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Lecturer(s)
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Foretová Petra, Mgr. Ph.D.
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Course content
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1. Introductory session: Overview of the course syllabus. Course completion requirements. 2. Introduction to the study of intercultural communication: Interdisciplinarity, key concepts of the field. Basic definition of the concept of culture; inflation of the concept of culture (postmodern concept of culture). Influence of "culture" on communication. Intercultural dimension of interpersonal communication. 3. Basic concepts in the study of culture: Foreign ethnic group, ethnic/national minority, national minority. Cultural, ethnic, and national identity. Constructivist vs. primordialist conception of the nation. Status of a national minority. Current position of national/ethnic minorities in the Czech Republic. 4. Influence of culture on world perception: Social perception and social categorization. Significant cultural variables of perception (individualism vs. collectivism, role of gender, social hierarchies; concept of power distance). Cognitive dissonance theory. 5. Communication barriers: Cultural stereotypes. Nature of cultural stereotypes and their impact on communication and interaction. Preventing prejudice and stereotypes. Prejudice and stereotypes regarding specific ethnic groups. From prejudice to discrimination. Changes in public attitudes in the Czech Republic toward foreigners. 6. Czech national (self-)identity and "character" as a research topic: Czech national character through the eyes of foreigners. Researching autostereotypes vs. foreigners' stereotypes of Czechs. 7. Intercultural values: Comparison of psychological characteristics of cultures, ethnic groups, and nations. Dimensions of national cultures. Onion diagram of culture (values, rituals, heroes, symbols vs. cultural practices). Intercultural differences in values and morality. 8. Language and communication from an intercultural perspective: Intercultural dimension in communication and language. Verbal communication styles (low-context vs. high-context communication cultures). Cultures with direct and indirect communication styles. The Sapir-Whorf hypothesis and the concept of linguaculture. 9. Nonverbal communication from an intercultural perspective: Cultural conditionality of nonverbal communication. 10. Issues of multiculturalism: Culture as collective identity. Cultural otherness as an ideological concept. 11. Czech citizenship in the context of European language policies: Ethnic vs. civic conception of the nation. Banal nationalism. 12. Foreigners in the Czech Republic: Foreigner, refugee, asylum seeker, compatriot (who actually lives here). Czech attitudes toward foreigners. Czech migration and integration policies. 13. Student oral presentations: Course conclusion, evaluation of student work.
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Learning activities and teaching methods
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Dialogic Lecture (Discussion, Dialog, Brainstorming), Work with Text (with Book, Textbook), Group work
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Learning outcomes
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The aim of the course is to introduce the fundamental topics of intercultural communication. The first part of the course will be devoted to the intercultural dimension of interpersonal communication. Emphasis will be placed both on "external" factors affecting the specific form of interpersonal communicationnamely cultural influences, norms, values, attitudes, and beliefsand on specific, visible aspects of communication such as body language and linguistic exchange. The second part of the seminar will focus on intercultural communication in global contexts, addressing issues of multiculturalism, migration in the Czech Republic, and Czech citizenship. The seminar will take the form of discussions on the presented topics. The course is open to anyone interested in intercultural issues.
Can estimate the importance of intercultural issues when acting professionally. Students can evaluate to various forms, roles, and meanings of various cultures. Students are familiar with the different functions of culture, such that. Students themselves are able to judge how best to interact with individuals sharing various cultures. Teaching students to observe important cultural phenomena so that they are able to communicate and cooperate successfully with persons belonging to and sharing various other cultures Allowing students to gain experience in how they have to prepare for living and working in a multicultural environment.
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Prerequisites
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Knowledge of basic concepts of human communication.
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Assessment methods and criteria
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Final project
**CREDIT REQUIREMENTS:** 1. Regular active participation in the seminar (a maximum of 2 unexcused absences allowed; additional absences must be officially documented). 2. Preparation for seminars, i.e., knowledge of assigned readings and the ability to discuss them in class. 3. Willingness to participate in practical activities related to the topics covered (applying theoretical knowledge in practice). 4. Completion of continuous assignments in Moodle during the semester (max. 3 assignments per semester). **COLLOQUIUM REQUIREMENTS:** 1. Oral presentation on a pre-selected topic (or micro-project). 2. Preparation of written summary points/theses for the oral presentation for other course participants.
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Recommended literature
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Bonvillain, N. Language, Culture, and Communication: The Meaning of Messages. 4. vydání. New Jersey 2003.
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Kiesling, S. F.; Paulston, Ch. B. Intercultural Discourse and Communication. Oxford 2005.
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Levine, D.R.; Adelman, M.B. Beyond Language. Cross-Cultural Communication. 2. vydání New Jersey 1993.
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Liu, S. - Hua, Z. - Komisarof, A. - Obijiofor, L. (2025). The Sage Handbook of Intercultural Communication.
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Martin, J. N. - Nakayama, T. N. (2025). Intercultural Communication in Contexts.
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Poyatos, F. Cross-Cultural Perspectives in Non-Verbal Communication. Toronto 1988.
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Průcha, J. (2010). Interkulturní komunikace. Praha.
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Průcha, J. (2010). Interkulturní psychologie: [sociopsychologické zkoumání kultur, etnik, ras a národů]. Praha.
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