Chapter 1 - Studying Intercultural Communication - Summary Form PDF

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Summary of Chapter 1 from "Experiencing Intercultural Communication: an Introduction"...

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1.Whatar et hemaj ort heor i esand/ort opi csdi s cussedi nt hechapt er ?( 2pt . )

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Reasons for studying intercultural communication The peace imperative The technological and economic imperative Changing demographics in the U.S. and in the worldwide immigration patterns The self-awareness imperative- how it can lead to increased self-understanding. In other words, ethnocentrism Cultural values and ethical judgment (The ethical imperative) Becoming an ethical student of culture The relativity of cultural behavior

2.Whoar et her epr esent at i vet heor i s t sdi scuss edi nt hechapt er ?( 1pt . )

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Robert Muller --- “The father of global education” Peter Adler --- a notable social psychologist discussing Self-awareness theory William S. Howell --- An intercultural scholar explaining the relativist position Scholar David W. Kale--- examined the universal code of ethics for intercultural communicators. Philosopher Kwame Appiah--- discusses ethical principles and argues that “we” ought to all become cosmopolitans- citizens of the world. Everett Kleinjans--- An International Educator Linda Alcoff--- Cultural studies scholar

3.Whatar et hekeycl ai msdi s cussedi nt hechapt er ?( 6pt s. )

Chapter 1 discusses the six reasons i.e. the ethical, self-awareness, demographic, technological, economic, and peace imperative for studying intercultural communication. First, this chapter acknowledges that the situations in which intercultural communication takes place are challenging and complex. That said, the chapter stresses that it is necessary to communicate effectively across cultures and to want to learn more about intercultural communication. This chapter introduces someone to some basic guidelines and concepts for thinking about intercultural interaction. Chapter 1 raises the question of whether people of different religions, languages, races, ethnicities, ages, and gender can peacefully coexist together. Accordingly, this chapter identifies that the impact that technology has on the United States is viewed as a positive benefit by some while others view it as a cause for resistance. This highlights the importance of peace imperative, which demonstrates that intercultural and war conflict underscores the necessity for people to learn and understand more about communities of which these people are not members. For businesses and organizations in the emerging multinational economy in the world, knowing about intercultural communication is strategic and significantly important for the United States. To put it in a different way, the chapter points out that for any business or

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Chapt e r1 Dat e

company selling product and services internationally, it is necessary to have a rich mixture of workers with varied experiences and perspectives. This chapter views the global economy as the cause of growing inequality and poverty around the world. Because of globalization, businesses around the world continue to expand to other markets. The results of companies expanding to overseas markets are that it leads to inequalities that result in despair, resentment, and eventually intercultural conflict. The chapter goes on to define the key attributes of the term culture, laying an appreciation for the layered complication of examining culture. Consequently, culture can be described as a system consisting of values, beliefs, or patterns, which are shared and passed generationally by its members. Furthermore, the chapter uses examples to explain the three levels of cultural metaphor and illustrates how deep these levels shape the meaning and expectations that people around the world attach themselves to when it comes to an intercultural encounter process. The current situation is that today tradition of conflict and tension between cultures still endures making some individuals feel victimized and sometimes perpetrate their own stereotypes and ignorance to the next racially different individual they come across. As a result, this creates a certain class structure i.e. economic class and enclaves where certain racial or cultural groups reside. This chapter claims that for most people in the United States are reluctant to admit that they live in the same economic class they were born and how difficult it is to move up. Because “we” live in a global village, technology has improved human communication, which emphasizes the significance of the technological imperative. This chapter has demonstrated that with each technological advancement social relationships around the world evolve and can be involved concurrently in very many ways without face-to-face interaction. Today, because of high-tech communication, many people connect with other people different from themselves, often in very many ways, they do not understand. Actually, the move on internet communication is towards multilingualism and technology advancement has heightened the rate at which individuals encounter multilingual situations. As they seek out intercultural communications including other languages to show their feelings and thoughts it may create a digital divide between those who have access to these technological advancements and those without. A historical overview of the changing immigration patterns in the U.S. describes it as a country of immigrants. That said, it is important to mention that the United States is becoming more diverse, that is heterogeneous and it is significant to acknowledge the tension between different ethnic or racial groups and the fear on the part of communities politically dominant. 4.Whatar es omei nt er est i ngappl i cat i onsoft het heor i es/t opi cs/keycl ai mst hat ar edi s cussedi nt hechapt er ?Forexampl e,how cant hei deasf r om t hi schapt er beappl i edt oyourownl i f e ?( 3pt s. )

This chapter was very instructive and interesting to me, and I find myself applying these skills to communicate effectively across cultures. While communication is much too complex, it is not difficult to formulate significant proposals, which will always work in every situation. However, it is possible to identify several intercultural skills to apply in the various aspects of intercultural communication covered in this chapter. Firstly, in understanding cultural history and identity. Secondly, improving nonverbal and verbal communication. Thirdly, in resolving and building relations, and finally the role of popular culture in understanding intercultural communication.

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This is particularly of importance since it offers me the ability to inter-communicate or be connect across cultures. In particular, this is increasingly significant in a world that is becoming more and more connected with individuals from other different cultures. Self-reflexivity is a crucial process of becoming an ethical student of culture. As mentioned earlier learning about other cultures and their practices will help learn much about myself as well. 5.Thi nkofapopcul t ur er ef er encet ot het heor i es/t opi cs/keycl ai mst hatar e di scussedi nt hechapt er .Whatsong,movi e,TV shows,et c.canbeappl i edt o i l l ust r at et hei deasf r om t hechapt er ?( 3pt s. )

Chapter 1 would be interesting to apply in the global workforce. As I was reading the chapter, I thought of how global companies are increasingly looking for employers who are flexible, skilled, and able to apply and adjust their skills with the sensitivity and tact that will enhance corporation success globally. As such, understanding of intercultural communication is critical to learning and understanding the specific skill sets necessary to transcend social borders. An example of a movie that comes to my mind concerning intercultural communication is Hannah Montana: The Movie. A quick synopsis of the movie shows the challenges of intercultural communication. In this movie, Miley Cyrus had to adapt to a different lifestyle i.e. let go and suppress that of her countryside and get used to that of a city girl. In summary, this movie highlights two concepts (social and personal identities), which have been discussed in the chapter....