Module Handbook for the Master Degree Programme "Intercultural Communication and European Studies (ICEUS) M 1 Communication, Intercultural Communication and Understanding the Cultural Other Learning Objectives: Development of a deeper insight into and critical reflection capability of conceptual, historical and methodological knowledge pools of current approaches of social communication in general and the correlation of interpersonal communication and culture in particular, parallel hereto improvement of the second foreign language and the adaptation to institutional learning methods at a German institution of Higher Education Introduction to the theoretically grounded reflection of interpersonal communication and its different dimensions Correlation between communication, culture and perceiving the cultural other Different approaches of social communication and intercultural communication in its historical and methodological context Discussion of exemplary studies of intercultural communication according to methodical and methodological principles Methods of analysis of different semiotic and pragmalinguistic models Introduction to Xenology and to theories of understanding self and other Accomplishment of smaller projects of students experiences in a culturally foreign environment Improvement of communication and negotiation skills in the second foreign language Teaching Methods: Seminars, lectures, exercises, project work, independent study Literature: Text books of teaching staff; library; extensive readers are provided; literature lists; independent literature research Prerequisites for Participation: Nne The module conveys fundamentals needed in order to participate in the international discussion of communication and intercultural communication at an advanced level Examination: Written examination Credits: 10 Total : 300 hours Number of Credits: 10 Credits Page 1 of 13
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M 2 European Studies: Historical and Current Development of European Societies and of the Political, Economic and Legal Integration Process within the Framework of the EU Learning Objectives: Development of a deeper insight into and critical reflection capability of the European integration process in its historical, political-institutional, legal and societal-cultural dimension Historical Development of European Integration Theories of Regional Integration and Conceptualisations of the EU Institutional Architecture and Decision Making Processes of the EU European Law Aspects of European Societies and Cultures Teaching Methods: Seminars, lectures, exercises, independent study, excursion Literature: Text books; extensive reader; library; independent literature research Prerequisites for Participation: None The module conveys basic knowledge from a legal, sociological and political perspective, and analytical capabilities in order to understand the multi-dimensionality of the development of European society and the political-legal integration of the EU. Examination: Presentation, literature report, term paper, project work, oral examination, written examination Credits: 10 Total : 300 Hours Number of Credits: 10 Page 3 of 13
M 3 Intercultural Competence in Theory and Practice Learning Objectives: Development of theoretical and practical competencies, that prepare for professionally related intercultural interaction situations Examination and analysis of processes and structures of interpersonal communication from an anthropological perspective Further development of communication and negotiation capabilities in the second foreign language Practice and reflection of specific professionally relevant interpersonal skills and key qualifications (moderation techniques, interdisciplinary collaboration, multicultural teamwork, project management, ethics) Practice and reflection of media competence with respect to new services in the fields of communication and information Examination, discussion and testing of training processes for intercultural sensitisation (with role play, video feedback) Examination, discussion and simulation of intercultural negotiation situations (with role play, video feedback) Teaching Methods: Seminars, lectures, exercises, project work, independent study Literature: Library; literature lists; readers; independent literature research Prerequisites for Participation: Module 1 The module is oriented towards requirements of international professional practice, above all towards the practice of intercultural face-to-face encounters. Apart from two obligatory components, it enables the choice between two relevant core fields of intercultural competence: (i) interpersonal skills or competence in new media; (ii) intercultural negotiation or intercultural sensitisation. Examination: Presentation, literature report, term paper, project work, oral examination, written examination Credits: 10 Total : 300 Hours Number of Credits: 10 Page 4 of 13
M 4 Globalisation and International Organisations Learning Objectives: Capability of social scientific analysis, conclusion definition and criticial reflection of current international processes with specialist scientific methods in disciplines of social science in their global, regional and institutional dimensions Globalisation: concept and purpose, development and impact, exemplary areas of globalisation processes Sustainable development global and regional dimensions and strategies International Organisations and global governance Teaching Methods: Seminars, lectures, exercises, independent study, excursion Literature: Literature list, library, independent literature research Prerequisites for Participation: none In this module fundamental and extended knowledge on currently relevant global, regional and institutional development processes is conveyed. Pertinent specialist scientific theories, methods and findings of sociology, organisational science and political science are acquired in an interdisciplinary manner. Examination: Presentation, written term paper, oral examination, written examination Credits: 10 Total : 300 Hours Number of Credits: 10 Module Duration: 2 Semesters Page 5 of 13
M 5 European Studies: European Public Policy Issues Learning Objectives: Acquirement of knowledge and critical insights into development, political and legal creation of central EU policies and their respective backgrounds in member state societies Legal and political design of EU policies Policy specific competence, organisation and decision making processes Exemplary in-depth study of selected policies Aspects of European societies and cultures Member state interests and societal requirements of European politics and common problem solving Teaching Methods: Seminars, lectures, exercises, independent study, excursion Literature: Text books seminar readers, library, independent literature research Prerequisites for Participation: Module M 2 The module conveys knowledge and reflection ability from a comparitive and integrational scientific perspective on the policy-specific design and impact of European governance. Examination: Written examination Credits: 10 Total : 300 Hours Number of Credits: 10 Page 6 of 13
