Massive open online course to focus on intercultural competence

Purdue University Digital and Professional Education, the Center for Instructional Excellence and ITAP have teamed up to offer a free massive open online course in partnership with FutureLearn. The MOOC is called "Improving Your Intercultural Competence." This free professional development opportunity to improve intercultural attitudes, skills and knowledge is open to anyone, including all Purdue advisors, faculty, staff and students.

The MOOC is offered beginning Aug. 21 and runs for four weeks. Additional offerings are scheduled to begin Oct. 23, Jan. 22 and March 26. To enroll, visit https://www.futurelearn.com/courses/intercultural-competence.

Learning outcomes target the attitudes, skills, and knowledge of the Association of American Colleges & Universities Intercultural Knowledge and Competence VALUE Rubric, which correlate with the Purdue embedded learning outcomes of interpersonal skills and intercultural knowledge.

Learning outcomes include interacting with people who are culturally diverse, describing cultural rules and biases, and asking questions about different cultures. In addition, learners differentiate complex worldview frameworks and recognize the feelings of members of diverse cultures. Learners also discuss cultural differences in verbal and nonverbal communication.

This course is for anyone looking to improve his or her intercultural competence, such as a student preparing for study abroad or a global career, an HR generalist/specialist or corporate trainer, or a professional working in a diverse environment. CILMAR, Purdue’s Center for Intercultural Learning, Mentorship, Assessment, and Research, especially recommends this MOOC for first-year students, incoming international students and scholars, and leaders of student organizations.

“This new MOOC is a great way to open the door to intercultural learning,” says Mike Brzezinski, dean of International Programs and director of CILMAR. “For learners who discover an interest in taking further steps to develop their intercultural competence, CILMAR offers a variety of opportunities to engage across difference at Purdue.”

Prior experience is not required. Learners can expect to complete coursework in less than three hours per week for four weeks.

The course not only helps develop the skills and acquire the knowledge needed to meet the global challenges today’s world presents, but also supports success in a diverse workplace by teaching the value of cultural differences, Brzezinski says. According to the Intelligence Unit at The Economist, 90 percent of executives in 68 countries say cross-cultural management is their biggest challenge. Good intercultural communication and an understanding of cultural differences are now critical for professionals, especially those working in global networks.