Transcultural Communication at Work

This subject has the following teaching availabilities in 2015:

Total of 170 hours.

Entry into the Executive Master of Arts, Master of Development Studies(CWT),Master of Islamic Studies, the Master of International Relations, Master of Applied Linguistics or Master of Arts (Asian Societies).

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Previously available as Cross-Cultural Communication at Work. Students who have completed Cross-Cultural Communication at Work are not allowed to enrol in this subject.

For the purposes of considering request for Reasonable Adjustments under the disability Standards for Education (Cwth 2005), and Students Experiencing Academic Disadvantage Policy, academic requirements for this subject are articulated in the Subject Description, Subject Objectives, Generic Skills and Assessment Requirements of this entry.The University is dedicated to provide support to those with special requirements. Further details on the disability support scheme can be found at the Disability Liaison Unit website: http://www.services.unimelb.edu.au/disability/

One outcome of the globalisation of the Australian job market is the increasing need for transcultural communication skills in both the private and public sectors. Transcultural communication typically entails interaction in which one or more of the communicators use a second or third language. Successful transcultural communication requires not only a shared language but also strong intercultural awareness and skills. These include verbal skills such as how and when to use speech and silence as well as non-verbal skills knowing how and when gaze, gesture and body posture may differ across cultures. This subject will provide students with the tools to achieve successful transcultural encounters in professional settings. The delivery of the subject will include lectures with audio-visual materials, discussion sessions to deepen the students' understanding of theories of transcultural communication and their practical implications, and assignments that require an application of presented theories to the analysis of transcultural communication. Sponsored by the School of Languages and Linguistics and the Faculty of Arts' Asia Institute, this subject will focus on transcultural communication at the intersection of cultural, linguistic, ethnic, and religious boundaries. The subject will be taught by sociolinguistic and transcultural communication experts whose expertise ranges from multicultural and Aboriginal Australia, to Asia, the Middle East, Northern and Southern Europe, and the South Pacific.

• Developing a sound and theory-based understanding of issues involved in transcultural encounters in professional / institutional contexts
• Developing strategies to enable students to communicate effectively and establish professional relationships in transcultural encounters.
• Developing analytical skills to enable students to address communication problems in transcultural encounters.

Written work totalling 5000 words comprising two 1500 word research papers 30% each (one due mid-semester and one due at the end of semester), a theoretical essay or data collection project of 2000 words 40% (to be completed at the end of semester).

A Reading Pack will be available for purchase from the University Bookshop.

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This subject is not available as a breadth subject.

• Applying research skills and critical methods to a field of inquiry
• Communicating oral and written arguments and ideas effectively
• Developing transcultural understanding