Vietnam National University, Hanoi

University of Languages and International Studies

144 Xuan Thuy, Cau Giay, Hanoi - Vietnam

INTERCULTURAL COMMUNICATION

Lecturer: Prof. Nguyen Hoa

Email: hoadoe@yahoo.com and nguyenhoa@vnu.edu.vn
Cell phone: 0912.311.569

“Culture is communication and Communication is culture”

Hall (1959: 217).

Aims of this course

This course is designed for students in English Linguistics or English Teaching

Methodology. In particular, students will

 Investigate the relationships between culture, language, and intercultural

communication.
 Study some major cultural frameworks, identity negotiation theory, and verbal and
nonverbal communication patterns.
 Explore and understand foundational concepts related to culture, identity and
communication required to understand communication between people from
various cultural backgrounds in different socio-cultural contexts, and thus, be able
to successfully navigate in an increasingly global community.

Learning outcomes: by the end of the course, the students will

 Knowledge: have demonstrated an understanding of intercultural communication,

and a grasp of the relationship between culture, language and intercultural
communication.
 Skills: have developed intercultural competence, intercultural flexibility,
intercultural sensitivity, and be able to apply their understanding of IC to their
real-time communication; and have developed their understanding of IC-related
research designs and research reviewing skills.
 Attitudes: Be better aware of those cultural differences that can make a difference
in intercultural encounters.
Requirements: Students are required to attend and participate in all the lectures,
seminars and tutorials, and make presentations.
Classes will normally start with Q&A, and student’s presentation of articles, homework
assignment, and topics on the schedule, to be followed by the lecturer’s recap.
Assessment: Your assessment will be based on the following components:
(a). Critical review of an article (30%) starting in week 4. You should access articles
from prestigious academic journals. Articles chosen for critical review must be approved
by your lecturer.
(b). A two-hour written test, or a project, worth 60% of your final grade.
(c). Your participation in the lectures and seminars/tutorials, and other minor
assignments. It will involve a presentation of topics on the calendar, asking and
answering questions. (10%).
TOTAL: 100%
Notes: The critical review of a research article (empirical) should include the following
points:
 Rationale and (background, if any)
 Aim and research question(s)/hypothesis
 Literature review (key concepts, related literature)
 Design of the study
 Theoretical/conceptual framework,
 The methodology, analytical framework
 Findings and discussion
 Conclusion
 The strengths and drawbacks (if any)

Beginning in week 4, our class will start with Q & A, presentation of the topics on the
schedule (from week 4 onwards), and a critical review of a research article from a
journal.

Week 1
Introducing intercultural communication

 Why study intercultural communication?

 Conceptualization of intercultural communication
 Explanations of intercultural communication characteristics
 Intercultural communication assumptions

Reading:
Ting-Toomey, S, Leeva C. Chung. (2005). Understanding intercultural communication. New
York and London: OUP.
Fred E Jandt. (2016). An introduction to IC identities in a global community. LA, London, New
Delhi, Singapore, Washington DC, Boston: Sage.
Stellar Ting-Toomey. (1999). Communicating across cultures. New York, London: The Guilford
Press.

If you are interested in the following research topic, please ask me.

 Re-measuring Hofstede’s cultural dimensions.

References for the project.

Alaei, M. M & Nosrati, F. (2018). Research into EFL Teachers’ Intercultural Communicative
Competence and Intercultural Sensitivity, Journal of Intercultural Communication Research,
DOI: 10.1080/17475759.2018.1424020
Altan, M. Z. (2018). Intercultural Sensitivity: A Study of Pre-service English Language
Teachers. Journal of Intercultural Communication, 46.
Chen, G. M. (2000). The Development and Validation of the Intercultural Sensitivity Scale.
DigitalCommons@URI.

Week 2
Defining Culture

 Defining culture. (Culture is coherent, learned, the view of a group of people, ranks
what is important, furnishes attitudes, normative)
 Functions of culture
 Defining cultural values and their functions

Reading:
Ting-Toomey, S, Leeva C. Chung. (2005). Understanding intercultural communication. New
York and London: OUP.
Fred E Jandt. (2016). An introduction to IC identities in a global community. LA, London, New
Delhi, Singapore, Washington DC, Boston: Sage.
Stellar Ting-Toomey. (1999). Communicating across cultures. New York, London: The Guilford
Press.
Hall, E. T. (1959). The silent language. New York: Anchor Press Doubleday.
Ting-Toomey, S, Leeva C. Chung. (2005). Understanding intercultural communication. New
York and London: OUP.

