Communication Students Experiencing Cultural Diversity

Cultural competence is lacking in Public Relations and Journalism practice (Kern-Foxworth & Miller, 1993). Practitioners generally represent dominant social groups and topics dealing with diversity are not discussed in depth in university-level curriculum (Pompper, 2005). Although much research has been conducted on increasing student\u27s cultural competence through educational interventions in disciplines such as health sciences and social work, little exists on effective interventions in Public Relations and Journalism (Campinha-Bacote’s, 2002; Fuentes & Shannon, 2016). Existing research indicates that experiential learning is the most effective method for increasing students\u27 cultural competence (Deardorff, 2011). This project seeks to increase the cultural competence of Public Relations and Journalism students through experiential learning in three different Communication courses in the Fall of 2017. Changes in cultural competence will be determined through pre and post surveys and grading assignments according to diversity rubrics. The goal is to determine if engaging students in diversity increases their cultural competence. During this presentation, the researchers will present findings and discuss challenges with engaging students in cultural diversity. References Campinha-Bacote, J. (2017). Cultural considerations in forensic psychiatry: The issue of forced medication. International Journal Of Law And Psychiatry, 501-8. doi:10.1016/j.ijlp.2016.09.002. Deardorff, D. K. (2011). Assessing intercultural competence. New Directions For Institutional Research, 2011(149), 65-79. Fuentes, M. A., & Shannon, C. R. (2016). The state of multiculturalism and diversity in undergraduate psychology training. Teaching Of Psychology, 43(3), 197-203. doi:10.1177/0098628316649315 Kern-Foxworth, M., & Miller, D. A. (1993). Multicultural Journalism Education Revisited: 1982-1991. Journalism Educator, 48(2), 46-55. Pompper, D. (2005). Multiculturalism in the Public Relations Curriculum: Female African American practitioners perceptions of effects. Howard Journal of Communications, 16(4)