230482 Language and Intercultural Communication (S) (SoSe 2020)

Intercultural Communication is the study of communication among individuals or groups with different cultural, linguistic, religious, social, political or ethnic backgrounds. In its essence, this discipline aims at understanding the connection between our differences and our communication behaviours.

Traditionally, the study of intercultural communication investigates aspects such as politeness, small talk, social interaction, greetings, nonverbal communication, and “procedural matters in institutional multi-cultural negotiations” (Bartsch et al. 1994). Additionally, stereotypes, linguistic and cultural attributes, identity, culture shock and adaptation are some of the many facets of this discipline (cf. Jackson 2019).

In this seminar, we will first study such aspects in detail in order to assemble a toolbox for the basics of successful intercultural communication. Building on that, and secondly, we will together study and analyse various case studies of intercultural communication in different contexts. We will observe fascinating examples and stories that reveal the interplay between language and intercultural competence. Third, and last, we will contextualise intercultural communication within very timely realms such as migration, digital communication, and intercultural communication in the classroom.

Due to the current situation, this seminar will be a synchronous online course.