Understanding Intercultural Communication offers a comprehensive look at the foundational concepts of the discipline. Employing the dynamic theme of
flexible intercultural communication, it effectively bridges the gap between theory and practice. A distinctive feature is the book's well-balanced emphasis on both cross-national intercultural communication issues and U.S. domestic diversity issues. Written in a conversational style, it presents up-to-date, identity-based frameworks and fresh approaches.
By integrating current empirical research with lively examples, the text illustrates the practical nature of the intercultural communication field. The authors encourage students to think critically by asking thought-provoking questions and posing intercultural ethical dilemmas for students to ponder. They offer strong coverage of such topics as the process of ethnic and cultural identity change, culture shock and intercultural adjustment, intercultural verbal communication styles, conflict facework interactions, romantic relationships and raising bicultural children, global identity challenges, and decision-making choices in intercultural ethics.
Understanding Intercultural Communication features "Jeopardy Boxes" on the use of domestic culture, global culture, and diversity; "Double Take" personal narratives and stories; "Know Thyself" mini-assessments; "Quick Poll" reaction polls; "Picture This" intercultural-interethnic poems; and "Snapshots" illustrating cultural diversity and culture shock. In addition, dialogue scenes, global news clips, practical intercultural toolkits, and checkpoints reinforce student learning in each chapter. An interactive Student Study Guide on CD is included with every copy of the text. An Instructor's Manual/Testing Program and a Companion Website are also available.
"This student-centered text engages undergraduates through its presentation and discussion of key concepts by examples, questions, stories, and activities. The authors provide 'food for thought' and the 'proper utensils' for handling the material. . . . This textbook is fresh because it contains many stories and examples that students will connect with."--Armeda C. Reitzel, Humboldt State University
"I especially like the idea of 'posed questions' as chapter titles. It situates the reader in the context of inquiry. The use of figures, tables, photos, Jeopardy Boxes, and intercultural checkpoints adds greatly to the content."--Arvind Singhal, Ohio University, Athens
"The authors write clearly but with a sense of sophistication and depth, so that lower-division students can easily grasp the material, but senior students can be pushed to engage concepts, terms, and theories."--Fernando Delgado, Arizona State University West
"One of the outstanding features of this text is the integration of innovative topics that are not included in other intercultural texts. . . . The student-centered pedagogical approach in this text is the best I've encountered!"--Candice Thomas-Maddox, Ohio University, Lancaster
Part One: Intercultural Communication: Foundational Frameworks Chapter 1: Why Study Intercultural Communication?
Practical Reasons to Study Intercultural Communication
Adapting to Global and Domestic Workplace Diversity
Improving Multicultural Health Care Communication
Engaging in Creative Problem Solving
Enhancing Intercultural Relationship Satisfaction
Deepening Self-Awareness
Fostering Global and Intrapersonal Peace
Intercultural Communication Flexibility
Knowledge, Attitude, Skills
Flexible Intercultural Communication: Four Criteria
Mastering Intercultural Communication Flexibility
A Staircase Model
Communicating Flexibly
Chapter 2: What Is Intercultural Communication?
Culture: A Learned Meaning System
Surface-Level Culture: Popular Culture
Intermediate-Level Culture: Symbols, Meanings, and Norms
Deep-Level Culture: Traditions, Beliefs, and Values
Understanding Intercultural Communication: A Process Model
Intercultural Communication Process: Overall Characteristics
Intercultural Communication: Meaning Characteristics
Practicing Intercultural Process Thinking
Process Consciousness: Underlying Principles
Intercultural Toolkit: Recaps and Checkpoints
Chapter 3: What Are the Essential Cultural Value Patterns?
Functions of Cultural Values
Analyzing Cultural Values
Identity Meaning Function
Explanatory Function
Boundary-Regulation Function
Adaptational Function
Analyzing Cultural Value Dimensions
Discovering Cultural Values
Identity: Individualism-Collectivism Value Pattern
Power: Small-Large Power Distance Value Pattern
Uncertainty: Weak-Strong Uncertainty Avoidance Value Pattern
Sex Role: Feminine-Masculine Value Pattern
Additional Value Orientation Patterns
Value Orientations: Background Information
Meaning: Doing-Being Activity Value Orientation
Destiny: Controlling-Yielding People-Nature Value Orientation
Time: Future-Past Temporal Value Orientation
Space: Privacy-Communal Spatial Value Orientation
Individual Socialization Development
Independent Versus Interdependent Self-Construal
Horizontal Versus Vertical Self-Construal
Internal Versus External Locus of Control
Intercultural Toolkit: Recaps and Checkpoints
Chapter 4: What Are the Keys to Understanding Cultural and Ethnic Identities?
Family and Gender Socialization
Family Socialization and Interaction Patterns
Gender Socialization and Interaction Patterns
Cultural-Ethnic Identity Formation
Cultural Identity Conceptualization
Ethnic Identity Conceptualization
Group Membership: Intercultural Boundary-Crossing
Defining Acculturation and Enculturation
Social Identity Factors
Systems-Level Factors
Individual-Level Factors
Interpersonal-Ethnic Media-Level Factors
Ethnic-Cultural Identity Change Process
Ethnic-Cultural Identity Typological Model
Racial-Ethnic Identity Development Model
Intercultural Toolkit: Recaps and Checkpoints
Part Two: Intercultural Communication Shocks: Crossing Boundaries
Chapter 5: What Is Culture Shock?
Understanding Culture Shock
Culture Shock: Defining Characteristics
Culture Shock: Pros and Cons
Managing Culture Shock: Underlying Factors
Managing Culture Shock: Initial Tips
Intercultural Adjustment: Developmental Patterns
The U-Curve Adjustment Model
The Revised W-Shaped Adjustment Model
Culture Shock: Peaks and Valleys
Reentry Culture Shock
Reentry Culture Shock: Surprising Elements
Resocialization: Different Returnees' Profiles
Intercultural Toolkit: Recaps and Checkpoints
Chapter 6: What Is the Relationship Between Language and Culture?
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