Online CAS Transcultural Communication & Competence

The online distance learning Certificate of Advanced Studies program in Transcultural Communication & Competence combines the advantages of e-learning with traditional distance learning.

Participants work online at their own pace, whenever and wherever they wish, on the road, at home, or at the place of work. Study takes place in a personalized manner according to the participants` own learning preferences and learning styles. Study materials are interactive multimedia, can be downloaded and printed out for easy reading and archiving, and are easily adaptable to individual needs. After admission, participants are assigned a coach and receive per e-mail all the information needed to access the learning platform and begin studying.

When should you consider this program?

You are privately or professionally involved in different socio-cultural settings and situations. You are interested in questions of intercultural communication, international understanding and cooperation. You are looking for reliable, praxis-oriented know-how to solve problems in these areas. The Certificate Course in Transcultural Communication & Competence enables participants to develop competencies and find solutions in all areas of intercultural communication and cooperation in both the private and the public sectors. The program covers the areas of intercultural communication, dealing with cultural differences, relations between cultural groups, conflict analysis and management in intercultural situations, problems of international organizations, expatriates, minorities, migration, integration, ethnicity and identity, extremism, diversity management, systemic management, intercultural project management, and other topics and problem areas confronting today’s multicultural society.

The program can be taken as an independent Certificate of Advanced Studies course (20 European Credit Transfer System Points) or as a module in the MAS Transcultural Communication offered by the Institute for Communication & Leadership IKF located in Lucerne, Switzerland.

What skills are developed in this program?

The CAS Transcultural Communication & Management enables participants

• To understand and apply current theories, models, and methods of intercultural communication in organizations within the private and public sectors.

• To analyze, steer, and implement transcultural communication processes.

• To deal effectively with communication problems arising within multicultural organizations, teams, groups, and networks.

• To offer innovative consulting in the area of diversity management and intercultural project management.

Is the Online CAS in Transcultural Communication & Competence for you?

The Online CAS in Transcultural Communication & Management is designed to meet the needs of:

• Decision makers and managers in private as well as public organizations of all types.

• Persons responsible for developing and optimizing communication and team processes in multicultural organizations.

• Persons directing transnational projects and teams.

• Consultants in the area transnational and multicultural organizations.

• Persons responsible for problem solving in all areas involving cultural differences and international relations including issues of migration, integration, racism, and interreligious understanding.

• Decision makers, instructors, consultants, managers, team leaders interested in optimizing diversity and avoiding typical pitfalls in multicultural cooperation.

Who is eligible?

Applicants should have successfully completed a university program or have obtained a comparable educational level. Students are also expected to have an adequate level of media competence. Previous experience in the area of intercultural communication is not required. Students should have access to the Internet and a good command of the English language. The language of instruction is English and/or German.

What must be done to complete the course?

Requirements for receiving the Certificate of Advanced Studies CAS diploma in Transcultural Communication & Competence are:

• Completion of the online lessons.

• Participation in virtual meetings.

• Successful completion of a project thesis that is agreed upon with the coach and approved by the program directors.

• Contribution to the course Wiki.

Testing

The requirements for successfully completing the CAS Transcultural Communication & Competence are:

• Successful completion of the online lessons.

• Successful completion of the tasks and assignments.Participation in the virtual meetings.

• Contribution to the course Wiki or to the Transcultural Portal website: www.transkulturelles-portal.com

• Successful completion of a project which has been approved by your coach and the program director

Institute of Communication & Leadership IKF

The Institute of Communication & Leadership IKF is a private academic organization dedicated to research, teaching, and services in the area of applied communication sciences. IKF sees itself as a vital link between science and society. Since it was founded in 1988, IKF has been active not only in teaching but also in research, and in the development of services in the areas of intercultural communication, intercultural mediation, e-learning, and knowledge management. IKF is the largest providers of continuing education and post-doc programs in intercultural communication, e-learning, and knowledge management in Switzerland.

Curriculum

Lesson Block 1 - Theoretical Foundations of Transcultural Communication & Management
Introduction to Intercultural & Cross-Cultural Communication, Theories of Culture, System Theory, Communication Theory, Semiotics & Difference Theory, Role Theory, Ritual Theory, Theories of Power, Theoretical Foundations of Transcultural Communication & Management

Lesson Block 2 - Differences Between Cultures
Development and Overview of Intercultural Communication Studies, Cultural Dimensions (Hall, Hofstede, Trompenaars & Hampden-Turner, Schwartz), Cultural Standards, Stereotypes & Prejudice, Communication Styles & Non-Verbal Communication

Lesson Block 3 - Relations Between Cultures
Culture Shock,  Intercultural Sensitivity, Intercultural Competence, Migration, Acculturation, Integration, Expatriates

Lesson Block 4 -  Intercultural & International Organizations
Organization Theory, Systemic Management, Multicultural Organizations & Diversity Management, Intercultural Project Management

In addition to the above lessons, students must also complete a project. The guidelines for preparing a project explain the requirements for successfully completing the course project and should be consulted at the beginning of the course.

Costs

Cost overview

Information

Brochüre