This course introduces the fundamental themes of intercultural communication by drawing on current language and intercultural communication theory, research, and practice, to better understand communication between culturally diverse individuals. Through experiential projects and personal reflections, students will explore what it means to be an interculturally competent communicator or mediator and develop competencies necessary for interacting more appropriately and effectively in intercultural encounters. By engaging with readings, observation, analyses of critical incidents, intercultural reflections exercises, and intercultural projects, students are encouraged to become more actively engaged with intercultural interactions and to foster an ethno-relative mindset, with greater curiosity and open-mindedness. Topics include conceptions of culture and multiculturalism, the relationship between language, communication, power and context, language and cultural socialization, ‘othering’, prejudice and stereotypes, intercultural rhetoric, facework and conflict management in workplace, intercultural transition and adjustment, intercultural relationship-building, social justice, and global citizenship.