Cultural Understanding and International Working Relations

The course provides a theoretical and practical introduction to cultural understanding as a tool to handle challenges related to internationalisation of work. The aim is to enable the students to deal with cultural differences at several levels. The focus is on culture both internationally and within organisations and teams. The focus is also on developing skills related to extensive use of digital communication tools and emerging technologies for collaboration. The course is explicitly aimed at civil engineers and their need for cultural understanding in international operations.

A student who has completed this course should have the following learning outcomes defined in terms of knowledge, skills and general competence:

Knowledge

• Demonstrate knowledge about the cultural dimension in team-based collaboration across cognitive, organizational and geographical distance.
• Have in-depth knowledge about Nordic working culture

Skills

• Can deal with culture and cultural differences in international operations.
• Reflect on their own culture in meetings with others.
• Facilitate and implement cooperation through technological platforms, such as e-mail, digital meetings, VR-rooms etc.
• Can deal with the practicalities of international cooperation

General competence

• Demonstrate competence in collaboration and network building on an international arena and technological platforms.
• Ability to do intercultural communication and collaboration in international work operations.

A combination of lectures and group-based seminars that will facilitate a practical approach to the learning objectives. The teaching is organized through two group assignments. Students will learn how to use the curriculum through the practical group assignments. It is expected that the students participate actively in the group work. The group assignments will be presented by the groups in a plenary session.

Please note that mandatory activities and lectures may start prior to the registration deadline.