BS2SX6 - Intercultural Communication 06 Jul 2023 - 31 Aug 2027 | Version 3

Associated Module Information

Module Code: BS2SX6
Module Title: Intercultural Communication
Faculty: Faculty of Business and Creative Industries
Faculty Group: Business Management
Faculty Sub Group: Business Management
Module Leader: Anthony Thomas
Module Team: Adam Poole, Michelle Mahoney, Liam Newton
First Intended Intake: SEP 2020 Final Year of Intake:
Date Closed:
Credit Value: 20 Credit Level: 5
Language: English
Percentage of Module Taught in Welsh: 0
Equivalent Module:
HECOS codes: 100078 - business and management
HECOS Code Weighting: 100

Document Version Information

Version 3
Valid From 06 Jul 2023
Valid To 31 Aug 2027

Module Aims

Working in multicultural teams is a feature of globalised workplaces. To effectively motivate, manage and lead a cross-cultural workforce it is necessary to comprehend how national culture influences communication and be able to develop strategies to manage any challenges and maximise the benefits of multicultural teamworking.

The aims of the module are to enable students to:

  • Understand different sources of cultural beliefs, including the interplay of organisational, occupational and national sources.
  • Comprehend how communication is influenced by cultural traditions.
  • Critically discuss a range of communication models and national cultural frameworks and apply them to global workplace situations.
  • To identify the opportunities and the challenges presented by multicultural working and apply appropriate tools and techniques to overcome these challenges.
  • Acquire cultural intelligence and other skills relevant to becoming a global citizen and managing or leading people effectively in a multicultural environment.

Completion of the module will also help to prepare students for studying/ working abroad in Block 2.

Content Summary

The nature of Multinational Companies and other organisational structures that operate across borders.

The concept and implications of national cultural difference, including a critical review and application of theoretical frameworks of national cultural dimensions.

Communication theory, including the interplay between national culture and communication style, and possible sources of miscommunication. The emphasis is on exploring these themes from students’ own learning whilst working in small multicultural groups. Theory of cultural distance and cultural intelligence will be contextualised as students are encouraged to reflect upon the benefits and challenges of multicultural team work and through their own research.

The role of cross-cultural training and the practical application of theoretical frameworks.

Learning and Teaching Methods

Activity Type Hours
Seminar 40
Independent Study 60
Directed Study 90
Formative Assessment - Independent 2
Groupwork 8
Total Hours Selected 200

Learning Outcomes

# Learning Outcome
LO1 Demonstrate a critical understanding of the implications of working across cultures, including how to maximise the advantages and address the challenges multicultural teams.
LO2 Effectively comprehend and critically review theoretical models and frameworks pertaining to communication and national culture and apply them in a workplace setting.

Module Requisites

N/A

Assessment Criteria

Assessment Category Assessment Type Description Duration Word Count Weight (%) Best of? Pass Mark
Asynchronous Assessment Report 1 Students are required to analyse case studies of organisations operating across borders and identify problems and recommend solutions. Students will apply relevant theoretical frameworks with reference to empirical evidence. 0 3000 50 No 40
Synchronous Online Practical Assessment Production (Online) 1 Group – Students will be required to highlight and reenact cultural issues likely to take place whilst working or studying in an international environment. 10 N/A 50 No 40

Assessment Matrix

Assessment Type Learning Outcomes
LO1 LO2
Report 1
Production (Online) 1

Reading List

Latest editions of the following texts:

Abramson, N.R. & Moran, R.T. (2017), Managing Cultural Differences, Abingdon: Routledge.

French, R. (2015), Cross-Cultural Management in Work Organisations, London: CIPD.

Gannon, M.J. and Pillai, R. (2016) Understanding Global Cultures, Thousand Oaks: Sage

Iles, P. and Zhang, C. (2013). International Human Resource Management. London: CIPD

Jandt, F.E. (2018), An Introduction to Intercultural Communication, Thousand Oaks: Sage

Maude, B. (2016), Managing Cross-Cultural Communication, London: Palgrave

Mendenhall, M.E., Osland, J.S., Bird, A.,Oddou, G.R., Stevens, M.J., Maznevski, M.L., and Stahl, G. (2018) Global Leadership. Research, Practice and Development, London: Palgrave