Course Syllabus
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| Semester & Location: |
Spring 2024 - DIS Copenhagen |
| Type & Credits: |
Elective Course - 3 credits |
| Major Disciplines: |
Business, Leadership Studies, Management |
| Prerequisite(s): |
None |
| Faculty Member: |
Dorte Mari Aggergaard - contact via Canvas inbox |
| Time & Place: |
Tuesdays: 11.40 - 14.35 Classroom: S26-100 |
Course description:
Cultural diversity doesn’t only exist between national cultures; it also exists between different corporate and professional cultures within the same organization. Previously, cross-cultural training has primarily been focused around outlining the differences between various national stereotypes with little or no attention on how we can benefit from this diversity. Today we live in a globalized world, where cultures blend together more than ever before in history. Thus, being able to lead successfully across cultures is a key skillset to possess and at the same time extremely complex to manage.
The purpose of this intercultural management course is to bring the participants attention to the importance of knowing how to take advantage of cultural diversity, in any form. We will leverage a theoretical framework from academic research as well as be inspired by real world leaders with vast experience within managing different cultures.
Furthermore, this class will explore the required skills for a modern day leader and create a personal roadmap towards a future professional leadership career for the participants with leadership ambitions.
Learning objectives:
The objectives of the course are to enable the students to:
- Understand the concepts of cross-cultural leadership.
- Take a strategic approach to cross-cultural leadership.
- Be able to apply best practices within cross cultural leadership to their personal leadership development.
- Be able to design working environments that take advantage of cultural diversity.
Faculty
Dorte Mari Aggergaard (she/her)
M.A. (Modern Culture & Innovation, University of Copenhagen) B.A. (Art History and Pedagogy/Educational Studies, University of Copenhagen and Roskilde University). Visiting scholar at Leeds and Brown University. Member of the Denmark Committee at Brown, and DIS representative at Harvard, MIT, RISD and Brown. Worked for The European Commission's Safer Internet Programme, recipient of an EU Lifelong Learning Programme grant for a project on cross-cultural learning. Has worked with innovation, and been part of the start-up community in Copenhagen. With DIS since 2014.
Required Texts
Course readings (see below are found) on Canvas. Before each class, you are expected to read texts, listen to podcasts, and/or watch films/videos assigned for the class.
Simon and Hoyt 2022 Gender and Leadership in Northouse 2022 Chap 14 (1).pdf
Harvard Business Review Women Rising.pdf
Cross Cultural Conflict Resolution in Teams.pdf
Change management - A key to a successful future.pdf
World Bank - Doing Business In Denmark 2020.pdf
Managing Multicultural Teams.pdf
Culture Club An Interview with Fons Trompenaars.pdf
Dimensionalizing Cultures_ The Hofstede Model in Context.pdf
5 Simple Office Policies That Make Danish Workers Way More Happy Than Americans.pdf
Field Studies
This course will include two field studies that are designed to enhance your understanding of the topics of this course.
Course Policies
Laptops – Use of laptop computers in class is allowed for the purpose of note-taking ONLY; other computer activities can prove distracting. Students will lose laptop privileges if they use their computers for other activities besides taking notes. Cell phones and other electronic devices should be stored away.
AI - This course emphasizes the importance of individual creativity and critical thinking. Consequently, the use of AI writing tools is prohibited. Any violation of this policy will be regarded as a severe breach of academic integrity and will be addressed accordingly.
Schedule – Schedule is subject to change if necessary with as much notice as possible.
Teaching Methods
The teaching in this course is based on experiential learning and students are expected to participate actively in activities, independent field work, presentations and discussions both during class, field visit and on canvas. While I am responsible for the overall structure of the class, all of us will contribute to the production of knowledge and creating a learning space with reflection, responsibility and trust.
The class will largely be student driven through group work, hands-on activities, and debates. Your own engagement plays an important role and you are encouraged to reflect actively on your leadership experiences during our hands-on activities and help towards creating an inclusive and safe learning environment.
Overall, the aim is to create a class community characterized by respect and willingness to listen/consider others’ perspectives, where it is safe to explore ideas together and individually, even when they are not fully conceptualized. This requires a level of trust in each other and a willingness and curiosity to consider each other’s arguments.
Academic Regulations
Please make sure to read the Academic Regulations on the DIS website. There you will find regulations on:
DIS - Study Abroad in Scandinavia - www.DISabroad.org
Grading breakdown
Engagement – This course will be highly interactive. You will be expected to do the readings and actively participate in meaningful class discussions regarding their application to the issues addressed in class. You will also be expected to participate during the guest lecturers, through asking questions and applying the guest lecturers’ inputs to future class discussions. In order to get an “A” the student must show a high level of participation – engage him/herself in discussions and ask relevant questions.
Furthermore, please refer to the general attendance policy at DIS. Unexcused absences will result in a lower/failing participation grade.
Written Assignment – The written assignment will challenge you to reflect on key learning’s in class implementing an essay inspired format: specific assignment, format and grading guideline to be introduced in class.
Podcast - In groups, you will be tasked with creating a podcast which touch on leadership issues and include a cultural element. More information will follow in our preparation class for this assignment.
Group Presentation – At the end of the semester the students will be asked to work in groups to present and critically asses the key findings of the class. Each group will be responsible for A) presenting key findings from a selected part of the syllabus and B) acting as opposing counsel and providing constructive feedback to another group’s presentation. All students in a group will get the same grade. “A” grades are given to groups who manage both to draw out the key issues of the class, present the conclusions in an easily understood manner and demonstrate the ability to give constructive feedback to others. To get and “A” it is also required that the group performs as a united rather than one or two individuals.
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Grading Elements: |
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Grading Scheme: |
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Class Engagement |
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= 20% |
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Points |
Grade |
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Written Assignment |
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= 25% |
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100 – 93 |
A |
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Podcast |
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= 25% |
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<93 – 90 |
A- |
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Team Presentation |
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= 30% |
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<90 – 87 |
B+ |
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Total |
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= 100% |
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<87 – 83 |
B |
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|
|
|
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<83 – 80 |
B- |
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|
|
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<80 – 77 |
C+ |
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|
|
|
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<77 – 73 |
C |
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|
|
|
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<73 – 70 |
C- |
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|
|
|
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<70 – 67 |
D+ |
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|
|
|
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<67 – 63 |
D |
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|
|
|
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<63 – 60 |
D- |
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|
|
|
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<60 |
F |
Course Summary:
| Date | Details | Due |
|---|---|---|