Month: March 2013

Where are you from?

The Where Are You From? Project (WAYF) is a series of video interviews with immigrants, citizens, new and long-term residents, and refugees in North Carolina, USA. The WAYF Project puts a face on immigration and uses technology to understand the human tendency and the right to move. We collect and share stories about mobility using a free and public platform that exposes users to the human aspect of migration, while teaching about multiple places, countries, and cultures.

The premise that everyone has a history of movement and the personal stories of the WAYF Project are particularly salient as the United States and other nations debate immigration reforms and look for alternative policies for all immigrants, from high skilled workers who enter legally to those who cross the border without documents.

Visit our multimedia website, explore the interactive map, and share the WAYF interviews with anyone interested in citizenship, mobility, and immigration.

CFP IAIR conference panel

Call for Papers and Discussants for the 2013 8th biennial IAIR Conference: Reno/Lake Tahoe
Symposium Proposal on IC History Pioneers, Paradigms, and National Developments

For the upcoming June 23-27, 2013 8th biennial conference of the IAIR, we have been notified that there is still space in the schedule and that the deadline for submissions is extended to March 15, 2013.  Please consider if you have content that might contribute to this session proposal (admittedly being expanded rather late) and contact us soon.

Because the theme of this conference is “Pushing the Frontiers of Intercultural Research: Asking Critical Questions,” we propose that one of the important questions to answer concerns evaluation of the
history and status of our diverse intercultural discipline(s). More specifically, it seems critical at this juncture to assess:
(1) What are the enduring contributions of pioneering intercultural trainers, scholars, and practitioners?
(2) How and why have various national/ethnic trajectories in IC expanded, redefined, or repositioned the boundaries and knowledge base of the IC field(s)?
(3) How have the developments of differing paradigms contested and/or contributed to the various expressions now referred to under the “intercultural communication” [IC] rubric?

This is a dialogue that was crystallized in 2010 at two German government sponsored conferences, first at the Berlin “Sino-German Conference on Intercultural Communication” (March 28-April 1) and then
the Shanghai “Chinese IC Disciplinary Development Symposium” (June 11-14). Discussions at those gatherings in part prompted an initiative to document the history of early IC influencers, recently published as the 2012 IJIR Special Issue on “Early American pioneers of intercultural communication“ (Vol. 36(6), which included 14 articles). In compiling that volume, the editors adopted a biographical approach, but acknowledged gaps in both important figures not yet covered as well as the need for developing a more thorough sociology of our IC knowledge (Kulich & Zhang, 2012, pp. 885-901). This session is being organized to continue to address such needs.

Kulich’s opening and concluding articles in the 2012 IJIR issue (available online) suggested the need to cover other important IC pioneers (such as Harry Triandis, Richard Brislin, Mitsuko Saito, David Hoopes, Peggy Pusch, Clifford Clarke, William Howell, William Gudykunst, Young Yun Kim, Stella Ting-Toomey, Mitchell Hammer, Al Wight, Marshall Singer, George Renwick, Stephen Rhinesmith, Robert Moran, Shiela Ramsey, Lynn Tyler, Donald Klopf, Satoshi Ishii, John Berry, Dan Landis, William Starosta, Mary Jane Collier, Geert Hofstede, Alexander Thomas, along with a LONG list of MANY others, and many apologetically NOT yet listed, with influences from and around the world).

One concern, however, is that single scholar/practitioner biographies may not provide as highly-cited journal contributions as work that is more integrative. Seeking to address this, we welcome papers for this session that discuss people, analyze paradigms, organizations, national developments, or other aspects of our shared or divergent history, especially seeking to further a sociology of science for the
IC field(s):
* the analysis of specific intercultural groups/schools of scholars, events, places, programs,
* the interactions/collaboration or divergences of concurrent intercultural pioneeers,
* the history of IC in varied national contexts/ their development landscapes,
* the challenges and contributions of cross-national IC collaborations,
* the framing of contrasting IC paradigms and those who championed them, and/or
* analyzing their effects on the development of IC in different places or persuasions, or
* critical correctives to mainstream IC history, alternative tracks/standpoints/marginalized groups or approaches to studying or doing IC.Discussions are underway for several possible publication outlets for
contributions to this symposium. Some may be selected as articles for another IJIR Special Issue (tentatively possible in 2016), or as key chapters in theme volumes in the Shanghai-based Intercultural Research book series (5 volumes currently published), or as an eventual IJIR “Handbook on the History and Status of Intercultural Communication Research.”

The proposed session is organized by Steve J. Kulich with feedback from a panel composed of Michael Prosser, Jackie Wasilewski, Special Issues Editor Dan Landis, IJIR Editor Colleen Ward and confirmed contributions from Clifford Clarke, Holly Kawakami, and others.

Proposals for contributions for this special conference session should be sent to Steve.Kulich@gmail.com and also to kulich@shisu.edu.cn and should include a 200-500 word abstract detailing the content to be covered or issues to be addressed (before March 15). Responses on inclusion and the tentative design of the symposium session will be sent out before March 18, 2013.

