Working on Cross-Cultural Communication Challenges is a collection of materials (study circle, discussion questions, vignettes, and explanations) that help to foster multicultural understanding among people. Students of culture become aware of impediments to fostering collaborations among diverse groups, and are provided with several different types of exericises to guide them on learning about diversity, starting their discussion groups, study circles, and exploration of their own biases. Supplemental readings and bibliographic resources are also provided.
Type of Material:
A collection. Textual descriptions of challenges in a cross cultural communication setting and techniques to improve the situation.
Recommended Uses:
Good ancillary material for a discussion of diversity, organizational communication, contemporary issues in human resources management, and/or international business.
Technical Requirements:
Basic browser use.
Identify Major Learning Goals:
Identify some of the challenges of communication in a diverse, cross-cultural setting and learn some techniques that can foster improved communication, In addition, students will gain a deeper understanding of the nature of prejudice/ discrimination, as well as how to respectfully discuss their differences.
Target Student Population:
This could be used with almost any student population from beginning college through employee or executive training.
Prerequisite Knowledge or Skills:
No specific prerequisite knowledge needed.
Content Quality
Rating:
Strengths:
Working on Common Cross Communication Challenges provides an inclusive overview of differences among cultures (differences in communication styles, attitudes toward conflict, approaches to completing tasks, decision making styles, attitudes toward disclosure, and approaches to knowing). It provides background materials and opinions from participants in their taped series; these provide a wide range of perspectives on diversity. The site covers in-depth guidelines for multicultural collaboration and introduces discussion materials and activities designed to help participants explore their deep-seated and sometimes unexplored beliefs.
Concerns:
"Under Tips for Using the Starter Video" the webpage could not be located. Would be helpful if more recent articles were referenced. Some of the material in Supplemental Readings is dated; for example, the reference to Rosemary Bray's work which will be published in 1997 should probably be changed.
Potential Effectiveness as a Teaching Tool
Rating:
Strengths:
"Working on Common Cross-Cultural Challenges" effectively introduces concepts that many students are probably not familiar with, such as the "Study Circle," and describes how to implement study circles at a number of different societal levels. Lists a plethora of organizational resources which students can use to further build their community networks, or to expand their knowledge of diverse communities and multicultural networking. Presents sensitive issues in a way that respects the dignity of diverse communities.
Concerns:
It's brevity comes with a concurrent generality that does not provide a deep discussion of the issue nor does it provide guidance to other materials that could be useful in further pursuing the topic.
Ease of Use for Both Students and Faculty
Rating:
Strengths:
The site provides a "Navigation Page" which clearly delineates the six major areas: (1) Foreward; (2) Using this Study Circle Guide; (3) Working on Common Cross-Cultural Communication Challenges; (4) Discussion Materials for Four Study Circle Sessions; (5) Supplemental Readings; and (6) Resources for Further Discussion and Action.
Concerns:
Some of the links contain redundant material, for example, in the "Six Fundamental Patterns" link, the same information is contained in the individual links immediately following.
Creative Commons:
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