Identity and Intercultural Communication

At the beginning of each learning unit, I will post a prompt to our class blog. The purpose of the prompt will be to introduce a specific theory or concept and put this theory/concept in conversation with current events and key topics in intercultural communication.  You will then be asked to respond to the prompt. You will need to submit at least 3 paragraphs of content:

1. Define and explain the theory/concept.
2. Explain how this theory/concept is highlighted by the prompt. Be explicit here and cite examples from the application and connect this with specific concepts as highlighted in the readings. Cite the readings as well.
3. Discuss the implications for drawing connections between the theory/concept and the application. What does this mean in terms of intercultural communication? How can we improve our communication competency with a deeper understanding of this topic?

I have posted an assignment description for the blog on Blackboard within our current learning unit. You need to not only submit your post to the class blog, but also submit a word document of your blog to Safe Assign. You must do both to consider the assignment complete. Now onto the blog...

For this blog, we will reflect on the connection between identity and intercultural communication. Martin and Nakayama (2013) describe identity as the "bridge" between culture and communication. This, bridge, however is a highly contested set of assumptions that vary depending on an individual's worldview. As such, Martin and Nakayama provide three unique perspectives to understanding identity and communication: social science, interpretive, and critical. In your blog post, please begin by defining these three approaches to identity.

Additionally, it is important to note that identity contains many "ingredients" that are comprised of social and cultural identities. As such, "people can identify with a multitude of groups" (Martin & Nakayama, 2013, p. 186). See pages 186-205 for a description of the major types of social and cultural identities. You will reflect on these group memberships in your blog post and will also connect these "ingredients" to your own personal identity in your cultural identity video. 

GlobalPost, 2014

Specifically, I would like us to reflect on the connection between identity, the vast array of socio-cultural identities that individuals can belong to, and current events in international news. For instance, I would highlight the protests and rallies that have been going on in Hong Kong regarding the working conditions and treatment of domestic helpers (GlobalPost, 2014). In the past week there have been two rallies supported by domestic workers, activists, and other migrant groups. These rallies were sparked by the mistreatment of an Indonesian maid allegedly tortured by her employers, who is now in critical condition, and left unable to walk after 8-months of abuse. Organizers reported that over 5,000 people attended the second rally where protesters "handed a petition to Hong Kong Police Commissioner Tsang Wai-hun urging faster progress in the case before marching to the city's government headquarters" (GlobalPost, 2014, para. 4). I would then discuss the different socio-cultural identities that are at play in this conflict. Namely gender/sex, class, and national identities. 

For your blog, I would like you to find a current international event that you can use to discuss the connection between identity and intercultural communication. I would recommend checking out GlobalPost, NPR, and BBC World News to name a few sources. Begin your blog by defining identity and briefly discussing how that definition varies based on your worldview. Then discuss the current international event that you found providing us links to the article(s) and a concise summary of the event. Once you have given us some basic background information, discuss the different socio-cultural identities that are in play. Above, I named gender/sex, class, and national identities as a few ingredients that can inform our understanding of the mistreatment of domestic workers in Hong Kong. You should be specific here and cite explicit examples from the articles that you read. Finally, connect this application of identity and intercultural communication as a broader concept for reflection. If there are a wide variety of socio-cultural identities at play, what does this mean for intercultural communication moving forward? What lessons can we take away from this application? 

References

Global Post. (2014, January 19). Thousands of Hong Kong domestic helpers rally for 'tortured' maid.     Retrieved from http://www.globalpost.com/dispatch/news/afp/140119/thousands-hong-kong-                     domestic-helpers-rally-tortured-maid

Martin, J.N., & Nakayama, T.K. (2013). Intercultural communication in contexts (6th ed.). New York, NY: McGraw Hill.