NEWS

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Change of Conference Venue!!!! Conference Room 1 on the 7th Floor of the Administration Building of NCCU

and there will be synchronous interpretation for all the presentations

NEWS!!!NEWS!!!NEWS!!!NEWS!!!NEWS!!!NEWS!!!NEWS!!!

Conference Agenda*

International Conference
De-Westernizing Communication Research:
What Is the Next Step?

First Day: Saturday, December 13, 2008

08:30-09:00	Registration
09:00-09:30	Welcoming speech: Wu Se-Hwa 吳思華, President, NCCU Welcoming speech: Chao-sung Huang 黃肇松, Chairman of the Board (Central News Agency) Photo session
9:30-11:10	Session I: Knowledge and Theory: The Issue of Universality Chair/Discussant: Kuan-Hsing Chen 陳光興 The Geography of Theory and the Place of Knowledge : Pivots, Peripheries and Waiting-Rooms David Morley Communication and Transformation: The Cultural Contradictions of Globalised Modernity Graham Murdock De-westernizing Communication: Strategies for Neutralizing Cultural Myths Molefi Asante
11:10-11:30	Tea Break
11:30-12:40	Session II: The Essentiality of de-Westernization Chair/Discussant: Eddie C.Y. Kuo郭振羽 The Cross-Cultural Challenge to Communication Science: The Issue of Cultural Bias M. S. Kim An Anatomy of Eurocentrism in Communication Scholarship: The Role of Asiacentricity in De-Westernizing Theory and Research Yoshitaka Miike (outline read by Professor Guo-Ming Chen 陳國明)
12:50-14:00	Lunch Break
14:00-15:30	Session III: The Peripheral Outlook Chair/Discussant: Gholam Khiabany (for Professor Georgette Wang’s and Professor Shi-xu’s paper) Discussant: Eddie C.Y. Kuo郭振羽 (for Professor Gunaratne’s paper) Reconstructing Eastern Paradigms of Discourse Studies Shi-xu 施旭 (via video conference) De-Westernizing Communication / Social Science Research: Opportunities And Limitations Shelton Gunaratne Orientalism, Occidentalism, and Communication Research Georgette Wang 汪琪
15:30-15:50	Tea Break
15:50-17:00	Session IV: Method and Methodological Challenges Chair/Discussant: M. S. Kim Conceptual challenges to the paradigm of media research in national and local contexts Herng Su 蘇蘅 The Return to Practice Wei Wen Chung 鍾蔚文

Second Day: Sunday, December 14, 2008

09:00-10:40	Session V: Moving Away from Universalism Chair/Discussant: David Morley Beyond Ethnocentrism in Communication Theory: Towards a Culture-centric Approach Eddie C.Y. Kuo 郭振羽 and Han Ei, Chew “De-westernization” of communication studies in Chinese societies Paul S.N. Lee 李少南 Beyond the Dichotomy of Communication StudiesKuo-Ming Guo-Ming Chen 陳國明
10:40-11:00	Tea Break
11:00-12:40	Session VI: Opportunities and Limitations of an Alternative Approach Chair/Discussant: Chen Kuo-Ming Cross-cultural Analysis: Wenyi (文藝) and Melodrama Emilie Y. Y. Yeh 葉月瑜 Imagining de-Westernization: A point of view from the science of meaning Yaly Chao 趙雅麗 Whither Eurocentrism? Media, culture and nativism in our time Gholam Khiabany An agenda for the social sciences in Asia Syed Farid Alatas (via video presentation)
12:40-14:00	Lunch Break
14:00-15:30	Session VII: Round table discussion: The “Next Step” Chair: Eddie C.Y. Kuo Panelists: All

Agenda subject to change*

Conference Details

The conference will given only in English!

Time
December 13 and 14, 2008
9 AM to 5 PM

Venue
Conference Room1 on the 7th Floor of the Administration Building of National Chengchi University

Website
Chinese: http://tw.myblog.yahoo.com/dewesternizing_comm
English: http://dewesternizingcomm.blogspot.com/

Contact persons
conference assistant (Chinese): Chui Fen Chong
-e-mail: dewesternizing_comm@yahoo.com.tw
-mobile: 0919-633284
conference assistant (English): Deike Lautenschlaeger
-e-mail: dewesternizing_comm_eng@yahoo.com
-mobile: 0911-953894

Registration
Deadline of registration: November 30, 2008
Please, send your name, mobile, and e-mail address to the conference assistant for registration!