Week 3
Frameworks for understanding culture

 Varner and Beamer’s dimensions

 The Hofstede dimensions

Reading:
Ting-Toomey, S, Leeva C. Chung. (2005). Understanding intercultural communication. New
York and London: OUP.
Fred E Jandt. (2016). An introduction to IC identities in a global community. LA, London, New
Delhi, Singapore, Washington DC, Boston: Sage.
Hofstede, G. (2001). Culture’s consequences. London: Sage Publications.
Stellar Ting-Toomey. (1999). Communicating across cultures. New York, London: The Guilford
Press.
Varner, I., & Beamer, L. (2006). Intercultural communication in the global workplace.
Shanghai: Shanghai Foreign Language Education Press.

Week 4
Frameworks for understanding culture (cont.)

 The Kluckhohn and Strotdtbeck value orientations

 The Trompenaars and Hampden-Turner dimensions

Reading:
Kluckhohn, C. (1951/1967). Values and value orientations in the theory of action: An
exploration in definition and classification. In T. Parsons and E. A. Shils (Eds.), Toward a
general theory of action (pp.388-433). Cambridge, MA: Harvard University Press.
Stellar Ting-Toomey. (1999). Communicating across cultures. New York, London: The Guilford
Press.
Trompenaars, F., Hampden-Turner, C. (1997). Riding the Waves of Culture:
understanding cultural diversity in Business, 2nd edn. London: Nicholas Brealey.

Week 5
Frameworks for understanding culture (Cont.)

 Individualism vs. collectivism

 Vietnamese cultural values
 Independent and interdependent self-construal. Values, self-conception consequences
and interaction

Reading:
Markus, H., & Kitayama, S. (1991). Culture and the self: Implications for cognition, emotions,
and motivation. Psychology Review, 2, 224-253.
Stellar Ting-Toomey. (1999). Communicating across cultures. New York, London: The Guilford
Press.
Them, T, N. (2016). Hệ giá trị Việt Nam từ truyền thống đến hiện đại và con đường tới tương
lai. Tp Hồ Chí Minh: Nxb Văn hóa – Văn Nghệ. (Vietnamese cultural values system: from
tradition to modernity, and moving forward).
Triandis, H. C. Individualism & collectivism. (1995). Boulder & Oxford: Westview Press.

Article for review: Yum, J. O. (2015). The Impact of Confucianism on Interpersonal

Relationships and Communication Patterns in East Asia, in Larry A. Samovar et al, Intercultural
Communication: A Reader. Cengage. pp. 110-120. (Provided).

Week 6
Language and intercultural communication

 Functions of language: the cultural perspective

 The Sapir-Whorf Hypothesis
 Intercultural verbal communication styles

Reading:
Ahearn, L. M. (2012). Living language: an introduction to linguistic anthropology. Singapore:
Wiley-Blackwell.
Fred E Jandt. (2016). An introduction to IC identities in a global community. LA, London, New
Delhi, Singapore, Washington DC, Boston: Sage. P 128-132.
Kramsch, C. (1998). Language and culture. Oxford: OUP.
Gibson, R. (2002). Intercultural business communication. Oxford: OUP.
Stellar Ting-Toomey. (1999). Communicating across cultures. New York, London: The Guilford
Press. P 85-110.
Ting-Toomey, S, Leeva C. Chung. (2005). Understanding intercultural communication. New
York and London: OUP.

Week 7
Intercultural nonverbal communication

 Functions of nonverbal communication

 Types of nonverbal communication
o Interpersonal spatial boundary regulation
o Environmental boundary regulation
o Temporal boundary regulation

Reading:
Gibson, R. (2002). Intercultural business communication. Oxford: OUP.
Jandt, F. E. (2016). An introduction to IC identities in a global community. LA, London, New
Delhi, Singapore, Washington DC, Boston: Sage.
Hall, E. T. (1959). The silent language. New York: Doubleday.
Stellar Ting-Toomey. (1999). Communicating across cultures. New York, London: The Guilford
Press.
Anderson, P. A. (2008). Nonverbal Communication, (2nd Ed.). Long Grove, Illinois: Waveland
Press, Inc.

Week 8
Identity and Intercultural communication

 Defining identity (primary and situational identities)

 Identity negotiation theory
 Identity and investment

Reading:
Darvin, R and Norton, B. Identity and a Model of Investment in Applied Linguistics. Annual
Review of Applied Linguistics, 35 (2015), pp. 36–56. doi: 10.1017/S0267190514000191
(Provided)
Swann, W. B., jr. (1987). Identity negotiation: where two roads meet. Journal of Personality and
social psychology, 35, 656-666.
Ting-Toomey, S. (1999). Communicating across cultures. New York, London: The Guilford
Press.
Ting-Toomey, S. (2015). Identity negotiation theory. In J. Bennett (Ed.), Sage Encyclopedia
of Intercultural Competence, Volume 1 (pp. 418-422). Los Angeles, CA: Sage.
Ting-Toomey, S, Leeva C. Chung. (2005). Understanding intercultural communication. New
York and London: OUP.

