INTERCULTURAL COMPETENCE Outline (Draft)

Training design

Objectives:
This course focuses on intercultural communication in everyday life and social interactions in multicultural environments. It
aims developing an individual’s intellectual appreciation for cultural differences and sensitivity regarding intercultural
reactions.

1. Understand basic concepts

2. Analyze and discuss examples of cross-cultural conflicts in a variety of situations
3. Develop an understanding of barriers to effective intercultural communication
4. Develop intercultural sensitivity in terms of beliefs, values, and norms
5. Develop an understanding of intercultural competence
6. Otherization
7. Identity

Module
Big C (objective culture) and Small C The first is called the ”big C,” which is the traditional, objective culture (for
(abstract culture) example, food, theater, art, dance, or music). Then there is “small c” which
Culture, Sub-Culture, and Human Traits is the called the subjective culture. This has no existence except in human
Vitamin Cs Cultural Patterns behavior. “Small c” culture is an abstraction produced by thought and can
Perception define characteristics such as body movement, how we live, how we
Dialog 1 learn, how we work, and how we express love, in response to similar
Critical Incident 1 events and experiences.
https://handlingresistance.wordpress.com/2011/09/14/creating-
the-onion-model/
Cultural Identity I hit on the metaphor of an onion:
The Onion Model Essentialism
Dialog 1
Critical Incident 2  Onions are made up of layers
 As you peel off one layer, there is another beneath
 Each layer is more intense, more powerful and hotter than the last
 Onions sometimes make you cry

Verbal communication
Different cultural values in language
The Otherization expressions
Concept Using qualifications based on age and
OTHERS ACRONYM gender
Classifying based on marriage and
relationships
 Dialog 3
Incident 3
Display of Respect- show positive regard to a
person
Orientation to Knowledge- terms people use to
explain themselves and the world around them
Empathy- behave as though you understand
Intercultural Interaction Management-
Competence Task Role Behavior- initiation ideas to group
problem solving activities
Tolerance for Ambiguity- ability to react to new
situation with less visible discomfort
Interaction posture- react in non-
judgmental ways
Die- the interaction tool
Mental Shorthand- when people process information around them they
use this
In other words, what people see, hear, and in other ways receive info
Description, Interpretation, Evaluation without being aware of the info they received, they just generalize and
DIE
(improving your statements) interpret

The skill?improve your statements of descriptions, interpretation, and eval

The power of language

Wording and rewording
in intercultural
Learn a New Language
communication
Commercials and pictures page 149 Lustig Book

References:
Cooper, J., Calloway-Thomas, Carolyn, & Simonds, C. (2007). Intercultural Communication: A Text with Readings. New York:
Pearson.
Fisher, G. (1997). Mindsets: The Role of Culture and Perception in International Relations (2nd edition). Yarmouth, Maine:
Intercultural Press.
Gannon, M. (2004). Understanding Global Cultures: Metaphorical Journeys Through 28 Nations, Clusters of Nations, and
Continents. London: Sage Publications.
Mathews, G. (2000). Global Culture/Individual Identity: Searching for Home in the Cultural Supermarket. New York: Routledge.
Nisbett, R. (2003). The Geography of Thought: How Asians and Westerners Think Differently…and Why. New York: Free Press.
Reagan, T. (2000). Non-Western Educational Traditions: Alternative Approaches to Educational Thought and Practice (2nd
edition). London: Lawrence Erlbaum.
Shaules, J. (2007). Deep Culture: The Hidden Challenges of Global Living. Toronto: Multilingual Matters
Tromenaars, F. & Hampden-Turner, C. (1998). Riding the Waves of Culture: Understanding Diversity in Global Business (2nd
edition). New York: McGraw-Hill.
Wierzbicka, A. (1997). Understanding Cultures Through Their Key Words. New York: Oxford University Press.
Wierzbicka, A. (2006). English: Meaning and Culture. New York: Oxford University Press.

Super Models, Training Journal, August 2008 (Vroom)

The Management Models Pocketbook, Mike Clayton
Super Models, Training Journal, June 2008 (Maslow)
See, for example, Beyond the Wall of Resistance, Rick Maurer, Bard Press (2010)

Page 2