COM2 Personal and Professional Development

• Topics

  COM2 Personal and professional development is designed to equip students with the knowledge and tools essential for studying and working in a diverse environment. 

  Working successfully across cultures has become increasingly important in today's globalised world. As future leaders, students must learn to work effectively with people from diverse backgrounds, cultures and languages. Throughout the course, students will learn how to effectively plan and execute their professional journey in diverse environments. They will also be prepared to reflect on and develop their cultural competence, which is necessary when working or studying abroad or in multicultural teams.  

• Learning outcome

  Upon successful completion of this course, students are able to: 

  Knowledge 

  • demonstrate familiarity with core concepts and theories in relation to intercultural communication, multicultural teamwork and communication across cultures 
  • demonstrate familiarity with core concepts in relation to personal and professional development 

  Skills 

  • work and communicate effectively with people from different cultural/language backgrounds 
  • work in teams 
  • provide constructive feedback  
  • reflect upon one’s own culture and behaviour 
  • reflect upon one’s professional journey and to make use of internal and external mapping for a wider understanding of different career options 
  • reflect on the feedback received and identify an action plan to improve one’s behaviour 

  General competencies 

  • demonstrate successful collaboration in intercultural settings
  • show sensitivity and respect for intercultural diversity, which are essential goals for social sustainability
  • strengthen their career competency, which enables people to manage their careers effectively, especially during times of change

• Teaching

  Workshops, lectures, case studies and group discussions. The course requires the student’s active participation. 

  For the 2024 cohort, teaching will take place during the first, second, and third semesters, with the reflection paper submitted in the fourth semester.

  For the 2025 cohort, teaching will take place at the end of the third semester and the beginning of the fourth semester, incorporating some online elements prior to the submission of the reflection paper.

• Compulsory Activity

  Have submitted and had at least 7 out of 10 deliverables approved. 

  Deliverables are short documents to be uploaded within a specific deadline on Canvas, such as reflection notes, peer review exercises, CV etc.

• Assessment

  Individual reflection paper (1500 words). Students will work on the paper during the fourth semester, with the submission deadline in February.

• Grading Scale

  Pass/Fail 

• Literature

  A selection of book chapters and articles (approx. 200 pages) will be made available on Canvas/Leganto. 

• Retake

  Retake is not offered in the non-teaching semester. The assessment may be retaken the next time the course is offered.

  For detailed information regarding the retake policy, please visit our website: https://www.nhh.no/en/for-students/examinations/retake-of-exams (copy URL).