COMMUNICATION AND CULTURE – PROGRAMME SUBJECT IN PROGRAMMES FOR SPECIALIZATION IN GENERAL STUDIES (KKM1-01)

Communication is fundamental to all interpersonal contact, in terms of cultural fellowship and between people with different backgrounds. Norway is a multicultural society, one that encompasses both Norwegian and Sámi culture, as well as a variety of minority cultures. People are increasingly on the move; they migrate both within countries and between countries, and cultural currents from all over the world put their stamp on people’s everyday lives. Working life is becoming more and more globalized. The number of multinational companies international organizations is increasing. In the fields of science, culture and education there is also an increase in cross-border collaboration. All this creates a need for knowledge about other cultures and for skill in communicating with people with a different cultural background. The programme subject Communication and culture shall provide insight into cultural encounters at the level of the individual, the group and society.

The rise of the Information Society has created an urgent need for people who are skilled communicators. New electronic media require a high level of competence in creating and understanding texts that combine such forms of expression as language, images and sound. The programme subject shall help develop competence in creating composite texts adapted to a variety of communication situations. In this way, the programme subject can provide a sound basis for continued education in practical and theoretical communication subjects.

Knowledge of communication both within and across dissimilar cultures shall give individuals greater understanding and respect for their fellow human beings. The programme subject shall also create an awareness of cultural tradition by showing how texts help preserve the culture’s world of knowledge, values and norms. Teaching in the subject shall help the individual’s self-development through reflecting on their own culture and identity. The programme subject should thus provide a good basis for participating actively in the Information Society and for communicating in a globalized world.

Instruction in the programme subject shall be organized in such a way that the work is both theoretical and practical. Through analysis and reflection on cultural encounters in communication, greater insight can be gained into the subject’s methodology and mode of thought. Working with communication can help develop practical communication skills.