BUSINESS 151G : Communication in a Multicultural Society

Business and Economics

2021 Semester Two (1215) (15 POINTS)

Course Prescription

Communication knowledge and skills are essential in business careers and for interpersonal and intercultural relationships. This course offers a theory-based approach combined with applied communication practices. Communication knowledge, competencies and skills are developed through exploring relationships, mediated communication, writing, team dynamics, oral presentation and technologies.

Course Overview

BUSINESS 151G "Communication in a Multicultural Society" is the only General Education Course that focuses on enhancing your intercultural intelligence through developing your intercultural communication skills. This occurs through a range of engaging and lively interactive class discussions and seminars. Your intercultural communication skills are further developed by working in teams to explore your own identity expressions and those of others. Your course work is focused on communication challenges  you will face in the global workplace and strategies on how to overcome these challenges to enhance your leadership and communication skills. Course material, delivery and assessment  are all highly relevant to your  career pathways as work/learning/play environments are now all intercultural.  

Course Requirements

Restriction: BUSINESS 101, 291, MGMT 291

Capabilities Developed in this Course

Capability 1: Disciplinary Knowledge and Practice
Capability 2: Critical Thinking
Capability 3: Solution Seeking
Capability 4: Communication and Engagement
Graduate Profile: University

Learning Outcomes

By the end of this course, students will be able to:
  1. Demonstrate critical thinking to a range of theoretical and case studies drawn on throughout the course (Capability 2, 3 and 4)
  2. Develop a comprehensive understanding of the disciplinary knowledge that underpins intercultural communication in practice (Capability 1)
  3. Communicate solution seeking when working on intercultural communication challenges on multiple context particularly those relevant to work and business environments (Capability 3)
  4. Demonstrate a solid understanding of disciplinary knowledge that underpins the practice of intercultural communication across a range of different contexts (Capability 4)

Assessments

Assessment Type Percentage Classification
Presentation 20% Group Coursework
Test 1 15% Individual Coursework
Test 2 15% Individual Coursework
Final Exam 50% Individual Examination
Assessment Type Learning Outcome Addressed
1 2 3 4
Presentation
Test 1
Test 2
Final Exam

Workload Expectations

This course is a standard 15 point course and students are expected to spend 10 hours per week involved in each 15 point course that they are enrolled in.

Delivery Mode

Learning Resources

Course content is drawn from the following textbook.
Varner, I., & Beamer, L., (2011) Intercultural Communication in the Global Workplace. (5th ed.) USA: McGraw-Hill
Course content may also draw from academic journals, documentaries, multimedia and practitioner/business specific articles.

Student Feedback

At the end of every semester students will be invited to give feedback on the course and teaching through a tool called SET or Qualtrics. The lecturers and course co-ordinators will consider all feedback and respond with summaries and actions.

Your feedback helps teachers to improve the course and its delivery for future students.

Class Representatives in each class can take feedback to the department and faculty staff-student consultative committees.

Other Information

Full details of the course work assessment will be made available on CANVAS

Digital Resources

Course materials are made available in a learning and collaboration tool called Canvas which also includes reading lists and lecture recordings (where available).

Please remember that the recording of any class on a personal device requires the permission of the instructor.

Academic Integrity

The University of Auckland will not tolerate cheating, or assisting others to cheat, and views cheating in coursework as a serious academic offence. The work that a student submits for grading must be the student's own work, reflecting their learning. Where work from other sources is used, it must be properly acknowledged and referenced. This requirement also applies to sources on the internet. A student's assessed work may be reviewed against online source material using computerised detection mechanisms.

Inclusive Learning

All students are asked to discuss any impairment related requirements privately, face to face and/or in written form with the course coordinator, lecturer or tutor.

Student Disability Services also provides support for students with a wide range of impairments, both visible and invisible, to succeed and excel at the University. For more information and contact details, please visit the Student Disability Services’ website http://disability.auckland.ac.nz

Special Circumstances

If your ability to complete assessed coursework is affected by illness or other personal circumstances outside of your control, contact a member of teaching staff as soon as possible before the assessment is due.

If your personal circumstances significantly affect your performance, or preparation, for an exam or eligible written test, refer to the University’s aegrotat or compassionate consideration page https://www.auckland.ac.nz/en/students/academic-information/exams-and-final-results/during-exams/aegrotat-and-compassionate-consideration.html.

This should be done as soon as possible and no later than seven days after the affected test or exam date.

Learning Continuity

In the event of an unexpected disruption we undertake to maintain the continuity and standard of teaching and learning in all your courses throughout the year. If there are unexpected disruptions the University has contingency plans to ensure that access to your course continues and your assessment is fair, and not compromised. Some adjustments may need to be made in emergencies. You will be kept fully informed by your course co-ordinator, and if disruption occurs you should refer to the University Website for information about how to proceed.

Student Charter and Responsibilities

The Student Charter assumes and acknowledges that students are active participants in the learning process and that they have responsibilities to the institution and the international community of scholars. The University expects that students will act at all times in a way that demonstrates respect for the rights of other students and staff so that the learning environment is both safe and productive. For further information visit Student Charter https://www.auckland.ac.nz/en/students/forms-policies-and-guidelines/student-policies-and-guidelines/student-charter.html.

Disclaimer

Elements of this outline may be subject to change. The latest information about the course will be available for enrolled students in Canvas.

In this course you may be asked to submit your coursework assessments digitally. The University reserves the right to conduct scheduled tests and examinations for this course online or through the use of computers or other electronic devices. Where tests or examinations are conducted online remote invigilation arrangements may be used. The final decision on the completion mode for a test or examination, and remote invigilation arrangements where applicable, will be advised to students at least 10 days prior to the scheduled date of the assessment, or in the case of an examination when the examination timetable is published.