Week 9

Identity contact and intergroup encounters

 Social identity theory

 Social categorization.
 Social comparison.
 Intergroup attribution: a sense making process.
 Mindsets: affective and cognitive filters.

Reading:
Markus, H., & Kitayama, S. (1991). Culture and the self: Implications for cognition, emotions,
and motivation. Psychology Review, 2, 224-253.
Tajfel, H., & Turner, J.C. The social identity theory of intergroup behavior. In S. Worchel & W.
G. Austin & S. Worchel (eds.). (1986), Psychology of intergroup relations, 7-24. Chicago, Il:
Nelson-Hall.
Ting-Toomey, S. (1999). Communicating across cultures. New York, London: The Guilford
Press.

Week 10

Identity- and relational-based intercultural personal relationship development

 Personal relationship development based on membership and contextual conditions

 Identity and intercultural personal relationship development
 Relation and intercultural personal relationship development.

Reading:
Markus, H., & Kitayama, S. Culture and the self: Implications for cognition, emotions, and
motivation. Psychology Review, 1991,2, 224-253.
Ting-Toomey, S. (1999). Communicating across cultures. New York, London: The Guilford
Press.

Week 11
Identity change and intercultural adaptation

 Intercultural adaptation: antecedent factors. (Roles as visitor, sojourners, immigrants,

or refugees)
 The identity change process
 Effective outcomes

Reading:
Bennet, M. J. (2013). Concepts of intercultural communication. Boston, London: Nicholas
Brealey Publishing.
Ting-Toomey, S. (1999). Communicating across cultures. New York, London: The Guilford
Press.

Article for review: Lai, H., Wang, D, and Ou, X. (2023). Cross-cultural adaptation of Chinese
students in the United States: Acculturation strategies, sociocultural, psychological, and
academic adaptation, Frontier in Psychology, 1-13. DOI 10.3389/fpsyg.2022.924561 (Provided)

Week 12

Constructive intercultural conflict management

 Intercultural conflicts: cultural backgrounds

 Intercultural conflicts process factors
 Competent intercultural conflict management skills
 Resolving intercultural conflicts
Reading:
Ting-Toomey, S, Leeva C. Chung. (2005). Understanding intercultural communication. New
York and London: OUP. (257-285)
Ting-Toomey, S. (1999). Communicating across cultures. New York, London: The Guilford
Press.
Wilmot, W., & Hocker, J. (1998). Interpersonal conflict (5th ed.). Boston: McGraw-Hill.

Article for review. Tili, T. R & Barker, G. G. (2015). Communication in Intercultural Marriages:
Managing Cultural Differences and Conflicts. Southern Communication Journal,
80(3), 189-210, DOI: 10.1080/1041794X.2015.1023826 (Provided)

Week 13

Intercultural communication competence and intercultural awareness

 Defining ICC
 Criteria of intercultural communication competence
 Byram’s model of ICC
 Deardorff’s model of ICC
 Bennet’s model of ICC
 Intercultural ethics
 Intercultural awareness

Reading:
Bennet, M. J. (2013). Concepts of intercultural communication. Boston, London: Nicholas
Brealey Publishing.
Byram, M. (1997). Teaching and assessing intercultural communicative competence.
Multilingual Matters.
Coleman, H. (1996). Society and the language classroom. Cambridge: CUP.
Deardorff, D. K. (2006). The Identification and Assessment of Intercultural Competence as a
Student Outcome of Internationalization at Institutions of Higher Education in the United States.
Journal of Studies in International Education, 10, p. 241-266.
Gibson, R. (2002). Intercultural business communication. Oxford: OUP.
Holliday, A. (2011). Intercultural communication and ideology. London: Sage.
Ting-Toomey, S. (1999). Communicating across cultures. New York, London: The Guilford
Press.

Week 14
Researching intercultural communication

 Emic vs. etic approach

 Identifying theoretical framework
 Some methodological issues in conducting theory-based research (equivalence)
 Building a model of linguistic analysis
 Data collection.

Reading:
Gudykunst, W. B. Methodological issues in conducting theory-based cross-cultural research in
Spencer-Oatey, H. (2006). Culturally speaking: managing rapport through talk across cultures.
Shanghai: Shanghai Foreign Language Education Press. (p293-315).
Kasper, G. Data collection in pragmatics research, in Spencer-Oatey, H. (2006). Culturally
speaking: managing rapport through talk across cultures. Shanghai: Shanghai Foreign
Language Education Press. (p316-341).
Knud, S. L & Le Van Hao. (2015). Tam Li Hoc Xuyen Van Hoa. Hanoi: VNU, Hanoi Press.
Spencer-Oatey, H., 7 Franklin, P. (2009). Intercultural interaction: a multidisciplinary approach
to intercultural communication. Basingstoke: Palgrave Macmillan. Part 3.

