for class discussion and debate.

Assessment Rationale And Relationship

This assignment will enable students to critically evaluate the literature, select and justify a methodology to investigate and discuss the themes central to the interplay of culture, interculturality and identity.

General Notes

Original Handbook text:
This module will provide an overview of culture, interculturality and identity. Lectures will be underpinned by the idea that culture, interculturality and identity are ubiquitous constructs that are integrally tied to the various contextual instantiations that represent our lives. This includes, but is not limited to, speaking in a foreign language, discussing politics amongst friends, eating, grooming, shopping, and dinner time conversations. A number of concepts will be introduced to help students critically evaluate ideas related to the nature of culture(s), identities and communication and their negotiation in intercultural spaces.