Culture and Social Communities: The Role of Communication Chapter 8 Lecture/Recap

CULTURE Way of life Reflects/sustains life Ideas, beliefs, customs, language System of Interconnected Parts

Communication + Culture  Impacts our views  Impacts the way we communicate  Respecting cultural differences – necessary for effective communication  Communication “expresses, sustains, and alters culture” (p. 163)  Teaches us about culture  Indicates culture  Source of cultural change  Danger of assumptions (often based on stereotypes)   The Office, “Diversity Day”  Different dimensions and guidelines for adapting communication

Social Communities  Co-cultures? Sub-groups?  Exist within a larger culture  Groups outside of mainstream (dominant) culture  Distinct ways of life  Shapes communication practices, perceptions, identities, expectations, experiences, etc.  Standpoint Theory  Simple membership ≠ standpoint  Standpoint: ‘being conscious of the social structures and practices that define the community outside the mainstream’ (p. 159).  Different dimensions and guidelines for adapting communication

Dimensions  Individualism vs. Collectivism  Uncertainty Avoidance  Power Distance  Masculinity vs. Femininity  Long Term vs. Short Term

HCA #5  Due in class Tuesday, October 21 st  Revisiting the statement: ‘Communication is a source of cultural change’  Example: Social Movements  Find an example of some written or spoken message from a social movement (e.g. speech, song, flyer, slogan, newspaper clipping)  In a short write up (1 to 2 paragraphs) tell me what the document communicates about the social community.  What/who is the social community?  What is their goal?  Must consider (and discuss) the strategic use of verbal and nonverbal communication  How did they use communication to help accomplish their goal and define who they are as a group?

Looking Ahead  Next week: Personal Identity  Film in class (with discussion questions)  Social Communities + Personal Identity