SYLLABUS

Lecturer: Anna Wasiela, PhD

Contact: anna.wasiela@gmail.com

Building Cultural Competence

Training
Number of hours: 30 hours
Class assignments and grading:
Grades will be based on:
Presentation 40% (case study analysis results)
Class participation 35%
Quiz 25%
Class description:
The course is designed to develop the ability to:

work and communicate well in an intercultural environment

deal with expatriates and cultural minorities in a workplace
During the course we will analyze many case studies, which is why active participation is
very important. Additionally we will work on presentation skills and learn about
culturally specific types of presentations.
Content

Culture and factors influencing it

Intercultural awareness - Bennett's Developmental Model of Intercultural

Sensitivity and Intercultural Development Inventory (IDI - for measuring crosscultural competence and training needs, in both individuals and groups)

Declarative knowledge vs. procedural knowledge and its importance in

intercultural relations

Globalization what constitutes a multinational enterprise (MNE)?

Cultural biases and how they relate to collectivism and individualism vs. context
dependency

Sociogram - creating and discussing the concept

Managing minorities - discussing whether they should be unified with the other
employees as a parallel to a globalizing company, or if their national specificity
should be preserved

Models to explain national culture theory & practice

o Cultural value orientations by Schwartz
o Culture dimensions by Hofstede
o Culture dimensions by Hampden Turner and Trompenars

Asians and Westerners thinking code work ethics influenced by national

religion or code of ethics (Confucian Work Ethics in Korea)

Who is an ex-patriate and how to manage ex-patriate programs in MNEs

Direct vs. indirect communication style as an example of a cross cultural

communication clash

Presentation styles in different countries

Learning outcomes
The class develops knowledge on the basis for intercultural differences and its
importance in management of people within multinational organizations. On completion
of this module students should have knowledge and understanding of the intercultural
management subject, specifically of management of ex-patriates and cultural minorities.
Students should also learn how to make a proper presentation in a culturally diverse
workplace.
Recommended books and articles:
1. Hampden-Turner, Ch., Trompenaars, F. (1997). Riding the Waves of Culture.
New York: McGraw-Hill
2. Hofstede, G. (1996). Cultures and Organizations: Software of the Mind. New
York: McGraw-Hill
3. Matsumoto, D. & Juang, L. P. (2007). Culture and psychology. Belmont, CA:
Wadsworth
4. Nisbet, R. E. (2003). The Geography of Thought: How Asians and Westerners
Think Differently - and Why. Free Press
5. Schwartz, S. H. (2006). As transnational education programmes continue to
proliferate, A Theory of Cultural Value Orientations: Explication and
Applications. Comparative Sociology, 5/ 2-3, 138-180
Related books:
1. Hofstede, G. (2003). Culture's Consequences: Comparing Values, Behaviors,
Institutions and Organizations Across Nations. Sage Publications
2. Thiagarajan, S., Thiagarajan, R. (2006). Barnga: A Simulation Game on Cultural
Clashes. London and Boston: Intercultural Press
Additional handouts will be provided in class.