Defining Interdisciplinary Intercultural Competence

Intercultural competence can be defined as “a set of cognitive, affective, and behavioral skills and characteristics that support effective and appropriate interaction in a variety of cultural contexts.” (Bennett, J. M. 2008) As such, intercultural competence is inherently interdisciplinary. Interdisciplinary approaches, like strategies advancing intercultural competence, foster the ability to adopt multiple viewpoints and transcend culture-and discipline-specific ways of knowing. Interdisciplinary and intercultural competence represent complementary notions that reinforce each other to advance engagement in global learning.

Co-PIs: Sabine Smith, Dan Paracka, Joe Terantino

  • The goal of this project, made possible thanks to a $45,000 Kennesaw State Strategic Internationalization Grant, is to Identify, develop, and share best practices for the teaching and assessment of intercultural competence in an interdisciplinary manner for the specific KSU context. The year-long, grant-funded initiative seeks to:

    • Identify, and/or develop appropriate assessment tools of intercultural competence;
    • Pilot and assess such tools in the traditional classroom, online, and in experiential learning activities;
    • Create an archival website for assessment and instructional tools; and
    • Advance the infrastructure for connecting resources and stakeholders on campus and beyond in support of interdisciplinary teaching and the assessment of intercultural competence.Cohorts of faculty attended two half-day workshops aimed at equipping them to:
      • Become familiar with leading theories and models of intercultural competence;
      • Discuss relevant pedagogies and assessments related to intercultural competence;
      • Develop, pilot, share, and adapt intercultural learning modules for use across disciplines;
      • Review the piloted modules and assessments to determine effectiveness and replicability; and
      • Share assessment data for subsequent analysis and interpretation.

      The modules developed are posted here on this website. Faculty are encouraged to use and adapt the information provided for use in their own teaching.

      • Renowned interculturalists Dr. Darla Deardorff and Dr. Alvino Fantini served as external reviewers of the project.
      • Expert Multipliers and Departmental Designees facilitated programs disseminating the concepts and products generated by the ITAIC project.
      • Student in-focus group interviews explored learner perceptions of intercultural competence in the academy.
    1. Dimensions of Interdisciplinary Intercultural Competence
    2. Empathy
    3. Respect
    4. Impact of Prejudice, Discrimination. Xenophobia
    5. Foreign Language Skills (sociolinguistic awareness within the target culture)
    6. Worldviews & Value Differences
    7. Understanding Processes of Globalization
    8. Cultural Hybridity
    9. Awareness of Historical Influences
    10. Defining Human Rights
    11. Tolerance for Ambiguity
    12. Demonstrating Intercultural Sensitivity
    13. Valuing Diversity
    14. Awareness of Global Issues / Systems
    15. Influence of Situational Context
    16. Influence of Status, Power & Privilege
    17. Intercultural Communication Skills (both effective and appropriate)
    18. Multiple Perspective Taking
    19. Flexibility & Adaptability
    20. Ability to Manage & Cope with Change (views of change)
    21. Observation & Listening Skills
    22. Degree of Ethnocentrism/Ethnorelativism
    23. Ability to Withhold Judgment
    24. Cultural Self-Awareness
    25. Culture-Specific Knowledge
    26. Openness, Curiosity & Risk-taking
    27. Ability to Shift Frames of Reference
    28. Commitment to Social Justice / Reciprocity
    29. Degree of Immersion / Isolation

(Bennett, J. M. 2008. Transformative training: Designing programs for culture learning. In Contemporary leadership and intercultural competence: Understanding and utilizing cultural diversity to build successful organizations, ed. M. A. Moodian, 95-110. Thousand Oaks, CA: Sage.)

Modules

Name College/Department Module Title
Allman, Sam UC - University Studies

Understanding the Complexity of Culture and the Power of Diversity
Arafa, Mohammed CHSS - Foreign Language

Introduction to Arabic Language and Culture
Coffey, Debra BCE - Early Childhood

Intercultural Competence Module
Moodie, Doug Coles - Management

Why Culture Matters in Business
Rodriguez, Yen UC - Center for Student Leadership

Racially Ambiguous American Identities Viewed through the Lens of Afro-Latino Diversity
Scott, Heather UC - University Studies

Women and Leadership Issues in the Arabian Peninsula
Sen Deberati CHSS - Anthropology

Media Discourse Analysis
Trallie, Kay CHSS - History Ed

Approaches to World History
Wade-Berg, Jennifer CHHS - Social Work and Human Services

Intercultural Competence in Nonprofit Management
Paracka Dan (Co-PI) CHSS - Interdisciplinary Studies

A Research Pedgagogy for Processing Intercultural Learning Experiences
Smith, Sabine (Co-PI) CHSS - Foreign Languages

Cultural Simulation: "It's Peanuts!"
NAME DEPARTMENT/COLLEGE MODULE TITLE
Cockrell-Abdullah, Autumn CHSS - PhD Program INCM Transnational Identities
GuramatunhuCopper, Nyasha UC - University Studies Danger of the Single Story
Lyons, Linda M. UC - First Year & Transition Studies Understanding Cross-Cultural Awareness through Diversity, Culture, and Intercultural Competence
Nguyen, Shelbee UC - First Year & Transition Studies Concerted Critical Reflection: The Starting Line to Intercultural Competence
Seaman, Kristen COA - Art and Design Viewing Expressions of Cultural Identity in Art
Slinger-Friedman, Vanessa CHSS - Geography and Anthropology
Stura, Claudia CHSS - PhD Program INCM Creating a Community: Case Study