EIL4004 - International Communication and Culture

Leader: Farzad Sharifian and Lorraine Bullock

Offered

Not offered in 2007

Synopsis

In this unit students consider the implications of studying in an English academic tradition; how this might offer a different understating of knowledge and different expressions of content within the research framework. Every culture has its own historically developed learning style that applies to all levels of teaching within the institution. During the unit students will examine different academic traditions and how they approach learning and also consider how this might affect their own research and development strategies and practices.

Objectives

Upon the successful completion of this unit, students will have developed the ability to:

1. Evaluate their learning style in relation to the expectations of this discourse community,
2. Understand differences between various culturally determined approaches to learning,
3. Position themselves as researchers with the western academic tradition,
4. Understand the place of the writer's voice within this academic tradition,
5. Use their prior knowledge of learning to enhance their approach to research within this academic tradition,
6. Understand the concepts of cultural literacy as it applies to postgraduate study within the western academic tradition, and
7. Develop a range of skills that will facilitate their research within this discourse community.

Assessment

Oral Presentation (500 words) : 10%
Comparative Essay (2000 words) : 35%
Annotated Bibliography (1000 words) : 25%
1 hour Class Test (1000 words) : 25%
Seminar participation and preparation 5%

Contact hours

1 two-hour seminar per week.

Prerequisites

The successful completion of an undergraduate program, An IELTS score of 6.0, where no band is less that 5.5