The course examines the complex relationship between language, communication and culture and equips students with a comprehensive understanding of how the cultural backgrounds of communication partners influence communication and interaction processes in business settings.

The course covers several topic areas. In the introductory part of the course, different concepts of culture and communication and their interdependence are discussed. Students are also introduced to various communication theories and models as well as to some important issues in intercultural business communication, such as rapport management, linguistic and cultural diversity, impression management, multilingualism and language management. By drawing on authentic examples of communicative events and texts (e.g. advertisements, job interviews, job application documents), various aspects of cross-cultural advertising and recruitment practices will be examined from a linguistic and communicative point of view. In addition, a special emphasis is placed on multilingualism and multiculturalism in organizations. In particular, students will discuss a range of diverse measures within a specific language management strategy (e.g. lingua franca, intercomprehension and receptive multilingualism, the use of interpreting and translation services). There is also a session devoted to intercultural training where students will gain valuable insights into theoretical foundations of intercultural training and learn to evaluate the quality of various intercultural training offers.

After successfully completing this course, participants will be able to assess the impact of cultural and linguistic diversity on business communication. Additionally, students will acquire the skills needed to make informed decisions about language management strategies in various international business contexts. As a result, students will be better prepared for today’s increasingly diverse and complex globalized business communication environment.

Attendance is required through the entire course. In exceptional cases, students may miss up to two seminar units. The attendance requirement is met if a student is present at least 80% of the time.

Lecturer input, group discussions and tasks, reading assignments, work on a group project.

Assessment is based on:

• class participation (short writing assignments and class activities)   20%
• response paper (approx. 2000 words)   40 %
• group project (conducting qualitative interviews, oral presentation & project summary (approx. 2500 words))   40%

Grading scale

100-90% - "sehr gut", 89-80% - "gut", 79-70% - "befriedigend", 69-60% - "genügend", below 60% - "nicht genügend".