Skip to main content
 

EDUC41730: Intercultural Communication

Type Tied
Level 4
Credits 30
Availability Available in 2025/2026
Module Cap
Location Durham
Department Education

Prerequisites

  • None.

Corequisites

  • None.

Excluded Combinations of Modules

  • None.

Aims

  • Students will gain a critical understanding of the theories, approaches, concepts and practices of intercultural communication in the contemporary world, including engaging with people from other horizons.

Content

  • The following topics are covered in the module: intercultural communication as embodied in communication, culture, context, globalisation and power; identity (and all its complexities); stereotyping, prejudice and ethnocentricity; nonverbal communication, intercultural transitions (migration, study abroad); relationality; intercultural conflict; intercultural competence; language and intercultural communication; multilingualism.

Learning Outcomes

Subject-specific Knowledge:

  • demonstrate critical understanding of theories, approaches, and practices of intercultural communication.
  • demonstrate critical understanding and application of these theories, approaches, and practices to intercultural communication phenomena in the contemporary world.

Subject-specific Skills:

  • identify and critically evaluate scholarly research within the field of intercultural communication;
  • articulate and employ key terminology/concepts in the field of intercultural communication;
  • identify and critically consider problems, issues, challenges and implications for intercultural communication;
  • communicate effectively, orally and in writing, within an intercultural setting.

Key Skills:

  • work on ideas and issues independently and as part a group;
  • communicate and present ideas effectively through class presentation and writing;
  • engage reflectively and critically with research-based literatures;
  • search for and summarise/review key research literature;
  • apply knowledge and learning to empirical examples and research.

Modes of Teaching, Learning and Assessment and how these contribute to the learning outcomes of the module

  • Teaching will consist of 18 two-hour workshops, combining a lecture-style tutor-input approach with seminar discussions and group work. Nine hours of these workshops will be allocated to student-led peer revision and reading groups. The fifth workshop will be assigned as a group reading and preparation workshop for the assignments. During workshops, the tutor will present some of the key theories, concepts, debates, approaches and practices of intercultural communication through a series of key topics. Students are expected to engage with the themes and issues covered through interaction and critical discussion, student presentations of the literature, and group work activities.

Teaching Methods and Learning Hours

ActivityNumberFrequencyDurationTotalMonitored
Workshops9Weekly2 hours18Yes
Revision Classes9Weekly1 hour9 
Workshops9Weekly1 hour9Yes
Preparation and Reading264 
Total300 

Summative Assessment

Component: EssayComponent Weighting: 100%
ElementLength / DurationElement WeightingResit Opportunity
Essay4000 words max100Yes

Formative Assessment

Written 2-page outline as a plan for the research report with a reference list (800-900 words).

More information

If you have a question about Durham's modular degree programmes, please visit our Help page. If you have a question about modular programmes that is not covered by the Help page, or a query about the on-line Postgraduate Module Handbook, please contact us.

Prospective Students: If you have a query about a specific module or degree programme, please Ask Us.

Current Students: Please contact your department.