Semesters
REL210N Intercultural Understanding
45 ECTS in human or social sciences (for example students in religious studies or equivalent).
The objectives of this course are to provide the students with knowledge and understanding of cultural plurality in various contexts. Cultural plurality raises both theoretical and practical challenges, and the teachings will address both of these aspects. On the one hand, cultural plurality has a practical side in how we create and organize human relations face to face, and also in policy making. On the other hand, knowledge and frames of interpretation developed in the humanities and social sciences provides us with insights into different ways cultural plurality can be conceptualized and interpreted. The pedagogical approach to the topic is student-active learning, with case studies and personal accounts playing a central role. The course has three main parts : Intercultural communication, cultural encounters, cultural analysis and interpretation.
In accordance with the National Qualifications Framework the student will have following learning outcome after completing the course:
The student will have knowledge and understanding of
- Central social and political challenges and concerns related to culture in multicultural societies
- Theories of intercultural communication
- Historical cases of cultural encounters
- Various concepts and models for cultural analysis
The student will have developed and improved skills in
- Application of theories, models and expressions in cultural analysis or intercultural communication on real-life cases
- Finding cases and examples of intercultural communication and cultural encounters
- Presenting own views orally and in writing on topics discussed in the course
- Reflecting upon one’s own cultural background and practice
The student should be able to
- Develop awareness of one's own perspectives and understanding
- Critically reflect on both the advantages and the challenges of cultural pluralism
- Understand societal changes and processes
The teaching consist of written lessons, video recordings and indiviual tutorial on written assignments. Digital meetings will be organized. The course language is English.
The requirements for the course are:
Submit a short paper (written in either English or Norwegian) on one of the main parts in the course within a fixed date. The paper must be accepted by a teacher.
Submit a paper (written in either English or Norwegian), of 3000 words (+/- 10%). The students must choose a topic and angle for the paper within the thematic frames of the course. The students receive supervision in the process, and the paper must be handed in for a tutorial and accepted before the exam. The paper will be part of the final exam (see below). In accordance with the topic of the paper and with the assistance from a professor the students must choose 1/3 of the pensum her or himself.
Grading will be done in accordance with the Regulations governing admission, studies and examinations at Volda University College, § 9-4.
- Religion and Culture - bachelor (net-based)
- Religious studies - specialization
| Assessment Form | Grouping | Duration | Grading scale | Proportion | Comment | Support Materials | Scope |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Assignment | Individual | Semester | A-F, A is the best grade and E is the lowest passing grade | 50 | Written paper, Individually, 3000 words (+/- 10%), Written in English or Norwegian | ||
Oral examination | Individual | Hours | A-F, A is the best grade and E is the lowest passing grade | 50 |