This book explores the communication challenges faced by parents as they raise children who are bi-cultural, multi-cultural, or are adopted from a heritage other than the parents. Each contributor views the family as a site of intercultural dialogue and mediation, and uses compelling studies throughout to examine the parents who creatively balance cultural influences within their families. Using television depictions of parents on Modern Family and All-American Muslim to the everyday activities of mixed-ethnicity and international families, Mediating Cultures reports the communication strategies employed by the parents as they strive to create affirming relationships between children and their heritages. This collection brings together two largely separate literatures of family communication and intercultural communication studies with accessible yet context-driven studies to explain how families integrate multiple cultural heritages and perspectives.

New Publication Coming Soon!As group dynamics are constantly changing, the need for up-to-date research and real-life examples are crucial learning tools.  Group Dynamics: Connecting Through Communication features practical application of important group communication concepts in way that will grab the reader's attention.  Nicole Blau's Group Dynamics: Connecting Through Communication: Is comprehensive!  The publication integrates theories, cases, and references in each of its ten chapters. Is practical!  Students are provided access to a Group Presentation Toolkit to take the fear out of a group presentation. This provides hands-on advice and tangible tools that may be used in group presentations. Is student friendly!  Each chapter includes a summary, reflection questions, video clips of popular shows / movies, and more to assess comprehension of concepts presented. Is interactive!  Learning by Action and Contemporary Communication vignettes provide students with practical insight / tips to improve their communication within a myriad of groups.

This book explores the communication challenges faced by parents as they raise children who are bi-cultural, multi-cultural, or are adopted from a heritage other than the parents. Each contributor views the family as a site of intercultural dialogue and mediation, and uses compelling studies throughout to examine the parents who creatively balance cultural influences within their families. Using television depictions of parents on Modern Family and All-American Muslim to the everyday activities of mixed-ethnicity and international families, Mediating Cultures reports the communication strategies employed by the parents as they strive to create affirming relationships between children and their heritages. This collection brings together two largely separate literatures of family communication and intercultural communication studies with accessible yet context-driven studies to explain how families integrate multiple cultural heritages and perspectives.

The definition of what a "family" is has changed dramatically over the past few decades….Family Communication: Relationship Foundations features traditional as well as emerging diverse family types in the application and analysis of communication theories and concepts. From acknowledging the influence of family diversity to exploring the challenges presented by new technologies, this text provides a framework for describing, analyzing and strategizing for effective communication.  Designed for both undergraduate and graduate-level family communication courses, Family Communication: Relationship Foundations: Focuses on the evolution of communication phenomenon from a variety of perspectives - parent/child, sibling, and grandparent/grandchild. Includes unique case studies of family communication throughout the lifespan to explicate theories and concepts. Incorporates application-based exercises to assist the reader in identifying ways to integrate and use the concepts to enhance his/her own family relationships. Encourages the reader to begin his/her journey by identifying their own family type and structure and exploring the influence of their family of origin in shaping current communication behaviors.  Engages the reader by integrating popular culture examples drawing on the portrayals of family interactions in movies and on television.