Course Objectives

The objective of the course is to help candidates acquire an understanding of the significance of cultural differences for human relationships. The course will help students to reflect on their own concepts and attitudes in relation to how to react in various cultural contexts, and thereby strengthen their ability to act competently when interacting with people with different cultural background.

Course Description

The course has an interdisciplinary platform in the social sciences and humanities, with an emphasis on socio-anthropological theory and on gaining insight into linguistics and communication theory. Multicultural Understanding is an introduction to the study of the global diversity of cultures and the social processes which develop in these cultures. The course will attempt to demonstrate how the organisation of social life is related to how people perceive themselves, each other and their surroundings. The course focuses on understanding the premises people have for their actions, categorisations and interactions with their environments.

Through this course students will acquire a basic understanding of and insight into:

- concepts which are used to define and analyse multiculture and plurality

- cultural variations in forms of expression

- personal values, attitudes and approaches

- migration and globalisation

The first part of the course will provide an introduction through examining basic scientific concepts from the fields upon which this interdisciplinary course is based. Using empirical examples from international research, students will gain insight into the most important relevant scientific theories and discourses.

Society, migration and globalisation: The society we live in is constantly changing. This unit will consider some of the questions that may arise from increased globalisation. Through discussion groups, students will gain insight into the political, economic and cultural aspects of globalisation.

Regional knowledge: Regional knowledge constitutes a very important part of the course. In this context, the main characteristics of the culture and society of the region in question will be presented through syllabus literature and film. Knowledge of the country and region – the local context – is absolutely essential, if the student is to acquire personal and academic multicultural understanding.

Learning Methods

The course will be taught over one semester and comprise roughly 30 hours teaching.

Lectures and group work.

Assessment Methods

Individual, midterm school exam (3 hours) counts for 30 % of the final grade. Individual, home assignment of roughly 2500-3000 words counts for 70 % of the final grade. Lettered grades from A to F, where E is the lowest passing grade. Both exams must receive passing grades in order to achieve a final passing grade.

Minor adjustments may occur during the academic year, subject to the decision of the Dean