Course Overview
This first level course is an introduction to the dynamic forces which influence effective communication in business between people from diverse cultural backgrounds. Participants will acquire cross-cultural knowledge and build intercultural expertise and critical thinking skills through readings, class discussions, exercises, and role-playing. The goal is to learn skills that will help students to be effective in a variety of cultures. The course consists of a one-hour lecture and a two-hour lab each week. The lectures provide the theory and demonstrations; the labs provide opportunities to apply the theory. Students will have some choices in project applications.
Prerequisite(s)
- English Studies 12 "50%" (PASS) or equivalent (ie: COMM 0015 "50+" or IELTS Academic 6.0, etc.)
Credits
3.0
- Not offered this term
- This course is not offered this term. Notify me to receive email notifications when the course opens for registration next term.
Learning Outcomes
Upon successful completion of this course, the student will be able to:
- Describe the nature of intercultural communication and explain why miscommunication may occur.
- Define terms such as enculturation, acculturation, ethnocentrism, norms, rules and roles, subcultures, and communication barriers, high and low context cultures.
- Compare how cultural views of time, relationships, the environment, and sustainability differ.
- Explain the effect of culture on attitudes toward gender, work, ethics, religious influences, and individualism versus collectivism, power and privilege, and critically examine one's own values in relation to those of other cultures.
- Explain how business communication in Canada may differ from formats used in other countries.
- Describe appropriate business and social etiquette in Canada and compare and contrast with a variety of other cultures and one's own.
- Identify symptoms of culture shock and name several ways to alleviate it.
- Describe the influence of culture in common negotiation styles preferred by different cultures.
- Critically evaluate information to determine if it is accurate, relevant, and complete, and to use critical thinking to develop strong arguments.
- Acknowledge and explore the importance of Indigenous histories, perspectives, and Reconciliation in de-colonizing cultural norms.
Effective as of Winter 2019
Related Programs
Introduction to Intercultural Business Communication & Workplace Diversity (COMM 1117) is offered as a part of the following programs:
- Indicates programs accepting international students.
School of Business + Media
- Business Administration (Global Studies Option)
Diploma Part-time
- Business Fundamentals
Associate Certificate Full-time
- Global Business Studies
Associate Certificate Part-time
Programs and courses are subject to change without notice. Find out more about BCIT course cancellations.