Week 15

Review
Q and A

References

Must have books

1. Bennet, M. J. (2013). Concepts of intercultural communication. Boston, London:
Nicholas Brealey Publishing.
2. Fred E Jandt. (2016). An introduction to IC identities in a global community. LA,
London, New Delhi, Singapore, Washington DC, Boston: Sage.
3. Ting-Toomey, S. (1999). Communicating across cultures. New York, London: The
Guilford Press.
4. Ting-Toomey, S, Leeva C. Chung. (2005). Understanding intercultural communication.
New York and London: OUP.
5. Triandis, H. C. Individualism & collectivism. (1995). Boulder & Oxford: Westview Press.

Recommended readings
1. Alaei, M. M & Nosrati, F. (2018). Research into EFL Teachers’ Intercultural
Communicative Competence and Intercultural Sensitivity, Journal of Intercultural
Communication Research, DOI: 10.1080/17475759.2018.1424020.
2. Baldwin, J. R., Means, R.R., Coleman, M., Gonzalez, A., & Shenoy-Packer, S. (2014).
Intercultural communication for everyday life. Singapore: Wiley-Blackwell.
3. Byram, M. (1997). Teaching and assessing intercultural communicative competence.
Multilingual Matters.
4. Chen, G. M. (2000). The Development and Validation of the Intercultural Sensitivity
Scale. DigitalCommons@URI.
5. Deardorff, D. K. (2006). The Identification and Assessment of Intercultural Competence
as a Student Outcome of Internationalization at Institutions of Higher Education in the
United States. Journal of Studies in International Education, 10, p. 241-266.
6. Gudykunst, W, R.M. B. Methodological issues in conducting theory-based cross-cultural
research. In Helen Spencer-Oatey, (2006). Culturally speaking: managing rapport
through talk across cultures. Shanghai: Shanghai Foreign Language Education Press.
7. Hall, E. T. (1959). The silent language. New York: Doubleday.
8. Holliday, A. (2011). Intercultural communication and ideology. London: Sage.
9. Hofstede, G. (2001). Culture’s consequences. London: Sage Publications.
10. Kasper, G. Data collection in pragmatics research. In H. Spencer-Oatey. (2006).
Culturally speaking: managing rapport through talk across cultures. Shanghai: Shanghai
Foreign Language Education Press.
11. Kluckhohn, C. (1967). Values and value orientations in the theory of action: An
exploration in definition and classification. In T. Parsons and E. A. Shils (Eds.), Toward
a general theory of action (pp.388-433). Cambridge, MA: Harvard University Press.
12. Spencer-Oatey, H., 7 Franklin, P. (2009). Intercultural interaction: a multidisciplinary
approach to intercultural communication. Basingstoke: Palgrave Macmillan. Part 3.
13. Markus, H., & Kitayama, S. Culture and the self: Implications for cognition, emotions,
and motivation. Psychology Review, 1991,2, 224-253.
14. Hoa, N. Giá trị văn hóa: một số hàm ý cho nghiên cứu ngôn ngữ trên cơ sở giá trị văn hóa
và giao tiếp liên văn hóa. Foreign Studies, 2018 (34) 1-14.
15. Samovar et al. (2015). Intercultural communication: A reader. London: Cengage.
16. Singelis, T M., Triandis, H C., Bhawuk, P S., and Gelfand, M J.(1995). Horizontal and
vertical dimensions of individualism and collectivism: A theoretical and measurement
refinement. Cross – Cultural Research 1995; 29, 240.
17. Smith, P and Riley, A. (2009). Cultural theory. MA, USA: Blackwell.
18. Spencer-Oatey, H. (2006). Culturally speaking: managing rapport through talk across
cultures. Shanghai: Shanghai Foreign Language Education Press.
19. Spencer-Oatey, H., & Franklin, P. (2009). Intercultural interaction: a multidisciplinary
approach to intercultural communication. Basingstoke: Palgrave Macmillan. Part 3.
20. Tajfel, H., & Turner, J.C. The social identity theory of intergroup behavior. In S. Worchel
& W. G. Austin & S. Worchel (eds.). (1986). Psychology of intergroup relations, 7, 24.
Chicago, Il: Nelson-Hall.
21. Them, T, N. (2016). Hệ giá trị Việt Nam từ truyền thống đến hiện đại và con đường tới
tương lai. Tp Hồ Chí Minh: Nxb Văn hóa – Văn Nghệ. (Vietnamese cultural values
system: from tradition to modernity, and moving forward).
22. Trompenaars, F. & Hampden-Turner, C. (1998). Riding the waves of culture. McGraw-
Hill.
23. Varner, I., & Beamer, L. (2006). Intercultural communication in the global workplace.
Shanghai: Shanghai Foreign Language Education Press. p.81-110.