AL201406 Understanding Culture

Minimum college entrance requirements

The international arena shows great social and cultural diversity. Economical and political systems are far more than traditions of democracy and commercial market based economy. To succeed in an international context, knowledge of different economical, political and sociocultural systems is required; background knowledge related to how people with different cultural backgrounds think and act. Objective of the course is to give insight in cultural dimensions of e.g. social relations and network, identity, economy, organisation, development and globalisation.

After having completed the course, the candidate should have insight, understanding, and respect for the cultural patterns that determine his/her own and others' behaviour.By looking at relevant literature and practical exercises, the student will acquire concepts for analyzing and describing culture and national cultures. The candidate should also learn to prepare a meeting with a foreign business culture that can minimize unnecessary communication problems.

The course content builds on research in anthropology, psychology, ethics, and social studies.
Central topics studied are:
Cultural practices in time and space;
Theories of culture, identity and behavior patterns;
Analytic approach to culture;
The global and the local;
Interaction and communication across cultures;
Relation and distinction between Western and Non-Western states;
Global variation in consumption, social organization, economic systems and economic practices.

Lectures, group work, seminars, film

A group project must be handed in for evaluation before the examination period. Final date of delivery will be given at the start of the semester. Private students must submit a written essay with a theme similar to the group project.

A 3-hour final written exam counts 50% of the final examination mark. The group project counts 50% of final examination mark.