Leuphana University Lüneburg, Lüneburg
DescriptionWe are searching for partners for a virtual exchange project which has already been designed and is in its first test run. The class is an elective which draws students from all majors. The following is the official description in our course catalog for the current semester. In its Resolution “Transforming the World: the 2030 agenda for sustainable development”, the UN General Assembly said it envisages a world of “universal respect for human rights and human dignity, the rule of law, justice, equality and non-discrimination; of respect for race, ethnicity and cultural diversity; and of equal opportunity permitting the full realization of human potential and contributing to shared prosperity. […] We pledge to foster intercultural understanding, tolerance, mutual respect and an ethic of global citizenship and shared responsibility. We acknowledge the natural and cultural diversity of the world and recognize that all cultures and civilizations can contribute to, and are crucial enablers of, sustainable development.” Inspired by this grand vision, this course addresses the multifaceted relationships between culture and sustainability and highlights the importance of global citizenship and intercultural dialogue for building a more sustainable future for all. Students will participate in a virtual exchange with peers from [partner university]. In small, intermixed groups, they will develop projects exploring the role of culture as an enabler and driver of sustainability through local case studies. Their findings and commentary will flow into a joint blog aiming to increase the visibility of the topic to a wider, non-expert audience. In the spirit of global citizenship education, the course encourages students to link the local to the global and the national to the international. In the same spirit, it also aims to promote intercultural understanding and dialogue. Students will be encouraged to reflect on their cultural identities and those of others, recognise socio-linguistic and cultural variations in communication styles, understand how cultural values might underlie different behaviours, learn to cope with ambiguity and adapt and be flexible in intercultural interactions. Here, a special emphasis will be placed on the communicative aspects of the peer feedback students will give and receive on their project work. Due to its focus on intercultural communication, the course is relevant for students who plan to study or spend time abroad and, generally, for those who envisage working in international teams.
Learning outcomesDigital literacyLanguage skillsIntercultural competencesTransversal/soft skillsOther
Additional information and commentsOur partners can either use the content and materials we have developed, or they can participate as critical friends in a course which runs parallel. Content is customizable if wished. Parallel to the class, we are also doing research on the connection between virtual exchange and intercultural communicative competence. Our course language is English. Most (but not all) of our students are also German speakers.
LanguagesEnglish
Disciplines003 Personal skills and development
Number of students11 - 20
Period04/03/2023 - 07/07/2023
Author Author affiliation
| Institution(s) | Department(s) |
|---|---|
| Leuphana University Lüneburg, Lüneburg | Institute of English Studies |