Summer 2013 Shanghai

Villanova University is hosting two fantastic summer programs in Shanghai, China, in 2013. The programs best fit the undergraduate students who are looking to have an international communication internship this summer and/or interested in intercultural communication, Chinese language (any level) and culture, double majors or major & minor in Communication and Business or Asian Studies (or related areas), or simply hope to become a globalized citizen and experience formal and informal learning in one of the world’s fastest growing economies. Shanghai has been rated as one of the world’s top-20 metropolitan cities and “#1 in attracting foreign capital investment and job-creating projects” (The Atlantic, 2011). Here are some highlights:
1.     Intern and Study in Shanghai, China (via Villanova School of Business or VSB)
*       Internship placements over 5 weeks of the program, for 150 hours total (past internship placements: Citibank, IPSOS, McKinsey).
*       A 3-credit course: ECO 3108 Transition of Chinese Economy.
*       A “Survival Chinese Language” training.
*       Cultural excursions: (a) Survival in Shanghai (inc. a boat tour, museum visit, and an acrobatic show) and (b) 2-week cultural excursion, inc. Shanghai to Shandong (Confucian and Taoist traditions), to Beijing (Forbidden City, Summer Palace, the Great Wall of China, Ming Tombs, and Chengde Summer Resort)
*       6 credits in total.
*       Dates: 6/26-8/13, 2013.
*       Cost: Approximately $7,700 (including tuition, housing, PRC visa, and tour; excluding airfare and meals).

2.     Intensive Chinese Language and Culture (via Global Interdisciplinary Studies or GIS)
*       Study and live in the heart of Shanghai.
*       Two 4-week-long courses: (a) Chinese language course (placed to different classes based on language level) and (b) a cultural course. Students may earn 6-9 credits depending on the Chinese language course level. The courses are sponsored by Shanghai Jiao Tong University.
*       Offers an opportunity for all students, at any Chinese language levels, to explore the Chinese language, culture, literature, history, art, theatre, business, society, and Chinese lifestyle.
*       Cultural excursions: (a) Survival in Shanghai (inc. a boat tour, museum visit, and a acrobatic show) and (b) 2-week cultural excursion, inc. Shanghai to Shandong (Confucian and Taoist traditions), to Beijing (Forbidden City, Summer Palace, the Great Wall of China, Ming Tombs, and Chengde Summer Resort)
*       Dates: 7/7-8/13, 2013.
*       Cost: Approximately $5,800 (including tuition, housing, host university health insurance, PRC visa, and tour; excluding airfare and meals).

Both programs are competitive. Please contact Dr. Qi Wang for application procedures or questions at q.wang AT villanova.edu.

Japan tour 2013

The Committee for International Discussion and Debate (CIDD) of the National Communication Association (NCA) seeks applicants for the 2013 Japan Tour.

Approximate Dates of Travel: Early June to Early July 2013

Eligibility: Any past or present forensic participant who is under 25 and is a full time undergraduate in good standing (juniors and seniors preferred), or who has received an undergraduate degree but is no older than 25, is eligible.  We encourage applications from students active in all forms of forensics, including Lincoln-Douglas debate, team policy debate, parliamentary debate, and individual events.  Students who apply should have (or plan to obtain) a valid current passport.

Evaluation: Students will be evaluated on the basis of their debating skills and their ability to teach debate basics.  Knowledge of political, social, and cultural conditions around the globe is a must.  Students’ ability to represent the United States and American forensics (in all its forms) accurately, effectively, and professionally is a strong consideration.  The ability to educate students about the style and substance of debate in the United States is an important component of the tour.  Personal diplomatic skills are a must.

Tryouts:  Applicants will be notified of their status as finalists by early April. The application process will include a round of phone interviews and a second round of video tryouts in which applicants will showcase their debate skills.

How to Apply: If you are interested in trying out for the tour, send the following by no later than March 22, 2013.

1.  A letter of interest
2.  A copy of your college transcript
3.  Two letters of recommendation that address your skills in debate, your professionalism, and diplomatic skills.  (It is preferable, though not required, that one letter should be from someone other than your debate/forensics coach and focus on aspects of professionalism, diplomacy, presentation, and/or knowledge of the political, social, and cultural traditions of the region.) Please have your letter writers send their letters to nca.cidd AT gmail.com with your last name and “2013 Japan tour” in the email subject line.
4.  A current resume
5.  Contact information (including phone and e-mail address)
Send all application materials to nca.cidd AT gmail.com. Materials received after March 22 will not be considered.

Carly S. Woods, Ph.D.
Assistant Professor, Communication Studies and Women’s & Gender Studies
University of Nebraska-Lincoln
Email: cwoods3 AT unl.edu

Summer 2013 Ghana

Critical Reflections On Communication

The Department of Communication at Villanova University is inaugurating a pilot program this summer for what is expected to become a regular summer program offering in the department: a summer program in Ghana. During our six weeks in Ghana, we will explore issues related to communication in the classroom and in the broader culture.   In particular, we look to study, critically, the patterns of communication in the classroom with a focus on student/teacher interactions.  Our goal is for students to learn about the complexities, perspectives, and traditions of another culture.  Video production, as a universal tool of narrative exploration, will be used to enable students to share their own artistic perspectives while enhancing the conversations about Communication and Education.  We believe that through study, observation and personal experience, we will all leave Ghana with a new understanding of the Ghanaian culture.  Through the mutual exchange of information and ideology we will all grow and know better our responsibilities as global citizens. As a part of our course, we will visit Heritage Academy and work with the teachers and students on projects most relevant to their expressed needs and desires.

Dates: May 27th – July 5th
Location: Cape Coast, Ghana – University of Cape Coast
Course Credits:
Total of 6 credits
COM 3390: Special Topics in Interpersonal & Organizational Communication (3 Credits)
COM 3390: Special Topics in Media & Film (3 Credits)
Contact:
hezekiah.lewis AT villanova.edu