Intercultural Communication – (M.A.)

Contents

The Master´s Degree Programme in Intercultural Communication is a two-year interdisciplinary course of study designed to enhance the professional communication competence of students preparing for careers which involve significant intercultural contact. The studies encompass 120 credit units. Prerequisite for the studies is a BA or an equivalent degree (180 cu) in a relevant field.

Students need to complete an internship of 2-3 months and a Master's Thesis for their degree. In addition to courses on Intercultural Communication and Intercultural Competence, students may focus on issues related to intercultural and international relations, intercultural education and training, communication, language and semiotics, multiculturalism in organisations and society, and area studies. The language of instruction in Intercultural Communication is English.

Master´s Degree in Intercultural Communication total 120 cu

Additional Studies 40 cu

Advanced Studies 80 cu

- including Master's Thesis (40 cu)

If necessary, Language and Communication Studies max.14 cu

Additional studies 40 cu

A. A compulsory course for all:

XENX009 Integrated Research Communication 4 cu

(organized by the University´s Language Center)

B. Depending on earlier studies, these modules or some of these modules are

compulsory for some students.

1. Fundamentals of Intercultural Communication 20 cu

2. Technologically Mediated Communication 4 cu

3. Basic Communication Theories 6 cu

4. Introduction to Research Methods 6 cu

Advanced Studies (syventävät opinnot) 80 cu

1. Core Studies 22 cu

1.1 Intercultural Communication: Theories, Models and Applications 4 cu

1.2 Intercultural Competence 6 cu

1.3. Research Methods in Intercultural Communication 6 cu

1.4. Research Seminar in Intercultural Communication 6 cu

2. Specialising Studies 10 cu

3. Career Development and Internship 8 cu

4. Master´s Thesis40 cu

ADDITIONAL STUDIES, 36 cu (18 ov)

KVVA100 Fundamentals of Intercultural Communication, 20 cu (10 ov)

Objective: To explore the role and influence of cultures on human communication, acquire knowledge on intercultural communication theories, reflect different aspects, contexts and modalities of intercultural communication and development of intercultural awareness.

Mode of study: Courses "Introduction to Intercultural Communication" (Webcourse), "Intercultural Communication Skills" and "Communication and Media in a Multicultural World", other relevant courses (e.g. Eurocampus courses) and/or literature (e.g. book exam) according to a personal study plan and as agreed with the examiner, for example: Bennett, Basic concepts of intercultural communication. Selected Readings; Chen, & Starosta, Foundations of intercultural communication; Hall, Beyond culture; Martin & Nakayama, Intercultural communication in contexts (3rd ed.).

Time: First year

VIEA040 Technologically Mediated Communication, 4 cu (2 ov)

Objective: To get acquainted with various perspectives on technologically mediated communication and the theories that help us understand this multiform context.

Mode of study: A course.
Literature: For example Barnes, Online connection; Thurlow, Lengel & Tomic, Computer-mediated communication; Büchel, Communication technology enabled organizations.

Time: First year

KVVA410 Basic Communication Theories, 6 cu (3 ov)

Objective: To get to know the essential concepts and theories of communication.

Mode of study: A course or literature according to a personal study plan and as agreed with the examiner, for example: Griffin, A first look at communication theory (4th edition).

Time: First year

KVVA510 Introduction to Research Methods, 6 cu (3 ov)

Objective: To become acquainted with methodological issues related to conducting academic research projects, and to learn about academic research practices.

Mode of study: This study module can be taken as a book exam. Book: Frey, L.R., Botan, C.H. and G.L. Kreps (2000), Investigating communication: An introduction to research methods. Boston: Allyn & Bacon.

Time: First year

ADVANCED STUDIES IN INTERCULTURAL COMMUNICATION, 80cu (40 ov)

KVVS100 - KVVS103CORE STUDIES, 20cu (10 ov)

KVVS100 Research Seminar in Intercultural Communication, 6cu (3 ov)

Objective: To deepen one´s understanding of scientific thinking, research design and research practices including academic writing. During the first year of the seminar the students prepare a research plan and present a theoretical review paper for their thesis. The course Integrated Research Communication (XENX009) will be taken alongside the seminar during the second semester. During the third semester the students will present an advanced version of their thesis in a compulsory seminar.

