The document provides an overview of the textbook "Intercultural Communication Encounters" which is divided into four parts. Part 1 lays the foundation for understanding intercultural communication by defining terms and describing cultural variations. Part 2 focuses on factors that influence intercultural behavior. Part 3 covers verbal and nonverbal intercultural interactions. Part 4 provides practical advice for achieving competence in intercultural exchanges, including coping with culture shock and adjusting to new cultures. The course will use this textbook and focus on understanding intercultural communication.
2. Introduction to the Textbook
Intercultural
Communication
Encounters
Donald W. Klopf
& James McCroskey
3. The book is divided into four parts
• Part 1-Communication
Across Cultures
• Part 2-Components of
Intercultural Communication
• Part3- Transmitting
Intercultural Messages
• Part 4-Achieving
Competence in Intercultural
Communication
4. Part 1-Communication Across Cultures
• Provides a foundation for understanding the process of
multicultural communication.
• Defines key terms such as communication, culture, and
intercultural communication.
• Describes cultural variations in behavior as they pertain to the
United States and other parts of the world.
• Introduces conceptual models of communication and
intercultural communication.
• Introduces various verbal and nonverbal communication
patterns.
• Describes micro-cultures that represent groups with their own
ways of speaking, including the aged, ethnic groups, religions,
occupational classes, geographic regions, gender/sex groups,
and the gifted/disabled.
5. Part 2-Components of Intercultural
Communication
• These chapters focus on factors that affect
intercultural behavior such as perception, motivation,
behavioral guides (values, beliefs, and attitudes),
cultural antipathy, cultural foundations, and
relationships.
• In this part, students learn about human tendencies
in perceiving and making attributions about people
from different cultures that they meet at home and
abroad.
• Cultural variations in cognitive styles and thought
patterns receive attention.
6. Part 3-Transmitting Intercultural Messages
• These chapters cover verbal and nonverbal behavior, the nuts
and bolts of intercultural interactions.
• Most people expect problems when conversing with people
who speak a different language.
• In most cases, the problems do not come from the words we
say (verbal language) but rather from the non-verbal language
such the way we gesture or from inappropriate bodily
movements.
7. Part 4- Achieving Competence in Intercultural
Communication
• These chapters are loaded with practical advice—how to cope
with problems of culture shock, how to become sensitive to
strangers in a different land, how to adjust to a new culture.
• Differences in ethics across cultures also receives
consideration.
• NOTE: In this course, you will find that the terms “intercultural”,
“cross cultural” and “trans-cultural” are used interchangeably.
8. • All of your required reading
will come from this book.
• All quizzes and exercises
will be based on this book.
• Understanding this book will
help you get a better grade
in my course.
• Most important of all,
understanding this book will
help you learn live, work,
worship with and/or minister
to other cultures at home
and abroad.