Cross-cultural Communication
Course Description
There are sound theological reasons for committing ourselves to understand other cultures and appreciate them. To learn of them and from them with an open mind is to discover how God reveals something of himself through their distinct world and life view. This course is designed to help you see that crosscultural relationships take place in the realities of everyday life. It will give you some insights and principles to prepare for cross-cultural ministry at home or abroad.
Course Objectives
- to provide practical guidelines which will help to live more harmoniously with cultural differences;
- to show the importance of cross-cultural adjustment in order to represent Christ well;
- to provide insights on different ways people of various cultures handle conflict;
- to teach how to communicate without negative assessments;
- to explain the process of becoming a servant.
Course Outline
Introduction. The Monkey «Serves» the Fish
Lecture 1. Cross-cultural communication
1.1. Fitting into Another Culture.
1.2. The Cultural Adjustment Map.
1.3. Effective cross-cultural worker.
1.4. Communication model.
1.5. Negative attribution theory.
1.6. The Test.
Lecture 2. Cultural differences
2.1. Introduction.
2.2. Western vs Majority World. Part I
2.3. Western vs Majority World. Part II
Lecture3. Conflict management
3.1. Introduction.
3.2. Observation and assumption regarding conflict.
3.3. Western approach to handling the conflict situation.
3.4. Passive-agressive behaviour.
3.5. Indirect approach to conflict resolution.
3.6. The need for forgiveness.
3.7. Communication principles for conflict resolution.
Lecture 4. Pilgrimage to Servanthood
4.1. Openness.
4.2. Acceptance.
4.3. Trust.
4.4.Learning.
4.5. Understanding and Serving.
