[CB DRAFT] COMM311: Intercultural Communication
Topic outline
-
We live in an increasingly globalized world. Technology enables us to do business just as easily with our neighbors as with a businessperson thousands of miles away from us. Knowing how to navigate cultural differences is an increasingly valuable skill that will make you a more valuable employee and leader. Encounters among members of different cultures frequently fail simply because of basic cultural differences, such as the importance of time, proper greetings, or even the use of eye contact. This course is designed to help you identify ways to become a better communicator in these sorts of intercultural situations. You will learn about barriers to successful communication that involve cultural differences. You will also learn more about your own communication style and how it can be developed to facilitate more successful intercultural encounters.
While some information is presented from a Western/U.S. perspective, the information in this course can be applied to other cultures. You should consider how your culture fits in terms of interacting with other cultures. This course builds on other communication courses. You will learn to apply various skills that you have developed in other courses, including the ability to analyze an audience and the context of the communication in an intercultural encounter. Likewise, skill and insights into message development and the ways in which different groups receive and interpret messages will take on new meaning when applied in an intercultural context. Much of the information in this course will refer to the pioneering work of Geert Hofstede and his cultural classifications. Hofstede is one of the foremost influential scholars in the discipline of cultural studies, particularly organizational culture. His pioneering work, such as the cultural dimensions theory, has been the basis for subsequent research and the growth of the field and understanding of how members of differing cultures interact.
-
As you have surely experienced many times, communication between members of the same culture can be challenging and can often be hampered by misunderstanding, confusion, and a lack of shared meaning. These miscommunications can take place despite the fact that members of the same culture often share beliefs and worldviews. Miscommunication can be prevalent despite the appearance that people are communicating successfully, because they share a language. Communication failure stems from issues of individualism versus collectivism (individual orientation vs. group orientation), masculinity versus femininity, power distance (relationships between those with and without power), uncertainty avoidance (level of comfort with uncertainty), and long-term versus short-term orientation.
When individuals from different cultures engage in communication, the opportunity for miscommunication multiplies. The list of variables that can come into play grows exponentially as the communication situation changes from a shared cultural perspective to two or more cultures represented by the people talking together. For example, if you are in a business meeting with others, including a man from Nigeria, you might notice some communication differences between the man and the others in the meeting. If he is younger or a subordinate to you, he may avoid eye contact. While you might consider this a sign of nervousness or deception, he would likely be avoiding eye contact out of respect for you.
Understanding some primary differences in cultural communication practices can serve as a starting point for developing intercultural communication competence by helping you better understand how to communicate among cultures. This unit will explore differences in cultural communication practices as well as provide a primer on communication processes.
Completing this unit should take you approximately 6 hours.
-
What do we mean by intercultural communication? Intercultural communication is the active exchange and interaction between members of different cultures. It includes communication processes such as conversation, negotiation, collaboration, and mediated messages between individuals from different linguistic, cultural, ethnic, or social backgrounds. It involves appreciating values and beliefs, adapting verbal and non-verbal behaviors, and actively fostering mutual understanding across diverse, often global, contexts.
Let's explore reasons for studying intercultural communication.
-
What is culture and why is it important for us to understand cultural differences? Simply put, culture is the beliefs, values, customs, and behaviors that define a group of people. It includes language, norms, and clothing. It is important for us to understand cultural differences so we can recognize, appreciate, and comprehend the beliefs and practices of our culture and other cultures and how that influences relationships. By taking the time to develop intercultural communication competence we can be more empathetic and respectful of others and develop meaningful relationships.
-
The most fundamental components of human communication are verbal and nonverbal skills. Within our own cultures we learn language and appropriate listening behaviors as well as tacit nonverbal elements like gesture, facial expression, and appropriate use of physical space. In intercultural communication, we explore how our verbal and nonverbal communication differs from other cultures. We learn the how to apply communication rules and about communication barriers.
-
In this unit we explored the basics necessary for communicating among cultures. The concepts, theories, and skills we learned in this unit provide a foundation for our study of intercultural communication and our ability to build intercultural communication competence. We learned about the most common components of communication – verbal and nonverbal communication. Mastering these codes will allow us to become better communicators (both listeners and speakers). Perhaps most importantly, we learned about culture and the importance of understanding cultural differences. The Values Orientation Theory and Hofstede’s Dimensions of Culture are theories and models we will continue to see applied in the remaining units of this course.
-
Communication between members of different cultures frequently requires more than a single interaction. Business partnerships, social relationships, and organizational affiliations can require a prolonged exposure to other cultures. In these cases, those who interact with other cultures must move beyond understanding the basics of intercultural communication differences and come to understand how perceptions and culture-oriented behavior differences complicate the ability to communicate.
This unit will help you understand how the perception-making process is challenged when cultural differences exist. The unit also takes a deeper dive into the concept of culture shock and how it must be managed so that we can communicate with competence in another culture. We will also explore conflict and conflict management strategies.
Completing this unit should take you approximately 4 hours.