Organizer
College of Communication, National Chengchi University
Top University Program

Conducter
National Science Council, Taiwan
Ministry of Education, Taiwan

Collaborator
Central News Agency



Organizing Committee

Chung Wei-wen,
Professor and Dean, College of Communication
National Chengchi University

Lin Yuan-huei
Professor and Director,
Media Research and Development Center
National Chengchi University

Tsang Kuo-jen
Professor, Department of Journalism
National Chengchi University

Georgette Wang
Chair Professor, Department of Journalism
National Chengchi University

De-Westernizing Communication Research: What is the Next Step? Background and Purpose

Background

This is the time for decentralization, de-Westernization, differentiation and pluralist thinking, and the number of published works in communication by non-Western researchers has been growing at exponential rates. Hidden behind the proliferation of research publications in the non-Western world, however, are several important issues that need to be discussed: is communication research in the non-Western world to continue to keep steps with the West, or ‘claim autonomy’ and ‘embark on a different path’? If a different path is preferred and research is to be culturally contextualized, will we then see the end of universal theories? Will intellectual dialogue still be necessary? If yes how can it be established?

Purpose

It is the purpose of this conference to bring out the issues involved in moving towards a cultural-centric approach to communication studies and examine them in light of ontological, epistemological, and methodological considerations.

It is hoped that by a thorough discussion of these critical issues the significance and implications of the current movement can be fully grasped.

Speakers List (alphabetical order)

Syed Farid Alatas (via video presentation)
Associate Professor of Sociology
National University of Singapore

Molefi Asante
Professor,
African American Studies Program,
Temple University, US

Yaly Chao 趙雅麗
Professor and Dean of College of Liberal Arts,
Department of Mass Communication,
Tamkang University, Taiwan

Guo-Ming Chen 陳國明
Professor,
Department of Communication Studies,
University of Rhode Island, US

Wei-Wen Chung 鍾蔚文
Professor and Dean of College of Communication,
Department of Journalism,
National Chengchi University, Taiwan

Shelton Gunaratne
Professor of Mass Communications Emeritus,
University of Minnesota at Moorhead, US

Gholam Khiabany
Associate Professor and Course Leader BSc Media Studies,
London Metropolitan University, UK

Eddie Chen-Yu Kuo 郭振羽
Professor,
Wee Kim Wee School of Communication and Information,
Nanyang Technological University, Singapore

Min-Sun Kim
Professor,
Department of Speech,
University of Hawaii at Manoa, US

Paul S. N. Lee 李少南
Professor,
School of Journalism and Communication,
The Chinese University of Hong Kong, HK

Yoshitaka Miike
Assistant Professor,
Department of Communication,
University of Hawaii at Hilo, US

David Morley
Professor,
Department of Communication,
Goldsmiths University, UK

Graham Murdock
Reader in the Sociology of Culture,
Department of Sociology,
Loughborough University, UK

Shi-xu 施旭 (via video conference)
Distinguished Professor,
Department of Foreign Literature and Applied Linguistics,
Zhe Jiang University, China

Herng Su 蘇蘅
Professor and Department Chair,
Department of Journalism,
National Chengchi University, Taiwan

Georgette Wang 汪琪　
Chair Professor,
Department of Journalism,
National Chengchi University, Taiwan

Emilie Y.Y. Yeh 葉月瑜
Professor,
Department of Cinema and Television,
Hong Kong Baptist University, HK

