FS0301 - Communications across Cultures

Credit points:	03
Year:	2018
Student Contribution Band:	Band 3
Administered by:	Division of Tropical Environments & Societies

This subject introduces students to the basic principles of inter cultural communication and highlights how culture and communication intersect and influence each other. It also serves as a foundation for those pursuing undergraduate studies. This course is designed to introduce students to the theory and practice of intercultural communication. Defined as the exchange of information between individuals who are unalike culturally, intercultural communication cannot be experienced and appreciated just by reading a book or listening to a lecture. This course will provide students with opportunities to critically reflect on their perceptions and privileges that guide cultural communication behaviour. Students are expected not only to grasp various concepts that help them view culture and communication from different angles, but also to share their experiences with classmates and reconsider them through their classmates' eyes. In this subject, therefore, all are learners and teachers. Everyone is everyone else's mentor. Human potential and experiences are valuable resources for all. Respect for all people is essential for creating a positive learning environment in this class.

Learning Outcomes

• demonstrate an understanding of the theoretical frameworks and conceptual tools for describing the development of communications systems;
• demonstrate an understanding of how communication processes differ among cultures;
• demonstrate an understanding of the unique relationship between history, culture and identity as it functions for diverse groups of people and recognise 'communication' as an active production and negotiation of meanings, not just the transmission of information;
• critically analyse local/global issues using an understanding of the meaning, importance and tensions of international communication, as well as the historical and political dimensions of intercultural relations;
• demonstrate self-reflective, flexible, and open communication skills for intercultural communication interactions;
• identify barriersracism, sexism, and systems of privilegethat arise from histories of colonization; exploitation, and discrimination, and ways to creatively address these inequities.

Assumed Knowledge:

Students will have basic knowledge in expressing their ideas in an academic setting.

Availabilities
Cairns, Internal, Study Period 1
Census Date 22-Mar-2018
Coordinator:	Ms Barbara Carter
Lecturer:	jc248054.
Contact hours:	65 hours lectures
Assessment:	end of semester exam (50%); presentations (15%); assignments (35%).
Special Assessment Requirements:	Nil
Restrictions:	An enrolment quota applies to this offering.
Cairns, Internal, Study Period 2
Census Date 23-Aug-2018
Coordinator:	Ms Barbara Carter
Lecturer:	jc248054.
Contact hours:	65 hours lectures
Assessment:	end of semester exam (50%); presentations (15%); assignments (35%).
Special Assessment Requirements:	Nil
Restrictions:	An enrolment quota applies to this offering.

Note: Minor variations might occur due to the continuous Subject quality improvement process, and in case of minor variation(s) in assessment details, the Subject Outline represents the latest official information.