Background
Globalisation and European integration provide new challenges
for research and academic teaching. What is needed in this age
of increasing internationalisation is that we acknowledge other
cultural systems to a much greater degree than before. Otherwise
different cultural norms, practises, and conventions constitute
potential sources of misunderstanding. On the other hand academic
research and teaching can also derive inspiration and innovative
impulses from the experience of cultural differences and the
exchange between cultures.
Structure
ERIC is a thematic network under Erasmus organised internationally
in sub-networks formed along subject lines. Each group deals
with intercultural topics relevant to its field of knowledge.
Such interdisciplinary networking allows international cooperation
and intensive exchanges of ideas between the partners which
should provide them with new impulses for their respective
research and teaching areas.
Products
The ERIC network intends to provide for students and academic
staff (but also everyone interested from outside academia)
relevant intercultural resource material including bibliographical
information of available material, research studies from the
sub-networks, advanced student work (Master theses, dissertations),
and field studies. The result of ERIC will be an internet
portal resting on three pillars: knowledge – cooperation
– learning. The portal will include a searchable database
of resources in various formats, an area meant to assist cooperative
learning and intercultural communication and an e-learning
sector, the “European Virtual Campus”.
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