Details for Intercultural Communication

This subject provides students with an opportunity to study the principles and processes of communication theory and how to apply that in the process of the contextualization of the Christian message. These tools are important for ministry anywhere in the world including in cross-cultural mission.

It will also introduce students to the communication prototypes inherent in the Scriptures as well as preparing students for Christian witness in their own ministry context.

The unit Intercultural Communication is part of the subject area Communication and is offered as a part of the following Awards: Bachelor of Applied Theology (Korean) (Alphacrucis College (NSW Dept. of Education)), Bachelor of Contemporary Ministry (Alphacrucis College (NSW Dept. of Education)).

Unit Content

Curriculum Objective

This unit provides an overview of intercultural communication theory, principals, and application

Subject Content

1. Theories and models of intercultural communication
2. Social cognition and its relevance to intercultural communication
3. Communication patterns of differing worldviews
4. Intercultural communication in contexts: Christian mission, education & business
5. Cultural transition and adaptation
6. Cultural differences in conflict management

This course may be offered in the following formats

Lectures, group discussions, writing

Please consult your course prospectus or enquire about how and when this course will be offered next at Alphacrucis College.

Assessment Methods

Major Essay (50%, 2500 words); Group Project (20%, 1000 words plus presentation); Exam (30%)

Prescribed Text

Readings provided

Representative References

• Dyrness, W. A. Invitation to cross-cultural theology: case studies in vernacular theologies. Grand Rapids, Mich., Zondervan, 1992.
• Gudykunst, W. B. (2004). Bridging differences: Effective intergroup communication. Thousand Oaks, CA: Sage.
• Gudykunst, W. B., & Kim, Y. Y. (2003). Communicating with strangers: An approach to intercultural communication. New York, NY: McGraw Hill.
• Kraft, C. H. Culture, communication, and Christianity : a selection of writings. Pasadena, Calif., William Carey Library, 2001.
• Lustig, M. W., & Koester, J. (2006). Intercultural competence: Interpersonal communication across cultures. New York, NY: Allyn and Bacon.
• Lustig, M. W., & Koester, J. (2006). Among us: Essays on identity, belonging, and intercultural competence. New York, NY: Pearson Education, Inc.
• Samovar, L. A., & Porter, R. E. (2003). Intercultural communication: A reader. Belmont, CA: Thomson/Wadsworth.
• Reynolds, S. and D. Valentine. Guide to cross-cultural communication. Upper Saddle River, N.J., Pearson Prentice Hall, 2004.
• Samovar, L. A., Porter, R. E., & McDaniel, E. R. (2007). Communication between cultures. Belmont, CA: Thomson/Wadsworth.
• Scollon, R., & Scollon, S. (1996). Intercultural communication: A discourse approach. Blackwell, Oxford.
• West, R., & Turner, L. H. (2004). Introducing communication theory: Analysis and application. New York, NY: McGraw Hill.