Learning Objectives

1.

Assess your ability to communicate effectively with persons from different cultures. Ours is an age of increased global contact and diversity. Consequently, assessing and developing an understanding of and sensitivity to cultural differences is an essential component in each of our communication repertoires. To the extent we are able to reduce cultural ignorance and enhance cultural awareness, we increase our personal preparedness to communicate effectively.

2.

Discuss the kinds of problems the culturally confused face. By taking steps to eliminate cultural misunderstandings, we also facilitate the development of more meaningful relationships between persons from different cultures whether these relationships occur face-to-face or online.

3.

Define intercultural communication. Intercultural communication is the process of interpreting and sharing meanings with individuals from different cultures.

4.

Compare and contrast culture and co-culture, ethnocentrism and cultural relativism, melting pot philosophy and cultural pluralism. To become more adept at communicating with persons who are culturally different from ourselves, we first need to understand the differences between the general culture and co-cultures, ethnocentrism and cultural relativism, and the melting pot philosophy and cultural pluralism.

5.

Compare and contrast the following: individualism and collectivism, high-context communication cultures and low-context communication cultures, high power distance cultures and low power distance cultures. Interpreting cultural variations means learning to appreciate the differences between individualism and collectivism, high-context and low-context communication cultures, and high power distance and low power distance cultures.

6.

Identify techniques you can use to reduce the strangeness of strangers. Although the lessons taught by culture influence our communication style preferences, there are techniques we can use to reduce the strangeness of strangers, adding to the storehouse of knowledge that
underscores our communication competence and, as a result, increasing our ability to handle the communication challenges of today and tomorrow.

7.

Discuss how technology is bringing diversity into our lives. For many of us, the Internet is facilitating this task by helping to bring diversity and culture into our lives.

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