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Intercultural Competence


Module name (EN):
Name of module in study programme. It should be precise and clear.
Intercultural Competence
Degree programme:
Study Programme with validity of corresponding study regulations containing this module.
International Tourism-Management, Bachelor, regulation 01.10.2020
Module code: BITM-430
SAP-Submodule-No.:
The exam administration creates a SAP-Submodule-No for every exam type in every module. The SAP-Submodule-No is equal for the same module in different study programs.
P440-0068
Hours per semester week / Teaching method:
The count of hours per week is a combination of lecture (V for German Vorlesung), exercise (U for Übung), practice (P) oder project (PA). For example a course of the form 2V+2U has 2 hours of lecture and 2 hours of exercise per week.
4SU (4 hours per week)
ECTS credits:
European Credit Transfer System. Points for successful completion of a course. Each ECTS point represents a workload of 30 hours.
5
Semester: 4
Mandatory course: yes
Language of instruction:
English
Assessment:
Project work (Can be repeated annually)

[updated 23.10.2026]
Applicability / Curricular relevance:
All study programs (with year of the version of study regulations) containing the course.

BITM-430 (P440-0068) International Tourism-Management, Bachelor, regulation 01.10.2013 , semester 4, mandatory course
BITM-430 (P440-0068) International Tourism-Management, Bachelor, regulation 01.10.2015 , semester 4, mandatory course
BITM-430 (P440-0068) International Tourism-Management, Bachelor, regulation 01.10.2017 , semester 4, mandatory course
BITM-430 (P440-0068) International Tourism-Management, Bachelor, regulation 01.10.2020 , semester 4, mandatory course

Suitable for exchange students (learning agreement)
Workload:
Workload of student for successfully completing the course. Each ECTS credit represents 30 working hours. These are the combined effort of face-to-face time, post-processing the subject of the lecture, exercises and preparation for the exam.

The total workload is distributed on the semester (01.04.-30.09. during the summer term, 01.10.-31.03. during the winter term).
60 class hours (= 45 clock hours) over a 15-week period.
The total student study time is 150 hours (equivalent to 5 ECTS credits).
There are therefore 105 hours available for class preparation and follow-up work and exam preparation.
Recommended prerequisites (modules):
BITM-112 Principles of the Tourism Sector
BITM-331 Stakeholders in the Tourism Industry


[updated 08.10.2026]
Recommended as prerequisite for:
BITM-511 Sustainability in Tourism
BITM-W-06 Cultural Management


[updated 07.10.2026]
Module coordinator:
Prof. Dr. Kerstin Heuwinkel
Lecturer:
Prof. Dr. Petra Garnjost
Prof. Dr. Kerstin Heuwinkel
Prof. Dr. Stefanie Jensen
Dipl.-Sportwiss. Susanne Seeliger


[updated 06.03.2020]
Learning outcomes:
After successfully completing this module, students will be able to:
- explain the specific characteristics of selected (national) cultures in terms of history, national culture, tourist attractions, and economic situation,
- apply key concepts from cultural theories,
- describe typical leadership and management styles and compare and explain them in their cultural context,
- understand different types of organizational cultures,
 - contribute to a work group, organize collaborative work, and resolve conflicts,  
- write a paper in English that adheres to academic standards and give a presentation in English.
 


[updated 23.10.2026]
Module content:
1. Introduction
  a) Culture terminology
  b) Concepts of culture
  c) Characteristics of culture
  d) Culture and communication
 
2. 5. Categorization of cultures
  a) Hall´s cultural factors
  b) Hofstede’s cultural dimensions
  c) Lewis´s Model of Intercultural Communication
  d) Trompenaars´ Model of National Cultural Differences
  e) The Globe study on culture and leadership
 
3. Implications of cultural differences
  a) Culture shock
  b) Culture and the economy
  c) Culture, travel and tourism
 
4. Dealing with cultural differences
  a) Corporate culture
  b) Diversity management
  c) Working in multicultural teams
 


[updated 23.10.2026]
Teaching methods/Media:
Seminar
Discussion sessions, group work, group presentations, written assignments

[updated 23.10.2026]
Recommended or required reading:
Always the latest edition:
 
Deresky, H.: Global Management. New Jersey
Hofstede, G.; Hofstede, G. J.; Minkov, M.: Cultures and Organizations: Software of the Mind. New York: McGraw-Hill.
Lewis, R. D.: When Cultures Collide: Leading Across Cultures. London: Nicholas Brealey International.
Rodrigues, C.: International Management: A Cultural Approach. Cincinnati, OH
Rothlauf, J.: Interkulturelles Management. München/Wien.
Schneider, S. C.; Barsoux, J.-L.: Managing Across Cultures. Harlow
 


[updated 23.10.2026]
 
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