The first MA IC course was offered as a Graduate School elective (IC Theory & Practice, since 2000) and a fuller complement of courses continue in the College of English (since 2002) and in the College of Journalism and Communication (since 2007). Due to the growing size, quality, and contribution of the courses, IC was established as an independent study direction for English MA candidates in 2005 and Communication MA candidates in 2007. The SII faculty team now offers a curriculum of 8-10 courses and annually advises 15-20 post-graduate IC English majors and 2-4 Intercultural Mass Communication majors.

The 2-year program (located on the beautiful Songjiang suburb campus of SISU) goes beyond basic comparisons of culture to examine one’s personal cultural orientation, “Other” awareness, sensitivity and competence, issues in interpersonal communication, intercultural education and training, cross-cultural psychology, cross-cultural business management, and “culture” represented in texts (literature or discourse). The program academically extends the exposure provided though our global online course (www.futurelearn.com/courses/intercultural-communication) which all applicants are urged to take in preparation for understanding basic orientations of the IC field.

Through introducing the history and status of IC research and training internationally, the program focuses first on mastering leading concepts, theories, and methodologies (analytical, descriptive, and critical research approaches) then applying these to personal or professional interest areas through group projects, discussions, or original investigations (including writing up an MA thesis project). Graduates are trained to be academically and practically equipped to integrate the analysis of culture, context, and discourse into their future research or careers, and develop themselves as well-rounded, competent intercultural analysts and global communicators.