Molefi Kete Asante - Resume and Abstract

Name	Molefi Kete Asante
Title	Professor at Temple University, US African American Studies Program
Brief Introduction	Professor Molefi Kete Asante is a contemporary African American scholar in the field of African Studies and African American Studies. Professor Asante is known for his theories of Afrocentricity and transracial, intercultural, and international communication
Recent Publications	Asante, M. K. (2005).Ebonics: An Introduction to African American Language. Chicago : African American Images. Asante, M. K. (2005). Cheikh Anta Diop: An Intellectual Portrait. Chicago : Third World Press. Asante, M. K. (2005). Rhetoric, Race, and Identity: The Architecton of Soul. Amherst , NY : Prometheus Books. Asante, M. K. and Maulana Karenga. eds. (2005). Handbook of Black Studies. Thousand Oaks : Sage Publications. Asante, M. K. and Ama Mazama, eds. (2004). Encyclopedia of Black Studies. Thousand Oaks : Sage Publications, December. Asante, M. K. (2003). Erasing Racism: The Social Survival of the American Nation. Amherst : NY: Prometheus Books. Asante, M. K. (2003). Afrocentricity: The Theory of Social Change, 2nd Edition. Chicago : African American Images.

Paper:

De-westernizing Communication: Strategies for Neutralizing Cultural Myths

Abstract:

It is the purpose of this paper to demonstrate that neutralizing principal stereotypes and myths often held by the Western World of African and Asian cultures is an effective way to create normal human communication. It is the position of the author that abnormal communication which often goes for effective communication is a linear, rational, militaristic approach to human relations that does not allow ambiguity and non-linearity. In fact, it seeks success which serves as a code for conquest. By neutralizing this tendency for asserting stereotypes the communicator can transform communication into a mutual human relationship.

