Lectures of intercultural communication provide practical preparation for students to function in an international environment. Increasingly frequent work or study abroad requires the development of knowledge and competences which facilitate dealing effectively in communication with members of foreign cultures. Thus, the classes are not only intended to impart knowledge on topics related to national stereotypes or non-verbal communication, but above all to develop skills in dealing with culture shock, recognising gestures or customs and rules related to eating out.
Lecture topics and practical classes
1. Introduction: what is intercultural communication?
An introduction to the basic concepts, significance, and challenges of intercultural communication in a globalized world.
2. Iceberg theory of culture: cultural values and patterns
An analysis of the iceberg theory in the context of culture, highlighting the differences between visible and hidden cultural aspects.
3. Cultural dimensions part 1: Hofstede’s cultural dimensions theory
A discussion of Hofstede’s model, which identifies key dimensions of cultural differences, such as individualism and power distance.
4. Cultural dimensions part 2: Trompenaars, Hampden & Meyer
A review of alternative models of cultural dimensions, focusing on differences in approaches to time, space, and social relationships.
5. Culture shock: phases and reactions
An overview of the phases of culture shock and typical emotional and cognitive reactions during adaptation to a new environment.
6. Culture shock: effects and “shock of return”
An analysis of the impact of culture shock on individuals and the challenges associated with re-adaptation upon returning to one’s home country.
7. National identity
An exploration of how individuals and groups define their national identity and the cultural and historical elements that shape it.
8. Autostereotypes
A discussion of autostereotypes as a way societies perceive themselves in a cultural context.
9. National heterostereotypes
An analysis of national stereotypes attributed to other groups and their influence on intercultural relations.
10. Verbal communication in intercultural space: Sapir-Whorf Hypotesis
An exploration of the Sapir-Whorf hypothesis in the context of linguistic differences and their impact on the perception of reality.
11. High and low context of intercultural communication
A discussion of differences between high-context and low-context cultures in the ways information is conveyed.
12. Non-verbal communication: dimentions of differences
An analysis of differences in non-verbal communication across cultures, including gestures, facial expressions, and body posture.
13. Proxemics and kinaesthetics
A study of the use of space (proxemics) and body movement (kinesics) in intercultural communication.
14. Heptics, oculestics and time
A discussion of cultural differences in touch (haptics), eye contact (oculesics), and the perception of time in interpersonal relations.
15. Cross-cultural contexts of new media
An exploration of how new media influence intercultural communication and the role of technology in overcoming cultural barriers.
Literature:
Basic literature
Furham, A. (2012). Culture shock. Journal of Psychology & Education, 7.
Hofstede, G. J. Hofstede, M. Minkov, Cultures and Organizations. Intercultural Cooperation and Its Importance for Survival, New York: McGrawHill, 2010.
Matsumoto, L. Luang, Culture and psychology, Boston: Cengage Learning, 2000.
Supplementary literature:
Chew III, W. L. (2006). What’s in a National Stereotype? An Introduction to Imagology at the Threshold of the 21st Century. Language and Intercultural Communication, 6(3-4), 179-187.
Gronbeck E., HermanK D., Ehninger, Monroe A. H., Principles of Public Speaking, London: Routledge 2012.
Hall E.T, Beyond Culture, New York: Knopf Doubleday Publishing Group, 1976.
Hall E.T, The hidden dimension, New York: Knopf Doubleday Publishing Group, 1990.
Meyer E., The Culture Map, New York: PublicAffairs, 2015.
Pfister D. S., (Re)Conceptualizing Intercultural Communication in a Networked Society, „Journal of International and Intercultural Communication” 2011, nr 4, s. 246–251.
Shuter, Intercultural New Media Studies: The Next Frontier in Intercultural Communication, w: “Journal of Intercultural Communication Research” 2012, nr 41, s. 219-237.
Smith A. D., National identity, University of Nevada Press, 1991.
Ting-Toomey, L. C. Chung, Understanding international communication, Los Angeles: Roxbury Publishing Company, 2005.
Evaluation
- Two absences from classes are allowed. Each subsequent absence requires the writing of a short paper on the topic covered in the class. Absence from more than half of the classes will result in failing the course.
- Take two online tests during the midterm sessions. If you score 75% or more on both tests, you do not take the final exam; you receive a grade that is the average of the two tests.
- The topic should be consulted with the supervisor in advance (by 30 November 2025) and meet the relevant editorial requirements (Times New Roman, font size 12, line spacing max. 1.5, min. 5 pages of typescript, i.e. approx. 12,000 characters without spaces). The work should be sent to j.jakubowski@iitu.edu.kz by 15 December 2025. The written essay may be replaced by a podcast (approx. 15 min. recording) or video material (approx. 10 min.).
