Understanding Intercultural Communication

Written in a conversational style, this book introduces students to the foundations of intercultural communication, a vibrant discipline within the field. Authors Stella Ting-Toomey and Leeva Chung take a multicontextual, inclusive approach that balances international and intercultural communication issues against U.S. domestic diversity issues. In addition to emphasizing a value-oriented perspective on intercultural encounters, the text contains a robust ethical chapter, complete with specific guidelines that will help students become ethical intercultural communicators.

By integrating current empirical research with lively intercultural examples, the authors ask thought-provoking questions and pose ethical dilemmas for students to ponder. The text offers a sprawling treatment of such topics as ethnic and cultural identity change, culture shock and intercultural adjustment, romantic relationships and raising bicultural children, global identity challenges, and decision-making choices in intercultural ethics.

NEW TO THIS EDITION:

* Two new special features, "Blog Pic" and "Blog Post," which update all the photos and poignant personal stories found throughout the first edition

* A greater focus on the impact of technology on intercultural communication message exchange processes

* An updated discussion of multiracial and biracial identity in Chapter 4

* Updates to the popular "Jeopardy Boxes"



· More than 250 new references

* "Live-chat," a special boxed feature, which emphasizes the importance of adaptive code-switching in managing intercultural misunderstanding via lively dialogue

SUPPORT PACKAGE FOR INSTRUCTORS:

An Instructor's Manual / Test Bank that contains more than 500 pages of original exercises, activities, up-to-date media resources, classical and contemporary film lists, sample syllabi, and paper assignments.

A password-protected Companion Website that features the Instructor's Manual, PowerPoint lecture slides, a Student Success Manual, and links to supplemental material and films.

Stella Ting-Toomey is Professor of Human Communication Studies at California State University, Fullerton.

Leeva C. Chung is Professor of Communication Studies at the University of San Diego.