Unit 1
A Blossoming Discipline: Intercultural Communication
Objectives
Knowing the importance and development of intercultural communication
Being aware of the miscommunication when contacting people from
different cultures
Getting familiar with some basic concepts in intercultural communication
Unit 2
The Core of Intercultural Communication: Different Values
Objectives
Knowing that the people''s behaviors and assumptions are attributable to
their own cultures
Being aware of the fundamental values of the Chinese
Getting familiar with some basic concepts of Hofstede''s value dimensions
Being able to explain the cultural phenomena in terms of their own values
Unit 3
The Twins: Language and Culture
Objectives
Having a better understanding of the relationship between language
and culture
Being aware of the distinctive cultural meanings of different languages
Knowing how to avoid or lessen misunderstanding caused by cultural
differences in intercultural communication
Unit 4
The Silent Language: Nonverbal Communication
Objectives
Understanding what nonverbal communication is
Understanding why nonverbal communication is so important in our life
Being able to explain the cultural phenomena in terms of the
nonverbal signs
Knowing how to communicate nonverbally in a positive way
Unit 5
Social Interactions
Objectives
Understanding what social interactions are
Understanding cultural differences in social interactions
Being able to explain the cultural phenomena in terms of the
social interactions
Knowing how to behave appropriately in certain social occasions
Unit 6
Different Expectations. Roles and Relations
Objectives
Being aware of the different expectations of social roles and interpersonal
relations in different cultures
Recognizing some possible differences in the expression of friendship in
different cultures
Knowing how to develop good interpersonal relationship with people from
other cultures
Unit 7
Intercultural Communication in Business
Objectives
Realizing the importance of intercultural communication in business
Being aware of the miscommunication when doing business with people
from different cultures
Getting familiar with some basic business etiquette in intercultural
communication
Unit 8
Intercultural Communication in Overseas Study
Objectives
Realizing the importance of intercultural communication in educational
environment
Being aware of the miscommunication when confronted with people from
different cultures in study
Understanding the basics in intercultural communication in the
educational settings
Unit 9
Potential Problems in Intercultural Communication
Objectives
Knowing what we will encounter while living or travelling abroad
Figuring out the cultural barriers that hinder people from effective
intercultural communication
Getting familiar with some basic concepts of cultural barriers
Unit 10
Knowledge into Action: Improving Intercultural
Communication
Objectives
Being familiar with the ways of experiencing a foreign culture authentically
Knowing how to improve the communication skills across cultures
Getting familiar with some basic concepts in cross-cultural communication
References