Cultural Competencies in the Information Environment

LIS604

An understanding of cultural diversity and the ability to negotiate social differences are essential for effectively communicating with, and providing appropriate information services to Māori, Pasifika and other diverse communities in Aotearoa New Zealand.

  •  
    Level
    6
  •  
    Credits
    20
  •  
    Cost
    $840 NZ Domestic
    $2,130 NZ International
  •  
    EFTS
    0.1667
  • Delivery type
    Online only
  • Teaching weeks 16 weeks
  • Workload Approximately 13 hours per week
  •  
    Prerequisites Check entry and other requirements under the qualification you are studying

This online Library and Information Services  course will equip you with a critical understanding of your own cultural and social position in Aotearoa New Zealand as a starting point for understanding others. You will begin by identifying personal gaps in knowledge and practice when engaging with diverse communities. The course will then introduce you to applied intercultural communication theory, and provide you with good practice principles for understanding and working with diverse communities in information service contexts.

For more information watch the course introduction video below.

 

Students who successfully complete this course will be able to:

  • Relate intercultural communication theory to good practice principles for understanding and working with diverse communities.
  • Explain how personal understanding of identity and culture relate to cultural competence when working in information service contexts and building relationships with Māori, Pasifika and diverse groups.
  • Compare culturally appropriate research and investigation approaches and methods to identify the needs of Māori, Pasifika and diverse groups and communities in relation to information literacy and information services provided by information organisations.
  • Critically evaluate interactions and services in an Aotearoa New Zealand context to identify intercultural communication issues.
  • Develop and implement culturally appropriate services.

Assessment

This course is 100% internally assessed.

Textbooks

No textbooks are required for this course.

Computer and internet requirements

To complete this course you will need access to a laptop or desktop computer, reliable broadband internet connection and a data plan able to support online learning such as streaming of videos (including YouTube), downloading content, and writing and submitting online assessments. If you are unsure if your current computer or internet access allows you to complete your online learning with us, please contact us before applying to enrol.

How to enrol

Before enrolling in this course you need to:

  • choose the qualification you will study the course under
  • check the order that courses in the qualification should be studied in the Qualification Structure table. This is in the Choose courses and apply tab on the qualification page.

Work towards

You can do this course as part of these qualifications:

Certificate of Proficiency
Diploma
Bachelor's Degree
Graduate Diploma

Course availability over the next 12 months

Dec
2025
Jan
Feb

February enrolment dates

Enrol by -
Course starts -
Course ends -
11 Feb 2025
24 Feb 2025
15 Jun 2025
Mar
Apr
May
Jun
Jul
Aug
Sep
Oct

October enrolment dates

Enrol by -
Course starts -
Course ends -
7 Oct 2025
20 Oct 2025
8 Feb 2026
Nov
  •  
    Level
    6
  •  
    Credits
    20
  •  
    Cost
    $840 NZ Domestic
    $2,130 NZ International
  •  
    EFTS
    0.1667
  • Delivery type
    Online only
  • Teaching weeks 16 weeks
  • Workload Approximately 13 hours per week
  •  
    Prerequisites Check entry and other requirements under the qualification you are studying