CALL FOR PARTICIPATION
Topic: A Round Table Discussion Proposal– Communication Studies on International Adoption: Voices, Issues, and Impact
National Communication Association convention
November 17-20, 2011, New Orleans
Contact information: Joyce Chen, University of Northern Iowa, chen@uni.edu; Changfu Chang, Millersville University of Pennsylvania, changfu.chang@millersville.edu
International and interracial adoptions have been part of American family life since the 1980s. The adjustment of adopted children and their adoptive families became an important issue studied by academia, especially in the fields of clinical psychology and social work. The research topics range from the identity formation of adopted children, the search for, and reunion with, birth parents of adult adoptees, adoption parenting, to birth mother adjustments. These studies seem to focus on “the vulnerabilities and deficiencies of adoptees” (Zamostny, O‟Brien, Baden, & Wiley, 2003, p.667). As a matter of fact, the identity formation of adopted children and the adjustments of adoptive families reside in the process of cross-cultural and intercultural communication. However, there was very few communication study found on the international/interracial adoption. This proposal aims to let those voices be heard, to initiate the discussions on important issues, and to exchange research agenda. We have a series of documentary DVDs that would provide basic information for the discussion.
If you are interested in this proposal and are willing to participate in the round table discussion, please send us your topic and contact information. The topic is open to any international adoption experiences, opinions/perspectives, or research intention. Contact information:
Joyce Chen, Ph.D.
Associate Professor
Department of Communication Studies
University of Northern Iowa
chen@uni.edu
Changfu Chang, Ph.D.
Professor
Department of Communication and Theatre
Millersville University of Pennsylvania
Millersville, PA 17551
changfu.chang@millersville.edu
Center for Intercultural Dialogue 