Registry

Module Specifications

Current Academic Year 2012 - 2013
Please note that this information is subject to change.

Module Title	Cross-Cultural Communications
Module Code	CM219
School	School of Communications
Online Module Resources
Module Co-ordinator	Semester 1: Des McGuinness Semester 2: Des McGuinness Autumn: Des McGuinness
Module Teacher	Barbara O'Connor
NFQ level	8	Credit Rating	5
Pre-requisite	None
Co-requisite	None
Compatibles	None
Incompatibles	None

Description

This course aims to explore the processes of communication across cultures and between different cultural groups. The focus will be on (a) the ways in which identities are constructed, maintained and negotiated in different cultural contexts and , (b) the ways in which different groups seek to understand and 'construct' each other both in terms of representations and cross-cultural encounters. The course is interdisciplinary in nature and the lectures and seminars will draw on relevant sociological and anthropological literature in addition to communications and cultural studies approaches.

Learning Outcomes

1. Demonstrate an understanding of key theoretical approaches and concepts in cross-cultural communication
2. Account for similarities and differences in cultural systems and behaviours in a systematic way.
3. Demonstrate an understanding of the relevance of cross cultural issues in contemporary society
4. Identify the main ways in which culture affects communication processes.
5. Appreciate cultural diversity

Workload	Full-time hours per semester
*Type*	*Hours*	*Description*
Lecture	12	No Description
Seminars	12	No Description
Library	60	No Description
Independent learning time	40	No Description
Total Workload: 124

All module information is indicative and subject to change. For further information,students are advised to refer to the University's Marks and Standards and Programme Specific Regulations at: http://www.dcu.ie/registry/examinations/index.shtml

Indicative Content and Learning Activities

Constructing Identities.
How personal, social and cultural identities are constructed in everyday life..

National and Ethnic Identities.
'Imagined community' of the nation. Relationship between ethnic and national identities..

Ritual Practices and Identity Construction.
The function of rituals in creating communities and historical changes in ritual practice..

New Ethnicities.
Globalisation and hybrid identities.

Media Representations.
The role of media in constructing 'otherness'/stereotypes in historical and contemporary contexts..

Diasporic Communication.
Images of home and exile.Use of new media by migrant groups..

Travel and Tourism.
Cross cultural encounters through leisure travel..

Cosmopolitanism.
Being a world citizen, what does it mean today?.

Assessment Breakdown
Continuous Assessment	30%	Examination Weight	70%

Course Work Breakdown
Type	Description	% of total	Assessment Date

Reassessment Requirement
Resit arrangements are explained by the following categories; 1 = A resit is available for all components of the module 2 = No resit is available for 100% continuous assessment module 3 = No resit is available for the continuous assessment component
This module is category 1

Indicative Reading List

Bauman, Zygmunt: 1990, Thinking Sociologically, Blackwell, Oxford,
Hall, Stuart: 1992, Modernity and Its Futures, Open University Press,
Belton, Brian: 2005, Gypsy and Traveller Ethnicity,
Held, D. and McGrew, A.: 2005, Global Transformations Reader,
Cronin, M. and O'Connor, B. (eds): 2003, Irish Tourism: Image, Culture and Identity, Channel View Publications,
Urry, John: 1990, The Tourist Gaze: Leisure and Travel in Contemporary Societies, Sage., London,
Anderson, B.: 1983, Imagined Communities: Reflections on the Origin and Spread of Nationalism,
Naficy, Hamid: 1993, The Making of Exile Cultures:Iranian Television in Los Angeles, University of Minnesota Press,
Vertovec, S and Cohen, R.: 2002, Conceiving Cosmopolitanism: Theory, Context and Practice.,
Cottle, S. (ed): 2000, Ethnic Minorities and the Media: Changing Cultural Boundaries, Open University Press,