In the field of intercultural communication, it is commonly understood that meanings are negotiated in interactions locally and in situated ways. In this course, culture is understood not as a static variable but as a dynamic and evolving set of practices, meanings, and underlying assumptions that shape and are shaped by social interactions, socio-historical contexts, and power relations. Therefore, addressing issues in intercultural communication requires a careful, context-sensitive, and open-minded approach, which is represented by qualitative research traditions. 

This applied research project is designed to provide participants with the opportunity to apply their insights from theoretically and methodologically focused courses in organizational settings. In cooperation with business partners, participants will work on solutions to the current challenges that societies, commercial organizations, and governmental/public institutions face in the globalized world. Specifically, this project focuses on challenges that arise from linguistic and cultural diversity and will adopt a predominantly qualitative approach.

•    Based on their exchanges with a project partner and in-depth study of relevant literature, students will be able to identify research problems, formulate research questions, and explore solutions in the field of intercultural communication. 
•    Students will be able to apply appropriate methods of data collection and analysis to the organizational problems that the project partner is facing.
•    Students will be able to design a research project and pitch it to the instructors and the project partner.
•    Students will be able to collect and analyze data in organizations.
•    Students will be able to review relevant literature as they explore the key concepts, context, solutions, and other research findings.
•    Informed by their findings, study of literature, and knowledge of organizational context, students will be able to formulate solutions and suggest possible implementation of the solutions.
•    Students will be able to write a qualitative research project report.
•    Students will be able to present their projects to the instructors and to the practice partner.
•    If relevant, students will be able to disseminate their findings, approach relevant stakeholders, and empower the participants.
•    Students will be able to organize their work independently and in teams.
•    Students will be able to conduct the above activities with respect to the privacy and interests of the research subjects and organizations, i.e., in line with the ethical standards in the field.

Attendance is mandatory during all the meetings with the project partners (there will be at least 3 such meetings) and during two feedback sessions with the instructors. Students will be informed about the schedule at the beginning of the course. Altogether, at least 80 % of the sessions with instructors need to be attended. In between these fixed events, students will need to plan and realize data collection with the project partner and also have internal meetings and meetings.

The course is based on the input and exchanges with the project partner and subsequent students’ project work, which will be accompanied by presentations, group discussions, feedback from the instructors, and self-study.

•    Presentation of project outline to the instructors (10 points) - groups
•    Initial pitch to the practice partner (20 points) – groups
•    Rehearsal of the final presentation (10 points) - groups
•    Final presentation (20 points) - groups
•    Final report & first draft of executive summary for practice-partner (30 points) – groups
•    Final version of executive summary for practice-partner (10 points) - groups

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