Intercultural Communication and Ethics
EURECA-PRO Lifelong Learning Academy - Online Course
Starting: 28/04/2025
Universities involved:
Technische Universität Bergakademie Freiberg
Hochschule Mittweida
- Upcoming events
Course Type:
Seminar
Number of places:
Non-limited
Starting date:
28/04/2025
Ending date:
21/07/2025
Targeted audience: General public – Business and GMO professionals without previous experience on the subject – Students of all levels
Recognition of credits: 3 ECTS
Place of delivery: Online | www.moodle.eurecapro.tuc.gr/local/preregistration/?courseid=105
This course introduces students to the fundamental concepts of intercultural communication and ethics, emphasizing cultural and historical awareness. It offers theoretical understanding and practical skills for effective and respectful interaction across diverse cultures, micro-cultures, and different professional environments. The participants will learn about the impact of cultural diversity on communication styles, values, and ethical perspectives – both in theory and by examining various frameworks and real-life case studies. This course is designed to equip participants with the skills to navigate and resolve intercultural misunderstandings and ethical dilemmas in both personal and professional contexts. Emphasis is given to challenges specific to our era and in the context of European values: globalization, particularities of electronic communication and distance cooperation, climate change perceptions, European unification and cooperation challenges, and sustainability.
Competencies:
The participants will acquire practical skills to engage effectively and respectfully with individuals from diverse cultural backgrounds. Elements of non-linguistic communication will be clarified.
The participants will learn strategies for managing and resolving conflicts that arise due to cultural misunderstandings. Emphasis will be given to case studies that demonstrate different outcomes, following different resolution strategies.
The participants will acquire the analytical skills necessary to critically evaluate stereotypes, biases, and their influence on communication and ethics. They will understand the socio-cultural function of these stereotypes as decision-guiding mechanisms.
The participants will understand the interplay between globalization, European structures and values, and sustainability in shaping intercultural interactions.
Learning Outcomes:
By the end of the course, participants will be able to:
- Explain the Fundamentals:
They can define key concepts in intercultural communication and ethics, and explain their relevance to modern societal, political, environmental, and professional challenges. - Analyze Cultural Frameworks:
They can apply cultural theories (e.g., Hofstede’s cultural dimensions) to interpret and predict communication styles in various cultural and micro-cultural contexts. - Identify Ethical Challenges:
They can recognize ethical issues in intercultural settings and propose solutions using ethical frameworks such as utilitarianism or deontology. - Address Bias and Stereotypes:
They can critically assess personal and societal biases and develop strategies to reduce their impact on communication. - Apply Conflict Resolution Skills:
They can utilize conflict resolution techniques to mediate and manage intercultural disputes effectively. - Communicate Science and Technology Across Cultures:
They demonstrate the ability to translate complex techno-scientific information for diverse audiences while respecting cultural sensitivities. - Engage with Case Studies:
They are able to solve real-world problems by applying course concepts to analyze and propose solutions to intercultural and ethical challenges.
Program:
Theory, practices and the European context
- Definition and significance of intercultural communication
- Overview of cultural diversity and its impact on communication: the European experience, in theory and in practice
- Hofstede’s cultural dimensions theory
- Hall’s high-context vs. low-context cultures
- Power distance, uncertainty avoidance, individualism vs. collectivism, etc.
- Introduction to ethical theories and principles (utilitarianism, deontology, virtue ethics)
- Ethical challenges in intercultural contexts: Why and how do values matter?
- The case of the European values in the world
- The role of perception in intercultural misunderstandings: what is a “stereotype” anyway and why does it exist?
- Addressing and managing stereotypes, prejudices, and biases
- Is there a constructive way to use stereotypes?
- Introduction to the theories of conflict (realist, Marxist, structural, psychological, social identity, game theory, transformational etc.)
- Approaches to resolving conflicts across cultural lines – how can one detect the existence of invisible lines?
- Building skills for constructive dialogue – managing conflicts when they occur
- The case of the techno-scientific communities and their culture: integrity, utility, and communication
- Translating and disseminating techno-scientific knowledge to different audiences: the thin line between “fact” and “non-fact”
- Real-world scenarios and role-playing exercises
- Analysis of case studies
- Complex ethical challenges: politics and policies, academia and business
- Global organizations in local actions
- Ethical reasoning in Intercultural settings
- Artificial intelligence and digitalisation
- Cross-cultural meets virtual
- Future trends in intercultural ethics and communication
Evaluation criteria:
Standard evaluation procedure and form:
- Instructor specific: Delivery – teaching methods, strategies, clarity, language, practices, material at online platform up to date and helpful, instructor´s feedback, respect to the participants´ opinions, welcome and inclusive learning environment and atmosphere, etc.
- Course materials: organization of the course, quantity and quality of materials provided, workload inside and outside lecture times, clarity of grading criteria, etc.
- Student engagement
- Course structure
- Student learning and planned outcomes
- Overall rating and Open-ended response
Schedule:
28/04/2025 – 21/07/2025
Weekly lectures: from 9:00 to 10.30
Exception: the course will not happen on 12/05/2025
| Course duration | 12 sessions, 1 hour lecture, 30min. Q&A and discussion |
| Workshops | – |
| Lectures | 12 |
| Student preparation | Estimated 15 hours overall |
| Student homework | Estimated 10 hours overall |
