LNGS7006: Semester 1, 2026

Units LNGS7006 Semester 1 2026 [Normal day]

Unit outline_

LNGS7006: Cross-Cultural Communication

Semester 1, 2026 [Normal day] - Camperdown/Darlington, Sydney

Overview

This unit explores the dynamic relationship between language and society in a multicultural world. Through Positive Discourse Analysis (PDA) and real-world case studies, students learn to decode implicit meanings, navigate power dynamics, and foster inclusive engagement. Hands-on projects prepare students for fields where human insight is irreplaceable, including business, community development, education, healthcare, law, and media. By blending analytical rigour with emotional intelligence, the unit empowers students not just to adapt to the age of AI but to lead in it, transforming language into a tool for advocacy, persuasion, and social change.

Unit details and rules

Academic unit	Linguistics
Credit points	6
Prerequisites ?	None
Corequisites ?	None
Prohibitions ?	None
Assumed knowledge ?	None
Available to study abroad and exchange students	Yes

Teaching staff

Coordinator	Sunny-Boy Ahmar Mahboob, ahmar.mahboob@sydney.edu.au

Assessment

The census date for this unit availability is 31 March 2026

Details
Criteria

Type	Description	Weight	Due	Length	Use of AI
Interactive oral	Linguistic Landscape Discussion Oral interactive	20%	Formal exam period	15 min - 1000 wds equivalent	AI prohibited
Outcomes assessed:
Written work	Final report Final project report	60%	Formal exam period Due date: 10 Jun 2026 at 23:59	3000 words	AI allowed
Outcomes assessed:
Contribution	Homework Written discussion/homework via Canvas	10%	Ongoing	10 x 100 words equivalent	AI allowed
Outcomes assessed:
Creative work	Digital Storytelling: Subaltern Voices in a Cross-Cultural World 10 min digital response to a text/issue Equivalent to 1000 words	10%	Week 07 Due date: 15 Apr 2026 at 23:59	10 min digital response to a text/issue	AI allowed
Outcomes assessed:
= hurdle task ?

Assessment summary

The three assessments will work together to enable us to achieve the unit goals.

Assessment criteria

The University awards common result grades, set out in the Coursework Policy 2014 (Schedule 1).

As a general guide, a High distinction indicates work of an exceptional standard, a Distinction a very high standard, a credit a good standard, and a pass an acceptable standard.

Result name	Mark range	Description
High distinction	85 - 100
Distinction	75 - 84
Credit	65 - 74
Pass	50 - 64
Fail	0 - 49	When you don’t meet the learning outcomes of the unit to a satisfactory standard.

For more information see guide to grades.

Use of generative artificial intelligence (AI)

You can use generative AI tools for open assessments. Restrictions on AI use apply to secure, supervised assessments used to confirm if students have met specific learning outcomes.

Refer to the assessment table above to see if AI is allowed, for assessments in this unit and check Canvas for full instructions on assessment tasks and AI use.

If you use AI, you must always acknowledge it. Misusing AI may lead to a breach of the Academic Integrity Policy.

Visit the Current Students website for more information on AI in assessments, including details on how to acknowledge its use.

Late submission

In accordance with University policy, these penalties apply when written work is submitted after 11:59pm on the due date:

Deduction of 5% of the maximum mark for each calendar day after the due date.
After ten calendar days late, a mark of zero will be awarded.

This unit has an exception to the standard University policy or supplementary information has been provided by the unit coordinator. This information is displayed below:

10% for late assignments

Academic integrity

The University expects students to act ethically and honestly and will treat all allegations of academic integrity breaches seriously.

Our website provides information on academic integrity and the resources available to all students. This includes advice on how to avoid common breaches of academic integrity. Ensure that you have completed the Academic Honesty Education Module (AHEM) which is mandatory for all commencing coursework students

Penalties for serious breaches can significantly impact your studies and your career after graduation. It is important that you speak with your unit coordinator if you need help with completing assessments.

Visit the Current Students website for more information on AI in assessments, including details on how to acknowledge its use.

Learning support

Simple extensions

If you encounter a problem submitting your work on time, you may be able to apply for an extension of five calendar days through a simple extension.  The application process will be different depending on the type of assessment and extensions cannot be granted for some assessment types like exams.

Special consideration

If exceptional circumstances mean you can’t complete an assessment, you need consideration for a longer period of time, or if you have essential commitments which impact your performance in an assessment, you may be eligible for special consideration or special arrangements.

Special consideration applications will not be affected by a simple extension application.

Using AI responsibly

Co-created with students, AI in Education includes lots of helpful examples of how students use generative AI tools to support their learning. It explains how generative AI works, the different tools available and how to use them responsibly and productively.

Support for students

The Support for Students Policy reflects the University’s commitment to supporting students in their academic journey and making the University safe for students. It is important that you read and understand this policy so that you are familiar with the range of support services available to you and understand how to engage with them.

The University uses email as its primary source of communication with students who need support under the Support for Students Policy. Make sure you check your University email regularly and respond to any communications received from the University.

Learning resources and detailed information about weekly assessment and learning activities can be accessed via Canvas. It is essential that you visit your unit of study Canvas site to ensure you are up to date with all of your tasks.

