ML2CCC: Culture, Communication and Conflict: Contemporary Challenges in the Interconnected World

Module code: ML2CCC

Module provider: Languages and Cultures; School of Humanities

Credits: 20

Level: 5

When you’ll be taught: Semester 2

Module convenor: Dr Chiara Cirillo , email: c.cirillo@reading.ac.uk

Pre-requisite module(s):

Co-requisite module(s):

Pre-requisite or Co-requisite module(s):

Module(s) excluded: IN TAKING THIS MODULE YOU CANNOT TAKE IL1GICC AND TAKE IL2GICC (Compulsory)

Placement information: NA

Academic year: 2025/6

Available to visiting students: Yes

Talis reading list: Yes

Last updated: 16 April 2025

Overview

Module aims and purpose

Many social challenges in the world today are compounded by the way we see people and culture, and how we interact with others of different nationalities and other senses of belonging (language, ethnicity, gender, etc). How does our understanding of culture shape human interactions and media discourses? How can we move beyond stereotypes in our interactions with others in different contexts? Could a more critical understanding of culture and communication make a difference in our professional roles and civic responsibilities? This module introduces the field of critical intercultural communication. It equips students with theories, practical applications and reflective opportunities to develop personal attributes required to address social justice issues. Students will analyse real-world scenarios and develop a project relevant to their professional and geographical interests.

Module learning outcomes

By the end of the module, it is expected that students will be able to:

1. Examine critical approaches to culture, communication, identity and difference in relation to contemporary societal challenges
2. Apply relevant research methods and digital competencies to address culture and communication issues in a variety in a chosen professional domain or public debate in a local or international context
3. Develop a project to address a cultural and communication issue in a chosen professional domain or public debate in a local or international context
4. Reflect on own development in understanding issues of identity and culture and in pursuing communication strategies and principles for a more socially-just world

Module content

The module is structured around key contemporary challenges explored through case-based learning, where students engage with real-world case studies for each topic, chosen to illustrate societies and contexts beyond the Anglosphere. The theoretical foundations of critical intercultural communication will consider the notion of culture and its conceptualisation, and themes such as identity, othering and representation. These foundations will help explore issues of culture and communication in domains relevant to students’ professional interests, for example intercultural communication in business, media and advertising; intercultural communication in education and in language teaching.  Topics will include language and culture, nation and culture, multilingualism, cultural essentialism, postcolonialism and unequal relations of power.

Structure

Teaching and learning methods

The module is delivered through interactive lectures in which content delivery is interspersed with group activities. Each lesson begins with a group discussion which students prepare for beforehand through reading and engaging in digital content.

Study hours

At least 30 hours of scheduled teaching and learning activities will be delivered in person, with the remaining hours for scheduled and self-scheduled teaching and learning activities delivered either in person or online. You will receive further details about how these hours will be delivered before the start of the module.

Please note the independent study hours above are notional numbers of hours; each student will approach studying in different ways. We would advise you to reflect on your learning and the number of hours you are allocating to these tasks.

Semester 1 The hours in this column may include hours during the Christmas holiday period.

Semester 2 The hours in this column may include hours during the Easter holiday period.

Summer The hours in this column will take place during the summer holidays and may be at the start and/or end of the module.

Assessment

Requirements for a pass

Students need to achieve an overall module mark of 40% to pass this module.

Summative assessment

Penalties for late submission of summative assessment

The Support Centres will apply the following penalties for work submitted late:

Assessments with numerical marks

• where the piece of work is submitted after the original deadline (or any formally agreed extension to the deadline): 10% of the total marks available for that piece of work will be deducted from the mark for each working day (or part thereof) following the deadline up to a total of three working days;
• the mark awarded due to the imposition of the penalty shall not fall below the threshold pass mark, namely 40% in the case of modules at Level 3 (i.e. foundation modules for Part 0) and Levels 4-6 (i.e. undergraduate modules for Parts 1-3) and 50% in the case of Level 7 modules offered as part of an Integrated Masters or taught postgraduate degree programme;
• where the piece of work is awarded a mark below the threshold pass mark prior to any penalty being imposed, and is submitted up to three working days after the original deadline (or any formally agreed extension to the deadline), no penalty shall be imposed;
• where the piece of work is submitted more than three working days after the original deadline (or any formally agreed extension to the deadline): a mark of zero will be recorded.

Assessments marked Pass/Fail

• where the piece of work is submitted within three working days of the deadline (or any formally agreed extension of the deadline): no penalty will be applied;
• where the piece of work is submitted more than three working days after the original deadline (or any formally agreed extension of the deadline): a grade of Fail will be awarded.

The University policy statement on penalties for late submission can be found at: /cqsd/-/media/project/functions/cqsd/documents/qap/penaltiesforlatesubmission.pdf

You are strongly advised to ensure that coursework is submitted by the relevant deadline. You should note that it is advisable to submit work in an unfinished state rather than to fail to submit any work.

Formative assessment

Formative assessment is any task or activity which creates feedback (or feedforward) for you about your learning, but which does not contribute towards your overall module mark.

Reassessment

Additional costs