Historical Intersections of Intercultural Studies (ll) : Directions and Dynamics

Like culture itself, the field of intercultural studies is a product of historical events and encounters. The values, norms, beliefs, and experiences of previous generations shape our current perspectives and procedures in this field. Inversely, our intercultural positionality also leads to different interpretations of history. We know that the same events will belong to different stories and assume a variable significance in more than one narrative (Louis Mink). Thus, we should place greater importance on the intersection between our intercultural trajectories and their historical directions both in research and in practical activities, as histories provide the dynamics necessary to understand the dimensions of our intercultural activities. Modifying the approaches of recent inquiries into histories of the field, this volume addresses and expands on earlier lines of research, while it also acknowledges and qualifies the common overemphasis on Western philosophical roots.

The SISU Intercultural Institute has contributed to the field with the Intercultural Research series, and this book fills important gaps in the literature. It makes a significant contribution by integrating major sociocultural developments like the pioneering work of Edward Hall and concepts of study abroad, and it presents multilevel perspectives on intercultural professional development and the complex field of area studies.

Professor Dharm Bhawuk, PhD, University of Hawai‘i

For many readers this book will be a “treasure chest” for the exploration of multiple views on the history of intercultural communication (research) and its connectedness with various academic disciplines and traditions. With its wide array of themes, from the groundbreaking research of Edward Hall to concepts of humanism in China, the text is highly recommended for beginners as well as advanced readers.

Prof. Dr. em. Jürgen Henze, Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin