CULTURAL CONFLICTS & COMPETENT RESPONSES
Part 1. CASE IDENTIFICATION
1.Collaborate in a small group to brainstorm some SITUATIONS in which a CONFLICT arose because of BACKGROUND DIFFERENCE.
SITUATION: At work, at a restaurant, visiting someone's home, at a public space, while serving a customer, while driving...etc.
BACKGROUND DIFFERENCE: Culture, race, gender, sexuality, religion, language, socioeconomic class, etc.
CONFLICT: Misunderstandings, assumptions, judgements, ignorance, lack of awareness, lack of respect, violation of cultural norms and values--typically leading to negative emotions such as anger, fear, distance, hurt, etc.
2. Then select a case which is particularly relevant to the class to share.
PART TWO: ANALYSIS AND BETTER RESOLUTIONS
1. Collaborate to analyze the case thoroughly using everything you have learnt in our class. What is the main problem? How was it triggered? What were the emotions that surfaced? Clarify what was at conflict at a deeper level? How did the persons involved view themselves and others? What do you think of the communication behavior?
2. Putting yourself in the situation, as one of the persons involved or a person trying to help, suggest how this situation might be handled to achieve a better outcome. What may be useful mindset, assumptions, ground rules, behaviors, communication styles, etc. Be ready to share with the class and to demonstrate specifically what needs to happen or be said to move in the direction of a better resolution.
1.Collaborate in a small group to brainstorm some SITUATIONS in which a CONFLICT arose because of BACKGROUND DIFFERENCE.
SITUATION: At work, at a restaurant, visiting someone's home, at a public space, while serving a customer, while driving...etc.
BACKGROUND DIFFERENCE: Culture, race, gender, sexuality, religion, language, socioeconomic class, etc.
CONFLICT: Misunderstandings, assumptions, judgements, ignorance, lack of awareness, lack of respect, violation of cultural norms and values--typically leading to negative emotions such as anger, fear, distance, hurt, etc.
2. Then select a case which is particularly relevant to the class to share.
PART TWO: ANALYSIS AND BETTER RESOLUTIONS
1. Collaborate to analyze the case thoroughly using everything you have learnt in our class. What is the main problem? How was it triggered? What were the emotions that surfaced? Clarify what was at conflict at a deeper level? How did the persons involved view themselves and others? What do you think of the communication behavior?
2. Putting yourself in the situation, as one of the persons involved or a person trying to help, suggest how this situation might be handled to achieve a better outcome. What may be useful mindset, assumptions, ground rules, behaviors, communication styles, etc. Be ready to share with the class and to demonstrate specifically what needs to happen or be said to move in the direction of a better resolution.