In different societies people speak differently, not only because they speak different languages but because their ways of using language are different. These differences can be profound and systematic. Today’s transnational flows of people, ideas, languages, and practices mean that we encounter these differences in contexts ranging from home, school, hospital, workplaces, to international business, tourism, diplomacy and humanitarian work. This drives the need to understand both ‘cross-cultural communication’ (communication across different groups and societies) and ‘intercultural communication’ (communication within groups and societies).  How people choose to interact with others stems from the languages they speak, and also from their histories, the values of the groups they identify with, their relations with their interactants, the goals of the interaction, the setting in which it takes place and the medium (digital, face-to-face, written).  We explore these from a linguistic perspective, critically examining the empirical basis for claims made about communication in a range of societies including, for example, Australia, the US, Indigenous Australia, China, France, Germany, Japan, Israel, Korea, and Hispanic speech communities. A general framework for understanding verbal as well as non-verbal communication across and between groups is outlined, drawing on insights from linguistics, psychology, anthropology, tourism, media and communication studies.

Learning Outcomes

Upon successful completion, students will have the knowledge and skills to:

1. identify and analyse speech practices that are characteristic of a speech community or community of practice;
2. describe and analyse speech practices and associated ways of behaving from a non-ethnocentric perspective;
3. identify and evaluate ways of studying cross-cultural and intercultural communication;
4. reflect on their experience and contribute, in their own way, to a better intercultural understanding in Australia and in the world; and
5. carry out research on intercultural or crosscultural communication.

Staff Feedback

Students will be given feedback in the following forms in this course:

• specific written comments on your assignments,
• peer & staff feedback on presentations
• in-class, forum and tutorial discussion
• in person/online at office hours or by appointment 

Student Feedback

ANU is committed to the demonstration of educational excellence and regularly seeks feedback from students. Students are encouraged to offer feedback directly to their Course Convener or through their College and Course representatives (if applicable). The feedback given in these surveys is anonymous and provides the Colleges, University Education Committee and Academic Board with opportunities to recognise excellent teaching, and opportunities for improvement. The Surveys and Evaluation website provides more information on student surveys at ANU and reports on the feedback provided on ANU courses.

Other Information

Work will consist of reading, discussing course content on the course forum and in tutorials, working collaboratively to develop cross-cultural perspectives on the readings/topics for one week, and carrying out research and analysis.

Reading:

Reading includes the lecture notes, the weekly readings, and readings for the assignments. Read steadily throughout the course. Readings relevant to tutorials and lectures will be most beneficial if done in advance.

Referencing requirements:

Harvard in-text referencing, with a full list of references formatted consistently. Stylesheet on Wattle site.

Class Schedule

Week/Session	Summary of Activities	Assessment
1	Introduction and definitions; Language and cross-cultural communication	Forum post: Introduce yourself and your language background.
2	Culture and cross-cultural communication; Theoretical approaches	Forum post: Describe a rich point experience for yourself.
3	Politeness and solidarity; Speech acts	Forum post: Describe a typical greeting or address term based on your experience.
4	Interaction and conversation	Assessment 1: Quiz
5	Non-verbal communication; Emotion, humour, metaphor and slang	Assessment 2: Data analysis task
6	Research methods and data types	Forum post: What’s one interesting thing you learned from your assignment?
7	Individual and group identities; Communities of practice	Forum post: ‘Humans are weird’ - describe an interaction from an outsider’s perspective.
8	Essentialism and stereotyping; Comparing cultures	Forum post: Find a recent media article and discuss from the perspective of cross-cultural communication.
9	Intercultural competence; Personal relationships	Assessment 3: Presentations begin Forum post: Peer feedback on selected presentations.
10	Communication in digital media, and in healthcare and humanitarian contexts	Forum post: Comment on some examples of public health messaging you have seen over the last 12-18 months from a cross-cultural communication perspective.
11	Communication in the workplace and in educational contexts	Forum post: Discuss a potential or experienced miscommunication in a workplace.
12	Communication and the justice system; Course summary	Forum post: Reflections on course. Assessment 4: Research report (Examination period)

Assessment Summary

Assessment task	Value	Learning Outcomes
Quiz	10 %	1, 2
Data analysis task	20 %	1, 2, 3, 4, 5
Presentation	15 %	1, 2, 3, 4
Research report	45 %	1, 2, 3, 4, 5
Forum participation	10 %	1, 2, 4, 5

* If the Due Date and Return of Assessment date are blank, see the Assessment Tab for specific Assessment Task details

Policies

ANU has educational policies, procedures and guidelines, which are designed to ensure that staff and students are aware of the University’s academic standards, and implement them. Students are expected to have read the Academic Misconduct Rule before the commencement of their course. Other key policies and guidelines include:

• Student Assessment (Coursework) Policy and Procedure
• Special Assessment Consideration Policy and General Information 
• Student Surveys and Evaluations
• Deferred Examinations
• Student Complaint Resolution Policy and Procedure

Assessment Requirements

The ANU is using 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. For additional information regarding Turnitin please visit the Academic Integrity . In rare cases where online submission using Turnitin software is not technically possible; or where not using Turnitin software has been justified by the Course Convener and approved by the Associate Dean (Education) on the basis of the teaching model being employed; students shall submit assessment online via ‘Wattle’ outside of Turnitin, or failing that in hard copy, or through a combination of submission methods as approved by the Associate Dean (Education). The submission method is detailed below.

Moderation of Assessment

Marks that are allocated during Semester are to be considered provisional until formalised by the College examiners meeting at the end of each Semester. If appropriate, some moderation of marks might be applied prior to final results being released.

Assessment Task 1

Quiz

Details of task and assessment: Provided on Wattle website.

This quiz is for you to check your understanding of core concepts.

