Foundations of Culture and Communication from edX

This course will introduce you to the key concepts that can help explain the differences and similarities between various cultural contexts.

It's overarching objective is to provide you with the tools to examine your own behaviours and those that you observe in society. As a result, you should be able to explore different cultures from their cultural perspectives, thus acknowledging that there are no 'wrong' or 'bad' cultures, only different ways of seeing the world.

In order to reach the main objective, in this course you will:

show understanding of the intercultural communication research;
apply theories to own experiences in relation to different cultural and linguistic contexts;
explain the key factors facilitating and hindering intercultural communication;
evaluate the intercultural communication awareness of self and others.

What you'll learn

In order to reach the main objective, in this course you will:

show understanding of the intercultural communication research;
apply theories to own experiences in relation to different cultural and linguistic contexts;
explain the key factors facilitating and hindering intercultural communication;
evaluate the intercultural communication awareness of self and others.

What's inside

Learning objectives

Show understanding of the intercultural communication research;

Apply theories to own experiences in relation to different cultural and linguistic contexts;

Show understanding of the intercultural communication research;
Apply theories to own experiences in relation to different cultural and linguistic contexts;

Good to know

Know what's good

, what to watch for

, and possible dealbreakers

Focuses on the analysis of various cultural contexts, which is beneficial for individuals working in diverse environments

Led by Valeria Sinkeviciute, an experienced instructor in this field

Designed for individuals who seek to deepen their understanding of cultural differences and their impact on communication

Involves hands-on activities and discussions that encourage active participation and foster a deeper understanding of the subject matter

Emphasizes the importance of cultural sensitivity and promotes intercultural dialogue, which is valuable for those working in global or cross-cultural settings

Requires active engagement in discussions and assignments, which may not suit all learning styles or schedules

Activities

Be better prepared before your course. Deepen your understanding during and after it. Supplement your coursework and achieve mastery of the topics covered in Foundations of Culture and Communication with these activities:

Watch video tutorials on intercultural communication

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Watching video tutorials is a great way to learn from experts in the field of intercultural communication.

Browse courses on Intercultural Communication

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Search for video tutorials on intercultural communication.
Watch the tutorials and take notes on the key concepts.

Review book: Culture and Communication: Theories and Contexts

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This book provides an overview of the key theories and concepts in intercultural communication. Reviewing it will help you build a solid foundation for the course.

View Interpersonal Communication on Amazon

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Read the introduction and chapter 1.
Identify the key concepts and theories discussed in the book.
Summarize the main arguments and evidence presented in the book.

Create a mind map of the key concepts in intercultural communication

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Creating a mind map is a great way to visualize and organize the key concepts and theories that you will learn in this course.

Browse courses on Intercultural Communication

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Brainstorm a list of the key concepts and theories in intercultural communication.
Group the concepts and theories into different categories.
Create a visual representation of the mind map using a tool like MindMeister or XMind.

Five other activities

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Participate in a discussion forum on intercultural communication

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Participating in a discussion forum will allow you to engage with other students and exchange ideas about intercultural communication.

Browse courses on Intercultural Communication

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Find a discussion forum on intercultural communication.
Join the discussion and share your thoughts and experiences.
Respond to other students' posts.

Complete intercultural communication exercises

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Completing intercultural communication exercises will help you practice the skills and knowledge that you learn in this course.

Browse courses on Intercultural Communication

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Find intercultural communication exercises online or in textbooks.
Complete the exercises and check your answers.

Attend a conference or workshop on intercultural communication

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Attending a conference or workshop on intercultural communication will allow you to learn from experts in the field and network with other professionals.

Browse courses on Intercultural Communication

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Find a conference or workshop on intercultural communication that fits your interests.
Register for the event.
Attend the event and participate in the discussions and activities.

Develop a cross-cultural communication plan

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Developing a cross-cultural communication plan will help you apply the concepts and theories that you learn in this course to a real-world situation.

Browse courses on Intercultural Communication

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Identify the target audience for your cross-cultural communication plan.
Research the target culture.
Develop a communication strategy that is tailored to the target culture.
Create a communication plan that outlines the specific steps that you will take to implement your strategy.

Contribute to an open-source project on intercultural communication

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Contributing to an open-source project on intercultural communication will allow you to apply your skills and knowledge to a real-world project and make a difference in the field.

Browse courses on Intercultural Communication

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Find an open-source project on intercultural communication that you are interested in.
Contact the project maintainers and express your interest in contributing.
Start working on the project by following the project's guidelines.

Career center

Learners who complete Foundations of Culture and Communication will develop knowledge and skills that may be useful to these careers:

Intercultural Trainer

Intercultural communication is the act of conveying meaning between people who have vastly different cultural backgrounds. As an Intercultural Trainer, your goal is to maximize positive experiences and minimize errors in communication for your clients. Foundations of Culture and Communication will help you build a foundation for success in this role. It will teach you to acknowledge and understand differences between cultures so that you can best serve your clients.

See salaries and explore the career path for Intercultural Trainer

Diplomat

Diplomats are responsible for maintaining positive international relations between countries. They must be able to effectively communicate with people from all over the world, and navigate cultural differences sensitively. Taking Foundations of Culture and Communication may be useful because it can help you develop your ability to interact with people from other cultures. The course will teach you how to build cross-cultural bridges, which is essential for a successful career as a Diplomat.

