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SBUS20110

Academic Year 2025/2026

Intercultural Competencies for a Global Workplace (SBUS20110)

Subject:
Business
College:
Business
School:
Business
Level:
2 (Intermediate)
Credits:
5
Module Coordinator:
Ms Evie Larkin
Trimester:
Autumn
Mode of Delivery:
On Campus
Internship Module:
No
How will I be graded?
Letter grades

Curricular information is subject to change.

This module provides BSc Business and visiting students with an insight on the organisational cultures, work practices and business environment of global and domestic businesses based in Ireland. The key aim of this module is to expand your intercultural knowledge and skills and prepare you for the contemporary culturally diverse workplace.

Building on the experience of exploring Ireland culturally and socially, this module looks at the workplace experience and how intercultural knowledge and skills are valued, developed and utilised in practice.

This practical and applied module seeks to expose you to a range of contemporary workplaces, both smaller entrepreneurial and larger global businesses, and will put you in direct contact with experienced managers and entrepreneurs. Through the module you will be exposed to the visible and invisible aspects of culture and will identify methods to assess and adapt to cultural norms to benefit effective cross-cultural interactions. You will gain insights into what employers are looking for in a new graduate and you will work towards improving your skills to support your career after university.

About this Module

Learning Outcomes:

1. Develop an awareness of organisational and national cultural differences and the impact of culture in the workplace
2. Identify and practice strategies to communicate in a diverse cultural workplace
3. Develop confident, creative and respectful local and global citizens
4. Explore the impact of assumptions, perception, stereotypes and unconscious bias in intercultural exchange
5. Reflect on and further develop your own cultural intelligence to support potential work and career opportunities
6. Develop active personal leadership and peer skills for navigating intercultural collaboration, communication and critical thinking

Student Effort Hours:
Student Effort Type Hours
Specified Learning Activities

40
Autonomous Student Learning

50
Lectures

24
Total

114

Approaches to Teaching and Learning:
The module will be delivered through a combination of lectures, class discussions, case studies, and guest speakers providing students with knowledge and applied understanding of culture in action. A key benefit of this module is the diversity of the participants. Each student will bring valuable insights into their own cultural attributes, providing an excellent grounding for intercultural understanding. Be ready to be adventurous with your learning!

This module aims to enhance your experience of working internationally - both within the class cohort and in dialogue with managers and entrepreneurs.

Assessment will involve a mix of individual and team based reflective learning, and a collaborative group project investigating a specific cross cultural topic. You are challenged to learn about, inquire and reflect what you have learned throughout the module.

Through the range of coursework activities, you will be encouraged to develop your reflective, creative and critical thinking abilities, information and communication capacities, and your collaborative learning and intercultural skills.

Requirements, Exclusions and Recommendations

Not applicable to this module.


Module Requisites and Incompatibles
Not applicable to this module.
 

Assessment Strategy
Description Timing Component Scale Must Pass Component % of Final Grade In Module Component Repeat Offered
Group Work Assignment: Each group will be asked to prepare a 15 minute presentation on a topic related to Intercultural Competencies. Presentations will be delivered in class in week 11 and / or 12. Week 11, Week 12 Graded No
40
 No
Individual Project: Each student should interview someone who has worked or studied outside of their home country and identify key themes related to Inter-Cultural Competencies. (Sample questions will be provided). Week 10 Graded No
50
 No
Participation in Learning Activities: Students are expected to attend class each week on time, prepared and ready to engage in class activities and discussions. Week 1, Week 2, Week 3, Week 4, Week 5, Week 6, Week 7, Week 8, Week 9, Week 10, Week 11, Week 12 Graded No
10
 No

Carry forward of passed components
No
 

Resit In Terminal Exam
Spring No
Please see Student Jargon Buster for more information about remediation types and timing. 

Feedback Strategy/Strategies

• Group/class feedback, post-assessment

How will my Feedback be Delivered?

Not yet recorded.

Timetabling information is displayed only for guidance purposes, relates to the current Academic Year only and is subject to change.
Autumn Lecture Offering 1 Week(s) - Autumn: All Weeks Fri 14:00 - 15:50
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