Faculty Publications

Contesting Cultural Representations: Using Internet-Mediated Communication For Cross-Cultural Education

Document Type

Article

Journal/Book/Conference Title

Electronic Magazine of Multicultural Education

Volume

5

Issue

2

First Page

10

Last Page

17

Abstract

One of the challenges facing cross-cultural education is the tendency to overgeneralize cultural differences and stereotype members of other groups or societies. This paper explores how Internet-mediated communication between college students in different countries can foster a more nuanced understanding of variation both within and between societies. Through a case study of students in the United States (Iowa) and Japan (Miyazaki), we demonstrate how electronic communication between these groups allowed students to become more aware of the diversity of experience and opinions within each society, counter each other's overgeneralizations and idealized images, and find common ground with someone in another society.

Department

Department of Sociology, Anthropology, and Criminology

Original Publication Date

9-1-2003

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