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International Business Consultant

International Business Consultants help companies expand their operations into new countries. They must have a deep understanding of the cultural differences between countries, and be able to communicate effectively with people from all over the world. Taking Foundations of Culture and Communication may be useful for you if you wish to become an International Business Consultant because it can help you develop the intercultural communication skills you need to succeed in this role. The course will teach you about global business etiquette and cross-cultural communication strategies.

See salaries and explore the career path for International Business Consultant

Interpreter

Interpreters are responsible for translating spoken or written text from one language to another. They are often needed in situations where people from different cultures are communicating, such as in international business meetings or in healthcare settings. Foundations of Culture and Communication may be useful for you if you wish to become an Interpreter because it can help you develop the intercultural communication skills you need to succeed in this role. The course will teach you how to bridge cultural gaps and ensure that messages are communicated accurately.

See salaries and explore the career path for Interpreter

Translator

Translators are responsible for taking written text from one language and converting it into another language. They are often needed in situations where people from different cultures are communicating, such as in international business or in legal proceedings. Taking Foundations of Culture and Communication may be useful for you if you wish to become a Translator because it can help you develop the intercultural communication skills you need to succeed in this role. The course will teach you how to bridge cultural gaps and ensure that messages are communicated accurately.

See salaries and explore the career path for Translator

Cross-Cultural Counselor

Cross-Cultural Counselors help people from different cultures adjust to living in a new country. They provide support and guidance, and help people to overcome the challenges of living in a foreign culture. Foundations of Culture and Communication may be useful for you if you wish to become a Cross-Cultural Counselor because it can help you develop the intercultural communication skills you need to succeed in this role. The course will teach you about the different stages of culture shock.

See salaries and explore the career path for Cross-Cultural Counselor

Cultural Anthropologist

Cultural Anthropologists study the cultures of different societies. They research and analyze different aspects of culture, such as language, religion, and social organization. Taking Foundations of Culture and Communication may be useful for you if you wish to become a Cultural Anthropologist because it can help you develop the intercultural communication skills you need to succeed in this role. The course will teach you about the different methods of anthropological research.

See salaries and explore the career path for Cultural Anthropologist

Social Worker

Social Workers help people to overcome challenges and improve their lives. They work with people from all walks of life, and must be able to communicate effectively with people from different cultures. Foundations of Culture and Communication may be useful for you if you wish to become a Social Worker because it can help you develop the intercultural communication skills you need to succeed in this role. The course will teach you how to work with people from different cultural backgrounds.

See salaries and explore the career path for Social Worker

Language Teacher

Language Teachers teach students to speak, read, and write in a foreign language. They must be able to communicate effectively with students from all over the world, and be able to adapt their teaching methods to different cultural backgrounds. Foundations of Culture and Communication may be useful for you if you wish to become a Language Teacher because it can help you develop the intercultural communication skills you need to succeed in this role. The course will teach you about the principles of second language acquisition.

See salaries and explore the career path for Language Teacher

Multicultural Educator

Multicultural Educators teach students about different cultures. They help students to develop an understanding of the world's diversity, and to appreciate the value of different cultures. Foundations of Culture and Communication may be useful for you if you wish to become a Multicultural Educator because it can help you develop the intercultural communication skills you need to succeed in this role. The course will teach you about the different theories of multicultural education.

See salaries and explore the career path for Multicultural Educator

Foreign Correspondent

Foreign Correspondents report on news events from around the world. They must be able to quickly understand and adapt to different cultures, and be able to communicate effectively with people from all over the world. Foundations of Culture and Communication may be useful for you if you wish to become a Foreign Correspondent because it can help you develop the intercultural communication skills you need to succeed in this role. The course will teach you about the challenges of reporting on news from different cultures.

See salaries and explore the career path for Foreign Correspondent

Development Worker

Development Workers help communities in developing countries to improve their lives. They work on projects such as education, healthcare, and economic development. Foundations of Culture and Communication may be useful for you if you wish to become a Development Worker because it can help you develop the intercultural communication skills you need to succeed in this role. The course will teach you about the challenges of working in developing countries.

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Peace Corps Volunteer

Peace Corps Volunteers serve in developing countries for two years, working on projects such as education, healthcare, and economic development. Foundations of Culture and Communication may be useful for you if you wish to become a Peace Corps Volunteer because it can help you develop the intercultural communication skills you need to succeed in this role. The course will give you practical experience in working in a foreign culture.

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Tourist Guide

Tourist Guides lead tours for visitors to their city or country. They must be able to communicate effectively with people from all over the world, and be able to adapt their tours to different cultural backgrounds. Foundations of Culture and Communication may be useful for you if you wish to become a Tourist Guide because it can help you develop the intercultural communication skills you need to succeed in this role. The course will teach you about the history and culture of your city or country.

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Diversity Officer

Diversity Officers promote diversity and inclusion in their organizations. They work to create a welcoming and inclusive environment for people of all backgrounds. Foundations of Culture and Communication may be useful for you if you wish to become a Diversity Officer. The course will teach you about the importance of diversity and inclusion, and how to create a more inclusive workplace.

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Foundations of Culture and Communication

What you'll learn

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