The document discusses several key concepts related to intercultural communication: 1) Intercultural communication involves interactions between people from distinct cultural backgrounds that can alter the communication event due to different cultural perspectives and symbol systems. 2) Globalization can be viewed anthropologically as worldwide interconnectedness through global movements of resources, goods, labor, finance, information, and diseases. 3) Contextual communication occurs in particular situations or systems that influence what and how we communicate and the meanings we attach to messages. Cultural context, environmental context, occasion, and time are elements associated with the contextual nature of communication.

1. Intercultural Communication Montana Tech PTC 3506 and TC 5506 Professor Lori Shyba PhD [email_address]

2. Resource Manual: Intercultural Communication 13 th edition, Larry Samovar Intercultural Communication 12 th edition, Larry Samovar Is also acceptable

3. Intercultural Communication Involves interaction between people whose cultural perspectives and symbol systems are distinct enough to alter the communication event.

4. Past Example Alexander the Great paid homage to the different gods of the lands he conquered. Library of Alexandria 3 rd Century B.C.

5. Globalization From anthropological perspective is “a worldwide interconnectedness, evidenced in global movements of natural resources, trade goods, human labour, finance capital, information, and infectious diseases .”

6. Dominant Culture This is the group that usually has the greatest amount of control over how the culture carries out its business In America the dominant group was created as people of English ethnicity. In America adult white males generally meet the requirements of dominance.

7. Contextual Communication We say communication is contextual because it occurs in particular situations or systems that influence what and how we communicate and what meanings we attach to messages. (A very rich source for critical thought about wide and varied topics.)

8. Contextual Communication Elements associated with contextual nature of communication: Cultural Context Environmental Context Occasion Time

9. Functions of Culture Culture exists to help us make sense of our surroundings. It offers us a blueprint for all of life’s activities. It is based on symbols. From how to earn a living, how economics work, how to greet strangers, explanations of illness, how to find a mate, it gives us structure.

10. The Terminal (Spielberg, 2004) An eastern immigrant finds himself stranded in JFK airport, and must take up temporary residence there.

11. Is it possible to perceive the world as other people perceive it? When is ethnocentricity a good thing? When is it a hazard? What are the basic elements of culture? How and why are communication and culture linked? How is communication contextual? What problems might arise when trying to interpret non-verbal actions? How can you best prepare to enter a new culture and deal with culture shock? What are the relative merits of a fundamentalist and relativist approach to developing an intercultural ethic?