Course syllabus - Intercultural Entrepreneurship

Objectives

To provide insights and skills in intercultural entrepreneurship.

Learning outcomes

After this course the student should:

* Have a good understanding of key concepts and approaches in the entrepreneurial field with special emphasis on intercultural entrepreneurship.
* Have a good understanding of innovation and entrepreneurship patterns in different countries and cultural environments, which also may include other contexts like regions and industries.
* Have an ability to collaborate, create and accomplish entrepreneurial activity in multi-cultural contexts.
* Have an ability to use a variety of digital tools for entrepreneurial collaboration across cultural boundaries.
* Have an ability to orally and in writing explain and discuss conclusions in relation to the knowledge and arguments they are based upon
* Have an ability to peer-review the work of fellow students as well as argue for and discuss about his/her own contribution in each learning activity
* Have an ability to critically analyse and evaluate information in relation to intercultural entrepreneurship
* Have insights into how entrepreneurial actions are accomplished in multi-cultural contexts.

Course content

The course builds on partnerships with a variety of stakeholders across a multitude of cultural boundaries. These boundaries can apply to countries, languages and disciplines, but also e.g. political, economic and knowledge interests. Examples of different cultural contexts are international partner universities, small and large businesses as well as local, regional and global networks.

Through the diversity of cultural environments both dilemmas and opportunities emerge. Together with course management and other stakeholders, course participants' task is to engage the opportunities and shape the common activities in order to achieve the desired learning outcomes. This should be done with regard to differences in interests and cultures while identified dilemmas are addressed in a constructive manner. The goal is to meet all of the course-involved stakeholders interests and needs in the best possible manner.

Each course will have a theme of its own, where the student in his or her intercultural group is to interpret the theme and create entrepreneurial activities. The course welcomes diversity in entrepreneurial initiatives, whereas entrepreneurship can apply to products, services and processes, but also other types of activities.

The course may be offered in collaboration with foreign universities and other foreign stakeholders why the course may include trips to other countries. The students are given the opportunity to participate in the trips, but are responsible for any Visas and other permits. The course organizer may cover some basic expenses, but the student must expect to cover additional costs, such as meals and travel fare. Participants who cannot participate in the trips will still be able to complete the course through additional tasks and participation in joint activities through the use of digital tools for collaboration and social networking.The course builds on partnerships with a variety of stakeholders across a multitude of cultural boundaries. These boundaries can apply to countries, languages and disciplines, but also e.g. political, economic and knowledge interests. Examples of different cultural contexts are international partner universities, small and large businesses as well as local, regional and global networks.

Through the diversity of cultural environments both dilemmas and opportunities emerge. Together with course management and other stakeholders, course participants' task is to engage the opportunities and shape the common activities in order to achieve the desired learning outcomes. This should be done with regard to differences in interests and cultures while identified dilemmas are addressed in a constructive manner. The goal is to meet all of the course-involved stakeholders interests and needs in the best possible manner.

Each course will have a theme of its own, where the student in his or her intercultural group is to interpret the theme and create entrepreneurial activities. The course welcomes diversity in entrepreneurial initiatives, whereas entrepreneurship can apply to products, services and processes, but also other types of activities.

The course may be offered in collaboration with foreign universities and other foreign stakeholders why the course may include trips to other countries. The students are given the opportunity to participate in the trips, but are responsible for any Visas and other permits. The course organizer may cover some basic expenses, but the student must expect to cover additional costs, such as meals and travel fare. Participants who cannot participate in the trips will still be able to complete the course through additional tasks and participation in joint activities through the use of digital tools for collaboration and social networking.

Tuition

Lectures, seminars and group work, but particularly laboratorial activities with entrepreneurial purposes.

Specific requirements

90 credits, at least 60 credits in business administration or innovation technology. In addition Eng B.

Examination

Group assignment based on a sharp lab project (PRO1), 5 credits, marks Pass (G) or Pass with Distinction (VG)
Individual assignment (PM01), 2 credits,  marks Pass (G) or Pass with Distinction (VG)
Participation in seminars (SEM1), 0.5 credits, marks Pass (G).

A student who has a certificate from MDU regarding a disability has the opportunity to submit a request for supportive measures during written examinations or other forms of examination, in accordance with the Rules and Regulations for Examinations at First-cycle and Second-cycle Level at Mälardalen University (2020/1655). It is the examiner who takes decisions on any supportive measures, based on what kind of certificate is issued, and in that case which measures are to be applied.

Suspicions of attempting to deceive in examinations (cheating) are reported to the Vice-Chancellor, in accordance with the Higher Education Ordinance, and are examined by the University’s Disciplinary Board. If the Disciplinary Board considers the student to be guilty of a disciplinary offence, the Board will take a decision on disciplinary action, which will be a warning or suspension.

Grade

Pass with distinction, Pass, Fail

Interim Regulations and Other Regulations

The course includes both individual learning and group learning, which is examined separately. To pass the course requires active participation, a completed project and attendance at mandatory course modules. In order to receive the course grade pass with distinction the student must receive pass with distinction on both PRO1 and PM01.

The assessment of the group examination PRO1 puts great emphasis on how that group methodically has proceeded to solve the task, but also the group members’ ability to seize the opportunities given and do something constructive with it. Additionally, the assessment covers each group member’s ability to keep the group together, solve problems and maximize delivered value.

The assessment of the individual examination PM01 puts great emphasis on how the student handles the task academically with theoretical support and source references. In addition, emphasis is placed on each student’s ability for self-reflection and analysis, a critical and nuanced approach and the student’s ability to constructively solve tasks in order to maximize delivered value.