Communication in Eastern Europe: The Role of History, Culture, and Med

Description

This volume represents a clear attempt to learn something from the events in Eastern European countries. It does not start with simplistic or old assumptions based on convenient Western communication models, but instead takes a new approach. If chaos theory could fundamentally change how physicists looked at order in the universe, then it may be of value for communication scholars to attempt to... Read more

This volume represents a clear attempt to learn something from the events in Eastern European countries. It does not start with simplistic or old assumptions based on convenient Western communication models, but instead takes a new approach. If chaos theory could fundamentally change how physicists looked at order in the universe, then it may be of value for communication scholars to attempt to understand the diversity of chaos or order in the human universe, rather than attempt to force existing models on it for their own explanatory purposes.

This book is not merely based on the study of select groups of university students or on laboratory settings created in the minds of social scientists. It seeks to understand some of the "real world," including the historical backgrounds and the theoretical assumptions brought to studies of intercultural conflicts. Using personal and professional insights developed during firsthand contacts with existing situations, chapter authors illustrate some of the realities by using the complexity of changes in Eastern European states during the final decade of the 20th century. From education to business, from the role of women to the role of mass media, from the impact of political systems to the impact of history, communication between those who are culturally diverse, though they may have been arbitrarily forced to live under the same "political roof," is the theme of these scholarly studies.

The editor's reason for developing this volume of original essays is his belief that diversity rather than assumed similarity or even sameness -- based on the use of inadequate terminology -- is necessary for learning from contemporary human experiences. He further believes that diversity and the significant roles of cultural values as well as of history need to become key concepts in the model with which to begin when it comes to the study of various aspects of intercultural communication. It is therefore vital that scholars who represent various points of view and backgrounds contribute to that process. After all, understanding what is happening in the world is centrally anchored in or related to effective and successful "intercultural" communication between scholars who have different academic and personal backgrounds.
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Contents: Preface. Part I: Foundational Issues. T. Stephen, Interpersonal Communication, History, and Intercultural Coherence. Part II: Germany and Unification. F.L. Casmir, "Wir sind ein Volk": Illusions and Reality of German Unification. M. Boyle, The Crisis of Citizenship: The East German Media, Nazis, and Outsiderness. D.J. Rosenberg, Stepsisters: On the Difficulties of German-German Feminist Cooperation. Part III: Hungary: Restructuring a Society and Its Economy. M.M. McKinley, Hungarian Culture in Communication. C.C. Rohde, C.R.C. Pellicaan, Advertising and the Legitimacy Crisis of Eastern Europe. Part IV: Complexities of Change: Other Eastern European Examples. S.R. Olson, New Democratic Vistas: Demassification and the Polish Media. E. Gilder, Turning Personal Experiences Into Social Reality: Communication as a "Third-Culture-Building" Tool in the Romanian Classroom. D. Iordanova, Media Coverage of Bulgaria in the West and Its Domestic Use. C.Q. Adade, Africa, the Kremlin, and the Press: The Russian Soul Comprehending and Communicating the African Spirit. D.E. Williams, Probing Cultural Implications of War-Related Victimization in Bosnia-Hercegovina, Croatia, and Serbia. F.L. Casmir, Some Summary Thoughts.

Editor(s)

Biography

Fred L. Casmir

Communication in Eastern Europe The Role of History, Culture, and Media in Contemporary Conflicts

Description

Table of Contents

Editor(s)

Biography

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