To broaden your understanding of the chapter, consider the following assignments related to the Internet.

1. In this chapter, we identified seven contexts of communication. Among these contexts was the intercultural context. The issue of culture has become even more important in the United States as our country has become more diverse than ever. Examine the demographic breakdown of the U.S. by going to www.census.gov and looking at the various categories of cultural configurations identified by the government.

2. We have organized our thinking of communication along the same lines that many communication departments across colleges and universities organize their units and curricula. Examine a number of various websites of communication departments at schools across the country. Start with schools in your own state, including all types of schools—private, public, large, and small. What differences and similarities in course offerings and department structure do you notice?