-
The concepts of self and identity serve as the lenses for interpreting messages, shaping our perceptions of our self and others, and defining how we see ourselves and relate to others. Identity influences our communication styles; when we understand the concept of identity we develop effective interactions, whereas ignoring the differences between ourselves and others can lead to conflict or bias.
-
Intercultural conflicts are becoming increasingly common in today's globalized world. As people from different cultural backgrounds interact and collaborate, it is inevitable that clashes will arise. In this section we will explore conflict and conflict management in relationships.
-
In this unit we explored concepts we need to understand to be able to adapt to other cultures. Adapting to a culture different from our own requires a combination of cognitive flexibility and behavioral adjustment. We know that culture shock is a normal process. When we appreciate that our "normal" is not universal and we adopt a mindset of curiosity instead of judgment, we are on our way to improving our intercultural communication competence. We learned that conflict is a natural part of interpersonal communication, and that cultural difference can increase misunderstandings. We also examined conflict management practices and the importance of cultural intelligence. Understanding our communication styles and conflict tolerance are key to developing intercultural relationship, which we will address in our next unit.
-
Technology and mobility are responsible for increased interactions among people from all parts of the world, allowing for the development of relationships in amazing and varied ways. It is true that two individuals who share values and cultural characteristics may be more inclined to develop a relationship with one another than, say, two individuals who hail from two very distinct cultures with two very distinct belief sets. However, the number of relationships among members of different cultures (be it business or interpersonal) continues to rise, because it has become easier to access and communicate with others around the world due to advances in technology. The interrelatedness of the twenty-first century also brings members of different cultures together in the same space in a manner that has not been seen before. Therefore, the development and maintenance of relationships among members of different cultures are possibly more important and more prevalent than at any other time in our history.
This unit will address some of the considerations that come into play in the development of intercultural relationships.
Completing this unit should take you approximately 2 hours.
-
According to research conducted by the Pew Research Center, intercultural friendships and romantic relationships are becoming more common due to trends in globalization, urban diversity, and digital communication technology. International travel is more popular today, and we are developing relationships with people who are different from ourselves along the way. Learning new customs and traditions provides opportunities for us to confront our identities and what we think we know about others and ourselves. Communication skills are critical to developing and maintaining meaningful relationships. This is especially true for intercultural friendships and romantic relationships.
-
We know that communication is key to building any type of relationship. In intercultural relationships, communication is essential as we establish respect and empathy for others, attempt to avoid misunderstandings or misinterpretations, and navigate cultural behaviors that are new to us. If the goal of friendships at any level is mutual respect and growth, then compassionate communication will lead the way.
-
-
In this unit we defined intercultural relationships and explored the many nuances and challenges of building and maintaining relationships on the continuum from colleagues to friends and romantic relationships. We have learned to question our paradigms and stereotypes as we grow our communication network. Intercultural relationships can be enriching to all parties involved, as we learn new life skills, acknowledge our weaknesses, and build upon empathy and respect for others in our pursuit of improving our intercultural communication competence.
-
-
Thus far, this course has addressed intercultural communication differences from a broad perspective. This unit will look at individual cultures and the communication behaviors that operate within those particular populations. Recognition of these cultural practices can facilitate competent communication on a professional, social, or casual level. As you work through this unit, consider how you might adapt to a culture different from your own.
Completing this unit should take you approximately 8 hours.
-
Studying intercultural communication helps us develop empathy, manage conflict in relationships, and develop an appreciation for the diversity in society. In today's global environment, intercultural communication competence is valued as a professional asset as well as a personal value for learning from cultures that differ from our own. Let's investigate intercultural communication competence.
-
In Unit 1, we learned about cultural differences that influence our ability to connect with people from cultures different than our own. This is a popular topic among communication scholars. Their work highlights our differences and how we might build mutual understanding based on the appreciate of our differences. The readings in this unit may challenge your mindset regarding stereotypes, ethnocentrism, and how we manage communication competence. These readings also provide insights into face-to-face communication and online communication transactions. Note the continued impact of Hofstede's Dimensions of Culture.
-
As we noted at the start of this course, new media technologies continue to be developed and enable people from across the world to share ideas and learn about people and cultural artifacts that are different than their own. Social media of all types can reinforce stereotypes as well as reveal the similarities and unique differences that contribute to intercultural relations. Through travel experiences we also learn to appreciate our identities and those of the people we visit during ourt time as tourists and expatriates.
-
In this unit we have explored the challenges of managing the impacts of social media and popular culture on our journey to develop intercultural communication competence. Unfortunately, new media technology can contribute to stereotypes and ethnocentrism. Setting limits to our use of social media and fact-checking content are just a few strategies for developing genuine and meaninful intercultural impressions. As tourists visiting new countries or expatriates working in countries other than our own, we may experience some culture shock and get to practice our cultural intelligence skills. Intercultural exposures as a tourist and intercultural immersion when living in a country other than our own are two different types of intercultural experiences. Both require honing our intercultural communication competence. Appreciating the dimensions of different cultures and applying theories and practices we have learned in this course will allow us to be welcome guests.