Mode of study: Seminar work, papers to be produced, literature, for example: Hirsjärvi, Remes, & Sajavaara, Tutki ja kirjoita; Galvan, Writing Literature Reviews. A Guide for Students of the Social and Behavioral Sciences (3rd ed.); Pyrczak & Bruce, Writing Empirical Research Reports. A Basic Guide for Students of the Social and Behavioral Students (5th ed.).

Time: First year and the first semester of the second year

KVVS101 Research Methods in Intercultural Communication, 6cu (3 ov)

Objective: To further develop an understanding of the major quantitative, qualitative and mixed research methods used in intercultural communication as well as with data collection and data analysis.

Mode of study: Course, exercises, literature, for example: Denzin & Lincoln (eds.), Handbook of qualitative research; Brannen, Mixing methods: qualitative and quantitative research; Hirsjärvi & Hurme, Tutkimushaastattelu. Teemahaastattelun teoria ja käytäntö

Time: Second semester of the first year

KVVS102 Intercultural Communication: Theories, Models and Applications, 4cu (2 ov)

Objective: To analyze and critically discuss the main approaches in intercultural communication and related fields.

Mode of study: Course (also: Eurocampus course) and literature, for example:

Gudykunst, Theorizing about intercultural communication; Hofstede, Culture's consequences. Comparing values, behaviours, institutions, and organizations.

Prerequisite: Introduction to Intercultural Communication or equivalent.

Time: First semester of the first year.

KVVS103 Intercultural Competence, 6cu (3 ov)

Objective: To critically examine the existing models of intercultural communication competence and review them by incorporating new approaches, including the ethical dimension of communication.

Mode of study: Course (also: Eurocampus course) and literature as specified by the lecturer(s).

Prerequisite: Introduction to Intercultural Communication or equivalent.

Time: First year

KVVS200 - KVVS700 SPECIALISING STUDIES, 10cu (5 ov)

Objectives: To deepen one´s knowledge on a particular field of study in accordance with a thesis project and a personal study plan, and to specialize and gain a deeper understanding in particular areas of interest, such as area studies, multiculturalism in society and organisations, intercultural education and training, communication, language and semiotics, programme and project management, and international relations.

Mode of study: Courses (also Eurocampus courses), Lecture Passport, and/or literature as specified by the lecturer.

Time: First or second year

KVVS800 CAREER DEVELOPMENT AND INTERNSHIP, 8cu (4 ov)

Objective: To develop one´s insights and professional skills pertaining to different career options; to reflect and deepen one´s professional expertise in an intercultural context.

Mode of study: Personal study plan (HOPS) discussions, individual meetings with the internship supervisor, lectures, an internship of 2-3 months facilitated by a Learning Contract (LC).

Time: First and/or second year

KVVS900 MASTER´S THESIS, 40cu (20 ov)

Objective: To learn to 1) define a relevant research problem in the field of intercultural communication, 2) develop a qualified academic research design, 3) conduct the research project to a successful completion and 4) to produce a research report.

Mode of study: Independent work in conjunction with the research seminar and supervising sessions.

Time: First and second year

Language and Communication Studies: 4-14 ECTS credits

a) Obligatory for all:

XENX009 Integrated Research Communication 4 ECTS credits

b) Depending on earlier studies:

For foreign students:

XSU0005 Suomi 1 5 ECTS credits

XSU0006 Suomi 2 5 ECTS credits

For Finnish students, who haven´t taken a course in Swedish within their BA-degrees:

XRU0102 Akademisk svenska 3 ECTS credits

For foreign students and for those Finnish students, who haven´t taken a maturity test (maturiteetti) within their BA-degrees

KVV0Y96 Maturity test 1 ECTS credit

For those whose mother tongue is English:

Course in another foreign language 3 ECTS credits

Language and Communication Studies and Additional Studies: Total 40 ECTS credits