People communicate differently across societies, communities, and cultural groups, not only because they speak different languages but also because they use language in different ways. These differences can be profound, systematic, and consequential. This course explores what makes effective intercultural communication and how miscommunication and misunderstanding arise across cultural and linguistic boundaries. It examines how language, culture, history, social relationships, context, and communication media shape interaction. Drawing on linguistics, anthropology, psychology, and media and communication studies, students critically examine verbal and non-verbal communication in diverse settings, including education, health care, diplomacy, legal contexts, and humanitarian work. Particular attention is given to communication in multilingual societies, with a focus on contemporary multilingual Australia. The course provides practical linguistic tools for improving cross-cultural and intercultural understanding.
Learning Outcomes
Upon successful completion, students will have the knowledge and skills to:
- identify and analyse speech practices that are characteristic of a speech community or community of practice;
- describe and analyse speech practices and associated ways of behaving from a non-ethnocentric perspective;
- identify and critically evaluate ways of studying cross-cultural and intercultural communication;
- reflect on their experience and contribute, in their own way, to a better intercultural understanding in Australia and in the world; and
- think about, write and present an argument using evidence from intercultural and crosscultural research.
Other Information
ThIntroduction: case studiesis course is typically offered annually.
Indicative Assessment
- Class participation (10) [LO 1,2,3,4,5]
- Forum Posts (5) [LO 1,3,4]
- Data collection and data analysis task (short video presentation and 800-word written analysis) (25) [LO 1,2,3]
- Journal ( 5 entries each approximately 250 words) (25) [LO 1,2,3,4]
- Essay (1500-1800) words (35) [LO 1,2,3,5]
The ANU uses Turnitin to enhance student citation and referencing techniques, and to assess assignment submissions as a component of the University's approach to managing Academic Integrity. While the use of Turnitin is not mandatory, the ANU highly recommends Turnitin is used by both teaching staff and students. For additional information regarding Turnitin please visit the ANU Online website.
Workload
130 hours of total student learning time made up from:a) 36 hours of contact: 24 hours of lectures, 12 hours of tutorial.
b) 94 hours of independent student research, reading and writing.
Requisite and Incompatibility
Prescribed Texts
There is no prescribed textbook for this course. Required readings will be available on the course Canvas site.
Fees
Tuition fees are for the academic year indicated at the top of the page.
Commonwealth Support (CSP) Students
If you have been offered a Commonwealth supported place, your fees are set by the Australian Government for each course. At ANU 1 EFTSL is 48 units (normally 8 x 6-unit courses). More information about your student contribution amount for each course at Fees.
- Student Contribution Band:
- 1
- Unit value:
- 6 units
If you are a domestic graduate coursework student with a Domestic Tuition Fee (DTF) place or international student you will be required to pay course tuition fees (see below). Course tuition fees are indexed annually. Further information for domestic and international students about tuition and other fees can be found at Fees.
Where there is a unit range displayed for this course, not all unit options below may be available.
| Units | EFTSL |
|---|---|
| 6.00 | 0.12500 |
Course fees
- Domestic fee paying students
| Year | Fee |
|---|---|
| 2027 | $4620 |
- International fee paying students
| Year | Fee |
|---|---|
| 2027 | $6000 |
Offerings, Dates and Class Summary Links
ANU utilises MyTimetable to enable students to view the timetable for their enrolled courses, browse, then self-allocate to small teaching activities / tutorials so they can better plan their time. Find out more on the Timetable webpage.
Class summaries, if available, can be accessed by clicking on the View link for the relevant class number.
First Semester
| Class number | Class start date | Last day to enrol | Census date | Class end date | Mode Of Delivery | Class Summary |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 5502 | 22 Feb 2027 | 01 Mar 2027 | 31 Mar 2027 | 28 May 2027 | In Person | N/A |