What is meant by Intercultural Communication? What are the contexts in which Intercultural Communication typically occurs and what are its distinguishing features? Which factors contribute to success or failure in Intercultural Communication? Taking questions such as these as points of departure, the course addresses its themes from a sociolinguistic perspective. These themes are linked by the key concepts of 'language', 'society' and 'difference' which are central in considering matters of misunderstanding vs success in intercultural communication.The course will focus on Intercultural Communication theories and models, and will also examine multilingualism by giving examples from different geographical areas. The participants will analyse multilingualism, bilingualism and the media by using critical discourse analysis.

Course leader
Ms. Saara Rautanen-Uunila

Target group
This course is suitable for Bachelor's and Master's level students interested in interculturality. Suitable academic backgounds include anthropology, social sciences, social psychology, psychology, postcolonial studies, linguistics, area and cultural studies and communication.

Course aim
To become familiar with Intercultural Communication as a field of studyTo gain insights into the link between intercultural communication and multilingualismTo gain insights into various features of language which aid or obstruct intercultural communicationTo better understand the sociolinguistics aspects of intercultural communicationTo better understand the role of language in communicating across social barriers of class, ethnic group, gender, nationality, etc.

Fee info
EUR 640: This course fee applies to degree and PhD students who pay the fee before June 1, 2015.

Helsinki Summer School
Address: P.O. Box 3 University of Helsinki
Postal code: FI-00014
City: Helsinki
Country: Finland
Website: http://helsinkisummerschool.fi
E-mail: summer-school@helsinki.fi
Phone: +358 (0)2 941 40255