Landmarks in Intercultural Studies

Interculturality refers to the relations among individuals and groups that, on a meso-level of observation are often termed as cultural. Interculturality can be perceived by participants and observers alike and modifies the interactional context either through its existence as a discursive construction or combined with a reference to perceived differences in people's lifeworlds. These discourses affect value orientations, systems of meaning and bodies of knowledge. Globalization sets a scene where societies perceive an increase of intercultural contact on all levels, although, as this book may show, intercultural communication research today looks back to an impressive tradition. Research and practice in intercultural communication have become increasingly important and dynamic worldwide in recent decades, starting in the United States.

This anthology offers an innovative and original approach to the study of interculturality: it focuses on academics of major importance to the field, "interculturalists" who have developed key theories, models, and concepts and thus have had a significant impact on the field. Connections are made between interculturalists and particular topics, theories, academic disciplines, and "schools." It also shows how these conceptual frameworks can be used to better understand 'intercultural reality'.

The editors

Prof. Dr. Christoph Barmeyer holds the Chair of Intercultural Communication at the University of Passau, Germany.

Prof. Dr. Dominic Busch is a Professor of Intercultural Communication and Conflict Research at the University of the Bundeswehr in Munch, Germany.