Competencies and learning outcomes:


Competences


1. Cultural Awareness and Sensitivity

The participants will develop an understanding of cultural diversity and its implications for communication in personal and professional contexts. The importance of historical and socio-economic contexts will be understood.

2. Intercultural Communication Skills

The participants will acquire practical skills to engage effectively and respectfully with individuals from diverse cultural backgrounds. Elements of non-linguistic communication will be clarified.

3. Ethical Decision-Making

The participants will build up their ability to identify and address ethical dilemmas in intercultural contexts and use established ethical principles. The participants will learn to reason about their ethical deliberations – and understand the background and the justifications behind conflicting ethical decisions.

4. Conflict Resolution

The participants will learn strategies for managing and resolving conflicts that arise due to cultural misunderstandings. Emphasis will be given to case studies that demonstrate different outcomes, following different resolution strategies.

5. Critical Thinking

The participants will acquire the analytical skills necessary to critically evaluate stereotypes, biases, and their influence on communication and ethics. They will understand the socio-cultural function of these stereotypes as decision-guiding mechanisms.

6. Global Perspective

The participants will understand the interplay between globalization, European structures and values, and sustainability in shaping intercultural interactions.

Learning outcomes
By the end of the course, participants will be able to:

1. Explain the Fundamentals

They can define key concepts in intercultural communication and ethics, and explain their relevance to modern societal, political, environmental, and professional challenges.

2. Analyze Cultural Frameworks

They can apply cultural theories (e.g., Hofstede’s cultural dimensions) to interpret and predict communication styles in various cultural and micro-cultural contexts.

3. Identify Ethical Challenges

They can recognize ethical issues in intercultural settings and propose solutions using ethical frameworks such as utilitarianism or deontology.

4. Address Bias and Stereotypes

They can critically assess personal and societal biases and develop strategies to reduce their impact on communication.

5. Apply Conflict Resolution Skills

They can utilize conflict resolution techniques to mediate and manage intercultural disputes effectively.

6. Communicate Science and Technology Across Cultures

They demonstrate the ability to translate complex techno-scientific information for diverse audiences while respecting cultural sensitivities.

7. Engage with Case Studies

They are able to solve real-world problems by applying course concepts to analyze and propose solutions to intercultural and ethical challenges.