Learning objectives
Upon completion of the course, the student is able to
• list cultural elements affecting communication in the workplace and with customers
• communicate effectively with multicultural teams both as a member and as a supervisor
• understand cultural elements affecting communication with different customer groups
• develop better understanding of Finnish cultural characteristics influencing communication
• understand intercultural awareness is a continual learning process

Contents
• Analysis of a variety of cultural dimension theories
• Features of multicultural meetings
• Examples of multicultural work environments
• Discussion of personal biases and stereotypes
• Characteristics of culture in Finland

The learning goals of this course can be reached in the following ways:

a. Lectures and related assignments
b. Exam and learning assignment(s)
c. Develop models to include study-time work experience in the studies

Assessing one’s own learning is a compulsory part of the course.

To be announced in the beginning of the course.

Working life connections
The topics of the course are discussed from a working life point of view.

Internationality
The content of the course is viewed from a variety of international viewpoints.

Starting level and linkage with other courses
No previous studies needed and no binding connections to other courses.

Assessment
The course is evaluated on a scale excellent (5), very good (4), good (3), satisfactory (2), fair (1), fail (0). The assessment criteria is presented on a scale 1 - 3 - 5.

Grade 1
The student is able to describe the most common cultural elements affecting communication, understands some special features such as the need for extra clarity in a multicultural situation, can give examples of situations where cultural features affect marketing and interaction. The student is also able to describe some distinctive features of the Finnish culture in working life context and understand added value of intercultural awareness in team work and with customers.

Grade 3
The student is able to describe cultural elements affecting communication and suggest solutions, understands various distinctive features such as the need for extra clarity in a multicultural situation and is able to suggest simple solutions to possible cultural problems and can describe situations where cultural features affect marketing and interaction. The student is also able to discuss distinctive features of the Finnish culture in working life context and understands added value of intercultural awareness in team work and with customers.

Grade 5
The student is able to describe a wide variety of cultural elements affecting communication and can suggest a range of solutions to communication problems caused by cultural elements. The student can give examples of situations and detect where cultural features affect marketing and interaction and offer feasible solutions. The student can also compare distinctive features of the Finnish culture in hospitality and tourism context to one or more other cultures and analyze added value of intercultural awareness in team work and with customers.