Section: Cultural Stereotypes and Generalizations in Communications | Playground - Jason Baxter | University of Edinburgh Moodle

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  • Welcome to Intercultural Communications

    Intercultural Communication focuses on the importance of culture in our everyday lives, and the ways in which culture interrelates with and effects communication processes. We live in an era of rapid globalization in which being able to communicate across cultures is imperative to our ability to function in a diverse workplace, city, and world. Using our stories and our online discussions, this course is designed to increase our sensitivity to other cultures by understanding the frameworks of culture. This course will increase our awareness of our own cultural backgrounds, and the contexts in which we live and communicate. 

    The course objectives are as follows:

    • To explore cultural self-awareness, and the dynamics that arise in interactions between differing cultures.
    • To identify challenges that arises from these differences in intercultural interactions and learns ways to creatively address them.
    • To acquire knowledge, skills and attitudes that increase intercultural competence 
Understanding our Cultural Baggage
The Iceberg of Culture: A Metaphor

Cultural Stereotypes and Generalizations in Communications

  • Cultural Stereotypes and Generalizations in Communications

    Tutor: Jason Baxter

    What do we mean by stereotypes and generalizations? How do they affect intercultural communication? We all have ideas and impressions of our own and other cultures, are they stereotypes or generalizations?

    Do they help intercultural communication or cause problems? In these activities you will distinguish features of generalizations and stereotypes and consider some stereotypes about the United States and other foreign countries. 

    Activity: Using the framework from the Defying Definitions Project you will explore identity, and stereotypes by challenging yourself to reflect on how you are perceived by others.

    Learning Objectives

    • Define and describe "stereotypes",
    • Recognize and describe the impact of stereotypes
    • Identify their own biases and how they classify individuals based on stereotypes

    Weekly Blog Entry:

    Have you ever heard or experienced any stereotypes about France? Are there any stereotypes that you may have had about other cultures? Examine and evaluate what stereotypes a French undergraduate student might face when studying aboard?

Understanding our Cultural Baggage
The Iceberg of Culture: A Metaphor