If you are having difficulties completing your studies, or are feeling unsure about your progress, we are here to help. You can access the support services offered by the University at any time:

Support and Services (including health and wellbeing services, financial support and learning support)
Course planning and administration
Meet with an Academic Adviser

Weekly schedule

WK	Topic	Learning activity
Week 01	Introduction	Lecture (1 hr)
Week 02	What is language? What is culture?	Lecture (1 hr)
Week 02	Introduction - review of assignments	Tutorial (1 hr)
Week 03	Critical Discourse Analysis	Lecture (1 hr)
Week 03	Reviewing sample assignments from previous years - 1	Tutorial (1 hr)
Week 04	3D framework of language variation	Lecture (1 hr)
Week 04	Identifying focus of your digital story project	Tutorial (1 hr)
Week 05	Dynamic Approach to Language Proficiency	Lecture (1 hr)
Week 05	Share literature analysis and project plans for digital storybook	Tutorial (1 hr)
Week 06	Language and identity management	Lecture (1 hr)
Week 06	Share draft of your digital story	Tutorial (1 hr)
Week 07	Appraisal analysis	Lecture (1 hr)
Week 07	Reviewing sample assignments from previous years - 2	Tutorial (1 hr)
Week 08	The making of The Ribbit Ribbit Pond	Lecture (1 hr)
Week 08	Identify focus of your final project	Tutorial (1 hr)
Week 09	XCC issues in healthcare and well-being	Lecture (1 hr)
Week 09	Share analysis of literature	Tutorial (1 hr)
Week 10	XCC issues in education	Lecture (1 hr)
Week 10	Share your data & analysis	Tutorial (1 hr)
Week 11	Trash project	Lecture (1 hr)
Week 11	Share your findings and discussion	Tutorial (1 hr)
Week 12	Bringing it all together...	Lecture (1 hr)
Week 12	Finalising your presentations etc.	Tutorial (1 hr)
Week 13	Final presentations	Lecture (1 hr)

Attendance and class requirements

Attendance: According to Faculty Board Resolutions, students in the Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences are expected to attend 90% of their classes. If you attend less than 50% of classes, regardless of the reasons, you may be referred to the Examiner’s Board. The Examiner’s Board will decide whether you should pass or fail the unit of study if your attendance falls below this threshold.
Lecture recording: Most lectures (in recording-equipped venues) will be recorded and may be made available to students on the LMS. However, you should not rely on lecture recording to substitute your classroom learning experience.
Preparation: Students should commit to spend approximately three hours’ preparation time (reading, studying, homework, essays, etc.) for every hour of scheduled instruction.

Study commitment

Typically, there is a minimum expectation of 1.5-2 hours of student effort per week per credit point for units of study offered over a full semester. For a 6 credit point unit, this equates to roughly 120-150 hours of student effort in total.

Required readings

Please refer to Canvas for unit readings.

Learning outcomes

Learning outcomes are what students know, understand and are able to do on completion of a unit of study. They are aligned with the University's graduate qualities and are assessed as part of the curriculum.

Outcomes
Graduate qualities

At the completion of this unit, you should be able to:

LO1. demonstrate knowledge and understanding of language varieties and their features and their central role in intercultural communication
LO2. evaluate the relationship between language and culture through linguistic analysis
LO3. critically evaluate how culture and language are discursively constructed
LO4. independently analyse language features and contexts of language use
LO5. work effectively in teams in various collaborative in-class activities.

Graduate qualities

The graduate qualities are the qualities and skills that all University of Sydney graduates must demonstrate on successful completion of an award course. As a future Sydney graduate, the set of qualities have been designed to equip you for the contemporary world.

GQ1	Depth of disciplinary expertise Deep disciplinary expertise is the ability to integrate and rigorously apply knowledge, understanding and skills of a recognised discipline defined by scholarly activity, as well as familiarity with evolving practice of the discipline.
GQ2	Critical thinking and problem solving Critical thinking and problem solving are the questioning of ideas, evidence and assumptions in order to propose and evaluate hypotheses or alternative arguments before formulating a conclusion or a solution to an identified problem.
GQ3	Oral and written communication Effective communication, in both oral and written form, is the clear exchange of meaning in a manner that is appropriate to audience and context.
GQ4	Information and digital literacy Information and digital literacy is the ability to locate, interpret, evaluate, manage, adapt, integrate, create and convey information using appropriate resources, tools and strategies.
GQ5	Inventiveness Generating novel ideas and solutions.
GQ6	Cultural competence Cultural Competence is the ability to actively, ethically, respectfully, and successfully engage across and between cultures. In the Australian context, this includes and celebrates Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander cultures, knowledge systems, and a mature understanding of contemporary issues.
GQ7	Interdisciplinary effectiveness Interdisciplinary effectiveness is the integration and synthesis of multiple viewpoints and practices, working effectively across disciplinary boundaries.
GQ8	Integrated professional, ethical, and personal identity An integrated professional, ethical and personal identity is understanding the interaction between one’s personal and professional selves in an ethical context.
GQ9	Influence Engaging others in a process, idea or vision.

Outcome map

Learning outcomes	Graduate qualities
Learning outcomes

Responding to student feedback

This section outlines changes made to this unit following staff and student reviews.

We have changed the unit to lecture + tutorial structure instead of a seminar. This has required us to make changes throughout the unit and address student concerns as well.

Disclaimer

Important: the University of Sydney regularly reviews units of study and reserves the right to change the units of study available annually. To stay up to date on available study options, including unit of study details and availability, refer to the relevant handbook.

To help you understand common terms that we use at the University, we offer an online glossary.

Current students

Overview

Overview

Unit details and rules

Teaching staff

Assessment

Assessment

Assessment summary

Assessment criteria

Use of generative artificial intelligence (AI)

Late submission

Academic integrity

Learning support

Learning support

Simple extensions

Special consideration

Using AI responsibly

Support for students

Weekly schedule

Weekly schedule

Attendance and class requirements

Study commitment

Required readings

Learning outcomes

Learning outcomes

Graduate qualities

Outcome map

Responding to student feedback

Responding to student feedback

Disclaimer

On this page

Useful links