'Critical' Junctures in Intercultural Communication Studies: A Review

Authors:

• Rona T. Halualani (San Jose State University)
• S. Lily L. Mendoza (Oakland University)
• Jolanta A. Drzewiecka (Washington State Univ)

Abstract:

This literature review revisits the critiques, moves, and junctures that have specifically retheorized culture and communication from a critical intercultural communication perspective, and set the stage for a fifth "moment" in the field of intercultural communication (Starosta & Chen, 2001). Likewise, the historically specific moments when various scholars dared to question, confront, and wrestle with definitions and theoretical formations of culture and intercultural communication, are delineated. We do so in order to reflect on the role a critical perspective has played for the field of intercultural communication and the crucial research questions, stances, and directions that arise from such a perspective for future intercultural communication studies. Moreover, we write this review with the hope of opening a dialogue about how to further advance and deepen the study of intercultural communication through the critical perspective and seriously consider how such a view may enhance and productively wrestle with other paradigmatic approaches so as to "stretch" the purview of the field.