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University of Leeds

Introduction to Intercultural Studies: Intercultural Contact

University of Leeds via FutureLearn

Overview

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On this course you will examine the idea of intercultural contact and the effects of cultural interactions from historical and global perspectives. Through videos and articles, you will discover how intercultural contact is experienced in our everyday lives, and learn about the ways in which people develop intercultural competence.

As the course progresses, you’ll consider terms such as ‘globalisation’ and ‘acculturation’, explore the relationship between nationality and culture, and compare different experiences of returning ‘home’ following periods of absence.

The course is for anyone with an interest in the concepts of culture and interculturality, you don’t need any previous experience.

This course is also ideal if you are preparing to move to a different country for work or study or you work with groups of people from different cultures to yours. By completing all aspects of the course you will have achieved 14 hours of CPD time.

Syllabus

  • Approaching intercultural contact
    • Welcome
    • Intercultural contact
    • Intercultural competence
    • Analysing intercultural contact
    • Summary
  • Reflecting on intercultural contact
    • About Week 2
    • Return journeys – coming home?
    • Finding common ground
    • Ethnographic study
    • Summary

Taught by

Haynes Collins

Reviews

4.4 rating, based on 12 Class Central reviews

4.6 rating at FutureLearn based on 18 ratings

Start your review of Introduction to Intercultural Studies: Intercultural Contact

  • This is a great course. The terms such as 'acculturation, intercultural competence including KASA model and critical incidents' were understandably recognised in the first week. We had to learn many things from the experiences of students from Unive…
  • Anonymous
    I loved the course of intercultural contact. I learned so much in this first week. I learned about different perspectives on intercultural contact and acculturation. I also come to know about intercultural competence using the KASA model. Finally, i got to understand about critical incidents or rich points. I particularly loved the videos and the "Have your say" sections which i think made learning very practical. Thank you!
  • Anonymous
    Great course, which has a practical use based on the academic research. I was delighted it included a chance to do a bit of ethnographic research which was very thought provoking and useful. The course designers/owners clearly know how to put together a short intro containing a rich set of information as well as opportunities to reflect on and engage with the learnings.
  • Anonymous
    Very enjoyable and informative course. It looked at culture in various ways and at how adapting to a from cultures can be a process.
  • Anonymous
    This course improved my intercultural competence by using the KASA (Knowledge, Awareness, Skills, and Awareness) method with real examples from students of University of Leeds. Also, it taught me how to ethnography in a positive way in order to give you access to rich and multi-layered sources of information about the everyday life and practices of a research location, and why sometimes ethnography is problematic. Also, this course will taught you critical points and how to reflect and learn from it, and why you are bound to make conscious and sub-conscious observations about people and how to 'bracket' them to get along with people and many more.
  • Anonymous
    Having greatly enjoyed all the other courses in this series, I found this one disappointing. The Leeds students’ experiences were interesting, but it was a pity they had all spent their year away in the same country. I thought that, in a course of only two weeks, too much time was devoted to students researching, writing and giving feedback on assignments. Not all futurelearn students are sixth-formers! Judging by the number of comments left, we were a very small group, which rather limited discussion, too.
  • Anonymous
    I found the course interesting, but less relevant than some courses I have done - my cross-cultural contact is more within the country rather than spending a significant length of time abroad. I found the interviews with the students particularly interesting and helpful to reflect on first-hand experiences.
  • Anonymous
    Introduction to Intercultural Studies: Intercultural Contact.

    I totally loved the course! It is very interesting and well organized course, offers a great deal of concepts, reflection and tasks to do. You really learn a lot if you do the assignments and share your work with others. Great course, thank you once again!
  • Anonymous
    Very interesting material, well presented. I didn't do the final test, which is only available through unlimited or upgrade. I also chose not to do the assignments, but had I the time, I would.
  • Anonymous
    Very interesting course which I highly recommend to anyone. I find the KASA Model very interesting and applicable in my line of work. More importantly, I learned a lot about Ethnography.
  • Anonymous
    Great approach to the topics, I
    interesting interviews and activities to complete.
    I really enjoyed this course -just wish more people had taken it so more feedback available
  • Anonymous
    I am extremely grateful for all I have learned. The course is well organised and provide information in a clear and concise manner. thanks so much for your hard work.

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