Academic Level: 400
Seminar, 6 ECTS, 250 hours per semester
offered in spring/summer, fall/winter
Lecturer: Dr. Christian Carstensen, NN
In a world that is growing ever closer together, it is becoming more and more important for young professionals to qualify themselves through intercultural competence. Besides the positive aspect for the career, participation in this module enables students to get to know other cultures as well as to become sensitive to other cultural groups combined with social sciences topics and the acquisition of important key qualifications.
The module Cross-Cultural Experience consists of three components, i.e. an Intercultural Competence seminar, a course on Social Sciences, and participation in one of the programs listed below:
- Tandem and School Program
- Service Learning Program, or
- Intercultural Training Program (only available in spring/summer)
In the Intercultural Competence seminar, various culture concepts are introduced (Hofstede, Schein, Hall, Trompenaars, etc.). The concepts of intercultural conflict and intercultural communication will be analyzed. Students will then play through the concepts by applying them to their own experiences (e.g., while studying abroad). In addition, students will explore the cultures of different regions and countries and their impact on business. Students will become aware of the impact of country and corporate cultures on international business activities. They will recognize that business activities are often culturally bound and will be able to apply their knowledge to practical examples. By participating in one of the above mentioned programs, students will be able to reflect on their experiences there and will be able to make connections to the content learned in the Intercultural Competence seminar and the content learned in the Social Sciences course. The Social Sciences course takes place in interculturally mixed groups and is designed to provide a first insight into the topics, methods and theories of the social sciences. Topics such as social change, modern family development, social action, social stratification, and inequality will be examined from the perspective of sociology. Global social inequality will be analyzed in more detail. Students will learn how to use common statistical indices and reports. The seminar is based on texts by modern sociologist Anthony Giddens, but students will also learn about classical theorists such as Weber and Marx. To connect the course with their intercultural experiences in service learning, with their tandem partners and within the school program, or in the Intercultural Training students will give a presentation about their engagement with the German or foreign partner.
Assessment: Coursework project (presentation, seminar paper)
Prerequisite: a good level of English is required (at least B2)
Undergraduate students, Graduate students