This document provides an overview of the first chapter of the textbook "Understanding Intercultural Communication Second Edition" which discusses why studying intercultural communication is important. It lists several practical reasons for studying intercultural communication, such as adjusting to workforce diversity both globally and domestically, engaging in creative problem solving, and enhancing relationships. It also defines culture as a learned system of meanings, norms, symbols, traditions and beliefs that are shared within a community and passed down over generations. Finally, it uses the metaphor of an iceberg to depict different levels of culture from surface/popular culture to deeper levels like norms and traditions.

1. Understanding Intercultural
Communication Second Edition
Chapter 1
Why Study Intercultural
Communication?
Stella Ting-Toomey & Leeva C. Chung
OXFORD UNIVERSITY PRESS
PowerPoint Slides Designed by Alex Flecky and Noorie Baig

2. TODAY’S MENU
I. Practical Reasons to Study
Intercultural Communication (ICC)
II. What is Culture?

3. I. Why Study Intercultural
Communication?
• Take a moment to think about why you
would like to study this subject. Jot down
your reasons.
•Then, move to the next slide to see if
your reasons match.

4. I. Some Practical Reasons to Study
ICC
A. Adjust to global workplace
heterogeneity
B. Adapt to domestic workforce diversity
C. Engage in creative multicultural
problem solving
D. Comprehend the role of technology
in global communication

5. I. Some Practical Reasons to Study ICC cont’d.
E. Facilitate better multicultural health
care communication
F. Enhance intercultural relationship
satisfaction
F. Foster global & intrapersonal
peace
G. Deepen cultural self-awareness
and other-awareness

6. II. What is Culture?
•Take a moment to think about what
culture is. Jot down your reasons.
•Then, move to the next slide.

7. II. Culture: A Learned Meaning System
Culture is a learned meaning system
consisting of patterns of:
•Norms
•Meanings
•Symbols
… that are passed on from one
generation to the next and are
shared to varying degrees by
interacting members of a community.
•Traditions
•Beliefs
•Values

8. Culture is like an Iceberg:

9. Culture: An Iceberg
Metaphor
Surface-level culture: Popular culture
Can you give examples of current popular culture
icons that are different to the ones listed in the
textbook?
What are some Canadian popular culture icons?

10. Culture: An Iceberg Metaphor
Intermediate-level culture: Cultural norms
How would you introduce yourself:
To your professor?
To your romantic partner’s friends?
Deep-level culture: Culturally shared
traditions
How would you explain common Canadian
traditions to a visitor from another culture unfamiliar
with them?

11. Parting Thoughts…
Culture is the widening
of the mind and spirit.
~ Jawarhalal Nehru