Program Overview

Course Overview

The course LS1003, Working in global virtual teams: global competence for international professionals, is a 3.0 credit course that aims to strengthen the global competence required for efficient communication in global virtual team environments.

Course Description

Global Virtual Teams is an increasingly common way of working, with its own unique challenges. This course will help students understand and navigate these challenges, strengthen their global skills, and prepare them to succeed in a global landscape of virtual teamwork.

Information per Course Offering

The course is offered in different semesters, including Autumn 2025, Spring 2026, and Autumn 2026. For the Spring 2026 offering, the course starts on January 13, 2026, and ends on March 13, 2026. The course is taught at a 25% pace of study, and the application code is 60342. The form of study is distance daytime, and the language of instruction is English.

Target Group

The course is open to all students, provided that the course can be included in the program. The course is suitable for incoming students.

Part of Programme

The course is part of the Bachelor's Programme in Information and Communication Technology, year 2.

Course Syllabus

The course syllabus is available in an accessible format on the course page. The syllabus includes information about the course contents, intended learning outcomes, literature, and examination.

Content and Learning Outcomes

The course explores key areas for social interaction in global virtual team environments, such as team building, negotiation of roles and deadlines, asynchronous and synchronous communication, navigation in different time zones and legal standards, feedback and criticism, and use of and consequences of technology in and for team communication. Theories and models are introduced to help students better understand common sources of, and discuss possible solutions to, problems in virtual international team environments.

The intended learning outcomes of the course are:

• Give an account of key properties of global virtual teams and their potential advantages and challenges
• Connect core dimensions of global skills (knowledge, skills, attitudes, and critical awareness) to virtual teamwork contexts
• Discuss consequences and challenges connected to the role of English as a lingua franca in global virtual team environments
• Give an account of pragmatic strategies for working appropriately and efficiently in a global virtual team, and for preventing or solving misunderstandings and communication problems

Literature and Preparations

The specific prerequisites for the course are a minimum of 30 ECTS from higher education. The course literature is available in the course memo or in the course room in Canvas.

Examination and Completion

The course is examined through continuous assessment, and the grading scale is P (pass) or F (fail). The examination format and detailed grading criteria and assignments are described in the course memo before the start of the course.

Ethical Approach

All members of a group are responsible for the group's work. In any assessment, every student shall honestly disclose any help received and sources used. In an oral assessment, every student shall be able to present and answer questions about the entire assignment and solution.

Further Information

The course is offered by ITM/Learning in Engineering Sciences, and the main field of study is Technology. The education cycle is the first cycle. Registered students can find further information about the implementation of the course in the course room in Canvas.