LING2501

Cross-cultural Communication

10 Units 2000 Level Course

Not available in 2014

Previously offered in 2013

In a world where networks are increasingly international and global, communication between speakers from different cultural backgrounds is becoming politically, economically and socially essential. Because cultural values expressed through language often do not "translate" accurately, miscommunication may arise from a lack of awareness of cultural and linguistic differences. This course explores some of the ways in which languages embody cultural differences in word meanings, in sentence structures, and in norms of interaction.

Objectives Students who have satisfactorily completed this course will be able to demonstrate:
- awareness of ways in which cultural diversity is encoded in language;
- understanding of relationships between linguistic communication and cultural contexts;
- understanding of underlying causes of problems in cross-cultural communication;
- knowledge of different approaches to the study of cross-cultural interaction.
Content The course explores ways in which language embodies cultural differences, and investigates problems and principles in the study of cross-cultural communication. Topics to be discussed will include:
* words, meanings and cultural values - how vocabulary can give insight into a culture;
* linguistic and cultural metaphors;
* norms of conversational interaction - cross-cultural comparisons;
* problems in describing cultural values - "indirectness", "restraint", "politeness".
Replacing Course(s) LING3003 Cross-cultural Communication
Transition Students who have previously completed LING3003 Cross-cultural Communication are not permitted to enrol in LING2501
Industrial Experience 0
Assumed Knowledge nil
Modes of Delivery Distance Learning : Paper Based
Internal Mode
Teaching Methods Lecture
Seminar
Tutorial
Assessment Items
Essays / Written Assignments (2 @ 1000 words) 60%
Other: (please specify) Case study (2000 words) 40%
Contact Hours Lecture: for 2 hour(s) per Week for Full Term