The following topics have been identified by students like you as important and relevant to their intercultural experiences at VIU. If you think something is missing please get in touch!
Contact Mackenzie.Sillem@viu.ca
Exploring and Developing Intercultural Competence
Course Description
Effective Intercultural Communication (EIC) is a blended online and face-to-face course that provides the opportunity to integrate theory and practice of understanding and navigating cultural differences at school or in the workplace.
Want to be a culturally competent and sought-after professional in today’s globalized workforce? This opportunity provides interactive lessons on intercultural communication; a skill that is crucial to Canadian employers today. The aim is to teach you how to increase your awareness of how your cultural influences can affect your intercultural interactions; how to think differently about your own as well as others’ experiences; and to help you understand the impacts of colonialism on Indigenous cultures in Canada. These will consequently help you navigate through cultural barriers via strategies of empathy, self-awareness, and mindfulness.
For more information and course dates contact Mackenzie.Sillem@viu.ca
What do students say about EIC?
“I will keep in mind that there is sometimes high anxiety during cross-cultural exchanges. This is another reminder to manage my stress during practicum, so I can carry out successful communication."
“This course has been really eye-opening and useful for me going forward in my teaching career - and simply living! This course has shown me that there is still so much to learn, and so many different viewpoints to consider. "
The Centre for Intercultural Studies is available to facilitate custom training and workshops for student groups and classes. Some topics we have provided facilitation for include:
- Introduction to Intercultural Communication
- Engaging Difficult Dialogues
- Cross-Cultural Conflict
- Groupwork and Thriving in an Intercultural Classroom
If you are interested in intercultural training or workshops for your group or class please contact Mackenzie.Sillem@viu.ca
Responding to Bias, Prejudice and Discrimination
Speaking Up Against Bias and Prejudice
Adapted From University of Missouri: Speaking Up
Nearly everyone has experienced a time when they wished they would have said something in response to someone else's insensitive remark or joke based on stereotypes or racial/ethnic slur. We are often afraid to speak up because we're worried about damaging our relationship with the person making the comment, are uncertain about the person's intention, or uncertain about our own perception ("Did I just hear that? Maybe I'm overreacting.").
Intentional or not though, words hurt and not speaking up just sends the message that the behavior is 'normal' and okay. The information below was created to help you speak up in a responsible way.
Spotting Bias and Prejudice
Bias and prejudice often take many different forms—from subtle remarks to threats and violence.
Insensitive remarks
Examples:
“Can I touch your hair?”
“That’s so ghetto.”
“Your English is so good!”
“But you don’t look Native.”
Belittling jokes
Jokes that poke fun at an individual or group’s race, ethnicity, gender, sexual orientation, disability, religion, nationality, age, socioeconomic class, political affiliation, or physical appearance.
Non-inclusive language
Language that ignores the presence of groups of people.
Example:
Using “policeman” instead of “police officer.”
Stereotyping
An over-generalization about a group.
Examples:
“Mexicans are lazy.”
“Muslims are terrorists.”
“Women are weak.”
Social avoidance
Avoiding a person or group based on race, ethnicity, gender, sexual orientation, disability, religion, nationality, age, socioeconomic class, political affiliation, or physical appearance.
Ridiculing
Making fun of or mocking someone based on the way they look or talk.
Bullying
Constantly criticizing, ridiculing, dismissing, or ignoring/ostracizing
Slurs & Name-calling
Derogatory terms used to insult individuals or groups based their race or ethnicity.
De-humanization
Talking about (or treating) someone as if they were not a human being.
Example:
“She’s a dog.”
Vandalism & Desecration
Examples:
Writing belittling remarks on or defacing someone else’s fliers or posters.
Destroying property motivated by hate for another individual or group.
Threats, Rape & Assault
Some of the most severe forms of bias and prejudice. Violence, verbal or physical, is a criminal offense. ‘Nuf said.
How should we speak up?
Step 1: Get Ready!
Now or Later?
Should I speak up right when it happens or wait until the situation is less emotionally charged?
One-on-One or with Others?
Does it make sense to confront the person in a group so that I have others to back me up?
Or is it better to talk about it one-on-one over coffee or lunch?
Step 2: Get Set!
Be Respectful
Address the behavior. Don’t attack the person. Calling someone “racist” or “ignorant” generally isn’t a good way to get them to listen to you.
Listen First
Listen for the feelings behind the statement. People often make biased comments when they are feeling frustrated, angry or threatened. Listen first to understand where they’re coming from.
Step 3: Go!
Respond in a way that’s comfortable for you, respectful of the other person, and situationally appropriate. Not all of the following strategies work in every situation, but
“I” messages can be helpful in any situation.
“When I heard you say ____, I felt ____ (hurt, uncomfortable, angry) because____ (it’s important to me that... I think we should ... my beliefs are... ).”
More Ways to Speak Up
Adapted from Promoting Diversity and Social Justice (2nd edition) by Diane J. Goodman. © 2011.
Strategy #1: “The Echo”
Paraphrase or repeat back what they said
By restating what the other person said, you make sure you understand what they said and it gives the other person the opportunity to reflect on what they said. Tone of voice is important. You’re not trying to ridicule, just trying to understand and clarify.
Strategy #2: “The Questionator”
Ask for more information
This strategy is a great way to help you understand why they said what they said. And again, it gives the person another chance to reflect on what they said. After saying it again, they might realize their statement doesn’t make sense or is unfounded. Being genuine is important. Shaming or using sarcasm can backfire.
Strategy #3: “The Huh?”
Play dumb
Another way to get them to reflect on what they said—especially good for responding to jokes. You can ask them why race, gender, sexual orientation, religion, nationality, disability, etc. is relevant to the story, or ask them to explain the meaning of a specific slur or derogatory term.
Strategy #4: “The Debunker”
Challenge the stereotype
Offer another side of the story by challenging the assumption or stereotype. Use your personal experiences and knowledge to show how the stereotype presented isn’t valid.
Strategy #5: “The Connector”
Highlight commonalities
Comments based on bias and prejudice create an “us vs. them” situation. Highlighting the ways in which the person making the comment is the same as the subject of the comments can help dial down the “otherness.”
Strategy #6: “The Emoter”
Express your feelings
Tell the person how you feel and why and then offer a more appropriate alternative.
Strategy #7: “The ‘I’ve been there"
Share your own process
Without sounding self-righteous, talk about how you used to think the same but you’ve changed. Explain what made you change your views.
Strategy #8: “The One-Worder”
Say Ouch
Sometimes when the comment is directed at you personally you want to respond immediately but can’t think of a good response. Saying “ouch!” can stop the person making the comment and lets them know that what they said was hurtful. It’s a safe, simple strategy that can work well in casual, peer-to-peer situations.
Oops! What if I realize I’ve said something wrong or hurtful?
Everyone has, at one time or another, made a comment rooted in bias or prejudice. Here are a few things you can do if you have said something hurtful or wrong.
- Apologize to those you may have hurt with your comment.
- Use it as an opportunity to learn why others found your comment hurtful or wrong.
