Intercultural Communication Institute

24 | Linking Social Justice and Intercultural Communication in the Global Context

Globalization has catapulted people from different cultures into shared and contested physical and virtual spaces in homes, relationships, schools, neighborhoods, and workplaces, resulting in new forms of misunderstanding and conflict as well as unexpected intercultural alliances. This workshop offers a critical, social justice approach to intercultural communication in the global context, providing a framework to address the dynamic, frequently inequitable, and conflictive context of intercultural relations today.

Designed for
Educators and trainers as well as organization and community leaders who want to gain a social justice framework and a proactive approach for intercultural communication in the global context.

Gain theoretical knowledge for understanding the complexities of globalization
Gain theoretical and practical strategies for engaging a social justice approach to intercultural communication
Learn methods and strategies for building engagement, hope, and capacity for equity and justice
Increase understanding of the connection among colonization, Western hegemony, and globalization that shapes intercultural communication today
Understand how issues such as magnified economic inequity, national security, and immigration impact intercultural communication in the global context
Learn pedagogies and practical methods for addressing intercultural conflict and building intercultural alliances

Learning Activities
Structured learning experiences will include:

Lectures and discussions on a critical, social justice paradigm for intercultural communication
Discussions on the role of power and social responsibility for intercultural communication in the global context
Application and discussion of methods such as case studies and site-based community action projects for teaching intercultural communication in the global context
Small group and experiential activities to develop strategies for intercultural engagement and social participation

Faculty: Kathryn Sorrells

Dr. Kathryn Sorrells is an associate professor in the Department of Communication Studies at California State University, Northridge. She teaches undergraduate and graduate courses in intercultural communication, intercultural training, cultural studies, and feminist theory. Kathryn has also designed and taught classes on communication and globalization, as well as global peace and justice. She has been instrumental in developing the Center for Human Relations and Social Justice, a center dedicated to teaching, research, and community action at California State University, Northridge. Kathryn has facilitated change processes for individuals, groups, and institutions in the areas of diversity, gender, and intercultural conflict. She is also a potter and artist, and she brings her creative interests into the classroom and scholarly work. Kathryn founded and directs the Communicating Common Ground Project, an innovative community action research project that develops creative alternatives to intercultural and interethnic conflict. She is the author of Globalizing Intercultural Communication and has published a variety of articles related to intercultural communication, gender, and social justice.