Guo-Ming Chen - Resume and Abstract

Name	Guo-Ming Chen
Title	Professor Department of Communication Studies University of Rhode Island, US
Brief Introduction	Guo-Ming Chen is Professor of Communication Studies at the University of Rhode Island. He was the recipient of the 1987 outstanding dissertation award presented by the SCA International and Intercultural Communication Division. Chen is the founding president of the Association for Chinese Communication Studies. He served as Chair of the ECA Intercultural Communication Interest Group and at-large member of the SCA Legislative Council, and currently the Executive Director of the International Association for Intercultural Communication Studies. He is also the co-editor of Intercultural Communication Studies, China Media Research, and International and Intercultural Communication Annual, and serves on the editorial board of different professional journals. His primary research interests are in intercultural/organizational /global communication. Chen has published over one hundred papers, book chapters, and essays, and (co)authored and (co)edited over 20 books and journal special issues.
Recent Publications	Books Chen,, G. M. (Ed.) (2007). Communication and culture in global context [Special issue]. Intercultural Communication Studies, 16(1), 1-262. Chen, G. M., & Starosta, W. J. (2005). Foundations of intercultural communication. Lanham, MD: University Press of America. Chen, G. M. (with W. J. Starosta) (Eds.) (2005). Taking stock in intercultural communication: Where to now? Intercultural Communication Annual, Vol. 28]. Washington, D.C.: National Communication Association. Chen, G. M., & Starosta, W. J. (Eds.) (2004). Dialogue among diversity.[International and Intercultural Communication Annual, Vol. 27]. Washington, D.C.: National Communication Association. Chen, G. M. (2004) (Ed.). Theories and principles of Chinese communication (in Chinese). Taipei: WuNan. Chen, G. M., & Miike, Y. (Eds.) (2003). Asian approaches to human communication. A special issue of Intercultural Communication Studies, 12(4). 1-220. Chen, G. M. (with W. J. Starosta) (Eds.) (2003). Ferment in the intercultural field: Axiology/value/praxis. [International and Intercultural Communication Annual, Vol. 26]. Thousand Oaks, CA: Sage Chen, G. M. (2003). An introduction to intercultural communication (in Chinese). Taipei: WuNan. Journal Articles Chen, G. M. (2007). The impact of feng shui on Chinese communication. China Media Research,3(4), 102-109. Chen, G. M. (2007). Where to now for communication studies in Chinese societies (zhong hua chuang bo xue wang he chu qu). Communication & Society, 3, 157-174. Chen, G. M. (2006). Asian communication studies: What and where to now. The Review of Communication, 6(4), 295-311. Chen, G. M. (2006). Lun quan qiu chuan bon neng li mo shi (On global communication competence). Zhejiang Social Sciences, 4, 131-139. Chen, G. M., & Miike, Y. (2006). Ferment and future of communication studies in Asia: Chinese and Japanese perspectives. China Media Research, 2(1), 1-12. Chen, G. M. (2005) (with S. Liu). Newspaper coverage of Chinese and group perception of Chinese immigratnts. Australian Journalism Review, 27(2), 135-149. Chen. G. M. (2005). A model of global communication competence. China Media Research, 1, 3-11. Chen, G. M. (2005) (with W. J. Starosta). Where to now for intercultural communication: A dialogue. International and Intercultural Communication Annual, 28, 3-13. Chen, G. M., (2004). The two faces of Chinese communication. Human Communication, 7, 25-36. Chen, G. M., & Starosta, W. J. (2004). Communication among cultural diversities: A dialogue. International and Intercultural Communication Annual, 27, 3-16. Chen, G. M., & Starosta, W. J. (2003). Asian approaches to human communication: A dialogue. Intercultural Communication Studies, 12(4), 1-15. Chen, G. M (with Rueyling Chuang) (2003). Buddhist perspectives and human communication. Intercultural Communication Studies, 12(4), 65-80. Chen, G. M. (2003) (with W. J. Starosta). “Ferment,” an ethic of caring, and the corrective power of dialogue. International and Intercultural Communication Annual, 26, 3-23. Chen, G. M. (2003) (with W. J. Starosta). On theorizing difference: Culture as centrism. International and Intercultural Communication Annual, 26, 277-287. Book Chapters Chen, G. M. (2009). Intercultural effectiveness. In L. A. Samovar, R. E. Porter, & E. R. McDaniel (Eds.), Intercultural communication: A reader (pp. 393-401). Boston, MA: Wadsworth. Chen, G. M., & Starosta, W. J. (2008). Intercultural communication competence: A synthesis. In M. K. Asante, Y. Miike, & J. Yin (Eds.), The global intercultural communication reader (pp. 215-237). New York: Routledge. Chen, G. M. (2007). Intercultural communication studies by ACCS scholars on the Chinese. In S. J. Kulich & M. H. Prosser (Eds.), Intercultural perspectives on Chinese communication. (pp. 302-337). Shanghai: Shanghai Foreign Language Education. Chen, G. M. (2007). A review of the concept of intercultural effectiveness. In M. Hinner (Ed.), The influence of culture in the world of business (pp. 95-116). Germany: Peter Lang. Chen, G. M. (with Jensen Chung) (2007). The relationship between cultural context and electronic-mail Usage. In M. Hinner (Ed.), The role of communication in business transactions and relationships (pp. 279-292). Germany: Peter Lang. Chen, G. M., & Starosta, W. J. (2006). Intercultural awareness. In L. A. Samovar, R. E. Porter, and E. R. McDaniel (Eds.), Intercultural communication: A reader (pp. 357-366). Belmont, CA: Wadsworth. Chen, G. M. (2004). The eight trigrams of Yi Ching and the development of human relationship. In G. M. Chen (Ed.), Theories and principles of Chinese communication (pp. 203-229). Taipei: WuNan. Chen, G. M., & Chung, J. (2004). The impact of Confucianism on organizational communication. In G. M. Chen (Ed.), Theories and principles of Chinese communication (pp. 245-264). Taipei: WuNan.

Paper:

Beyond the Dichotomy of Communication Studies

Guo-Ming Chen, Professor
Department of Communication Studies
University of Rhode Island
10 Lippitt Road, Davis Hall
Kingston, RI 02881, USA
EmaIl: gmchen@uri.edu

Abstract

The trend of globalization has sharpened the debate on the culture-specific and culture-general approaches to communication studies. As the demand for culture-specific approaches in scholarly research is increasing due to the impact of globalization, the trend of universalizing representations based on culture-general paradigm is as well going stronger. Unfortunately, the countermovement between scholars’ dichotomous positions continues to reflect the limitation and myopia of traditional views, which mirror a full embracing of the local practice on the one side and a blind acceptance of foreign elements on the other side. Hence, how to balance the yin and yang of scholarly research will be a key to developing a sound state of knowledge seeking and making in the future. This paper goes beyond the either-or thinking by taking the stance that the dissolution of the boundary shell should be pursued and the interpenetration and interfusion between yin and yang of communication studies should be sought, while the local identity is still sustained. The concept of miantze (face) and survey research method are exemplified in this paper to support the argument.