Module: Interculturalism in Practice

Latest Module Specifications

Current Academic Year 2025 - 2026

Module Title	Interculturalism in Practice
Module Code	CUS1005
Faculty	Humanities & Social Sciences	School	SALIS
NFQ level	8	Credit Rating	5

Description

The aim of this module is to encourage students to use intercultural theory as a tool for analysing the cross cultural experience of individuals or groups. To survey theoretical approaches from different disciplines in the field.

Learning Outcomes

1. Apply some or all of the theories of identity, prejudice, discrimination or stereotyping, or cross cultural adaptation in order to analyse the experiences of individuals or groups
2. Demonstrate knowledge of one's own and others’ cultural values.
3. Demonstrate understanding of diverse cultural practices.
4. Recognise the value of and engage with cultural diversity.
5. Demonstrate how to adapt communication styles in order to effectively interact with people from different cultures.
6. Demonstrate appropriate listening skills to enhance communication.

*Type*	*Hours*	*Description*
Workload	Full time hours per semester
Lecture	20	Major theories of cultural adaptation, identity and intercultural communication
Independent Study	105	Reading, report preparation
Total Workload: 125

Section Breakdown
CRN	10311	Part of Term	Semester 1
Coursework	100%	Examination Weight	0%
Grade Scale	40PASS	Pass Both Elements	N
Resit Category	RC1	Best Mark	N
Module Co-ordinator	Martin Toal	Module Teacher	Fiona Gallagher

Type	Description	% of total	Assessment Date
Assessment Breakdown
In Class Test	n/a	35%	n/a
Assignment	n/a	60%	n/a
Written Exam	Loop quiz	5%	n/a

Reassessment Requirement Type
Resit arrangements are explained by the following categories; RC1: A resit is available for both^* components of the module. RC2: No resit is available for a 100% coursework module. RC3: No resit is available for the coursework component where there is a coursework and summative examination element. ^* ‘Both’ is used in the context of the module having a coursework/summative examination split; where the module is 100% coursework, there will also be a resit of the assessment

Pre-requisite	None
Co-requisite	None
Compatibles	None
Incompatibles	None

All module information is indicative and subject to change. For further information,students are advised to refer to the University's Marks and Standards and Programme Specific Regulations at: http://www.dcu.ie/registry/examinations/index.shtml

Indicative Content and Learning Activities

Theories of culture shock
Major theories of culture shock and adaptation from Oberg to Kim will be reviewed

Indicative Reading List

Books:

Block, D.: 2009, Second language identities, Bloomsbury Publishing.,
Hofstede, G.: 1998, Cultures and organisations. Software of the Mind., :McGraw Hill, London and New York,
Jackson, J.: 2014, Introducing Language and Intercultural Communication, Routledge, London & NewYork,
Jandt, F: 2010, An introduction to intercultural communication: identities in a global community. (6th ed.)., Sage, Los Angeles:,
Y.Y. Kim: 2001, Becoming Intercultural: an integrative theory of communication and cross-cultural adapatation, 1st, Sage, Thousand Oaks:CA,
M. Pickering: 2001, Stereotyping,, Palgrave, Basingstoke,
F. Trompenaars & C. Hampden-Turner: 1994, Riding the Waves of Culture. Understanding Diversity in Global Business, Irwin, New York,
C. Ward, S. Bochner and A. Furnham: 2001, The Psychology of Culture Shock, 2nd, Routledge, London,

Articles:
None

Other Resources

None