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Master studies in Intercultural Communication - Structure
• Double degree: Master of Arts - German award + British award
Four programme strands
The first three semesters are lectures, seminars etc. while the fourth semester
is reserved for writing the Master’s Dissertation. It comprises four thematic
strands plus an elective element. They enable you to develop
international leadership and communications competence so that as a manager you
can succeed in an international and intercultural environment characterized by
contrasting and possibly conflicting leadership, communication and working
behaviours.
The first two strands - Research and Theory & Reflection - develop investigative
skills and provide theoretical frameworks that enable you to recognize and
understand leadership and communication issues in international business
contexts, and reflect on the consequences for management practice.
The third strand
- Management Practice - aims to promote your critical
understanding of management techniques and tools that can be employed to
develop sophisticated and situationally-appropriate solutions to the problems
encountered in international and intercultural business, and of the problems and
risks associated with their use.
The
fourth strand - Intercultural Competence - centres on an in-depth investigation
and discussion of the business-relevant specifics of three dynamic and emerging
regions: East Asia, Middle East, and Latin America. Economically, they
are all dynamic growth regions, having developed very rapidly to become major
players in the world economy. As such they are very interesting as markets but
also as countries or regions where Western companies locate, or which are
producing a highly-qualified workforce and their own market-leading companies.
The modules will cover cultural and social aspects which you must be aware of in
order to be able to cooperate successfully with local actors. You deal with the
context and specifics of economic development in the three regions and acquire
in-depth knowledge of business practices and management techniques which are
characteristic for the respective region.
Electives
Beyond this core programme, you choose 3 elective modules amounting to approx. one-fifth of the programme’s credits. You can thus customise your study experience and your formal qualification according to your subject interests, career preferences and/or professional development needs.
Master Thesis
In the fourth semester you write the Master thesis in which you will be able to carry out in-depth research on a specific programme- related topic of your interest. You may investigate an issue or problem related to your own work-place, or undertake a more theoretical investigation to demonstrate your command of postgraduate and professional research practice. There is no formal teaching during this semester. You can thus use this semester to gain work experience or study abroad without extending the duration of your studies.
Work experience
You are supported in undertaking up to two voluntary workplacements in the course of the programme: In the summer break between semesters 2 and 3, you have the opportunity to complete a placement of up 4 months duration. As you have no attendance obligations at the HIM in semester 4 you are free to complete a workplacement during this period and/or write your dissertation in cooperation with a company, or to begin / recommence regular employment. You are supported by the Career Services in finding an appropriate workplacement.
Study abroad
You also have the opportunity to spend the 4th semester studying at a higher
education institution abroad. Taking this optionprepares you for an
international career by enhancing your employability through cultural awareness
and the ability to adapt to life and learning in a foreign country. It also
strengthens your linguistic and interpersonal skills.
© HIM: Studies in intercultural communication
at the Hochschule für Internationales
Management Heidelberg, Germany