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What Is Intercultural Studies?
Intercultural studies provides_ students with an understanding of other cultures, demonstrating cultural differences and misunderstandings. A degree in Intercultural Studies could lead to a career as a humanitarian relief worker, a cross-cultural trainer, a Foreign Service official or a diplomat. The need for graduates with a degree in Intercultural Studies continues to grow as the world becomes more global and distances between cultures and peoples decrease due to advances in technology._
The Goal of Intercultural Studies
Intercultural Studies examines how culture, race and other institutions shape social life. According to the Institute for Intercultural Studies (IIS), www.interculturalstudies.org, it's a means for furthering our knowledge of the different people groups and nations in the world. How intercultural and international relationships are shaped and defined are the specific focus of these studies. The importance of these relationships to our culture is also explored. The following subjects are examined in Intercultural Studies to determine how they affect relationships and society:
Culture
Nation
Race
Ethnicity
Language
History
Politics
Sociology
The Importance of Intercultural Studies
According to the International Academy for Intercultural Research (IAIR), www.intercultrualacademy.org, field-based research is an important aspect of Intercultural Studies. Theories about cultures and cultural differences and similarities need to be developed and tested in order for cultures to understand one another and interact well. Understanding people and cultures different from one's own is difficult, but necessary in order to live and interact well together. Some cross-cultural issues that need to be addressed and researched include:
Conflict and Negotiation
Racism...