Intercultural Communication The Basics Session 1 Opening the

Intercultural Communication: The Basics Session 1: Opening the Conversation Communication 440/2015

Objectives » Move from passive recipients to active participants of intercultural communication » Introduce challenges and opportunities of intercultural communication in the context of globalization » Define culture » Understand how social location and standpoint shape perspective and experience » Introduce intercultural praxis Communication 440/ 2015

Intercultural Communication in the Context of Globalization • Globalization changes in intercultural communication engagement - Do you have examples of this? • Technology connects lives in a global economy - How do you experience this? • Gap between haves and have-nots is widening. - Is this evident where you live? • Intercultural communication takes place in a context of political, economic, and cultural globalization • History, power, and global institutions play key roles Communication 440 2015

What is Culture? » High Culture • Culture of the elite class • i. e. Opera, ballet, literature » Low Culture • Culture of the working class • i. e. Folk art, popular theater » Popular Culture • Culture of common everyday people • i. e. TV, magazine, movies, fashion, music Communication 440/2015

Anthropologic Definition » Culture is passed down from generation to generation through symbols. » Culture allows us to make sense and understand the world. » Culture allows us to express ourselves. » When you share the system of meaning, you become part of the culture. Communication 440/2015

Culture as a Site of Contested Meaning Cultural Studies Definition » Culture is not shared by everyone, but contested and negotiated. » Focus on representations of class, race, gender, sexuality, and nationality in the media. » Culture as an apparatus of power, system of domination. » Culture is a site where power relations are negotiated. » Hegemony : Domination through consent Communication 440/2015

Culture as a Resource Globalization Definition » Culture is used as resource for economic growth in global trade (movies, music, etc. ) » Resource for political movement. » Resource for educating people: literacy, health campaigns, etc. » Resource for collective resistance and social change Communication 440/2015

Cultural Identity » A situated sense of self that is shaped by our cultural experiences and social locations » How do you define yourself in terms of cultural identity? • Do you have multiple cultural identities? » How does your cultural identity shape your perspectives, beliefs and relationships with others? » Is the way you identify culturally related to issues of power? • For example, dominant groups identities are often not as salient as non-dominant group identities Communication 440/2015

Positionality » A term that describes how we are socially positioned in relation to each other. » One’s social location shaped by differences-race, class, gender, sexual orientation, religion, nationality, and physical abilities • i. e. I’m a woman, of Mexican descent, upper class, and deaf • i. e. I’m a White American male who is in a committed relationship with another man, educated, from working class, and non-religious Communication 440/2015

Standpoint Theory » Standpoint: A place from which to view and make sense of the world. » Your positionality gives you a particular standpoint. » Different realities depending on the position from which to view it. » People with less power in society often have a fuller and more comprehensive view—both the dominant and marginalized view. Communication 440/2015

Standpoint Theory and Positionality » We may see, experience, and understand the world quite differently based on our different standpoints and positionalities. » Knowledge about ourselves and others is situated and partial. » Knowledge is always and inevitably connected to power. » Oppositional standpoints can be formed to challenge and contest the status quo. Communication 440/2015

Ethnocentrism » Ethno: group or nation » Idea that one’s own group’s way of thinking, being and acting is superior to others. » Ethnocentrism can result in dehumanization, prejudices, discrimination, conflict, and violence. Communication 440/2015

Intercultural Praxis » Praxis: Action & Reflection » A process of critical analysis, reflection, and action for effective intercultural communication in the context of globalization. » To raise our awareness, increase our critical analysis, and develop our socially responsible action. » There are six ports of entry: Inquiry, Framing, Positioning, Dialogue, Reflection, and Action. Communication 440/2015

Intercultural Praxis Communication 440/2015

Communication 4402013

Summary » In this session, we addressed: » 3 Definitions of culture: - Culture as shared meaning - Culture as contested meaning - Culture as resource » Key concepts - Positionality - Standpoint theory - Ethnocentrism » Intercultural praxis Communication 440/2015