977918 In-country Language and Culture Study
Warning: The information on this page is indicative. The subject outline for a
particular session, location and mode of offering is the authoritative source
of all information about the subject for that offering. Required texts, recommended texts and references in particular are likely to change. Students will be provided with a subject outline once they enrol in the subject.
Subject handbook information prior to 2018 is available in the Archives.
Credit points: 6 cp
Result type: Grade and marks
Anti-requisite(s): 977913 In-country Language and Culture Study
Description
This subject provides students with the opportunity to enhance their communication skills in another language and develop their intercultural awareness and knowledge of another society through completion of an intensive course of study at an international UTS partner organisation. It is offered in July and Summer sessions, however the specific programs and languages available may vary. Programs cater for a range of levels of language proficiency from beginner to intermediate. Students participate in classes at UTS before their departure and after their return from overseas to support their learning experience.
The international program includes classroom-based seminars supplemented by a series of local excursions. Through the experience of living and learning abroad, the subject enhances students' linguistic proficiency, intercultural communication skills and understanding of their own and others' cultures and encourages them to apply this knowledge to their future professional lives.
Subject learning objectives (SLOs)
| A. | communicate more effectively in the local language of the international program and also in English. |
|---|---|
| B. | reflect on the behaviours and values in the host and home cultures, thereby enhancing intercultural awareness |
| C. | Learn independently |
| D. | Engage with the activities of the international program |
Contribution to the development of graduate attributes
As this is a stand-alone subject and not part of a specific degree program, the subject engages with the following Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences Graduate Attributes:
1. Professional Readiness
2. Critical and Creative Inquiry
3. International and Intercultural Engagement
5. Active Citizenship
6. Effective Communication
Teaching and learning strategies
This subject provides an immersive learning experience in an international location. Students learning is also supported by interactive seminars class at UTS before and after the international program. The pre-departure workshops will allow students to work in groups to explore aspects of intercultural learning and to help prepare them for their in-country experience. During the in-country intensive program, students will participate in interactive, seminar classes focussed on developing communication skills the target language and culture. Programs include excursions and activities to provide real-life communication exchanges in the target language and help students develop intercultural knowledge. Students will also collaboratively and individually reflect on their own and other students’ experiences and learning in workshops after returning to Sydney.
Content (topics)
The subject will include content on notions of culture,intercultural awareness, communication strategies and working in globalised societies.
Assessment
Assessment task 1: Completion of the in-country host institution program
| Intent: | A mandatory component of this subject is the completion of the international program. This is a mandatory task that does not contribute to subject mark. |
|---|---|
| Type: | Exercises |
| Groupwork: | Individual |
| Length: | N/A |
Assessment task 2: Intercultural Experience Report
| Objective(s): | A, B, C and D | ||||||||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Type: | Report | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Groupwork: | Individual | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Weight: | 50% | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Length: | 2,000 – 2,500 words, containing the following to parts:
| ||||||||||||||||||||
| Criteria linkages: |
SLOs: subject learning objectives CILOs: course intended learning outcomes |
Assessment task 3: Presentation
| Objective(s): | A, B and C | ||||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Type: | Presentation | ||||||||||||||||
| Groupwork: | Individual | ||||||||||||||||
| Weight: | 50% | ||||||||||||||||
| Length: | The presentation should be 3-4 minutes in length. | ||||||||||||||||
| Criteria linkages: |
SLOs: subject learning objectives CILOs: course intended learning outcomes |
Minimum requirements
Students must actively participate in all activities of the in-country host institution program. Attendance at the pre-departure and presentations seminars is essential in this subject because important information is only available through the essential interchange of ideas with other students and the tutor. An attendance roll will be taken at each seminars.
Required texts
Students should be aware of the Policies and Procedures for Assessment of Coursework Subjects.
References
INDICATIVE REFERENCES:
The following list of references provides examples of encounters and journeys in a range of cultures:
Baldwin, J.R., Faulkner, S.L., Hecht, M.L. and Lindsley, S.L. (eds) (2006) Redefining Culture: Perspectives across the Disciplines, Mahwah, NJ: Lawrence Erlbaum.
Bestor, T. C. (1998) Neighbourhood Tokyo, Documentary Educational Resources, Massachussetts (video documentary, in UTS Library).
Bonvillain, N. (2011) Language, Culture and Communication, 6th edn, Upper Saddle River, NJ: Prentice Hall.
Hofstede, G. and Hofstede, G.J. (1995) ‘Intercultural Encounters’ in Cultures and Organizations: Software of the Mind, 2nd edition, McGraw-Hill, New York, pp. 319-362.
Martin, J.N., Nakayama, T.K. and Flores, L.A. (eds) (2002) Readings in Intercultural Communication: Experiences and Contexts, 2nd edn, Boston: McGraw-Hill.
Matsumoto, D. and Hwang, H.S. (2012) ‘Nonverbal communication: The messages of emotion, action, space, and silence’, in J. Jackson (ed.) The Routledge Handbook of Language and Intercultural Communication, Abingdon: Routledge, pp. 130-47.
Pink S. (2007) ‘Walking with Video’ in Visual Studies, Vol. 22, No. 3, December 2007, (pp. 240-253), http://www.tandfonline.com/doi/abs/10.1080/14725860701657142?journalCode=rvst20#preview (accessed 07 October 2011).
Scott, J. (2006) ‘God, We’re Not Immigrants! A Reflection on Moving and Staying’ in Portal Journal of Multidisciplinary International Studies, vol. 3 no. 1, pp. 1-6. Available online at: http://epress.lib.uts.edu.au/ojs/index.php/portal/article/view/150 (accessed 6 Nov 2014).
Slimbach, R. (2005) ‘The Transcultural Journey’, Frontiers. The Interdisciplinary Journal of Study Abroad, vol. XI (August). Available online at: http://www.frontiersjournal.com/documents/RSlimbachFrontiersAug05.pdf (accessed 6 Nov 2014).
Sorrells, K. (2013) Intercultural Communication: Globalization and Social Justice, Thousand Oaks, CA: Sage.