M 6 Theory and Practice of Interdisciplinary Research Learning Objectives: Acquirement of a reflective understanding of the theory and methods of scientific research, of theoretical fundamentals of empirical social research and the execution of smaller projects. The students become familiar with exemplary structures, methods and processes of research and development projects. Different methods of scientific research regarding discipline of origin and cultural traditions Differences in quantitative and qualitative methods in social sciences Exemplary studies and projects of empirical social research (interview techniques, transcription processes, focussing-groups etc.) Hypothesis verification versus reconstructive-hermeneutic approaches Guidance and supervision of exemplary inter-disciplinary projects in multicultural teams such as: a. Creation of a research project application b. Execution of smaller research projects c. Development of scientifically oriented concepts of continuing education d. Project Management Teaching Methods: Seminars, lectures, exercises, project work Literature: Literature lists, library; independent literature research Prerequisites for Participation: None The module is oriented towards professional activities in international organisations and offers exemplary discussion with methodical research and project-oriented demands in specific intercultural fields of professional and institutional activities. Examination: Presentation, literature report, term paper, project work, oral examination, written examination Credits: 10 Total : 300 Hours Number of Credits: 10 Module Duration: 2 Semesters Page 7 of 13
M 7 Intercultural Communication Research and Development Learning Objectives: Presentation and discussion of current research developments in intercultural communication, in particular from the field of sociolinguistics, psychology and cultural anthropology as well as critical discussion of current training concepts for the development of intercultural competence In-depth study of the theoretically-driven reflection of interpersonal communication and its relation to culture and perception of the unknown Presentation of recent approaches to intercultural communication in its scientific-historical and methodological context and discussion of exemplary studies according to methodological principles In-depth study of methods of analysis of different semiotic and pragmalinguistic models In-depth examination, discussion and testing of current training methods of intercultural sensitization (with role plays, simulations, video feedback) Teaching Methods: Seminars, lectures, exercises, project work Literature: Literature lists, library, independent literature research Prerequisites for Participation: Module M 3 The module conveys an insight into current developments on this subject with respect to theoretical-methodological and methodical educational science and prepares for the professional skill to combine theoretical demands with practical activities Examination: Presentation, literature report, term paper, project work, oral examination Credits: 5 Total : 150 Hours Number of Credits: 5 Credits Page 8 of 13
M 8 Professional Relations Learning Objectives: Gaining insight into professional fields of work relevant to the degree programme and their tasks and requirements, capability to solve practical problems with the help of the knowledge and capabilities gained during the studies Coverage of current and / or professionally-related tasks, in the context of the disciplines relevant to the degree programme, involving representatives of selected professions Teaching Methods: Seminars, lectures, exercises, project work, independent study, excursion Literature: Literature lists, library, independent literature research Prerequisites for Participation: None In addition to the discussion of questions referring to selected fields of work, the module offers the opportunity for professional and career orientation. Examination: Presentation, literature report, term paper, project work, oral examination Credits: 5 Total : 150 Hours Number of Credits: 5 Page 9 of 13
M 9 In-Depth Study of European Integration: Methods and Application Learning Objectives: Acquirement of theoretical and methodical insights into conditions, perspectives and limits of European integration and development of skills for practical application In-depth study of political science and European law approaches and methods in analysing the EU In-depth study of selected topics and current internal and external challenges of the EU integration system Transfer and application of the analytical tools for the assessment and solution of concrete problems and tasks in the field of European integration Teaching Methods: Seminars, lectures, exercises, independent study Literature: Text books, seminar readers, literature lists, library, independent literature research Prerequisites for Participation: Module M2 und M5 The module conveys high level knowledge of methods to analyse conditions and characteristics of European integration and their practical application Examination: Presentation, literature report, term paper, project work, oral examination, written examination Credits: 5 Total : 150 Hours Number of Credits: 5 Page 10 of 13
M 10 Internship and Experience Analysis Learning Objectives: Acquirement of practical experience in a field relevant to the degree programme under special consideration of the study areas combined in the master degree programme. The students gain knowledge of the tasks and constitution of the internship organisation and develop perspectives for the continuation of studies and their future professional activity. The internship should take place outside the student s home country if possible. Information and counselling on the possibilities and conditions of professional experience and research Counselling and support during the search for and acquisition of suitable placements Completion of a ten-week full-time placement in an institution recognised by the university as host institution for the internship Wrap-up and reflection of the internship under special consideration of the intercultural experience Teaching Methods: Placement, seminars, independent study Literature: Literature recommendations are provided. Prerequisites for Participation: Module M 1 to M 6 The module conveys practical experience in a field of work relevant to the degree programme, professional orientation and gives impulses for individual career planning. Examination: Written paper during the seminar Intercultural Experience Analysis Prerequisites for Examination: Written field report and placement attestation Credits: 15 : Total : 450 Hours Number of Credits: 15 Module Duration 1 Semester Page 11 of 13
M 11 Master s Thesis Learning Objectives: The ability to independently work through a problem or task from the field of study of ICEUS according to scientific methodology in a defined time period Completion of the Master s Thesis Teaching Methods: Independent study Literature: Independent Literature research Prerequisites for Participation: Module M 1 to M 10 The module enhances the ability to apply the competencies gained during the ICEUS degree programme to an academic or practically relevant topic of Intercultural Communication and/or European Studies at an advanced level. Examination: Written Master s Thesis (for length please see examination regulations) Credits: 25 Total : 750 Hours Number of Credits: 25 Page 12 of 13
M 12 Disputation und Colloquium Learning Objectives: The ability to reflect the processing of the task of the Master s Thesis and to critically reflect the choice of methods. Reflection and discussion of the work in the context of a Master s colloquium Oral disputation of the Master s Thesis Teaching Methods: Independent study, seminar Literature: Literature lists, independent literature research Prerequisites for Participation: Module M 11 The module leads to the ability to reflect one s own work critically and to discuss it with other representatives of the specialist subject. Examination: Oral disputation Credits: 5 Total : 150 Hours Number of Credits: 5 Page 13 of 13