Intercultural Communication Institute

SIIC 2009 Description

1a | Foundations of Intercultural Communication

This workshop is a sophisticated introduction to concepts of intercultural communication and their application to a wide range of professional contexts.

Designed for
Teachers, trainers, internal and external consultants, and others concerned with intercultural relations who have had little or no formal contact with the intercultural field.

Objectives
Participants will have the opportunity to:

Examine the basic assumptions and issues of intercultural communication and cross-cultural human relations in both domestic and global contexts
Review basic intercultural topics, including perception, cultural patterns of thinking and behavior, styles of communication, assumptions and values, and cultural adaptation
Explore the ways in which an intercultural approach can be applied to their personal and professional lives, including corporate, educational, and other organizational contexts
Review resources available for further study of the subject

Learning Activities
These will include:

Simulations and other experiential activities to demonstrate how cultural differences impact cross-cultural contacts
Video to illustrate concepts and provide case study applications
Short lecture and discussion to clarify concepts and applications
Reflection on the place of an interculturalist in professional endeavors

Faculty: Andy Reynolds, Donna Stringer

Andy Reynolds, president of Andy Reynolds & Associates, has more than two decades of experience consulting, teaching, and training in race and gender relations, workplace diversity, and customer service. Andy’s commitment and involvement in the business and education communities has resulted in his receiving a number of local and national leadership awards. He is also the vice president of Executive Diversity Services (EDS) and president of SIETAR USA.

Dr. Donna M. Stringer is the president of Executive Diversity Services (EDS), an organization development company specializing in cross-cultural issues, located in Seattle. A social psychologist with over thirty years’ experience as a manager, teacher, researcher, and writer, Donna specializes in cross-cultural instructional design, executive coaching, and work team interventions for organizations in the U.S., Asia, Latin America, and Europe. In addition to articles in the areas of diversity and inclusion, cross-cultural communication, gender differences, values, and organizational development, she recently authored a book, 52 Activities for Exploring Values Differences, and an article on preparing the next generation of diversity trainers for the 2007 Pfeiffer Annual Training Series.