LG624-7-SP-CO:
Intercultural Communication across Media, Languages, and Contexts

The details
2026/27
Language and Linguistics
Colchester Campus
Spring
Postgraduate: Level 7
Current
Monday 18 January 2027
Thursday 25 March 2027
15
14 April 2026

 

Requisites for this module
(none)
(none)
(none)
(none)

 

(none)

Key module for

MA Q91112 Translation and Professional Practice,
MA Q91L12 Intercultural Communication and Language Technologies

Module description

This module provides an in-depth introduction to intercultural communication across languages, media, and contexts. It explores how meaning is created, negotiated, and interpreted in multilingual and multicultural settings, combining theoretical perspectives with applied analysis. The module is designed for students from diverse academic backgrounds and focuses on developing analytical skills that can be applied to a range of real-world communication scenarios.


Students will engage with key concepts and frameworks in intercultural communication and learn how to analyse communication across different contexts, including spoken interaction, written texts, and audiovisual media. Drawing on approaches from intercultural communication studies, discourse analysis, and related fields, the module examines how cultural norms, values, and contextual factors shape communication practices. Through the analysis of case studies and authentic examples, students will explore issues such as miscommunication, meaning negotiation, and communication across professional and global contexts

Module aims

The aims of this module are:



  • Develop students’ understanding of key concepts and frameworks in intercultural communication across languages, media, and contexts.

  • Enable students to analyse communication practices in multilingual and multicultural settings using a range of analytical approaches.

  • Introduce students to methods for examining meaning, context, and interaction in different communicative environments.

  • Develop students’ ability to apply theoretical perspectives to real-world communication scenarios.

  • Foster critical awareness of how cultural, contextual, and linguistic factors shape communication practices.

  • Support students in preparing for independent research and analysis in intercultural communication.

Module learning outcomes

By the end of this module, students will be expected to be able to:



  1. Demonstrate knowledge of key concepts and approaches in intercultural communication.

  2. Analyse communication across languages, cultures, and media using appropriate analytical frameworks.

  3. Evaluate how linguistic, cultural, and contextual factors shape communication practices.

  4. Apply theoretical perspectives to the analysis of real-world communication examples.

  5. Critically examine case studies of intercultural communication across a range of contexts.

  6. Select and apply appropriate analytical tools to investigate communication in written, spoken, or audiovisual data.

Module information

The module introduces key concepts, approaches, and applications in intercultural communication across languages, media, and contexts. It focuses on how meaning is created, interpreted, and negotiated in multilingual and multicultural settings, and how communication is shaped by context, identity, and interaction.


Indicative topics include:



  • what is intercultural communication: key concepts, definitions, and frameworks

  • culture, context, and meaning in communication

  • analysing communication: introducing key analytical tools and approaches

  • language, identity, and power in intercultural interaction

  • intercultural miscommunication: sources of misunderstanding and interpretation

  • communication across languages, including translation and mediation

  • audiovisual communication and meaning across media

  • communication in professional and global contexts

  • digital and mediated communication


The module draws on a range of materials, including written texts, spoken interaction, and audiovisual media, and emphasises the analysis of real-world communication through case studies and applied tasks.

Learning and teaching methods

This module will be delivered via:

  • One 2-hour lecture/seminar per week

Bibliography

This module does not appear to have a published bibliography for this year.

Assessment items, weightings and deadlines

Coursework / exam Description Deadline Coursework weighting
Coursework   Moodle Quiz 1     
Coursework   Moodle Quiz 2     
Coursework   Moodle quiz 3     
Coursework   Essay (1500 Words)    50% 

Additional coursework information

N/A

Exam format definitions

  • Remote, open book: Your exam will take place remotely via an online learning platform. You may refer to any physical or electronic materials during the exam.
  • In-person, open book: Your exam will take place on campus under invigilation. You may refer to any physical materials such as paper study notes or a textbook during the exam. Electronic devices may not be used in the exam.
  • In-person, open book (restricted): The exam will take place on campus under invigilation. You may refer only to specific physical materials such as a named textbook during the exam. Permitted materials will be specified by your department. Electronic devices may not be used in the exam.
  • In-person, closed book: The exam will take place on campus under invigilation. You may not refer to any physical materials or electronic devices during the exam. There may be times when a paper dictionary, for example, may be permitted in an otherwise closed book exam. Any exceptions will be specified by your department.

Your department will provide further guidance before your exams.

Overall assessment

Coursework Exam
100% 0%

Reassessment

Coursework Exam
100% 0%
Module supervisor and teaching staff
Dr Stamatia Savvani, email: stamatia.savvani@essex.ac.uk.
stamatia Savvani
4.206; ss19411@essex.ac.uk

 

Availability
Yes
Yes
Yes

External examiner

No external examiner information available for this module.
Resources
Available via Moodle
Of 20 hours, 20 (100%) hours available to students:
0 hours not recorded due to service coverage or fault;
0 hours not recorded due to opt-out by lecturer(s).

 

Further information
Language and Linguistics

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