IL2GICC: Intercultural Competence and Communication

Module code: IL2GICC

Module provider: International Study and Language Institute

Credits: 20

Level: Level 2 (Intermediate)

When you'll be taught: Double Presentation: Semester 1 / 2

Module convenor: Mrs Daniela Standen, email: d.standen@reading.ac.uk

Module co-convenor: Ms Joan McCormack, email: j.c.mccormack@reading.ac.uk

Pre-requisite module(s):

Co-requisite module(s):

Pre-requisite or Co-requisite module(s):

Module(s) excluded: IN TAKING THIS MODULE YOU CANNOT TAKE IL1GICC OR TAKE IL3GICC (Compulsory)

Placement information: NA

Academic year: 2024/5

Available to visiting students: Yes

Talis reading list: Yes

Last updated: 21 May 2024

Overview

Module aims and purpose

This module will help you to develop your intercultural competence and communication skills, preparing you to live, study and work in an interconnected world.

You will explore concepts, and analytical tools to develop awareness and understanding of intercultural competence and communication. You will use theories and models of cultural analysis to make sense of real world situations and reflect on your own values and behaviours. We’ll explore questions such as:

• Why do misunderstandings happen?
• What does it mean to ‘know’ a culture?
• What are my values?

And then we’ll apply them to a variety of contexts (e.g. the world of work), disciplines (e.g. film and media) and situations (e.g. eating)

At the end of this module you will have developed your knowledge of culture, an ability to explain and analyse situations and will have developed personal and transferrable skills and competencies that will allow you to communicate effectively in intercultural situations.

This module will be delivered twice, once in semester 1 and again in semester 2, to give part 2 students a choice on when to take it. 

Module learning outcomes

By the end of the module, it is expected that you will be able to: 

1. Apply concepts, models and theories ofintercultural competence and communication to define and investigate situations, including contexts beyond immediate personal life. 
2. Reflect upon your own cultural values and how these contribute to your view of the world and influence your response to other people, including contexts beyond immediate personal life. 
3. Present your ideas in a clear and concise manner including more than one perspective. 

Module content

A typical schedule might include the following: 

• Week 1: Introduction to the module 
• Week 2-3: Developing Intercultural competencies: ‘knowing’ culture 
• Week 4: Developing Intercultural competencies: developing self-awareness 
• Week 5: Developing Intercultural competencies: working with others 
• Week 7: Developing Intercultural competencies: why is communication difficult? 
• Weeks 8-12: Reflecting on the real world (these might include topics such as ‘eating the unfamiliar’, cultural capital, representation in film and media, diversity and inclusion, please note that these are just examples and specific topics might change from year to year) 

This module is assessed through a reflective portfolio, you have a choice to submit a written portfolio, a vlog or a pre-recorded presentation. 

Structure

Teaching and learning methods

This module adopts a flipped learning approach, each week you will engage with some preparatory tasks in advance of in-person seminars. Once a fortnight you will also take part in skill development seminars. 

Before each seminar you will have to complete preparatory tasks, which may include watching videos, screencasts or narrated PowerPoints, reading and completing activities as well as contributing to discussion boards. These activities are designed to ensure that class time can be spent productively clarifying learning points, and applying your knowledge. 

Weekly seminars are active and participative, you can expect to take part in and lead discussions, problem solve and share your opinions in small groups and the whole class.  

Independent study forms a central element to consolidate your learning.  

Blackboard and Teams will be used to digitally support your learning.  

This module will be delivered twice, once in Semester 1 and again in Semester 2, to give you a choice on when to take it. You will study for 1 Semester only. The 200 contact hours are listed for the first iteration of teaching in the first semester, and these same contact hours are repeated for the second iteration of teaching in the second semester.

Study hours

At least 26 hours of scheduled teaching and learning activities will be delivered in person, with the remaining hours for scheduled and self-scheduled teaching and learning activities delivered either in person or online. You will receive further details about how these hours will be delivered before the start of the module.

Please note the independent study hours above are notional numbers of hours; each student will approach studying in different ways. We would advise you to reflect on your learning and the number of hours you are allocating to these tasks.

Semester 1 The hours in this column may include hours during the Christmas holiday period.

Semester 2 The hours in this column may include hours during the Easter holiday period.

Summer The hours in this column will take place during the summer holidays and may be at the start and/or end of the module.

Assessment

Requirements for a pass

Students need to achieve an overall module mark of 40% to pass this module.

Summative assessment

Penalties for late submission of summative assessment

The Support Centres will apply the following penalties for work submitted late:

Assessments with numerical marks

• where the piece of work is submitted after the original deadline (or any formally agreed extension to the deadline): 10% of the total marks available for that piece of work will be deducted from the mark for each working day (or part thereof) following the deadline up to a total of three working days;
• the mark awarded due to the imposition of the penalty shall not fall below the threshold pass mark, namely 40% in the case of modules at Levels 4-6 (i.e. undergraduate modules for Parts 1-3) and 50% in the case of Level 7 modules offered as part of an Integrated Masters or taught postgraduate degree programme;
• where the piece of work is awarded a mark below the threshold pass mark prior to any penalty being imposed, and is submitted up to three working days after the original deadline (or any formally agreed extension to the deadline), no penalty shall be imposed;
• where the piece of work is submitted more than three working days after the original deadline (or any formally agreed extension to the deadline): a mark of zero will be recorded.

Assessments marked Pass/Fail

• where the piece of work is submitted within three working days of the deadline (or any formally agreed extension of the deadline): no penalty will be applied;
• where the piece of work is submitted more than three working days after the original deadline (or any formally agreed extension of the deadline): a grade of Fail will be awarded.

The University policy statement on penalties for late submission can be found at: https://www.reading.ac.uk/cqsd/-/media/project/functions/cqsd/documents/qap/penaltiesforlatesubmission.pdf

You are strongly advised to ensure that coursework is submitted by the relevant deadline. You should note that it is advisable to submit work in an unfinished state rather than to fail to submit any work.

Formative assessment

Formative assessment is any task or activity which creates feedback (or feedforward) for you about your learning, but which does not contribute towards your overall module mark.

You will be able to submit one of the portfolio reflections for feedback.

You will take part in a group presentation.

Reassessment

Additional costs