In the minor Intercultural Professionalism, you develop insight into how culture, diversity and societal context come together in professional practice. You learn to analyse current societal issues related to inclusion, identity and participation, and explore what these mean for you as a future professional.

During the lectures, you build a theoretical foundation on culture, diversity, identity and inclusion. You explore concepts such as intersectionality, migration, integration and discrimination, and learn to position these within both the Dutch and international context. You use this knowledge to critically analyse cultural and societal issues.

In addition, you work on professional reflection and communication. You explore how your own background, values and frames of reference influence your actions and develop a transcultural attitude. In training sessions, you practise culturally sensitive communication in professional settings.

In the practice-oriented component of the minor, you work in collaboration with a professional organisation to explore intercultural issues and formulate well-founded advice aimed at improving inclusive professional practice. You translate analysis, academic literature and collaboration with the field into concrete recommendations and reflect on your own learning process.

The minor connects theory, reflection and practice into one coherent learning experience and contributes to the development of global citizenship and professional practice in an intercultural society.

The three learning outcomes of this minor are:

Learning Outcome 1 – Conceptual analysis (societal context & inclusion)
 The student analyses societal and cultural diversity issues from relevant theoretical perspectives on culture, identity and inclusion, and places these issues within a broader societal context.

Learning Outcome 2 – Professional reflection (transcultural attitude & communication)
 The student reflects on their own professional vision, attitude and actions in relation to cultural diversity and societal themes, and demonstrates how this reflection contributes to developing a transcultural attitude and culturally sensitive communication in a professional context.

Learning Outcome 3 – Advising and communicating (inclusive professional practice)
 The student investigates intercultural issues in collaboration with a professional organisation and formulates well-founded recommendations aimed at improving inclusive professional practice, based on academic literature and analysis, and reflects on their own learning and collaboration process.

(International) university & HBO students, Year 3 or 4

This minor is unique in that it can be followed by both Dutch and English-taught students within an international classroom. All literature is available in English (and largely also in Dutch), and assessments, papers and projects may be completed in either Dutch or English.

Another distinctive feature of this minor is that it actively uses the diverse backgrounds, perspectives and experiences of the students as a learning resource. Students learn with and from one another through exchange and collaboration.

Parts of the minor are developed and delivered in collaboration with two partner universities: one in the United States and one in the United Kingdom.

The course language will be English; therefore, the student must have a sufficient spoken and written proficiency (B1 or higher) of the English language to actively participate in class.

Reader Intercultural Professionalism, articles on Brightspace

Semester 1, Block 1

Sessions include:

·         Lectures, guest speakers from professional practice, workshops and excursions

·         Training sessions on intercultural skills in collaboration with the TST programme

·         Project meetings and conducting field-based research in collaboration with professional practice

The Intercultural Professionalism minor is completed through three coherent assessment components, aligned with the learning outcomes:

Intercultural Analyses (34%)
 Minimum grade required: 5.5

Intercultural Skills (33%)
 Assessment: Pass / Fail

Inclusive Advising in a Professional Context (33%)
 Minimum grade required: 5.5To successfully complete the minor, all components must be completed. The weighted average of the graded assessments must be at least 5.5. Upon successful completion, the student will receive 15 ECTS credits.

In this minor we’ll have guest lecturers and workfield visits. We collaborate with Penn-State University and Lincoln University.

·         TST programme

·         Inclusive Office

Centre of Expertise