Intercultural Communication

This module will address a range of issues relevant to cultural policies and practices in International Relations. The module has two distinct elements: the first will introduce students to the major theories and ideas within International Cultural Relations and will provide insight into its practice by a wide range of actors (governments, international organisations, corporations, non-governmental organisations and individuals). This section of the module will also map the relationship of the cultural/national identity will be explored as well as specific areas of international affairs and in the context of globalisation of culture. The second section of the module will provide an introduction to cultural policy models and cult

This module will address a range of issues relevant to cultural policies and practices in International Relations. The module has two distinct elements: the first will introduce students to the major theories and ideas within International Cultural Relations and will provide insight into its practice by a wide range of actors (governments, international organisations, corporations, non-governmental organisations and individuals). This section of the module will also map the relationship of the cultural/national identity will be explored as well as specific areas of international affairs and in the context of globalisation of culture. The second section of the module will provide an introduction to cultural policy models and cultural policies indifferent countries and contexts. Reference will also be made to the role of the European Union in cultural policy development in a multidimensional framework of identity.

Topics include learning about the history and theory of international cultural relations, discussing the notions of cultural diplomacy and public diplomacy, analysing the relation between the culture and diplomacy, investigating the concepts of cultural diversity, intercultural dialogue, mutuality, cultural and linguistic human rights, soft power and hegemony, and connecting these with contemporary developments in different areas of international affairs. This module contains a component on study skills particular to the subject, including an evaluation of source material, in particular policy documents and reports, and on more general areas of essay writing. Classes will emphasise an in-depth knowledge of international cultural relations in all its facets including soft power, globalisation, mutuality and cultural diversity, and will provide an opportunity to develop individual competencies and professional networks among practitioners and scholars.

Goff, Patricia, Dunn, Kevin C. (2004). Identity and Global Politics: Theoretical and Empirical Elaborations (Culture and Religion in International Relations). Palgrave Macmillan: Basingstoke.

Hall, Martin & Jackson, Patrick, Thaddeus (Eds.). (2007). Civilisational Identity. The Production and Reproduction of Civilisations in International Relations. Palgrave Macmillan: Basingstoke.

Huntington, Samuel (1997). The Clash of Civilisations and the Remaking of World Order. Simon & Schuster UK Ltd.: London.

Jahn, Beate (2000). The Cultural Construction of International Relations. Palgrave Macmillan: Basingstoke.

Reeves, Julie (2004). Culture and International Relations. Narratives, natives and tourists. Routledge: London. Anderson, Benedict (1983). Imagined Communities. Reflections on the Origin and Spread of Nationalism. Verso: London.

Carte, Penny & Fox, Chris (2004). Bridging the Culture Gap: A Practical Guide to International Business Communication. Kogan Page Ltd.: London.

Cassels, Alan (1997). Ideology and International Relations in the Modern World. Routledge: London.

Couldry, Nick (2010). Why Voice Matters. Culture and Politics after Neoliberalism. Sage: London.

Dark, Ken (2000). Religion and International Relations. Palgrave Macmillan: Basingstoke.

Fisher, Glen (1997). Mindsets: The Role of Culture and Perception in International relations. Intercultural Press, Inc.: Yarmouth.

Fox, Jonathan, Sandler, Shmuel (2004). Bringing Relligion into International Relations. Palgrave Macmillan: New York.

Goertz, Gary (1994). Contexts of International Politics. CUP: Cambridge.

Hafez, Kai (Ed.). (2000). The Islamic World and the West: An Introduction to Political Cultures and International Relations. Brill: Leiden.

McSweeney, Bill (1999). Security, Identity and Interests. A Sociology of International Relations. CUP: Cambridge.

Morley, David & Robins, Kevin (1995). Spaces of Identity. Global Media, Electronic Landscapes and Cultural Boundaries. Routledge: London.

Nebow, Richard, Ned (2009). A Cultural Theory of International Relations. CUP: Cambridge.

Scruton, Roger (2002). The West and the Rest: Globalisation and the Terrorist Threat. Continuum: London.Weekly materials uploaded on Moodle.

Students will be assessed on the basis of the following:

1. Essay (50%)

2. Oral exam (50%)

During the oral exam the following criteria will be taken into consideration:

- knowledge of the main theories and debates in the field of International Cultural Relations

- knowledge of the core readings and main arguments presented therein

- ability to support one’s claim with additional readings and/or case studies

- ability to present logical argumentation

- critical analysis of the problem supported by references to current issues in International Cultural Relations.

During the exam students will be asked 3 questions two theory based and one pertaining to current issues in International Cultural Relations.

Grade 5:

Student is able to explain in detailed way the main concepts, history, and theories of International Cultural Relations and identify its actors in order to analyse international affairs and in the context of culture student is able to describe the relation between the culture and politics in various contexts and connect these with contemporary developments in different areas of international affairs assessing their potential development in the future student is aware of his/her level of knowledge and understands the need to deepen knowledge and broaden intellectual horizons and actively interacts with others to achieve a goal.

Grade 4,5:

Student is able to explain in detailed way the main concepts, history, and theories of International Cultural Relations and identify its actors in order to analyse international affairs and in the context of culture student is able to describe the relation between the culture and politics in various contexts and connect these with contemporary developments in different areas of international affairs student is aware of his/her level of knowledge and understands the need to deepen knowledge and broaden intellectual horizons and actively interacts with others to achieve a goal.

Grade 4:

Student is able to explain the main concepts, history, and theories of International Cultural Relations and identify its actors in order to analyse international affairs and in the context of culture student is able to describe the relation between the culture and politics in various contexts and connect these with contemporary developments in different areas of international affairs student is aware of his/her level of knowledge and understands the need to deepen knowledge and broaden intellectual horizons and actively interacts with others to achieve a goal.

Grade 3,5:

Student is able to explain the main concepts, history, and theories of International Cultural Relations in a general way and identify its actors in order to analyse international affairs and in the context of culture student is able to generally describe the relation between the culture and politics in various contexts and connect these with contemporary developments in different areas of international affairs student is aware of his/her level of knowledge and understands the need to deepen knowledge and broaden intellectual horizons and actively interacts with others to achieve a goal.

Grade 3:

Student knows the main concepts, history, and theories of International Cultural Relations and is able to identify its actors in order to analyse international affairs and in the context of culture student is able to generally describe the relation between the culture and politics in various contexts student is aware of his/her level of knowledge and understands the need to deepen knowledge and broaden intellectual horizons and actively interacts with others to achieve a goal.