126-481 Intercultural Communication and German

This subject is taught in German.

37.5 points of second/third-year subjects in German language. European studies students wishing to enrol in this subject would normally have completed 37.5 points of European studies at second/third year.

This subject examines the study of cross-cultural and intercultural communication in German speaking countries which began in the eighties and nineties, encouraged and very much influenced at first by American studies of cross-cultural communication, but soon developing its own questions and methods. The subject introduces students to the interdisciplinary character of the field, encompassing psychological, historical, social and linguistic aspects, and different interpretations of the central concepts of 'culture' and 'communication'. Students will encounter similarities and differences between the Australian situation and the situation in the German speaking countries, as far as the theory and practice of intercultural communication is concerned. On completion of the subject students should be aware of the interdisciplinary nature of the field, be familiar with some of the most important recent authors and texts in the field, have gained an insight into the basic methods of research in the theory of intercultural communication, and have a good knowledge of the major practical problems in intercultural communication.

• have acquired skills in research, critical thinking and contextualising information;

• also have developed skills in communicating knowledge intelligibly through oral presentations and essays in German.

For third year: a 1000 word class paper 25% (due during semester) and an essay of 3000 words 75% (due at the end of semester. For fourth year: a 1200 word class paper 20% (due during semester), and an essay of 4000 words 80% (due at the end of semester).