Assessment Task 2

Data analysis task

Details of task and assessment rubric: Provided on Wattle website.

This written task is for you to practise your skills in analysing how language is used, with reference to data you have collected.

1500 words

Assessment Task 3

Presentation

Details of task and assessment rubric: Provided on Wattle website.

This presentation task is for you to reflect on the readings and ideas of the course related to a specific topic, and to provide perspectives on them from a particular cultural background.

Assessment Task 4

Research report

Details of task and assessment rubric: Provided on Wattle website.

This written task is for you to consolidate your understanding of the ideas discussed in the readings, tutorials and lectures, and extend your research and analytical skills.

2500 words

Assessment Task 5

Forum participation

Further details of task provided on Wattle website.

Each week students will contribute discussion to the online forum on Wattle, in relation to the topics posted for each week. This task is for you to share your understanding of and reflections on the ideas discussed in the readings and lectures, and explore opportunities to apply the theories to current contexts.

Academic Integrity

Academic integrity is a core part of the ANU culture as a community of scholars. At its heart, academic integrity is about behaving ethically, committing to honest and responsible scholarly practice and upholding these values with respect and fairness.

The ANU commits to assisting all members of our community to understand how to engage in academic work in ways that are consistent with, and actively support academic integrity. The ANU expects staff and students to be familiar with the academic integrity principle and Academic Misconduct Rule, uphold high standards of academic integrity and act ethically and honestly, to ensure the quality and value of the qualification that you will graduate with.

The Academic Misconduct Rule is in place to promote academic integrity and manage academic misconduct. Very minor breaches of the academic integrity principle may result in a reduction of marks of up to 10% of the total marks available for the assessment. The ANU offers a number of online and in person services to assist students with their assignments, examinations, and other learning activities. Visit the Academic Skills website for more information about academic integrity, your responsibilities and for assistance with your assignments, writing skills and study.

Online Submission

You will be required to electronically sign a declaration as part of the submission of your assignment. Please keep a copy of the assignment for your records. Unless an exemption has been approved by the Associate Dean (Education) all submission must be through Turnitin.

Hardcopy Submission

For some forms of assessment (hand written assignments, art works, laboratory notes, etc.) hard copy submission is appropriate when approved by the Associate Dean (Education). Hard copy submissions must utilise the Assignment Cover Sheet. Please keep a copy of tasks completed for your records.

Late Submission

Late submission of assessment tasks without an extension are penalised at the rate of 5% of the possible marks available per working day or part thereof. Late submission of assessment tasks is not accepted after 10 working days after the due date, or on or after the date specified in the course outline for the return of the assessment item. Late submission is not accepted for take-home examinations.

The Course Convener may grant extensions for assessment pieces that are not examinations or take-home examinations. If you need an extension for the Data Analysis Task or the Research Report, you must request it in writing on or before the due date with appropriate documentation. If you have documented and appropriate medical evidence that demonstrates you were not able to request an extension on or before the due date, you may be able to request it after the due date.

If you have documented and appropriate medical evidence that demonstrates you were not able to attend the examination, that is provided within two days of the examination, you may be able to request a supplementary examination.

Referencing Requirements

Accepted academic practice for referencing sources that you use in presentations can be found via the links on the Wattle site, under the file named “ANU and College Policies, Program Information, Student Support Services and Assessment”. Alternatively, you can seek help through the Students Learning Development website.

Returning Assignments

Student work is returned on Wattle. 

Extensions and Penalties

Extensions and late submission of assessment pieces are covered by the Student Assessment (Coursework) Policy and Procedure. Extensions may be granted for assessment pieces that are not examinations or take-home examinations. If you need an extension, you must request an extension in writing on or before the due date. If you have documented and appropriate medical evidence that demonstrates you were not able to request an extension on or before the due date, you may be able to request it after the due date.

Resubmission of Assignments

No resubmission.

Privacy Notice

The ANU has made a number of third party, online, databases available for students to use. Use of each online database is conditional on student end users first agreeing to the database licensor’s terms of service and/or privacy policy. Students should read these carefully. In some cases student end users will be required to register an account with the database licensor and submit personal information, including their: first name; last name; ANU email address; and other information.
In cases where student end users are asked to submit ‘content’ to a database, such as an assignment or short answers, the database licensor may only use the student’s ‘content’ in accordance with the terms of service – including any (copyright) licence the student grants to the database licensor. Any personal information or content a student submits may be stored by the licensor, potentially offshore, and will be used to process the database service in accordance with the licensors terms of service and/or privacy policy.
If any student chooses not to agree to the database licensor’s terms of service or privacy policy, the student will not be able to access and use the database. In these circumstances students should contact their lecturer to enquire about alternative arrangements that are available.

Distribution of grades policy

Academic Quality Assurance Committee monitors the performance of students, including attrition, further study and employment rates and grade distribution, and College reports on quality assurance processes for assessment activities, including alignment with national and international disciplinary and interdisciplinary standards, as well as qualification type learning outcomes.

Since first semester 1994, ANU uses a grading scale for all courses. This grading scale is used by all academic areas of the University.

Support for students

The University offers students support through several different services. You may contact the services listed below directly or seek advice from your Course Convener, Student Administrators, or your College and Course representatives (if applicable).

• ANU Health, safety & wellbeing for medical services, counselling, mental health and spiritual support
• ANU Diversity and inclusion for students with a disability or ongoing or chronic illness
• ANU Dean of Students for confidential, impartial advice and help to resolve problems between students and the academic or administrative areas of the University
• ANU Academic Skills and Learning Centre supports you make your own decisions about how you learn and manage your workload.
• ANU Counselling Centre promotes, supports and enhances mental health and wellbeing within the University student community.
• ANUSA supports and represents undergraduate and ANU College students
• PARSA supports and represents postgraduate and research students