Syllabus

Title
1655 Intercultural Business Communication
Instructors
Ass.Prof. M.A.Dr. Regina Göke, Univ.Prof. Dr. Nadine Thielemann, M.A.
Type
VUE
Weekly hours
2
Language of instruction
Englisch
Registration
09/01/25 to 10/02/25
Registration via LPIS
Notes to the course
Subject(s) Master Programs
Dates
Day Date Time Room
Wednesday 10/08/25 08:00 AM - 12:30 PM TC.4.03
Wednesday 10/15/25 08:00 AM - 12:00 PM TC.4.03
Wednesday 10/22/25 08:00 AM - 12:00 PM TC.4.03
Wednesday 10/29/25 08:00 AM - 12:00 PM TC.4.03
Wednesday 11/05/25 08:00 AM - 10:00 AM TC.5.15
Wednesday 11/12/25 10:00 AM - 12:00 PM Online-Einheit
Wednesday 12/17/25 05:00 PM - 07:00 PM EA.6.026
Contents

In the age of globalization, the success of organizations depends on their capacity to navigate a culturally diverse world. The course provides students with theoretical concepts of culture, with models of intercultural communication and accounts of cultural diversity within business settings. Case studies are used to show what characterizes intercultural business communication at the interpersonal, organizational and societal levels. In doing so, the course addresses the challenges and opportunities arising from these intercultural business environments and familiarizes students with different tools/instruments to manage them in practice.

Learning outcomes

On successful completion of the course, students will:

1) be able to explain why culture is a multi-layered and dynamic concept

2) be able to identify the complex processes underlying intercultural communication

3) be aware of the opportunities and challenges of intercultural communication in organizational contexts

4) be able to make culturally sensitive decisions in organizational communication.

Attendance requirements

at least 70% attendance

Teaching/learning method(s)
  • lecture style input (theoretical concepts)
  • problem-based learning
  • group work
  • simulations and games
  • group discussions
  • case studies
Assessment

1) individual assignmenet (50 %): reading & reflection assignmenet

2) Group assignment (50 %): case study & production of a video presentation & peer-to-peer review

Grades will be based on the final score, as follows: 100-90%: excellent (1); 89-80 %: good (2);  79-70%: satisfactory (3); 69-60%: sufficient (4); <59% fail (5)

Readings

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Availability of lecturer(s)

by e-mail

Unit details
Unit Date Contents
1

Introduction - Nadine & Regina

Why intercultural business communication matters in the age of globalisation, digitalisation, and migration & what will this course be about?

Tree of Life - learning about each other / team building activity

practical information

  • course design & methods
  • teaching materials & readings
  • assignments & attendance

What is intercultural communication? - Navigating the VUCA-world

An intercultural simulation - Experiencing intercultural situations

  • adaptation / acculturation strategies
  • intercultural competence
2

Conceptualizing Culture - Regina

What is culture?

  • Key characteristics
  • Concepts

Open and closed concepts of culture

  • Cultural dimensions
  • Poly-collectivity and multi-collectivity
  • Cultural Identity: Multiple identities and intercultural individuals
  • Interculturality - multiculturality - transculturality
  • Identity and Society: Intersectionality, Diversity & Inclusion

Tools, Resources and Activities

  • “Wertehandel” 
  • Working with Critical Incidents
  • Boundary Spanning & boundary spanners
  • Analysing intercultural cases
3

Multicultural teams (Nadine)

Intercultural teams

  • The impact of cultural diversity on teams - risks & benefits
  • Leadership models & Managing culturally diverse teams
  • The MBI-Model - A cross-cultural interaction tool

Case study - group work - kick off

4

Organisational culture (Regina)

What is organisational culture?

Practices to foster organizational identity

Organizational culture in MNEs and JVs, post-merger syndrom

Dealing with interculturality in organizations

  • Dilemma Theory

Case study - group work

5

Consulting & Feedback - groups work towards their case studies 

6

onsulting & Feedback - groups work towards their case studies (asynchronous & virtual)

7

discussion of case study videos & general feedback

Last edited: 2025-06-12



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