-
-
Innovation has always played an important role in business. In today’s cultural climate, new ideas spring from many different areas of the world. It is becoming increasingly important that we are able to communicate with those who provide insights from a different cultural perspective. This unit looks specifically at the importance of intercultural communication in the workplace and how it functions in leadership, diversity, and inclusion. The unit also will address critical element of leadership differences according to cultural norms.
Completing this unit should take you approximately 8 hours.
-
Simply put, intercultural communication competence in the workplace is the ability to effectively communicate and interact with colleagues or clients from diverse cultural backgrounds. We need to be aware of our cultural biases and be able to apply cultural intelligence and flexibility to reduce misunderstandings. Successful intercultural communication supports inclusion, diversity, belonging in the workplace. In this subunit, we will explore these issues and how they manifest in education and healthcare settings.
-
According to Sir Richard Branson, founder of the Virgin Group, "To be successful [in business], you must be able to listen and connect with people from all walks of life. If you can't communicate across cultures, you're not just losing words; you're losing opportunities." Intercultural communication competence is a necessity in our globalized business environment. Cultural diversity today is seen as a competitive advantage that builds trust among corporate stakeholders, fosters inclusion, and drives innovation.
-
Leadership styles vary across cultures based on societal values and communication styles. While core traits like integrity are universal, effective leadership requires adapting to cultural expectations.
-
According to Verna Myers, the inaugural Vice President of Inclusion at Netflix, "Diversity is being invited to the party; inclusion is being asked to dance". Simply put, diversity is the presence of differences, inclusion is the act of making diverse individuals feel respected, and belonging is the feeling of being accepted by a group for who we are. These three terms have become popular concerns in the workplace and educational institutions.
-
In this unit we learned about the importance of intercultural communication competence in the workplace. Once considered a skill associated with large international companies, in today’s globalized business environment intercultural communication competence is now an essential component in all workplaces. Whether you are an executive for a large company or an associate at a small local business, we interact with diverse groups of people every day as colleagues or customers. For this reason, intercultural communication skills should be part of business preparation for all. If we aspire to become leaders in business or other organizations, we will be seen as role models for our employees. And our ability to navigate complicated cultural interactions will make or break business negotiations and success. It is in our best interest, regardless of our roles, to improve our cultural intelligence and embrace diversity, inclusion and belonging. We will be rewarded with improved relationships with colleagues and clients in the workplace.
-
-
We have come to the conclusion of our study of intercultural communication.
Through our time together, we have learned that there are many reasons to study intercultural communication. The concept of culture is complex, but appreciating the differences between cultures comes with many benefits including increased empathy for others, self-awareness of our identity and biases, and new intercultural encounters. Understanding cultural differences goes beyond verbal and nonverbal communication to embracing cultural practices and artifacts.
As we learn to adapt to other cultures, we must examine our own identity and biases. We know that culture shock is a normal reaction to experiencing cultures different from our own. And that conflicts will occur. We will be remembered for how we handle those conflicts and misunderstandings – hopefully with compassion and grace.
There are many benefits to establishing intercultural relationships including empathy, tolerance, debunking stereotypes, and improved collaboration skills. While there are challenges, these can be overcome.
Intercultural communication competence and cultural intelligence are vital to better intercultural experiences. These require us to be empathetic, observant, open-minded, patient, and tolerant of others. These practices will benefit us in interpersonal encounters in many different situations from personal conversations to business negotiations.
We learned that there are a number of benefits to improved intercultural communication in business and workplace setting including greater collaboration with team members, new innovations, and improved negotiations to name a few. And for business leaders, intercultural communication competence is even more important as they serve as role models for their employees.
Hopefully, the concepts and skills you have learned about in this course will provide you with the foundation to improve your intercultural communication competence in your personal life and work life. You can apply theories like Hofstede’s Dimensions of Culture to understand cultures different than your own and even predict your behavior and the behavior of others in different situations.
Now that you have completed the course units, review the study guide in preparation to take the final exam. If you found this course interesting, you might enjoy COMM001: Principles of Human Communication or BUS209: Organizational Behavior.
-
-
This study guide will help you get ready for the final exam. It discusses the key topics in each unit, walks through the learning outcomes, and lists important vocabulary. It is not meant to replace the course materials.
-
Take this exam if you want to earn a free Course Completion Certificate.
To receive a free Course Completion Certificate, you will need to earn a grade of 70% or higher on this final exam. Your grade for the exam will be calculated as soon as you complete it. If you do not pass the exam on your first try, you can take it again as many times as you want, with a 7-day waiting period between each attempt. Once you pass this final exam, you will be awarded a free Course Completion Certificate.
-
-
Please take a few minutes to give us feedback about this course. We appreciate your feedback, whether you completed the whole course or even just a few resources. Your feedback will help us make our courses better, and we use your feedback each time we make updates to our courses. If you come across any urgent problems, email contact@saylor.org.